Find Kane County Divorce Records
Kane County divorce records date back to 1884 and are maintained by the Fifth District Court in Kanab, Utah. Kanab is both the county seat and the home of the court that handles all divorce filings for Kane County residents. If you are searching for a dissolution case, need a certified copy of a decree, or want to confirm that a divorce was finalized in Kane County, this guide walks through the main resources available and how to use them.
Kane County Quick Facts
Fifth District Court Kane County Records
The Fifth District Court in Kanab is the official keeper of Kane County divorce records. The court address is 76 North Main Street in Kanab. The Fifth District covers several counties in southern Utah, including Garfield, Iron, and Washington counties, in addition to Kane. Despite serving a wide area, the clerk's office in Kanab stores all case files specific to Kane County and handles all record requests for this county.
Kane County is named after Thomas L. Kane, a Philadelphia lawyer and military officer who was a well-known friend and supporter of Mormon settlers during the pioneer era. The county was established in 1864, and court records have been maintained since 1884. Kanab, the county seat, sits near the Arizona border in the rugged canyon country of southern Utah, close to several national parks and monuments.
The Utah Courts directory listing for Kane County at utcourts.gov/en/court-directory/kane.html provides current contact information, hours, and location details for the Kanab courthouse. Use this page to confirm hours before traveling to the court.
| Court |
Fifth District Court 76 North Main Street Kanab, UT 84741 Phone: (435) 644-2235 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk |
76 N Main Kanab, UT 84741 Phone: (435) 644-2455 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Searching Divorce Records in Kane County
You can start your search for Kane County divorce records through the Utah Courts online system. The portal lets you look up cases by party name or case number at no charge for basic information. You can see the case number, filing date, status, and parties involved. This is often enough to confirm that a case exists and to get the information you need to request copies.
For the full case file, contact the Fifth District Court Clerk in Kanab at (435) 644-2235. The clerk can pull the physical or electronic file, make copies, and certify them if needed. You should bring a valid photo ID and know the name of at least one party. Knowing the approximate year of filing helps the clerk locate the record faster, especially for older Kane County divorce cases.
The Utah Courts judgments database at utcourts.gov/judgments/ is another online tool for finding Kane County civil judgments, including those from divorce proceedings. This database is searchable by name and includes judgment amounts and dates.
For Kane County divorce records from the 1880s through the early 20th century, the FamilySearch wiki for Kane County is a helpful starting point. It describes which historical records have been indexed, filmed, or digitized for genealogical research. The Utah State Archives holds some transferred court records from Kane County that may not be available at the courthouse.
Note: When contacting the Fifth District Court about Kane County records, always specify Kane County by name. The Fifth District serves multiple counties, and naming the county upfront helps the staff route your request correctly.
Kane County Divorce Filings and Decrees
Every Kane County divorce begins with a petition filed at the Fifth District Court in Kanab. The petitioner must have lived in Utah and in Kane County for at least three months before filing. The filing fee is approximately $330. After paying, the clerk assigns a case number and the case enters the Kane County public record system. Every document added from that point on becomes part of the permanent file.
Utah allows divorce on no-fault grounds, citing irreconcilable differences as the basis. No proof of wrongdoing is required under this approach. For those who wish to pursue fault-based divorce, Utah Code Title 30, Chapter 3 recognizes grounds including adultery, willful desertion lasting one year or more, habitual drunkenness, willful neglect to provide basic necessities, conviction of a felony, and cruel treatment. The choice of grounds affects how the case proceeds but not the basic structure of the Kane County court record.
A mandatory waiting period applies before the court can finalize any Kane County divorce. The wait is 30 days for cases without minor children. It extends to 90 days for cases that involve minor children. During this waiting period, the court may issue temporary orders on custody, property, and financial support. These interim orders become part of the Kane County case file. Once the judge signs the final decree, the case is closed and the decree is filed permanently with the Fifth District Court Clerk in Kanab.
For those filing in Kane County without an attorney, the self-help resources at utcourts.gov/en/self-help/ provide forms, instructions, and guidance on the divorce process that applies in all Utah counties, including Kane.
What Kane County Divorce Records Contain
A Kane County divorce file typically includes the original petition, the summons, proof of service, any response filed by the other spouse, temporary orders, and the final divorce decree. Cases involving property, debts, or children will also contain a marital settlement agreement, parenting plan, and child support worksheet. Post-decree modifications are filed in the same case and become part of the same record if the parties later seek changes to custody, support, or property arrangements.
The divorce decree is the document most parties and researchers need. It names both spouses, states the date the marriage was legally dissolved, and includes all court orders from the case. Certified copies of Kane County decrees are available from the Fifth District Court Clerk. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and signature. Most government agencies, financial institutions, and courts require a certified copy rather than a plain photocopy.
Kane County divorce records are public documents under the Government Records Access and Management Act, Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2. Any member of the public can request access. Portions involving minor children or sealed financial disclosures may be redacted in copies provided to non-parties, but the core record is accessible to the public by default.
Kane County Vital Records and Divorce Certificates
The Utah Office of Vital Records maintains a statewide divorce registry that is separate from the Fifth District Court records in Kanab. A divorce certificate from this office is a summary document that confirms the dissolution occurred. It shows the names and date but does not include the terms of any settlement, property orders, or custody arrangements. For many administrative purposes, this shorter certificate is all that is needed.
Vital Records has Kane County divorce data from July 1945 to the present. Earlier divorces must be located through the Fifth District Court or the Utah State Archives. You can order a certificate online, by mail, or in person at the Vital Records office in Salt Lake City. Current fees and instructions are at vitalrecords.utah.gov/certificates/order-a-vital-record-certificate/.
The Utah Office of Vital Records page shows what types of certificates are available, who may order them, and what identification is required for each type of request.
Vital record certificates from this office are an option for Kane County divorces when only a short confirmation document is needed rather than a full certified court decree.
Note: If the divorce you are searching for occurred before July 1945, the Utah State Archives and the Fifth District Court Clerk in Kanab are the sources most likely to have the record.
Legal Resources for Kane County Divorce Records
Several statewide resources can assist Kane County residents with divorce-related legal questions. The Utah Courts self-help center provides free forms, instructions, and guides for self-represented parties. Visit utcourts.gov/en/self-help/case-categories/family/divorce.html for divorce-specific materials that apply to Kane County cases.
Utah Legal Services offers free legal assistance to qualifying individuals based on income. If you cannot afford a lawyer and have a legal issue connected to your Kane County divorce, this organization may be able to help. They serve southern Utah, including Kane County.
The Utah Courts directory at utcourts.gov/en/court-directory/ lists all Utah court locations with contact details. Use this to verify the current address and hours for the Kane County courthouse before visiting or mailing a records request.
The following resource from the Utah Courts outlines how to use the state court system's self-help tools, which are available to Kane County residents preparing to file or respond to a divorce petition.
The Utah Courts self-help page covers forms, filing steps, and general guidance that applies to Kane County divorce cases in the Fifth District Court.
Nearby Counties
Kane County sits in the far southern corner of Utah and borders several other counties. Divorce cases are filed in the county where the petitioner lived at the time of filing. Use the correct county to make sure you are searching the right court records.