Flagstaff, Arizona · A.R.S. § 13-911
Seal a Criminal Record in Flagstaff, AZ
Arizona's record-sealing law (A.R.S. § 13-911) lets eligible Flagstaff residents petition the Coconino County Superior Court to hide their criminal record from public view. Once sealed, the record is removed from public access and most employer background checks; you can legally state on most applications that it never happened. Flagstaff is Northern Arizona's largest city and home to Coconino County Superior Court, which serves a vast geographic area including parts of the Grand Canyon region. The courthouse is a historic building in downtown Flagstaff, surrounded by restaurants and shops on San Francisco Street and Birch Avenue.
Filing in Flagstaff — local details
Where to file
Coconino County Superior Court
Coconino County Courthouse, 200 N. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
E-filing
Mandatory eFiling for attorneys in criminal cases since January 1, 2021. Self-represented filers may continue to file paper documents in person or via the AZ statewide eFileAZ / AZTurboCourt platforms.
Payment methods
Cash, money orders, cashier's checks, credit cards, and online payments via azcourtpay.com or coconinoclerkpayments.com.
Prosecutor service
Coconino County Attorney's Office
110 E. Cherry Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Alternate filing locations
Coconino County does not operate branch courthouses. All Superior Court filings (felony record-relief petitions) go to the main courthouse on San Francisco Street in downtown Flagstaff.
Parking & access
Limited employee parking inside the courthouse block. Public visitors typically park in metered street spots along Birch Avenue and adjacent streets, or in nearby downtown public garages. Plan extra time for parking during business hours.
Processing time
Coconino County processing times are typically 60-120 days for uncontested petitions. The smaller criminal-bench docket relative to Maricopa or Pima usually keeps wait times shorter for local filings.
Judge assignment
Coconino County Superior Court has 5 divisions. Sealing and set-aside petitions are typically routed to the original sentencing judge; if unavailable, criminal-bench judges hear the matter.
After-hours filing
In-person and mail filings only. Coconino does not operate exterior depository boxes for after-hours filing.
What seal a criminal record does
Does
- Hides the record from public view
- Removes from most employer background checks
- You can legally answer "no" to "have you ever been convicted" on most applications
- Civil rights stay restored (if already restored under § 13-907)
Doesn't
- Does not affect law-enforcement, AZPOST, or court access to the record
- Does not seal records used in subsequent criminal cases (priors still apply)
- Does not seal child-related employment background checks (DCS, DDD, schools)
- Does not affect immigration consequences of the conviction
The statute, in plain terms
Section 13-911 establishes waiting periods based on offense classification: 2 years for misdemeanors (with a 3-year period for certain offenses), 5 years for Class 4-6 felonies, and 10 years for Class 2-3 felonies. The waiting clock starts from absolute discharge (probation discharge or release from custody, whichever is later). Offenses excluded under subsection (O) — including certain sex offenses, offenses against victims under 15, and select dangerous-offense classifications — cannot be sealed at all.
Note for Flagstaff filers: Sealing took on its current form in September 2024 (SB 1639), which removed the prior-felony 5-year extension and increased the prosecutor-response window from 30 to 60 days.
Flagstaff Seal a Criminal Record FAQ
Where do Flagstaff residents file a § 13-911 sealing petition?
Petitions are filed with the Coconino County Superior Court. The criminal filing counter is at 200 N. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Coconino County does not operate branch courthouses. All Superior Court filings (felony record-relief petitions) go to the main courthouse on San Francisco Street in downtown Flagstaff.
Is there a court filing fee in Coconino County?
No. Arizona courts charge $0 to file a § 13-911 sealing petition. The legislature deliberately removed filing fees so that record-clearing remedies remain accessible. Some attorneys quote "filing fees" but there are none — it's only the service fee for petition preparation.
Can I e-file my petition in Coconino County?
Mandatory eFiling for attorneys in criminal cases since January 1, 2021. Self-represented filers may continue to file paper documents in person or via the AZ statewide eFileAZ / AZTurboCourt platforms. Attorneys (per administrative order). Optional for self-represented filers.
How long does sealing take in Flagstaff?
Coconino County processing times are typically 60-120 days for uncontested petitions. The smaller criminal-bench docket relative to Maricopa or Pima usually keeps wait times shorter for local filings. The 60-day waiting period is required by statute — the court cannot rule sooner. Sealed orders typically issue within 7-14 days of the 60-day mark if uncontested.
What if the prosecutor objects to my petition?
Coconino County Attorney's Office has 60 days from filing to object. If they object, the court schedules a hearing. Most petitions in Flagstaff are decided on the papers without a hearing — objections are uncommon when the petition is properly prepared and the petitioner is statutorily eligible. The prosecutor's office can be reached at (928) 679-8200.
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