Access Tempe Deed Records

Deed records for Tempe properties are not kept by the city. All Arizona counties handle deed recording through their elected County Recorder. Tempe is located in Maricopa County. The Maricopa County Recorder's office in downtown Phoenix maintains all deed records for Tempe. The City of Tempe Clerk handles city government records such as council minutes and ordinances but does not maintain property deeds or land records. Anyone searching for Tempe deed information must use the Maricopa County Recorder system. The county has been recording Tempe property documents since 1871. Free online access allows you to search the entire database from home or your office.

Tempe Uses Maricopa County for Deeds

The Maricopa County Recorder is at 111 South Third Avenue in Phoenix. This is where you go to record a deed or get certified copies for Tempe property. The office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Federal holidays are observed. You can call (602) 506-3535 with questions about recording a Tempe deed.

Tempe is home to Arizona State University and many residential neighborhoods. All property in Tempe falls under Maricopa County jurisdiction for deed recording purposes. The City Clerk's office does not handle real property documents. Their office is located at 31 East Fifth Street. Phone number is (480) 350-4311. Staff there can help with city business but will send you to the County Recorder for anything related to Tempe property deeds.

Many Tempe residents mail their deeds to the Recorder instead of driving to Phoenix. Include payment and a stamped return envelope. Processing time is usually a few business days. E-recording is also common in Tempe real estate transactions. Title companies use electronic systems to submit deeds directly to the county. This is faster than mail and gives you immediate confirmation once the deed is recorded.

Search Tempe Deed Records Online

Maricopa County offers free searches at recorder.maricopa.gov. The database includes all Tempe deeds from 1871 to the present day. You can search by name, document type, or date range. Type in the property owner's last name to start. The system shows a list of all matching records.

Search results appear as rows in a table. Each row shows the document type, recording date, and parties involved. Click on any row to view the full document image. Most images are scanned PDFs. Zoom in if you need to read fine print on older Tempe deeds. You can print these images at home for your records. These are unofficial copies only.

If you need a certified copy of a Tempe deed, order it from the Recorder's office. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $3 seal fee as set by A.R.S. 11-475. You may need certified copies when closing a loan or settling an estate. Unofficial online printouts do not work for those purposes. But they are fine for general research about Tempe property ownership.

The online system does not search by address or parcel number. You must use names or document numbers. If you know the seller's name from a prior transaction, search for them as the grantor. This will pull up the deed where they sold the Tempe property. Then you can see who bought it and trace forward from there. This method works well for building a chain of title on Tempe real estate.

Recording a Tempe Property Deed

Prepare your deed according to Arizona rules in A.R.S. 11-480. Use white or near-white paper. Print in black ink. Leave a two-inch margin at the top of the first page. Use 10-point font or larger. The deed must be signed by the person transferring the property. A notary public must witness the signature and stamp the deed. These requirements apply to all Tempe deeds.

Recording costs $30 for each deed. This is a statewide fee. You also need to file an Affidavit of Property Value with any deed that transfers ownership in Tempe. The affidavit asks about the sale price and how the property was used. Blank forms are available at the Recorder's office or online. Bring payment when you submit the deed. Maricopa County takes cash, checks, or credit cards. Credit cards may have a small processing fee.

Walk into the Recorder's office at 111 South Third Avenue to file your Tempe deed in person. Staff will check the document for basic errors. If everything looks good, they stamp it with the date and time. Your deed is now recorded. You can wait for a copy or leave a stamped envelope for return by mail. Most people choose the envelope option to save time.

E-recording has become popular for Tempe real estate deals. Title companies and attorneys use vendors like Simplifile, CSC eRecording, or eRecording Partners Network to file deeds electronically. The system checks formatting before submission. You get instant feedback if something is wrong. Once the deed passes checks, it goes to the Recorder. Confirmation comes back within hours. E-recording costs the same $30 fee plus any vendor charges your title company adds.

Note: You do not have to record a deed for it to transfer ownership in Tempe, but an unrecorded deed offers no protection if someone else records a later deed or lien on the same property.

Title Alert Service for Tempe Owners

Maricopa County provides a free Title Alert service for Tempe property owners. Sign up at recorder.maricopa.gov/maricopatitlealert. Enter your Tempe address and email. The system will email you whenever a document is recorded against your property. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments that affect your title.

This service does not prevent fraud. It only notifies you after something is recorded. If you receive an unexpected alert about your Tempe home, contact the Recorder's office and consider calling police. You may need a lawyer to clear your title if fraud occurred. But catching it early makes the process easier. Many Tempe homeowners enroll for peace of mind. There is no charge to use this service.

Legal Help for Tempe Deed Matters

The Recorder's office cannot provide legal advice. They can tell you about fees and formatting rules. But they cannot advise which deed type to use for your Tempe property. They also cannot help with title disputes or boundary issues. For legal advice, contact a real estate attorney in the Tempe area or Phoenix metro.

The State Bar of Arizona runs a lawyer referral service at 1-866-338-9519. They will connect you with an attorney who handles real estate law. The first consultation is usually $50 for 30 minutes through the referral program. Community Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents. Call (602) 258-3434 to see if you qualify for assistance with a Tempe deed problem.

Other Cities in Maricopa County

These nearby cities also use the Maricopa County Recorder for deed filing.

Maricopa County Recorder

All Tempe deed records are maintained at the county level.