Office History
Please enjoy this short video about the hard work and rich history of our office which was founded on February 14, 1871. While our processes have evolved since the state's territorial days, our office's mission remains the same: to provide quality, innovative service to every resident.
Important note for iPhone and iPad visitors: This video is not compatible with devices running iOS software version 11 and older. The video works well with browsers on other devices, including iPhones and iPads running iOS software version 12 and up, Android phones, and computers. Total running time of this video is 3 minutes and 48 seconds.
Thirty-one individuals have led the Maricopa County Recorder's Office over its 150 year history.
Below are the names and years served by each Maricopa County Recorder.
| 1871-1872 | James L. Mercer | 1919-1922 | Edith M. Jacobs |
| 1872 | J.R Darroche | 1923-1928 | William H. Linville |
| 1873-1874 | Charles F. Cate | 1929-1930 | J.K. Ward |
| 1875-1876 | James A. Parker | 1931-1938 | William H. Linville |
| 1877-1880 | William F. McNulty | 1939-1956 | Roger G. Laveen |
| 1881-1882 | Richard Frank Kirkland | 1957-1963 | N.C. "Kelly" Moore Dec |
| 1883-1884 | Neri Ficklin Osborn | 1963-1968 | Clifford H. Ward |
| 1885-1886 | William Robertson Morris | 1969 - July 1974 | Paul N. Marston |
| 1887-1888 | Henry Lincoln Wharton | July 1974 - June 1978 | Tom Freestone |
| 1889-1894 | Neri Ficklin Osborn | June 1978-1983 | Bill Henry |
| 1895 | Winthrop Sears | 1984-1988 | Keith Poletis |
| 1895-1896 | John W. Kincaid | 1989-2016 | Helen Purcell |
| 1897-1900 | Frederick W. Sheridan | 2017-2020 | Adrian Fontes |
| 1901-1904 | B. Frank McFall | 2021- 2025 | Stephen Richer |
| 1905-1912 | Clay F. Leonard | 2025 - | Justin Heap |
| 1912-1918 | Vernon L. Vaughn |