Greenlee County Deeds

Greenlee County is the smallest county in Arizona by population. It sits in the eastern part of the state along the New Mexico border. The county seat is Clifton where the Recorder's office maintains all property deed records. You can find the office at 253 Fifth Street in Clifton, Arizona 85533. Staff work Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office operates on a four-day schedule to save costs. Contact them at (928) 865-2632 or (928) 865-1717 for information about deed recording. Greenlee County has historical deeds going back to before 1956 and plat maps from the early 1900s available online or at the office in Clifton.

Greenlee County Recorder Office

The Recorder operates from the courthouse in Clifton at 253 Fifth Street, Clifton, Arizona 85533. This is a small office that serves one of Arizona's least populated counties. Staff work four long days each week. Hours are 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday. The office stays closed on Fridays. This schedule has been in place for years and helps the county keep costs down.

Call (928) 865-2632 or (928) 865-1717 for information. Staff can answer questions about how to record a deed or search for property records. They help with document copies and basic research requests. The Recorder does not give legal advice. If you need help deciding what type of deed to use or how to clear a title issue, contact a real estate attorney or title company in Greenlee County, Arizona.

The office handles all types of property documents. Deeds transfer ownership. Mortgages secure loans. Liens show debts against property. Releases clear old liens and mortgages. Plat maps record new subdivisions. All these documents become public records once filed. Anyone can search for and obtain copies of recorded deeds in Greenlee County.

Note: Friday is not a business day at the Recorder's office.

Search Property Deeds Online

Greenlee County provides online access to deed records through the county website. The system has document images going back before 1956. Historical plat maps from the early 1900s are also available online. This is impressive for such a small county. Many larger counties only have recent records in digital form.

You can search by name, date, or document type. Type in a grantor name to see all deeds where that person sold property. Search by grantee to find when someone bought property. The system returns matching records. Click on a result to view the document image. Most old documents are scanned and readable on screen in Greenlee County.

The online copies are for research and personal use. They do not have official weight. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, you must order it from the Recorder. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $3 fee for the official seal. This is set by Arizona statute and applies in all counties including Greenlee.

The search does not guarantee clear title. It shows what has been recorded but does not analyze legal issues. A title company must review the full chain of ownership to tell you if property is free of liens. The Recorder only stores and indexes documents. They do not interpret them in Greenlee County, Arizona.

Recording Deeds in Greenlee County

Recording a deed requires following state format rules. Your deed must have a two-inch top margin on the first page. Use white paper and at least 10-point font. All signatures must be notarized. These rules come from Arizona Revised Statutes 11-480 and apply statewide including Greenlee County.

The recording fee is $30 per document. This is the same in all Arizona counties. It went into effect in July 2019 when the state updated the fee schedule. Government documents like military discharge papers cost $15 to record. Plat maps are $24 for the first page and $20 for each additional page. You must also submit an Affidavit of Property Value with any deed that transfers ownership in Greenlee County.

You can file in person or by mail. For in-person filing, bring your deed to 253 Fifth Street in Clifton during office hours Monday through Thursday. Staff will check the deed for basic errors. If it looks good, they stamp it with the date and time. Your deed gets a recording number and enters the county database. The staff scan the document and add it to the online system within a day or two.

For mail-in recording, send your deed with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Recorder will process the deed and mail back the recorded original. This takes longer than in-person filing but works fine if you cannot visit Clifton. Allow at least a week for mail-in filings in Greenlee County, Arizona.

Greenlee County accepts cash and checks for payment. Ask about credit card options if needed. Some counties charge a surcharge for card payments. The fee must be paid before your deed can be recorded.

Old Deeds and Plat Maps

Greenlee County has a rich collection of historical records. Deed images go back before 1956 in the online system. Plat maps from the early 1900s are also digitized. These old documents tell the story of how land was divided and developed in the county. Mining companies owned much of the land in the early days. Deeds and maps show how property passed from the companies to private owners over time.

Old maps are fascinating. They show towns that no longer exist. They reveal where mines and railroads once operated. For historians and genealogists, these records are gold. They also have legal importance. Old plat maps establish property boundaries that are still used today in Greenlee County.

If you need a really old deed that is not online, contact the Recorder's office. Staff can search the archives. Some documents may only exist on microfilm or in bound volumes. There may be a small fee for extensive research or copying of archived documents in Greenlee County, Arizona.

Working with a Small County Office

Greenlee is the smallest county in Arizona. This has some advantages. The staff know the area well. They can often help you find records faster than in a big county office. Lines are short or non-existent. You rarely wait long to get service. Staff may have more time to answer your questions.

The downside is limited hours. The office only works four days a week. If you need to file something on Friday, you are out of luck. But the extended weekday hours help. Opening at 7:00 AM lets you get there early before other business in the area. Closing at 5:00 PM gives you time after work if you leave by mid-afternoon in Greenlee County.

E-recording may be available through approved vendors. This lets you submit deeds electronically even when the office is closed. Ask the Recorder about e-recording options if you need to file a deed urgently in Greenlee County, Arizona.

Common Questions

Why is the office closed on Fridays? Greenlee County saves money by working a four-day week. Staff work longer hours Monday through Thursday to make up for it. The county has a small budget and this schedule helps control costs.

Can I still record a deed if I cannot visit Clifton? Yes. You can mail your deed to the Recorder with the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. E-recording may also be an option through approved vendors. Ask the office about electronic filing in Greenlee County.

Does the Recorder provide notary services? No. You must get your deed notarized before bringing it to the office. Banks and other businesses in the area offer notary services. Some charge a small fee.

How long does recording take? In-person filings are usually processed the same day. You get your recorded deed back before you leave. Mail-in filings take longer. Allow a week or more for the office to process and return your deed in Greenlee County, Arizona.

What is an Affidavit of Property Value? It is a form that states the sale price or assessed value of property when ownership transfers. Arizona law requires this with most deeds. The county uses it for property tax purposes. Forms are free from the Recorder in Greenlee County.

Can the Recorder tell me who owns a property? They can search for deeds by name. But they cannot analyze title or guarantee who owns property. Hire a title company for a professional title search in Greenlee County.

Cities in Greenlee County

Greenlee County has no cities over 50,000 people. The largest town is Clifton with only about 4,000 residents. Other small communities include Duncan and Morenci. All property owners record their deeds at the county Recorder in Clifton.

Nearby Counties

Property in neighboring counties must be recorded at those county offices.