Apache County, AZ tax sales
How tax lien certificate sales work in Apache County, seat of St. Johns: sale calendar, auction platform, over-the-counter lists, and the offices that run each sale.
Verified Jul 13, 2026 against official county and state sources.
New here? Read how Arizona tax sales work, the difference between a lien and a deed, and redemption periods.
How Apache County sells delinquent taxes
Tax certificate sale (lien)
- Run by
- Apache County Treasurer
- Frequency
- annual
- Typical timing
- Held annually in February under A.R.S. 42-18109. The RealAuction process page states the tax certificate auction "must take place during the month of February." For 2026, the electronic tax lien sale on year-2024 delinquent taxes was held "on the 18th day of February 2026, commencing at the hour of 8:00 am ... in batches," with batches closing at 30-minute intervals from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (an auxiliary batch ran 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm). Bidders could "view and post bids beginning 8:00 am February 04, 2026," and final payments were due by 2:00 pm February 19, 2026.
- Next expected
- in February, 2027 (window; exact date posts closer to the sale)
Registration and deposit
Register and bid online through RealAuction at apache.arizonataxsale.com. Investors bid down the interest rate, and the certificate goes to the bidder willing to accept the lowest rate, from a 16% maximum down to 0%. Purchasers complete the Tax Lien Purchaser Information Form (AC-001) and IRS Form W-9. Bidder registration, instructions, and FAQs are on the auction site; RealAuction Customer Service is 1-877-361-7325.
Arizona is a tax-lien state, so Apache County holds no county tax-deed auction. Liens not sold at auction pass to the state and can be bought over the counter, and the Treasurer publishes an Over-the-Counter Tax Lien List on its site. Taxes must be at least two years delinquent before a certificate is offered, and a certificate holder may pursue judicial (quiet title) foreclosure three years after the sale date. The certificate face amount includes a $10 certificate fee and a $10 taxpayer information fund fee plus an internet sale fee; delinquent taxes bear 16% annual interest, prorated monthly. Parcel legal descriptions for the sale are searchable through the Treasurer EagleWeb at eagletreasurer.co.apache.az.us.
Register on RealAuctionFrom lien to deed
Arizona holds no county tax deed auction. A certificate holder who is not redeemed can foreclose the right to redeem in court, starting three years after the sale, to obtain a treasurer's deed.
Over-the-counter (leftover) purchases
Liens that receive no bid are struck to the state. Any person may later buy a state-held certificate over the counter by assignment from the county treasurer, paying the amount due plus subsequent taxes and a small assignment fee. Assigned state certificates earn the full 16 percent.
New to this path? Read how over-the-counter certificates work.
County offices
Tax Collector (runs the certificate sale)
Notes for Apache County
- Auction platform verified live: apache.arizonataxsale.com loads as RealAuction's "Apache RealTaxLien" system (Arizona), and the county's official Treasurer page links to it as the "Apache County Official Tax Lien Auction Site."
- The published delinquent/sale list is the county's Public Notice of Tax Lien Auction (parcel-by-parcel account, owner, legal description, and amount); the 2026 notice covered year-2024 delinquent taxes and was published in the White Mountain Independent on February 3, 2026.
- Delinquent-parcel legal descriptions and account lookups are available through the Apache County Treasurer EagleWeb at eagletreasurer.co.apache.az.us:8443.
Arizona statewide rules
- Redemption
- The owner or any interested party can redeem the lien at any time until the right to redeem is foreclosed by the court. A certificate of purchase holder cannot begin a foreclosure action until three years after the sale, and the lien becomes void if no foreclosure is commenced within ten years after the month the certificate was acquired.
A tax deed does not convey marketable title. Most buyers file a quiet title action before they can resell or insure the property. See the due diligence guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Apache County, Arizona sell tax liens or tax deeds?
- Apache County follows Arizona's tax lien state system.
When is the Apache County tax certificate sale?
- Held annually in February under A.R.S. 42-18109. The RealAuction process page states the tax certificate auction "must take place during the month of February." For 2026, the electronic tax lien sale on year-2024 delinquent taxes was held "on the 18th day of February 2026, commencing at the hour of 8:00 am ... in batches," with batches closing at 30-minute intervals from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (an auxiliary batch ran 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm). Bidders could "view and post bids beginning 8:00 am February 04, 2026," and final payments were due by 2:00 pm February 19, 2026.. Registration and bidding happen on the county's online platform. Always confirm the exact date with the Tax Collector before the sale.
Tax Sale Atlas publishes educational information about public tax sale processes. This is not legal, financial, or investment advice. Rules, dates, and fees change; confirm with the county office before you bid.
Explore all 15 Arizona counties
Compare sale calendars, platforms, and rules across the state, or read the guides before you bid.