Divorce records in Salt Lake County, Utah, are available through several channels — online tools, the court that issued the decision, the county vital records office, and the state office. SaltLakeCourt.us allows you to start searching for public divorce information. Additionally, records are maintained by the Third District Court, Salt Lake County Vital Records, and the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Depending on the type of document — court record or certificate — you should contact different institutions.
Salt Lake Divorce Records Search
In Salt Lake County, divorce records are maintained by two separate entities. Court case materials — the complaint, court decree, property distribution agreements, custody orders — are stored at the Third District Court clerk's office. This court has served Salt Lake County since 1896 and handles all family cases, including divorces.
Meanwhile, Salt Lake County Vital Records issues abstracts of divorce records for any location in Utah from 1978 to 2010. This is a shortened form of the document, not a full copy of the court decree. If a certified state document is needed — the Certificate of Divorce — it is issued by the state office.
Online searches of district court materials are available through the Xchange system, where district court case information is stored. Note: Since April 2012, some civil cases may have restricted access according to Utah Code of Judicial Administration 4-202.02.
Third District Court (Salt Lake)
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Salt Lake
In Utah, divorces are filed in the district court of the county where at least one of the spouses resides. For Salt Lake County, this is the Third District Court. After a decision is made, the decree remains in the court clerk's office as part of the court case.
In addition to the court record, state law requires the submission of a separate form — Certificate of Divorce, Dissolution of Marriage, or Annulment — to the Utah Department of Health along with the divorce complaint. Based on this form, the Utah Office of Vital Records creates an official state-level divorce record.
Where to apply depends on the purpose of the request:
- Full copy of the court decree, property agreements, custody orders — Third District Court clerk's office or search through Xchange.
- Abstract of divorce for 1978–2010 — Salt Lake County Vital Records.
- Certified Certificate of Divorce — Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
- Archived court cases — Utah Division of Archives and Records Service stores Third District Court materials.
Salt Lake County Vital Records
Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics
Public access to records is regulated by the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Some family case materials may be restricted, so it's advisable to check with the court clerk's office if a specific document is available before making a request.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Salt Lake
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Abstract of divorce — Salt Lake County Vital Records | $20 | During visit or 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Certificate of Divorce — Utah Office of Vital Records (standard processing) | $25 | 4–6 weeks |
| Certificate of Divorce — Utah Office of Vital Records (expedited processing) | $25 + additional delivery fee | 1–2 weeks |
| Copy of court document — Third District Court (through clerk's office) | $0.25 per page | During visit |
| Certified copy of court document — Third District Court | $4.00 per document + $0.25 per page | During visit or a few business days |
| Online search through Xchange | Free registration; fee for document viewing | Instantly |