Criminal records in Salt Lake County, Utah, are available through several channels. SaltLakeCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state court system, county law enforcement agencies, and the Third District Court Clerk's Office. Each of these resources covers different types of cases and levels of detail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Salt Lake
Start by determining what specific information you are looking for — a district court case, inmate data, or state-level criminal history. For the search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
Next — specific search methods.
Online Search
- SaltLakeCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- Xchange — the official portal of Utah courts. It is a repository of district court and justice court cases. Searches can be conducted by name or case number.
- Jail Dockets & Rosters — the county sheriff's office publishes lists of current inmates. To find a specific person, use the Find a Prisoner page.
- Warrant Check — free search of the statewide warrants file through the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification.
In-Person Visit
The Third District Court serves Salt Lake County. The Clerk's Office provides access to public case materials through terminals in the courthouse. Call in advance at (801) 238-7300 to confirm hours of operation and availability of specific records.
Written Request
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, submit a request to the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). Requests for county public records are governed by the GRAMA (Utah Code §63G-2) law and can be submitted through the Salt Lake County NextRequest platform.
Search Salt Lake Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in Utah courts have a standard format that includes several key elements:
- Court Code — a numeric prefix indicating the specific court (e.g., Third District Court).
- Year of Filing — a two-digit number corresponding to the year the case was opened.
- Sequential Number — a unique case number within the year.
- Case Type Letter Code — for example, "CR" for criminal cases, "MC" for misdemeanor criminal cases.
If you have the full case number, searching through Xchange will take a few seconds. Enter the number in the appropriate field — the system will return information about the parties, charges, status, and scheduled hearings. Without a case number, you will have to search by name, which may yield multiple results, especially with common surnames.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Salt Lake
Each criminal case in the county contains several categories of data. Below is what each element means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific article of the Utah Code under which charges are brought |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce the charges during the case — amended charges reflect this |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is actively being considered by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case in the Third District Court:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant learns about the charges and states their position
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (usually for felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — the parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
- Trial — court proceedings
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
- Guilty — found guilty
- Not Guilty — acquitted
- Dismissed — the case is closed without a verdict
- Withheld Judgment — the court postponed sentencing, often under certain conditions
- Acquitted — full acquittal after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Salt Lake
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with a court or government agency seal. Depending on the type of records, contact one of the following offices.
Third District Court Clerk's Office
To obtain certified copies of court documents (judgments, hearing transcripts, etc.), contact the court clerk's office directly.
What you need for the request:
- Full name of the defendant or case number
- Valid ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment of applicable fees
Requests can be submitted in person or by mail. For written requests, include case details and prepayment.
Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI)
If a complete state-level criminal history is needed, submit a request to BCI at the Department of Public Safety.
BCI accepts requests in person and by mail. Typically, you need to fill out the appropriate form and provide fingerprints for identification.
Request via GRAMA
To obtain police reports or other county law enforcement records, submit a request according to GRAMA. The Salt Lake City Police Department charges a separate fee for reports — details are available on the SLCPD GRAMA Requests page.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Salt Lake
The amount of fees depends on the type of record and the issuing agency.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 – $0.50 | Third District Court (Clerk's Office) |
| Document certification | $4.00 per document | Court Clerk's Office |
| Police report (SLCPD) | $10.00 per report (up to 10 pages) | Salt Lake City Police Department |
| Body camera video (SLCPD) | $33.00 | Salt Lake City Police Department |
| Criminal history check (BCI) | $15.00 – $25.00 (depending on the type of check) | Bureau of Criminal Identification |
Processing Times
- Online search via Xchange — instant
- Copies from the court clerk's office — usually within 1–5 business days for in-person requests; mail requests may take 1–2 weeks
- Criminal history through BCI — from a few days to several weeks, depending on workload
- GRAMA requests — the law requires a response within 10 business days, with the possibility of extension
Fees for copies at the court clerk's office are set according to the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Fees for police reports are regulated by Salt Lake City Code § 2.64.130. Confirm current rates directly with the agency before submitting a request — amounts may change.