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Arizona · Northwest Arizona · Colorado River · #233 Most Populous County in the US
Mohave County, Arizona
Lake Havasu City, Kingman, Bullhead City, and the Colorado River - Arizona's northwestern corner where the London Bridge was transplanted to the desert and Route 66 still runs through America's most remote stretches. Property tax, courts, public records, probate, and senior services for Mohave County residents.
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Mohave County's assessment ratio means effective tax rates are low — but incorrect appraisals still cost money. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Alert System: AZ Alert; CodeRed; NOAA Weather Radio
Shelter Info: Multiple shelter locations; contact county EMA; extreme heat shelter locations in summer
FEMA Region: Region 9
Notes: Vast northwest Arizona county (largest county in the contiguous US that is entirely within one state); Kingman is county seat; Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City/Laughlin area are major population centers; Colorado River corridor; EXTREME SUMMER HEAT (Bullhead City is frequently the hottest city in the US – 120°F+ recorded); flash flooding; dust storms; Hoover Dam (in adjacent Nevada/Arizona border) nearby; Route 66 corridor
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
County Road Dept: Mohave County Public Works – (928) 753-0748
Public Transit: Limited; demand-response; Lake Havasu City and Kingman have some local service; Bullhead City has ferry service to Laughlin casinos across the Colorado River
Road Conditions: ADOT – az511.gov
Notes: I-40 (Historic Route 66 corridor) runs east-west through Kingman; US-93 connects Kingman to Las Vegas (major tourist/freight route); AZ-95 runs along the Colorado River (Parker to Bullhead City/Laughlin); Colorado River bridges are critical infrastructure; Laughlin, Nevada (across the river from Bullhead City) creates significant cross-border commuter traffic
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Mohave County Development Services – (928) 753-0748 | mohavecounty.us
Services: Building permits for unincorporated areas; Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City (Colorado City), Colorado City (Centennial Park – FLDS community historically) have separate permits
Notes: Lake Havasu City has significant construction activity; Bullhead City retirement and tourism development; Kingman growing; remote desert areas attract off-grid and rural residential development; Nevada-Arizona border communities create unique permit considerations
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Mohave County Veterans Services – (928) 753-3803 | mohavecounty.us
VA Medical: Carl T. Hayden VAMC – Phoenix; Prescott VA (closer); Lake Havasu City VA clinic – verify current status
Services: Benefits claims, VA healthcare enrollment, pension/compensation
Notes: Large retirement community in Lake Havasu City includes significant veteran population; Prescott VA is more accessible than Phoenix for many Mohave County residents; active VSO chapters in Kingman and Lake Havasu
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Mohave County Library District – (928) 692-2665 | mohavecounty.us/library
Branches: Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Wikieup, Chloride, Dolan Springs, Golden Valley, Beaver Dam
Services: Books, e-books, public computers, Wi-Fi, genealogy, children’s programs; Route 66 history collections
Notes: Active library system reflecting retirement communities; Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City branches are well-used; Kingman has significant Route 66 heritage collections; Chloride is the oldest continuously inhabited mining town in Arizona
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Assets: Lake Havasu State Park (Arizona – London Bridge area) – azstateparks.com | (928) 855-2784; London Bridge (moved stone by stone from London to Lake Havasu City in 1971 – iconic tourism draw); Lake Havasu water recreation (boating, jet skiing, fishing – premier water recreation destination in the Southwest); Hoover Dam (Nevada/Arizona border – Black Canyon of the Colorado); Oatman (historic Route 66 gold mining town; wild burros roam the streets); Grand Canyon West (Hualapai Tribe – Skywalk glass bridge); Joshua trees; Hualapai Mountain Park
Notes: London Bridge is Lake Havasu City’s defining attraction – Robert McCulloch purchased the entire 1831 London Bridge and had it shipped to and rebuilt in the Arizona desert; it draws enormous tourism; Lake Havasu is one of the Southwest’s premier boating destinations; Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Reservation with the glass Skywalk is a major tourism attraction; Oatman’s wild burros are beloved; Route 66 nostalgia drives significant tourism through Kingman and Seligman
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Mohave County GIS – mohavecounty.us/gis | (928) 753-0748
Parcel Search: Available through county GIS portal
Notes: Large county with diverse needs; Colorado River navigation mapping important; BLM manages vast public lands; Hualapai Tribe GIS separate for reservation lands
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Shelter: Mohave County Animal Control – (928) 757-7573 | mohavecounty.us/animal-control; Lake Havasu City shelter; Bullhead City shelter
Notes: Large county with multiple shelter locations; Lake Havasu boating culture creates unique animal issues (pets on boats, boat dock stray concerns); Hualapai Tribe manages wildlife on reservation; feral burros in Oatman area are managed by BLM and beloved by the community – protected under federal law
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid Waste: Mohave County – (928) 757-7901; Lake Havasu City, Kingman, Bullhead City manage separately
Recycling: Limited; some city programs; large county makes waste management challenging
Environmental: Arizona DEQ – azdeq.gov; EPA Region 9; BLM (vast desert public lands); Bureau of Reclamation (Colorado River, Hoover Dam, Davis Dam, Parker Dam); Hualapai Tribe Environmental Department; Colorado River water compact
Notes: Colorado River water management is the defining environmental issue – the river is fully allocated and water supply is under stress; Lake Havasu’s water recreation creates shoreline and water quality management needs; Parker Dam creates Lake Havasu and is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation; extreme heat and drought are intensifying pressure on Colorado River water supplies; BLM manages vast amounts of Mohave Desert public lands with significant recreational use; Hualapai Tribe environmental management for Grand Canyon West and surrounding reservation; Route 66 heritage sites (ghost towns, historic sites) require preservation attention
About Mohave County
Mohave County is Arizona’s northwestern corner – a vast, sparsely populated county bordering Nevada and California along the Colorado River, where the climate transitions from Sonoran Desert scrub to Mojave Desert, and the communities reflect the distinct cultures of the Colorado River recreation economy and the Route 66 nostalgia corridor.
Lake Havasu City (population ~56,000) is the county’s largest and most nationally recognized community – known primarily for the London Bridge. In 1968, the City of London sold the 19th-century granite bridge (which was sinking into the Thames due to the weight of modern traffic) to Robert McCulloch, a chainsaw manufacturer and land developer who had purchased the Lake Havasu site for a planned community. McCulloch had the bridge disassembled stone by stone, shipped to Arizona, and rebuilt as the centerpiece of Lake Havasu City – completed in 1971. The London Bridge is now Arizona’s second most visited tourist attraction (after Grand Canyon) and one of the most bizarre real estate transactions in American history.
Kingman (the county seat, population ~32,000) is a Route 66 town at the crossroads of I-40 and US-93 – a significant junction in the Mojave Desert where traffic from Los Angeles heads toward Las Vegas and Phoenix. Kingman’s Route 66 nostalgia – the Historic Route 66 Museum, the Powerhouse Visitor Center – attracts travelers following the historic road. The Hoover Dam is 75 miles north of Kingman.
Bullhead City (population ~42,000) sits across the Colorado River from Laughlin, Nevada – the casino city whose gambling revenue draws visitors from Arizona and California. Bullhead City’s economy is substantially dependent on Laughlin’s tourism and the river recreation economy.
County government is a five-member Board of Supervisors with a County Manager. Separately elected: Assessor, Attorney, Clerk of Superior Court, Recorder, Sheriff, School Superintendent, and Treasurer.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Full Cash Value (FCV): Mohave County Assessor’s market value estimate.
LPV: Capped at 5% annual increase.
AV: Residential at 10% of LPV.
The Mohave County Assessor (700 W. Beale Street, Kingman, 928-753-0703) determines all property values.
FCV appeal: File with the Mohave County Board of Supervisors by November 10.
Senior Valuation Protection: Age 65+, income ≤ $43,872 (2025), 2-year ownership – freezes LPV for 3 years. Apply by September 1.
No Arizona estate tax. No Arizona inheritance tax.
OWNWELL CTA: Mohave County FCV appeal November 10. Lake Havasu City waterfront and Colorado River recreation values have risen. Senior Valuation Protection freezes LPV for 3 years. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Recommended
Mohave County FCV appeal November 10. Lake Havasu City waterfront and Colorado River recreation values have risen. Senior Valuation Protection freezes LPV for 3 years. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Courts & Legal
Courts & Legal
The Mohave County Superior Court at 401 E. Spring Street, Kingman (928-753-0713) handles all civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. The Mohave County Recorder (700 W. Beale Street, Kingman, 928-753-0701) maintains all land records – searchable online at mohavecounty.us.
Colorado River recreation property estate planning: Lake Havasu City’s large stock of vacation homes, waterfront properties, and Colorado River-access properties creates succession challenges around boat slip leases, HOA membership rights, and access easements. Seasonal and vacation property owners frequently lack current Arizona estate plans.
London Bridge estate history note: The London Bridge property itself – owned by the city of Lake Havasu City – is not subject to private estate planning, but the surrounding McCulloch-developed real estate is subject to HOA covenants and restrictions that run with the land and must be addressed in estate plans.
Senior Services: The Mohave County Department of Public Health – Area Agency on Aging (928-757-8151) at 700 W. Beale Street, Kingman coordinates senior centers, home-delivered meals, transportation, SHIP Medicare counseling, caregiver support, Adult Protective Services, and connections to Arizona ALTCS Medicaid programs.
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
RECORDER (Deeds, Marriage Licenses)
700 W. Beale St., Kingman, AZ 86401
(928) 753-0701
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Mohave County Superior Court, all three locations (marriage licenses, will and estate case files – see Probate section above)
Local societies
Mohave County Genealogical Society, 400 West Beale Street, Kingman, AZ 86401, [email protected] – meets 1st Wednesday at the Mohave County Museum Library.
Lake Havasu Genealogical Society, Inc., P.O. Box 953, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405-0953, [email protected] – Genealogical Society Family Research Library, 2126 N. McCulloch Blvd., Suite 17, Lake Havasu City.
Probate & Estate
Losing someone and having to deal with courts and paperwork at the same time is hard. This section won’t make that easier, but it should tell you what to expect, what it costs, and where to go – so at least you’re not walking in blind.
Where to go
Mohave County Superior Court has three locations – file in whichever is most convenient.
Kingman Office (main) – 415 E. Spring Street, Kingman, AZ 86402 (mailing: PO Box 7000, Kingman, AZ 86402). (928) 753-0713. Fax (928) 718-4930. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Lake Havasu City Office – 2001 College Drive, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404. (928) 453-0701. Fax (928) 453-0742. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00–4:30 p.m. Bullhead City Office – 2225 Trane Road, Bullhead City, AZ 86442. (928) 758-0730. Fax (928) 758-1988. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00–4:30 p.m.
Step 1: figure out which path applies
Arizona recently made this decision much easier for most families – a 2025 law dramatically raised the small-estate thresholds, so many more estates now qualify to skip full probate entirely.
Small Estate Affidavit (personal property) – no court case needed. Effective September 26, 2025 under House Bill 2116 (amending A.R.S. § 14-3971), this applies when personal property is worth $200,000 or less (net of liens), at least 30 days have passed since the death, and no probate case has been opened. Present the signed affidavit directly to the bank or institution holding the property.
Small Estate Affidavit (real property) – for real property with equity of $300,000 or less (net of liens), available after a 6-month wait. Must be filed with the Superior Court and then recorded with the County Recorder.
Informal Probate – the default track for uncontested estates above the small-estate thresholds. Reviewed by a court registrar, not a judge.
Formal Probate – used when the will is contested, there’s no original will, heirs are disputed, or the matter otherwise needs judicial involvement.
Supervised Administration – rare; used only when ongoing court oversight is needed to protect the estate or beneficiaries.
Arizona is a community property state – a surviving spouse already owns their half of community property outright.
If using the small estate affidavit (personal property)
Wait at least 30 days after the death.
Confirm no probate case has already been opened and total personal property (net of liens) is $200,000 or less.
Complete the affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971.
Present the signed affidavit with a certified death certificate directly to whoever holds the property.
If using the small estate affidavit (real property)
Wait at least 6 months after the death.
Confirm the real property’s equity is $300,000 or less.
File the affidavit with the Mohave County Superior Court.
Record the certified affidavit with the Mohave County Recorder.
If filing informal probate
Gather the original will (if any), a list of assets/debts/heirs, and identifying information.
File an Application for Informal Probate and Appointment of Personal Representative with the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Notice to known heirs must comply with A.R.S. § 14-3306.
The registrar reviews the application; if complete and unopposed, issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration – no hearing required.
Notice to creditors must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.
Creditors then have a 4-month claim window (A.R.S. § 14-3801) – the practical floor on how fast even a simple probate can close; most run 6–12 months.
After debts are resolved, the personal representative distributes the estate and closes it with a final accounting.
If formal probate is required
File a Petition for Formal Probate with the Superior Court.
A judge holds a hearing rather than a registrar reviewing on paper.
The same inventory, creditor-notice, and closing steps apply from there, under direct court supervision.
What it costs
Small estate affidavits: no court filing fee for the personal-property affidavit; the real-property affidavit carries a county recording fee.
Informal or formal probate filing fee: varies by county, typically $250–$400 statewide (confirm current fee with the Mohave County Clerk).
Creditor notice publication: typically $75–$300 depending on the newspaper.
Personal representative compensation: “reasonable compensation” standard – no fixed statutory percentage.
Attorney fees: not fixed by statute; a straightforward, uncontested probate commonly runs $2,000–$7,500.
Probate filings, estate administration, and guardianship matters are handled by the following office(s):
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
600 W. Beale St., Kingman, AZ 86401
(928) 753-0753
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
Health Dept
(928) 757-8111
DES / SNAP / Medicaid
(855) 432-7587
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Mohave County Department of Public Health – (928) 757-8111 | mohavecounty.us/health
Services: Immunizations, WIC, family planning, STI testing, environmental health, vital records, restaurant inspections; extreme heat public health programs
Hospitals: Kingman Regional Medical Center – (928) 757-2101; Havasu Regional Medical Center (Lake Havasu City) – (928) 855-8185; Western Arizona Regional Medical Center (Bullhead City) – (928) 763-2273
Notes: Three hospitals serve this large county; extreme heat mortality is a significant public health issue in Bullhead City (one of the hottest places in the US); retirement community health demands; river recreation injuries (boating accidents, drowning) require emergency response
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