Cochise Property Records

The Cochise County Recorder keeps all deed records for the county. The office sits in Bisbee at 1415 Melody Lane in Building B. Staff handle property deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps for areas across Cochise County. The county has a long history and some deeds date back to territorial days. Now most people search records online through a free county portal. You can also visit in person or submit documents through e-recording services. The office phone is (520) 432-8350 and they answer questions about recording procedures in Cochise County, Arizona.

Cochise County Recorder's Office

The main Recorder's office is in Bisbee, the county seat. Bisbee is a historic mining town in the Mule Mountains near the Mexico border. The Recorder operates from 1415 Melody Lane, Building B, Bisbee, Arizona 85603. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The office closes for federal holidays and sometimes for staff training days.

You can reach staff by phone at (520) 432-8350 during business hours. They handle walk-in customers and phone inquiries about how to record deeds or search for property records. The office does not provide legal advice. They cannot tell you what type of deed to use or how to resolve title disputes. Contact a real estate attorney or title company for legal questions in Cochise County.

Cochise County processes thousands of documents each year. Deeds get filed when people buy or sell property. Mortgages and deeds of trust record when someone borrows money against real estate. Liens show debts against property. Releases clear old liens. Plat maps show new subdivisions. All these documents become part of the public record once filed in Cochise County, Arizona.

Search Deed Records Online

Cochise County offers free online deed searches through TheCountyRecorder.com. This is the official search portal. You can look up documents by name, date, document type, or recording number. The database shows what has been recorded and provides images of most documents.

Search by grantor to find deeds where someone sold property. Search by grantee to see when someone bought property. The system is free and open 24 hours a day. You do not need an account or password. Just visit the site and start searching for Cochise County property records.

The online system shows unofficial copies. These work fine for research or personal use. If you need a certified copy for court or a legal transaction, you must order it from the Recorder's office. Certified copies have an official seal and cost $1 per page plus $3 for the seal under Arizona law. You can request certified copies in person, by mail, or sometimes by fax in Cochise County.

How to Record Deeds in Cochise County

You have several options for recording a deed in Cochise County. You can file in person at the Bisbee office. Or you can mail your document to the Recorder with payment. Electronic recording is also available through approved vendors that work with the county.

All deeds must meet format rules set by state law. The first page needs a two-inch margin at the top. Use white paper. Font size must be at least 10 points. Signatures need notarization. These rules are in Arizona Revised Statutes 11-480 and apply in every county including Cochise.

The recording fee is $30 per document. This is a standard fee set by state law in 2019. Government documents like military discharge papers cost $15 to record. Plat maps are $24 for the first page and $20 for each additional page. Include an Affidavit of Property Value with any deed that transfers ownership. The Affidavit form is free from the Recorder or you can download it online in Cochise County.

When you submit a deed, the Recorder stamps it with the date and time. This creates a permanent record of when the document was filed. Your deed gets entered into the county database and becomes part of the public record. The Recorder then returns the recorded original to you. This takes 15 to 20 business days for mail-in filings in Cochise County. In-person filings may get processed faster.

Note: Plan ahead because document return can take three to four weeks.

Electronic Recording Services

Cochise County works with several e-recording companies. These include CSC, Data Services, eRecording Partners Network, and Simplifile. Most title companies and law firms use e-recording now because it is fast and convenient. You upload your deed through the vendor's system. The system checks for basic errors. Then it submits the document electronically to the county.

E-recorded documents usually process within hours or a day. The county sends back a recorded copy with the official stamp electronically. This is much faster than mailing a deed and waiting weeks for it to come back. Your title company or attorney will handle e-recording for you in most real estate transactions in Cochise County, Arizona.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Recorder tell me if I have clear title? No. The Recorder files documents but does not analyze title. You need a title company or attorney to review the chain of title and tell you about liens or other issues in Cochise County.

Do I need to record my deed? Yes. Recording protects your ownership. An unrecorded deed is not part of the public record. Someone could file a fraudulent deed against your property if your real deed is not recorded. Recording gives public notice of your ownership under Arizona law.

How long are deeds kept? Forever. Once a deed is recorded it stays in the county archives permanently. Old deeds are scanned and stored digitally now. Even deeds from the 1800s are still on file in Cochise County.

Can I get a copy of someone else's deed? Yes. Deed records are public. Anyone can search for and obtain copies of recorded deeds. Privacy does not apply to real estate records in Arizona.

What if I find an error in my deed? Contact an attorney right away. You may need to record a corrective deed or other document to fix the error. The Recorder cannot change a deed after it is recorded in Cochise County.

Cities in Cochise County

Cochise County has no cities over 50,000 population. The largest city is Sierra Vista with around 45,000 people. Other towns include Bisbee, Douglas, and Willcox. All property owners in these cities must record deeds at the county seat in Bisbee.

Nearby Counties

Deeds for property in other counties must be recorded at those county offices.