Yuma, Arizona · A.R.S. § 13-911
Seal a Criminal Record in Yuma, AZ
Arizona's record-sealing law (A.R.S. § 13-911) lets eligible Yuma residents petition the Yuma 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. Yuma is the Yuma County seat and Arizona's southwestern population center near the California border. The Yuma County Justice Center on 2nd Street consolidates Superior Court, Clerk, and Justice of the Peace functions in a single complex.
Filing in Yuma — local details
Where to file
Yuma County Superior Court
Yuma County Superior Court, 250 W. 2nd Street, Suite E, Yuma, AZ 85364
E-filing
Yuma County uses the AZ statewide Public Access portal for case lookup and the eFileAZ platform for electronic filing where supported. Self-represented filers may file paper documents in person.
Payment methods
Cash, cashier's checks, personal checks, credit cards, money orders.
Prosecutor service
Yuma County Attorney's Office
250 W. 2nd Street, Suite G, Yuma, AZ 85364
Alternate filing locations
Yuma County does not operate Superior Court branch offices. Justice Courts in Yuma (250 W. 2nd, Suite A), Somerton/San Luis (1358 E. Liberty St., San Luis), and Wellton (10260 Dome St.) handle misdemeanors locally; felony record-relief petitions go to the Yuma Superior Court.
Parking & access
Public parking is available adjacent to the court complex on 2nd Street and surrounding blocks.
Processing time
Yuma County processing times are typically 60-120 days for uncontested petitions. The court serves a unique geography — Yuma is closer to San Diego (3 hours) than to Phoenix (3 hours) — but petitioners file at the Yuma County Superior Court regardless.
Judge assignment
Sealing petitions are routed to the original sentencing judge when possible. Yuma's criminal-bench judges hear post-conviction relief matters at the Yuma courthouse.
After-hours filing
In-person and mail filings only. The court complex at 250 W. 2nd Street houses the Clerk, the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, and most other court functions.
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 Yuma 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.
Yuma Seal a Criminal Record FAQ
Where do Yuma residents file a § 13-911 sealing petition?
Petitions are filed with the Yuma County Superior Court. The criminal filing counter is at 250 W. 2nd St., Suite E, Yuma, AZ 85364. Hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Yuma County does not operate Superior Court branch offices. Justice Courts in Yuma (250 W. 2nd, Suite A), Somerton/San Luis (1358 E. Liberty St., San Luis), and Wellton (10260 Dome St.) handle misdemeanors locally; felony record-relief petitions go to the Yuma Superior Court.
Is there a court filing fee in Yuma 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 Yuma County?
Yuma County uses the AZ statewide Public Access portal for case lookup and the eFileAZ platform for electronic filing where supported. Self-represented filers may file paper documents in person. Attorneys (per administrative order). Optional for self-represented filers.
How long does sealing take in Yuma?
Yuma County processing times are typically 60-120 days for uncontested petitions. The court serves a unique geography — Yuma is closer to San Diego (3 hours) than to Phoenix (3 hours) — but petitioners file at the Yuma County Superior Court regardless. 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?
Yuma County Attorney's Office has 60 days from filing to object. If they object, the court schedules a hearing. Most petitions in Yuma 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) 817-4300.
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