St. George Divorce Records
St. George divorce records are maintained by the Washington County Fifth District Court. St. George is the largest city in Southern Utah and the county seat of Washington County, with a population of about 100,000. The Fifth District Court in St. George handles all divorce filings for Washington County residents. St. George is also notable for holding some of the oldest continuous divorce records in Utah, dating back to 1878. This page explains how to find and obtain St. George divorce records and what to expect from the process.
St. George Quick Facts
Where St. George Residents File for Divorce
St. George residents file for divorce at the Fifth Judicial District Court. The courthouse is at 206 West Tabernacle Street in St. George, which is convenient since St. George is both the county seat and the location of the district court. All divorce records for Washington County cases are stored at this courthouse. St. George City Hall does not maintain divorce records; the court clerk is the correct contact.
| Court | Fifth Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 206 West Tabernacle Street St. George, UT 84770 |
| Phone | (435) 986-5700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | 111 East Tabernacle Street St. George, UT 84770 |
| Court Directory | utcourts.gov/en/court-directory/ |
The Washington County Clerk at 111 East Tabernacle Street holds marriage records from 1887 and divorce records from 1878. This makes Washington County one of the longest-running divorce record collections in Utah. For more about St. George as a city, see sgcity.org.
The image below comes from the City of St. George and reflects the city's civic services available to residents, including information about county court resources.
St. George residents benefit from having both the courthouse and county clerk's office within the city, making in-person access to divorce records relatively straightforward.
St. George Divorce Records History
Washington County holds divorce records going back to 1878. That is one of the earliest start dates for any county in Utah. Marriage records begin in 1887. These older records are at the Washington County Clerk's office at 111 East Tabernacle Street. Some may also be available through the Utah Division of Archives.
Researchers looking for old St. George divorce records can also consult the FamilySearch wiki guide to Utah divorce records at familysearch.org. This guide covers county-level holdings across Utah and notes where records begin for Washington County. The Utah Division of Archives at archives.utah.gov may have index information for older case files not yet available through the court's online system.
Note: Records predating the state's vital records system in the late 1970s are held at the court or county level rather than with the state Office of Vital Records.
How to Search St. George Divorce Records
You can search St. George divorce records online through the Utah Courts case portal. The portal is free for basic lookups. You can search by name or case number. Results show party names, filing dates, hearings, and case status. For document copies, contact the Fifth District Court clerk.
In-person searches are done at the courthouse at 206 West Tabernacle Street. The clerk can look up cases by party name or case number and print copies from the case file. Certified copies cost more per page than plain copies. Call (435) 986-5700 before visiting to confirm what you need to bring and what the current fees are for St. George divorce records.
For divorce certificates covering cases from 1978 to 2010, contact the Southwest Utah Public Health Department at 620 South 400 East, St. George, UT 84770, (435) 673-3528. The Utah Office of Vital Records at vitalrecords.utah.gov is the statewide source for these certificates. The first certified copy costs $18.
Filing for Divorce in St. George
St. George residents file for divorce at the Fifth District Court under Utah state law. The residency requirement under Utah Code Section 30-3 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Utah and in Washington County for a minimum of three months before filing. St. George is the county seat, so most residents easily meet this requirement.
Utah allows no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. After filing and serving the other spouse, the waiting period begins. The wait is 30 days with no minor children and 90 days when minor children are part of the case. These same rules apply throughout Washington County, including all St. George divorce cases. During this waiting period, the court can issue temporary orders covering things like who lives in the family home, child support, and custody arrangements.
Once the waiting period is over and all issues are resolved, the court issues a divorce decree. The decree is the official final order. It covers all terms of the divorce including property division, any support orders, and parenting arrangements if children are involved. The decree is filed with the Fifth District Court and becomes part of the permanent St. George divorce record for that case. Under GRAMA (Utah Code Section 63G-2), the decree is a public record, though some personal details may be redacted.
St. George Divorce Certificates and Decrees
Two types of documents confirm a divorce in St. George. The divorce decree is the court order. The divorce certificate is a shorter state document summarizing the divorce. Each serves different purposes. The decree is usually required for legal and financial matters. The certificate may be enough for some administrative needs.
The image below is from the Utah Office of Vital Records, which handles certificate requests for St. George cases from 1978 to 2010.
You can order a divorce certificate online or by mail through vitalrecords.utah.gov. The fee is $18 for the first certified copy. For decrees and full case documents, contact the Fifth District Court at (435) 986-5700.
For divorces finalized before 1978, the Washington County Clerk at 111 East Tabernacle Street is the best starting point. Records dating back to 1878 may be available, though older files may require a scheduled appointment or advance notice to retrieve.
Legal Help for St. George Divorce Cases
St. George residents who need legal help can turn to several resources. Utah Legal Services provides free assistance to income-eligible residents in Washington County. Visit utahlegalservices.org to see if you qualify and to find the nearest service location.
The Utah Courts self-help center at utcourts.gov/en/self-help/ has divorce forms and instructions for people who want to handle their own case. The self-help site also links to the divorce-specific guidance at utcourts.gov/en/self-help/case-categories/family/divorce.html. These resources are free and cover the full process from petition to final decree. For complex cases, especially those involving property disputes or children, consulting a licensed family law attorney is a good idea.
Washington County Divorce Records
St. George is the county seat of Washington County. All divorce filings for the city go through the Washington County Fifth District Court. The county page provides more information on the full court system, record access rules, and related resources for Washington County residents.
Nearby Cities in Washington County
Washington City is a neighboring community that also files divorce records through the Washington County Fifth District Court in St. George. Click below to learn more.