Cochise County, Arizona · A.R.S. § 13-911
Seal a Criminal Record in Cochise County, AZ
If you were convicted of a crime in Cochise County, Arizona's record-sealing statute (A.R.S. § 13-911) lets you petition the Cochise County Superior Court to hide your record from public view. Sealing is available for most non-excluded offenses after a 2-10 year waiting period, with $0 court filing fees. Cochise County serves Southeastern Arizona including Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas, Benson, and Willcox. The court has six divisions across Bisbee and Sierra Vista.
Filing in Cochise County
Where to file
Cochise County Superior Court
100 Quality Hill Rd., Bisbee, AZ 85603
Branch offices
Sierra Vista Branch — 100 Colonia de Salud, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (closer for Sierra Vista–area filers)
Mailing address
P.O. Drawer CK, Bisbee, AZ 85603
E-filing
Cochise County offers eFiling through the AZ statewide system for civil and criminal cases. Self-represented filers may file paper documents in person at either the Bisbee or Sierra Vista locations.
Payment methods
Cash, cashier's checks, personal checks, credit cards, money orders.
Prosecutor service
Cochise County Attorney's Office
150 Quality Hill Rd., Bisbee, AZ 85603
After-hours filing
In-person and mail filings only. The Bisbee Self-Help Center (520-432-8513) provides set-aside, sealing, and firearm-rights restoration forms for pro se filers.
Cities covered
Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas, Benson, Willcox, Tombstone
The statute, in plain terms
Section 13-911 (effective September 13, 2024 in its current form) covers most criminal convictions. Waiting periods range from 2 years (Class 2-3 misdemeanors) to 10 years (Class 2-3 felonies), measured from absolute discharge. Subsection (O) excludes certain sex offenses and crimes against young victims. Subsection (L) imposes a 3-year refile bar after any denial.
Cochise County Seal a Criminal Record FAQ
Where do Cochise County residents file a seal a criminal record petition?
Petitions are filed with the Cochise County Superior Court. The primary filing location is 100 Quality Hill Rd., Bisbee, AZ 85603. Hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Branch offices in Sierra Vista Branch may also accept filings depending on the matter.
What is the court filing fee for this in Cochise County?
$0. Arizona courts charge no filing fee for record-relief petitions, including those filed in Cochise County. The legislature deliberately removed filing fees to make these remedies accessible to all qualified petitioners.
Can I e-file in Cochise County?
Cochise County offers eFiling through the AZ statewide system for civil and criminal cases. Self-represented filers may file paper documents in person at either the Bisbee or Sierra Vista locations.
How long does this process take in Cochise County?
Cochise County processing times are typically 60-120 days for uncontested petitions. The court operates from two locations (Bisbee main, Sierra Vista branch) which is convenient for the geographically dispersed county population.
What happens if the prosecutor objects?
Cochise County Attorney's Office reviews petitions and may object within the statutory window (typically 30-60 days depending on the relief type). If they object, the court schedules a hearing. Most properly-prepared petitions in Cochise County are decided on the papers without a hearing — objections are uncommon when the petitioner clearly meets statutory eligibility. The prosecutor's office can be reached at (520) 432-8700.
Which cities does this cover in Cochise County?
Petitions filed at the Cochise County Superior Court cover felonies committed anywhere in Cochise County, including Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas, Benson, Willcox, Tombstone. Cochise County Superior Court has jurisdiction over felonies committed anywhere in the county. Justice Courts handle misdemeanors at multiple locations (Bisbee, Douglas, Sierra Vista, Willcox, Benson, Bowie).
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