Maricopa County, Arizona Genealogy

Guide to Maricopa County, Arizona ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records. 

County Courthouse
Maricopa County Courthouse 301 W Jefferson Phoenix, Az 85033-2225 Phone: 602-506-3572

Clerk Superior Court


 * marriage records from 1877,
 * divorce records from 1930
 * probate and court records from 1871

County Recorder has land records

Description
Maricopa County was created on 14 February 1871 with Phoenix as its county seat. The County is located in the south central area of the state.

Parent County

 * Until 1821 - Spain controlled the land, called New Spain, that later would become Arizona. Records may have been sent to the archives in Seville, Spain or to archives in Mexico City.
 * In 1821 - Mexico obtained jurisdiction over the land that later would become Arizona. Records may have been sent to archives in Mexico City.
 * 18 Aug 1846 - During the war with Mexico, the US took control of Santa Fe and proclaimed sovereignty over the land that later became the New Mexico Territory. Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 4 July 1848 - In the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Mexico ceded part of present day Arizona. The land south of the Gila River in Arizona was not ceded, it remained in control of Mexico. The land in present day Maricopa County was split between the US and Mexico. Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 9 Jan 1852 - New Mexico redefined the boundaries of previous counties and created new ones to cover all the land within its territory. The north part of the land in present day Maricopa County was then in Socorro County.  Look for records in Socorro County.
 * 30 Dec 1853 - The United States bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico. It contained land south of the Gila River in present day Arizona, including the south part of present day Maricopa County. Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives, and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 4 Aug 1854 - The land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase was officially added to New Mexico Territory. Look for records in the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 3 Feb 1855 - Dona Ana County gained all the land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase. This included the south part of present day Maricopa County. Look for records in Dona Ana County.
 * 24 Feb 1863 - The US created the Arizona Territory from the western half of New Mexico Territory. All previous counties were discontinued for this new territory. Look for records in the Arizona State Library and New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
 * 10 Nov 1864 - Arizona created two counties: Pima and Yavapai counties. These counties named for Indian tribes. Look for records in Pima andYavapai counties.

14 Feb 1871 - Arizona created Maricopa County from land in Yavapai County. County seat: Phoenix This county named for the Maricopa Indians. Look for records in Maricopa and Yavapai counties.

Boundary Changes

 * 14 Feb 1873 - Arizona expanded Maricopa County by adding land from Pima County. Look for records in Maricopa and Pima, counties.
 * 1 Feb 1875 - Arizona created Pinal County from lands in Maricopa and Pima counties. This county named for the Pinal mountains. Look for records in Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties.
 * 31 Jan 1877 - Maricopa county gained land from Yavapai county, and lost a small area along the Gila River to Pima. Look for records in Maricopa, Pima, and Yavapai counties.
 * 8 February 1881 - Gila County was created from lands in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. This county named for the Gila River. Look for records in the Gila, Maricopa, and Pima counties.

See also Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona showing dates the jurisdictions were created and maps. This will help in determining what jurisdiction your ancestor lived in and where the records are now located.

For animated maps illustrating Arizona county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Arizona County Boundary Maps" (1852-1993) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Record Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Neighboring Counties

 * Gila, Arizona
 * La Paz, Arizona
 * Pima, Arizona
 * Pinal, Arizona
 * Yavapai, Arizona
 * Yuma, Arizona

Cemeteries
The following web sites may have additional information on Maricopa County cemeteries.


 * Interment.net Arizona cemetery records by County.

Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ward and Branch Records:  Alma, Avondale, Buckeye, Capitol (Phoenix), Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Lehi, Mesa, Mesa 1st, Mesa 2nd, Mesa 3rd, Mesa 4th, Mesa 5th, Mesa 6th, Mesa 7th, Mesa 8th, Papago, Phoenix, Phoenix 1st, Phoenix 2nd, Phoenix 3rd, Phoenix 4th, Phoenix 5th, Scottsdale, Spanish-American and Tempe.

Land
All Land records and other other recorded documents from 1871 to present, are searchable at no cost through the website of the Maricopa County Recorder. The minimum information needed for a search is the name of a person.

Most of the land in Arizona was originally obtained from the US federal government by a patent. These General Land Office Records are searchable online and most have free images of patents to download. The minimum information needed for a search is the state where the land is located and the name of the person receiving the patent. Surveys and Land Status Records can also be searched here.

Maps
1895 Map of Maricopa county Arizona

Civil War

 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index

World War II

 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Newspapers
The Arizona Republic

The Phoenix Gazette

The East Valley Tribune (previously: The Mesa Tribune) microfilm copies of back issues found at

Mesa Public Library    64 E First St     Mesa, AZ 85201     480-644-2207

Maricopa county AZ Newpapers found at the Library of Congress

Obituaries
Online Obituary Records


 * 1860-1993 - Arizona obituary card index, 1860-present - Digitization of images from the FamilySearch microfilmed collection; incomplete - more images will be added over time
 * 1948-2008 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1959-2014 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1993-1994 -
 * The Mesa Public Library will do an obituary look up for The Arizona Republic for a fee.

Probate
Online Probate Records


 * 1803 – 1995 Arizona Wills and Probate Records 1803-1995 at Ancestry.com — index and images $

Vital Records

 * Older Birth and Death certificates found at Arizona Genealogy Birth and Death Certificates.

Birth Records
Online Birth Indexes and Records


 * 1909-1917 - Arizona Select Births and Christenings 1909-1917 at Ancestry.com — index $

Marriage Records
Online Marriage Indexes and Records


 * 2,970 marriages are listed on the Western States Marriage Index.


 * 1833-1949 - Arizona, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1864-1982 - Arizona Marriage Collection 1864-1982 at Ancestry.com — index $
 * 1871-1964 - at FamilySearch.org — index and browse images, incomplete
 * 1888-1908 - Arizona Select Marriages 1888-1908 at Ancestry.com — index $

Death Records
Online Death Indexes and Records


 * Maricopa County, Arizona Obituary Collection From GenealogyBuff.com ~ Free for obits and death notices from Various Funeral Homes in the Sun City, East Mesa, Peoria, Chandler, and Surprise areas.
 * Arizona Death Certificates, 1870-1964 — Index and images.


 * 1910-1911 and 1933-1994 - Arizona Select Deaths and Burials 1910-1911 and 1933-1994;at Ancestry.com — index $

Societies and Libraries
Arizona Historical Society, Museum at Papago Park The Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park is the principal museum in the Phoenix metropolitan area covering the changes that have made Arizona what it is today. Concentrating on the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, the museum engages visitors on diverse topics such as World War II’s effects on Arizona, the rise of desert cities, Arizona pop culture and sports, and the state’s geology, among many others. The museum brings stories to life through hands-on and multimedia displays, and a variety of educational programs.

Arizona Jewish Historical Society Dedicated to preserving local Jewish history, promoting awareness of our states diverse history, and making local history accessible to all.

Carver African American Historical/Genealogical Society 415 E. Grant St. Phoenix, AZ 85023

Cherokee Family Ties 516 N. 38th St. Mesa, Arizona 85205

Chandler Historical Society helps to focus public attention on the diverse history of Chandler and the far southwest valley through events and special programs, and is dedicated to historic preservation through financial and volunteer support.

Gilbert Historical Society, Inc. Our mission is to serve as a trustee of our historical legacy and as a catalyst for shaping our future. We will accomplish this by fostering learning and research with a commitment to preservation, engaging the community with opportunities to understand past choices, present circumstances, and future possibilities, and strengthening the bonds of the community and facilitating solutions to common problems through leadership and advocacy.

Glendale Arizona Historical Society To promote public awareness and appreciation of the history of Glendale and the surrounding region, collects, preserves, and interprets documentary material and material objects, and it disseminates historical information and supports scholarly research.

Maricopa County Historical Society The Desert Caballeros Western Museum welcomes and enriches diverse audiences by inspiring an appreciation of the art and history of the American West through creative exhibitions and educational programs that preserve the West’s cultural legacy.

Mesa Historical Society The mission is to preserve and create interest in the tangible evidences of local and regional communities and of settlement and development of Mesa, Arizona by: locating and preserving written and spoken records; obtaining and preserving artifacts and memorabilia; locating and preserving photographs; obtaining and preserving local landmarks; working to benefit and maintain the Mesa Historical Museum; publishing and making available the history of the Mesa area; and promoting cooperation with similar organizations and with local civic and social groups in furthering the mutual interests of the groups relative to Mesa's history.

Peoria Arizona Historical Society Mission is to discover and preserve the history of the Peoria area for future generations to enjoy.

Phoenix Genealogical Society The purpose is to provide a forum for shared Genealogy Issues, provide help and guides for members who request it, do selected research for corresponding Genealogy Societies and individuals, and do peer review of member files when requested.

San Tan Historical Society To collect, preserve, document, and display the histories and artifacts of the Chandler Heights, Combs, Higley, and Queen Creek Communities. To facilitate the collection of items and to encourage and educate the public to respect and participate in the conservation of the history of our past.

Scottsdale Historical Museum

Sun Cities Area Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of records and artifacts through carefully designed exhibits that chronicle the more than 50-year history of Sun City and the 25-year history of its sister city, Sun City West.

Tempe Historical Society promotes the Tempe History Museum with special events and program sponsorship. West Valley Genealogical Society serves Genealogists throughout the Northwest Valley area of Maricopa County, Arizona. The WVGS is a non-profit corporation dedicated to researching, recording, and sharing genealogical &amp; ethnic information. serves Genealogists throughout the Northwest Valley area of Maricopa County, Arizona.

Family History Centers
Introduction to Family History Centers

Buckeye Arizona 1002 Eason Ave, Buckeye, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 623-386-4188

Cave Creek Arizona 38001 N Basin Rd Cave Creek, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 480-488-9224

Chandler Arizona Alma 2252 W Mesquite Chandler, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 480-899-4312 Alternate phone # 480-244-8180

Chandler Arizona West 1950 W Galveston Chandler, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 480-857-8640

Glendale Arizona 8602 N 31st Ave Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 602-973-3216

Mesa Arizona Kimball East 4640 E Holmes Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona, United States

Mesa FamilySearch Library 464 E 1st Ave Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 480-964-1200

Mesa Arizona Salt River 6942 E Brown Rd Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 480-924-8958

Paradise Valley Arizona 3601 E Shea Blvd Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 602-953-8160

Peoria Arizona 13014 N 108th Ave Sun City, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 623-974-2749

Phoenix Arizona 3102 18th Ave North Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 602-264-2825

Phoenix Arizona Deer Valley 2939 W Rose Garden Ln Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 623-582-3810

Phoenix Arizona Hispanic 650 W Southern Ave Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 602-243-9413

Phoenix Arizona North 8710 N 3rd Ave Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 602-371-0649

Scottsdale Arizona Camelback 2202 N 74th St Scottsdale, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 480-947-3995

Scottsdale Arizona North 6840 E Gold Dust Ave Scottsdale, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone: 480-483-7629

Surprise Arizona 23391 N 166th Dr Surprise, Maricopa, Arizona, United States Phone:

Attention: Languages - Spanish, French, Dutch, German

These are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

Websites

 * Maricopa County, AZ History, Records, Facts and Genealogy (Genealogy Inc)
 * USGenWeb for Maricopa County. Maps, name indexes, history and more information for this county.


 * Maricopa County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History) at Linkpendium
 * Maricopa County Genealogy (Arizona Genealogy)

A wiki article descibing an online article is found at:

Arizona, Maricopa County Probate Case Files - FamilySearch Historical Records