About Tempe

Tempe, Arizona is a community in Maricopa County, Arizona. This page consolidates verified public records resources for Tempe, including law enforcement, court, vital, property, and government records.

Read more about public records in Tempe

Tempe is located in Maricopa County, Arizona and had a recorded population of approximately 186,419 at the last census. County and state agencies serving Maricopa County are the primary source for most government records affecting Tempe residents.

Law enforcement in Tempe is served by Tempe Police Department and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Arrest records, booking information, and incident reports are maintained by these agencies and can usually be requested in person, by mail, or via online portals where available.

Court case records for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters in Maricopa County are maintained by the county trial court of general jurisdiction and, where applicable, by municipal or district courts. Statewide court case search tools published by the Arizona Judicial Branch can also be used to locate cases.

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates for Tempe residents are issued through the Arizona Department of Health Services (Office of Vital Records), with local copies often available through the Maricopa County Clerk's office. Real-property records (deeds, mortgages, liens) and parcel assessments are recorded with the county Recorder and the county Assessor.

Most government records held by Arizona agencies are accessible under the Arizona Public Records Law, which sets a response window of promptly and requires agencies to publish procedures for written records requests. Certain records (juvenile, sealed, victim, and active investigation records) may be withheld or redacted under statutory exemptions.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Tempe

Tempe Police Department

“Tempe Police Department | City of Tempe, AZ” is the official municipal webpage for the Tempe Police Department. It provides comprehensive information about the department’s mission, values, accreditation, community outreach, crime data, services (including online reporting and records), locations and contact details.

https://www.tempe.gov/government/police

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is the law enforcement agency that serves Maricopa County, Arizona, and is the largest sheriff's office in Arizona. The MCSO provides patrol services and criminal investigation to unincorporated areas of the county and operates the county jail system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maricopa_County_Sheriff's_Office

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Tempe

Tempe Municipal Court | City of Tempe, AZ

Other Court/Law Resources - Click here to view other court/law resources such as information on small claims, landlord/tenant disputes, expungements, and sealing records.

🔗 https://www.tempe.gov/government/city-court

🏠 Property & Public Records in Tempe

Maricopa County Recorder

Property records for Tempe, Arizona are maintained by the Maricopa County Recorder. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Maricopa County, including Tempe.

Public Records & Services in Tempe

Public Schools

Official source: NCES Public School District Search
  • 🎓Public schools are administered by local school districts under state Department of Education oversight.
  • 📊School performance data, enrollment, and district boundaries are published by the state Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).
  • 📞Contact the local district office for enrollment, transcripts, or attendance records.
Public schools in Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Maricopa County school administration or the Arizona Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.

Crime Data & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Tempe police department or the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Public Library Records Access

Official source: IMLS Library Search & Compare
  • 📚Public libraries provide free access to online databases, historical archives, and government-document collections.
  • 🔎Many libraries offer remote access to property records, court records, and genealogy resources with a valid library card.
  • 👤Reference librarians can assist with research, document retrieval, and government-records lookups.
The Tempe Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Maricopa County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.

Fingerprinting Services

Official source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks
  • 👆Fingerprinting for background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening is offered by local police and authorized providers.
  • 📅Most agencies require appointments; walk-in hours and fees vary by location.
  • 🪪Bring valid government-issued photo ID; some agencies accept fingerprint cards mailed in for processing.
Fingerprinting services for Tempe, Arizona residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Maricopa County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact the Tempe Police Department or the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The Arizona Attorney General or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.

About Tempe — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office operates the jail system serving the area, which includes multiple facilities such as the Fourth Avenue Jail and the Lower Buckeye Jail. When someone is booked, they're fingerprinted, photographed, and their personal information is documented into the system. Families looking for information about an inmate can use the Sheriff's Office online lookup tool to check custody status and location. Visitation requires advance scheduling and strict adherence to facility guidelines.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Maricopa County are kept by both the Sheriff's Office and individual municipal police departments, including the Tempe Police Department. Residents and attorneys can request these records through the records division of the agency that made the arrest. A typical record includes the person's name, the charges filed, the booking date, and which agency handled the arrest. The Arizona Public Records Act governs how the public can access these documents, establishing the framework for transparency while balancing privacy concerns.

Criminal Records

The criminal records ecosystem in Maricopa County includes felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and sex offender registry records. The Maricopa County Superior Court maintains court records, while the Sheriff's Office and local police departments handle arrest and incident records. Background checks in Arizona can be conducted through the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which provides fingerprint-based checks. The Arizona Department of Public Safety offers additional resources for residents seeking detailed criminal history information.

Vital Records

The Arizona Department of Health Services oversees the issuance of vital records for Tempe and the state of Arizona. This includes birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses. Residents can obtain these documents through the Vital Records office, either in person or by mail. The Arizona Department of Health Services also maintains a searchable database of vital statistics for the Tempe area, including census data and population estimates.

Business & Licensing Records

The City of Tempe maintains a variety of business related public records accessible to entrepreneurs and researchers alike. This includes business license information, zoning regulations, and building permit records that track development across the community. The Economic Development Division compiles data on major employers, workforce statistics, and ongoing economic initiatives that shape the local business scene. Residents and business owners can access these records through the city's online portal or by visiting the City Clerk's Office in person.

Economy & Demographics

Tempe's economy is diverse, with a mix of technology, education, and retail industries. Notable employers in the city include Arizona State University, which is a major driver of the local economy, as well as companies in the tech and software sectors, such as State Farm, Insight, and Microchip Technology. The city also has a strong retail presence, with shopping and dining destinations like the Mill Avenue District. Tempe's workforce is highly educated, with a significant percentage of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Elections & Voter Records

Tempe voters rely on the Maricopa County Elections Department, located at 510 S 3rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003 (phone: 602-506-1511, website: https://recorder.maricopa.gov/elections), which administers every federal, state, county, and municipal election affecting residents here. The office handles voter registration, early voting operations, polling places, and official certification of results. Arizona residents can register to vote online at https://servicearizona.com through the Secretary of State's system. Registration must be completed 29 days before any election.
Voters need to provide an Arizona driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. The state requires proof of citizenship documentation for registration. Residents can also register in person at the County Elections office or any Motor Vehicle Division location. Municipal elections for Mayor and City Council happen in odd-numbered years, typically in March. The seven-member Tempe City Council includes six council members plus the mayor, serving staggered terms. Information about local candidates, ballot measures, and voter guides is available at https://www.tempe.gov/government/city-clerk/elections. City offices are chosen through nonpartisan elections. Voters can locate their assigned polling place using the lookup tool at https://voter.azsos.gov or by calling the County Elections Department. Arizona operates primarily as an early voting state, roughly 90% of Maricopa County voters cast ballots by mail. Registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot if they're on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL). Any registered voter can join the AEVL through the Maricopa County website or by submitting a request form. Arizona's public records law ensures extensive election transparency. Voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted) can be purchased from the County Recorder. Campaign finance reports for local, state, and county candidates are searchable through the Arizona Secretary of State's website at https://azsos.gov/elections/campaign-finance. Candidate filings, nomination petitions, and ballot measure information are available through county and city clerk offices. Precinct-level election results are published online after each election at https://recorder.maricopa.gov/electionresults/. Arizona will hold gubernatorial and statewide executive office elections as the governor's term expires that year. The U.S. House of Representatives sefor the local congressional district will be contested. Maricopa County offices including County Supervisor districts, County Attorney, Sheriff, Recorder, Assessor, and Treasurer will appear on the ballot. Local voters may also see ballot propositions addressing state constitutional amendments, county initiatives, and city bond issues if referred by the respective governing bodies. To request an absentee or early ballot, voters can enroll in the AEVL through the Maricopa County website, or request a one-time early ballot by contacting the Elections Department by phone, mail, or online portal up to 11 days before Election Day.
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StateArizona
CountyMaricopa
Population186,419
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Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote in Tempe, Arizona, residents can register online through the Arizona Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Maricopa County elections office. Arizona requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Arizona Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Tempe, contact the Maricopa County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Tempe, Arizona are maintained by the Maricopa County Assessor's Office and the Maricopa County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Maricopa County, including parcels in Tempe. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Maricopa County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Arizona counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Maricopa County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Tempe, Arizona residents are available through both county and state offices. The Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Vital Records, located in Phoenix, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Arizona. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Maricopa County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Maricopa County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.