This section will assist you with the following:

• Criminal history record reviews
• Employer background checks
• Clearance letters (local/national)

Under A.R.S. § 41-1750, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Central State Repository Section serves as the Central State Repository (CSR) for all Arizona criminal records. This statute requires all Arizona criminal justice agencies to report arrest and disposition information to the CSR. Copies of criminal records are restricted to authorized individuals/agencies.

Note: Please do not contact "Public Records" regarding Criminal Records.

Instructions

Employment Background Checks for Authorized Agencies:

Arizona state law does not allow the Central State Repository to perform a criminal history records check for private citizens, private employers, or agencies outside of Arizona for employment, immigration, obtaining a visa, or foreign adoptions. If you would like to receive a letter stating that Arizona cannot share records for these reasons, please go to https://psp.azdps.gov/criminal-history-csrs/backgroundlettersformTriage and print this letter. If a private citizen would like to review and/or challenge their criminal history record, they may do so by downloading the 'Record Review Packet' at the bottom of this page or go to https://psp.azdps.gov/account/login to begin a record review online. 

Noncriminal Justice agencies within the state of Arizona who are authorized under A.R.S. § 41-1750(G) and Public Law 92-544 to receive official criminal history records information from the Central State Repository may apply for the Noncriminal Justice (NCJ) Compliance Program, which conducts fingerprint-based state and federal criminal history background checks for authorized agencies. Agencies submitting applicant fingerprints must have an FBI-approved city, town, or county ordinance, tribal resolution, executive order, or state statute mandating the criminal history records check. For more information about the NCJ Compliance Program, visit their webpage at noncriminal-justice-compliance-ncj-program.

A.R.S. § 41-1750(G) does not provide the Arizona Department of Public Safety the statutory authority to process applicant fingerprints and release Arizona state criminal history record information to private companies for employment purposes except non-profit organizations pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1750(G)(23).

Fingerprint Clearance Card: If you have been told by an employer or agency that you need a fingerprint clearance card to work for a company/agency, contact the Clearance Card Section at (602) 223-2279.

Clearance Letter: Arizona law does not permit the Central State Repository to conduct a criminal history record check or to provide a clearance letter for immigration, obtaining a visa, or foreign adoptions. 

National Check: You can obtain a national check or clearance by contacting the Federal Bureau of Investigation for an Identity History Summary Check (Rap Sheet).

Local Clearance: If you need a local clearance, you should contact your local police agency.

Record Reviews: Individuals wishing to review their Arizona criminal record must complete a Record Review Packet. 

Record Review Packet

Contact Information

For inquiries on pending requests or general questions.

Telephone:
(602) 223-2000, option 2 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding state holidays)

In-Person:
Public Services Center
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2222 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
(Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding state holidays)

The Public Records Unit processes public records requests for DPS-related records, such as:

* Incidents involving county or local jurisdictions (County Sheriffs, City or Local Police Departments, Town Marshal’s Offices), including collisions that occurred on town, city, or county roads, are not retained by DPS. Requests for these records need to be directed to the investigative agency in that jurisdiction.

How to Submit a Request

• Online
  • Visit the Public Services Portal to create an account and select “Request a Report or Records.”
• In Writing
  • Submit in person or by mail:
    • Address for In-Person Requests:
      Arizona DPS Public Services Center
      2222 W. Encanto Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85009
    • Mailing Address:
      Arizona Department of Public Safety
      Attn: Public Records
      PO Box 6638 Mail Drop 3240
      Phoenix, AZ 85005-6638

*Please note, requests cannot be taken over the phone

Fees & Payment

Pursuant to ARS 39-121.03, when requests for copies, printouts or photographs of public records are for a commercial purpose, the requestor shall provide a statement setting forth the commercial purpose for which the copies, printouts or photographs will be used.  

Payment may be remitted in the following ways:

Online through our Public Services Portal if the request was submitted online.  Requests submitted by other means must be paid in person or by mail.

In person at the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Public Services Center, 2222 West Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85009.

• Hours of operation: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday-Friday (closed on state holidays)

By mail in the form of a cashier’s check, money order, or business check addressed to:

Arizona Department of Public Safety

Attn: Public Records
PO Box 6638 Mail Drop 3240
Phoenix, AZ 85005-6638

• Methods of payment include Credit/Debit Card (in-person only), cashier’s check, money order, or business check.  Business checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders shall be made out to: Arizona Department of Public Safety.  DPS cannot accept personal checks. 

Police Reports for Crime Victims

Pursuant to ARS § 39-127, a victim of a criminal offense or delinquent act that is a part 1 crime under the statewide uniform crime reporting program, the victim’s attorney on behalf of the victim, or an immediate family member of the victim if the victim is killed or incapacitated has the right to receive one (1) copy of the offense and/or collision reports and video recordings at no charge.

Additionally, if an offense and/or collision report involves a domestic violence offense as defined in ARS § 13-3601 or sexual offense included in Title 13, Chapter 14 or 35.1, the victim or the victim’s attorney on behalf of the victim has the right to receive one (1) copy of the offense and/or collision reports and video recordings from the investigating law enforcement agency at no charge.

Processing Times

The Public Records Unit receives a large volume of record requests and processes requests in the order in which they are received.  Some records may take longer than others to process; for example, archived reports, reports for active investigations, and requests that involve large amounts of data, video, and/or audio. Staff are working diligently to respond to each records request.

Unredacted Collision Report Automation Process: In November 2024, the Department implemented an auto-processing system. This automated process was launched to efficiently process requests for customers who are entitled to an unredacted collision report. The automation process generally fulfills requests within 48 hours after submission to the Public Services Portal.

Requestors who meet the following criteria are entitled to an unredacted collision report:

• A person who is involved in the accident or the owner of a vehicle involved in the accident or a representative of the person or owner.
• Any insurer licensed pursuant to title 20 if the report is related to an investigation into fraudulent claims, or any insurer that writes automobile liability or motor vehicle liability policies and that is both of the following:
• Under the jurisdiction of the department of insurance and financial institutions or a self-insured entity or its agents, employees or contractors in connection with claims investigation activities, anti-fraud activities, rating or underwriting.
• An insurer of a person or vehicle involved in the accident.
• An attorney licensed to practice law or to a licensed private investigator representing a person involved in the accident in connection with any civil, administrative or arbitration proceeding in any court or government agency or before any self-regulatory body, including the service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation and the execution or enforcement of judgments and orders, or pursuant to a court order.
• An insurance support organization as defined in section 20-2102 that provides services in connection with claims investigation activities, antifraud activities, rating or underwriting.

Requests that are submitted on the Public Service Portal by requestors meeting the above definition may be processed by the automation system. Additionally:

• Online requests MUST have complete incident numbers beginning with the capital letter “I” with 8 digits following.
• The request must meet one or more of the statutory requirements mentioned above.
• NO hyphens in the incident number.
• Creating a business account with multiple locations – one account for each location is recommended.
• Reports that have supplements, attachments, OR are categorized as fatalities are not eligible for this process.

Video Redactions

Requests for body worn camera footage released by Arizona Department of Public Safety will include a medium blur applied to the entire video. This is intended to reduce processing times and ensure timely compliance with public records requests while maintaining privacy protections in accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes and applicable federal guidelines. If a customer desires standard redactions for specific portions of a video, a formal request must be submitted via email to [email protected]. These requests must adhere to the following guidelines:

14. Email subject line will include the original incident number, standard redaction request.
14. Requestor will provide the start and end times for the standard redactions
14. The email will include the name of the trooper whose video is being referenced for the supplemental request.
14. The video requests fee is $21.33 for first ½ hour and $21.33 each additional ½ hour this fee will be in addition to the delivery method fee of email $9. Standard redactions for a total time of up to one hour can be requested at no additional charge.

Requests for standard redactions exceeding one (1) hour of video may be subject to fees assessed in accordance with ARS § 39-121.01 and the Department’s established public records fee schedule. Requests determined to be for a commercial purpose, as defined in ARS § 39-121.03, may be assessed fees consistent with that statute.

Inspection of Public Records

In accordance with ARS 39-121, public records may be reviewed prior to purchase or copying only after DPS has completed its process and an invoice has been issued to the requestor. All records review appointments are conducted at the DPS Public Services Center 2222 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85009, during regular business hours. To review records, an appointment must be scheduled with the Custodian of Records by email at [email protected]. Kindly include the invoice number (if applicable) in the subject line of your email.