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 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 1912-1918 Vernon L. Vaughn
1872  J.R Darroche 1919-1922 Edith M. Jacobs
1873-1874  Charles F. Cate 1923-1928 William H. Linville
1875-1876 James A. Parker 1929-1930 J.K. Ward
1877-1880 William F. McNulty 1931-1938 William H. Linville
1881-1882 Richard Frank Kirkland 1939-1956 Roger G. Laveen
1883-1884 Neri Ficklin Osborn 1957-1963 N.C. "Kelly" Moore Dec
1885-1886 William Robertson Morris 1963-1968 Clifford H. Ward
1887-1888 Henry Lincoln Wharton 1969- July 1974 Paul N. Marston
1889-1894 Neri Ficklin Osborn July 1974 - June 1978 Tom Freestone
1895 Winthrop Sears June 1978-1983  Bill Henry
1895-1896 John W. Kincaid 1984-1988 Keith Poletis
1897-1900 Frederick W. Sheridan 1989-2016 Helen Purcell
1901-1904 B. Frank McFall 2017-2020 Adrian Fontes
1905-1912 Clay F. Leonard 2021- Present Stephen Richer