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. Arizona Online Genealogy 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. List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

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
 * FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places

Civil War

 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

World War II

 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection

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 - How to Use this Collection
 * 1959-2014 - at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1993-1994 - — index - How to Use this Collection
 * The Mesa Public Library will do an obituary look up for The Arizona Republic for a fee.

Probate
Online Probate Indexes and 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
 * 1855-1930 - at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1887-1935 - Arizona Birth Certificates, 1887 - 1935 at MyHeritage - index and images
 * 1909-1917 - Arizona Select Births and Christenings 1909-1917 at Ancestry.com — index $
 * 1909-1917 - at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection, 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 — index and browse images, incomplete - How to Use this Collection
 * 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.
 * 1870-1963 - Arizona Death Certificates, 1870 - 1963 at MyHeritage ($) - 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

Arizona Jewish Historical Society

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

Chandler Historical Society

Gilbert Historical Society, Inc. This museum is temporarly closed as of 12/31/20. See website for updates.

Glendale Arizona Historical Society

Mesa Historical Society.

Peoria Arizona Historical Society

Phoenix Genealogical Society Facebook

San Tan Historical Society

Scottsdale Historical Museum Closed until further notice.

Sun Cities Area Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation for Sun City and the Del Webb Corporation.

Tempe Historical Society

West Valley Genealogical Society

Family History Centers

 * Buckeye Arizona Family History Center
 * Cave Creek Arizona Family History Center
 * Chandler Arizona Alma Family History Center
 * Chandler Arizona West Family History Center
 * Glendale Arizona Family History Center
 * Mesa Arizona Boulder Creek Family History Center
 * Mesa Arizona Kimball East Family History Center
 * Mesa Arizona Salt River Family History Center
 * Paradise Valley Arizona Family History Center
 * Peoria Arizona Family History Center
 * Phoenix Arizona Family History Center
 * Phoenix Arizona Deer Valley Family History Center
 * Phoenix Arizona Hispanic Family History Center
 * Phoenix Arizona North Family History Center
 * Scottsdale Arizona Camelback Family History Center
 * Scottsdale Arizona North Family History Center
 * Surprise Arizona North Family History Center
 * Tempe Arizona Family History Center

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