Garfield County Divorce Records

Garfield County divorce records are maintained by the Fifth District Court Clerk in Panguitch, Utah. These records go back to 1882, making them among the older collections in southern Utah. If you need to find a divorce case, confirm a final decree, or obtain a certified copy of a dissolution judgment, this guide covers the main ways to search Garfield County divorce records. The county seat of Panguitch houses both the court and the County Clerk, giving you two access points for these documents.

Fifth District Court in Garfield County

The Fifth District Court handles all divorce cases filed in Garfield County. The court sits in Panguitch, the county seat, at 55 South Main Street. This court also covers Beaver, Iron, and Washington counties, so it serves a large area of southern Utah. The District Court Clerk at this location stores case files, processes new filings, and provides copies of divorce decrees and other court documents.

Garfield County is named for President James A. Garfield. The county spans a wide stretch of southern Utah, including parts of Bryce Canyon country. Despite its rural character, the Fifth District Court maintains complete records going back to 1882. You can contact the clerk directly to request copies or ask about case status before making the drive to Panguitch.

The official court directory for Garfield County is available through the Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov/en/court-directory/garfield.html. That page has current hours, contact details, and directions to the courthouse.

The Garfield County official website at garfield.utah.gov provides access to county offices including the County Clerk, which handles some records related to marriages and local government functions.

How to Find Garfield County Divorce Records

Searching Garfield County divorce records is possible through the state court system online or by visiting the courthouse in Panguitch. The Utah Courts website lets you search by party name or case number at no charge for basic case information. You can see filing dates, case status, and the assigned judge. For copies of the actual documents, you need to contact the clerk's office or visit in person.

To request records in person, go to the Fifth District Court at 55 South Main Street in Panguitch. Bring a valid photo ID. Know the full name of at least one party to the case. If you have the case number, the search goes faster. The clerk can print copies for a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more but are required for most legal uses, such as remarriage or name changes.

You can also use the Utah State Archives for older Garfield County divorce records. The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service holds some historical court records and can help researchers find cases from the 1800s and early 1900s. For genealogy research, the FamilySearch wiki for Garfield County outlines what records exist and where they are held.

Note: The Fifth District Court serves multiple counties. If you call, specify that you need Garfield County records so the clerk can locate your file quickly.

Garfield County Clerk and Court Records

The Garfield County government maintains its official online presence through garfield.utah.gov, where you can find contact information for the County Clerk and other offices involved in local records.

The County Clerk in Panguitch works alongside the Fifth District Court to maintain local records. Both offices share the same address on South Main Street, which makes a single trip to Panguitch sufficient for most record requests in Garfield County.

Filing Divorce Records in Garfield County

Every divorce case in Garfield County starts with a petition filed at the Fifth District Court. The petitioner pays the filing fee of approximately $330 at the time of filing. The clerk assigns a case number and the case enters the public record system. Each document added to the case file becomes part of the permanent Garfield County divorce record, from the initial petition through any modifications made after the decree.

Utah law requires at least one spouse to have lived in Utah and in the county of filing for a minimum of three months before the petition is filed. For Garfield County, that means residency in the county for that period. The state allows no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences. Fault-based grounds such as willful desertion, habitual drunkenness, or cruel treatment are also recognized under Utah Code Title 30, Chapter 3.

A 30-day waiting period applies to cases without minor children. Cases involving minor children have a 90-day waiting period. During this time, temporary orders may be issued to address custody, support, or property use. All of these orders become part of the court record in Garfield County. The final decree, once signed by the judge, closes the active case and remains on file at the Fifth District Court.

The Utah Courts self-help page for divorce walks through the process in plain language and provides links to the forms you need for a Garfield County filing.

The Utah Courts self-help center is a good first stop for anyone preparing to file in Garfield County without an attorney.

These resources cover forms, instructions, and general guidance on the divorce process that applies to Garfield County cases.

Garfield County Divorce Record Contents

A Garfield County divorce file typically includes the original petition, proof of service on the other party, any response filed by the respondent, temporary orders, a final decree of divorce, and any post-decree modifications. If the parties reached a settlement, the signed agreement is also in the file. Property division orders, parenting plans, and child support worksheets appear in cases involving those issues.

The divorce decree is the document most people need. It shows the date the marriage was dissolved and the terms ordered by the court. Certified copies of Garfield County decrees are available from the Fifth District Court Clerk for a fee. The clerk can certify that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original on file.

Garfield County divorce records are public under the Government Records Access and Management Act, Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2. Any person may request access to these records. Certain information about minor children or sealed financial details may be redacted from copies provided to the public.

Note: If you need only a short confirmation that a divorce occurred rather than the full decree, the Utah Office of Vital Records issues divorce certificates for divorces registered in Utah since July 1945.

Vital Records for Garfield County Divorces

The Utah Office of Vital Records keeps statewide divorce records separate from the court files. A divorce certificate from this office confirms the dissolution took place but does not include the terms of the settlement or custody arrangements. This type of certificate is often sufficient for administrative purposes like updating a passport or verifying marital status.

You can order a divorce certificate online, by mail, or in person at the Office of Vital Records in Salt Lake City. Orders are available for divorces that occurred in Utah from July 1945 forward. For Garfield County divorces before that date, the Fifth District Court records and the Utah State Archives are the primary sources.

For ordering a certified vital record, visit vitalrecords.utah.gov/certificates/order-a-vital-record-certificate/ for instructions and current fees.

Nearby Counties

Garfield County borders several other Utah counties. If you are unsure which county holds the records you need, check the county of residence at the time the divorce was filed. Each county files and stores its own cases separately.

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