Tucson Deed Records

Tucson property owners record deeds through Pima County, not through the city. The city has no role in deed recording. All real property documents for Tucson must be filed with the Pima County Recorder's office. This includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, and all other property instruments. The County Recorder maintains two office locations in Tucson to serve residents. The main office is at 240 North Stone Avenue downtown. The eastside office is at 6920 East Broadway Boulevard, Suite D. Both locations accept deed recordings during business hours and provide free access to search the county database back to 1982.

Recording Deeds in Tucson

The Pima County Recorder handles all deed recordings for Tucson. The main office downtown is at 240 North Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701. Call (520) 724-4350 for questions. The eastside branch at 6920 East Broadway Boulevard serves residents in that part of town. Both offices have the same hours and accept the same documents. You can use either location to record your Tucson property deed.

Documents submitted after 4:00 PM are processed the next business day in Pima County. This is true at both Tucson offices. Plan to arrive before 4:00 if you need same-day recording. Staff will review your deed for format compliance before accepting it. If the deed has errors, they will return it to you unrecorded. Bring a corrected version back the next day.

The City of Tucson Clerk manages city records such as ordinances, resolutions, and council actions. Property deeds are not city records. If you call the Tucson City Clerk at (520) 791-4213, they will tell you to contact Pima County Recorder for deed matters. This is the proper chain under Arizona law, which puts all real property recording at the county level.

Find Tucson Property Deeds

Pima County offers a free online search portal for all recorded documents. Visit the Pima County Recorder website to access the database. Records go back to 1982. Older records exist in paper form only at the main office. Search by owner name, document type, or recording date. The system returns a list of matching documents. Click a result to view the full image.

Most Tucson property deeds appear in the database within 24 hours after recording. The images are clear and easy to read on screen or print. Unofficial copies can be printed at home for free. If you need a certified copy, request one from the Recorder's office. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus $3 for the official seal under Arizona Revised Statutes 11-475. You can order certified copies in person, by mail, or by phone in Pima County.

Searching the database does not guarantee clear title on Tucson property. The online index may not reflect very recent filings or pending matters. Title companies conduct detailed searches that include multiple sources. The county search is a starting point, but it is not a substitute for professional title work before buying Tucson real estate.

How to Record Your Deed

Format matters when recording deeds in Tucson. The first page must have a two-inch top margin. Font size must be 10-point or larger. Use standard size paper in white or cream. Black ink only. The deed must be signed by the grantor and notarized. These rules come from Arizona Revised Statutes 11-480. Deeds that do not meet format requirements will be rejected at both Pima County offices.

Every deed that transfers ownership must include an Affidavit of Property Value. This form tells the county the sale price or lists an exemption code if no money changed hands. The affidavit is required by state law. Pima County staff will not accept a deed without it. Forms are available at the Recorder's offices in Tucson or online at the county website.

Recording fees in Tucson are $30 per document. This is the standard Arizona rate set by statute. Pima County accepts Visa and MasterCard for in-person payments only. No cards by mail. Bring cash or a check if you are mailing your deed. Add the exact amount with your documents. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the recorded deed returned by mail to your Tucson address.

Note: E-recording vendors like Simplifile and CSC offer electronic submission for Tucson properties but charge additional fees beyond the $30 state rate.

Arizona Deed Laws

Arizona law requires deeds to be in writing and signed by the grantor. The signature must be notarized. These rules appear in Arizona Revised Statutes 33-401. A deed transfers ownership when delivered to the grantee, even if not recorded right away. Recording protects the buyer from later claims by creating a public record of the transfer.

Pima County follows the statewide recording statute found at Arizona Revised Statutes 11-461. The County Recorder must record any document that meets format rules and is accompanied by the proper fee. Staff cannot refuse a document based on content. They only check format. Legal validity is between the parties, not the Recorder's concern in Tucson or elsewhere in Arizona.

Beneficiary deeds are popular in Tucson for estate planning. This type of deed transfers property to a named beneficiary upon the owner's death. It avoids probate. The current owner keeps full control during life and can revoke the deed at any time. Rules for beneficiary deeds are in Arizona Revised Statutes 33-405. Many Tucson property owners use this tool instead of a will for real estate.

Legal Help in Tucson

The Pima County Recorder cannot give legal advice. Staff can explain recording procedures and fees. They cannot tell you which deed to use or how to resolve a title problem. Contact a lawyer or title company for that kind of help with Tucson property matters.

Southern Arizona Legal Aid offers free services to low-income Tucson residents. They handle some property issues. Call (520) 623-9465 to check if you qualify. The State Bar of Arizona runs a referral service at 1-866-338-9519. They can connect you with a real estate attorney in Tucson. The first consultation through the referral service usually costs about $50 for half an hour.

Many Tucson title companies will search property records and explain what they find. They charge for this service, but it can save time and catch problems early. If you are buying Tucson real estate, the title company will issue title insurance after doing a full search. That insurance protects you from hidden defects in the chain of title that the search may have missed.

Other Arizona Cities

Most other qualifying Arizona cities are in Maricopa County and use that county's Recorder for deeds.

Pima County Recorder

All Tucson deed records are maintained by Pima County.