Rich County Utah Divorce Records
Rich County divorce records are maintained at the First District Court in Randolph, the county seat. Records go back to 1890. Rich County is a small, rural county in northeastern Utah, named for Charles C. Rich, an early LDS apostle. Searching Rich County divorce records lets you locate a past case, obtain a certified copy of a decree, or gather information for legal or genealogy research. This guide explains where the records are kept, how to request them, and which state resources can help.
Rich County Quick Facts
Rich County First District Court
The First District Court in Randolph handles all divorce cases filed in Rich County. The courthouse is located at 20 South Main Street in Randolph. The District Court Clerk stores all case files and can provide copies of Rich County divorce records, including decrees, petitions, and orders. Because Rich County is one of the least populous counties in Utah, the office is small and staff may be limited on any given day. Call ahead before visiting.
Rich County's First District Court also serves Box Elder and Cache counties, making it a multi-county district. Despite the shared district, each county files and stores its own records locally. Rich County divorce records are kept at the Randolph courthouse, not at any shared district office.
Visit the Rich County official website for general county information and contact details. The court directory at utcourts.gov/rich has current phone numbers and hours for the First District Court in Randolph.
| Court |
First District Court 20 South Main Street Randolph, UT 84064 Phone: (435) 793-2385 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk |
20 S Main Randolph, UT 84064 Phone: (435) 793-2447 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Rich County Clerk and Court Records
The Rich County government operates the county clerk office in Randolph, which works alongside the First District Court on all public record requests.
The clerk office is the right place to start when you need a certified copy of a Rich County divorce decree or any document from a past case file. Bring the names of both parties and the year of filing when you visit or call.
How to Access Rich County Divorce Records
Two main options exist for searching Rich County divorce records. You can use the Utah Courts online case search, or you can contact the First District Court in Randolph directly. Both methods give you access to public case information.
The Utah Courts system at utcourts.gov lets you search by name or case number at no charge. Enter one party's full name to find Rich County divorce cases. The results show the case number, filing date, parties involved, and current status. This free search is useful for confirming a case exists before you go to the courthouse for copies.
To get copies of actual documents from Rich County divorce records, contact the clerk at (435) 793-2447 or visit 20 South Main Street in Randolph. Bring a photo ID. For older cases, the clerk may need extra time to locate the physical file. You can also mail a written request to the court and ask about the current copy fee schedule before sending payment.
Genealogy researchers looking for older Rich County divorce records can check the FamilySearch Rich County guide for digitized or indexed records from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Divorce Filing Process in Rich County
Filing for divorce in Rich County requires meeting the residency requirement set by Utah Code § 30-3-1. At least one spouse must have lived in Utah and in Rich County for at least three months before filing. You submit the petition at the First District Court clerk's office at 20 South Main Street in Randolph. The filing fee is approximately $330 in Rich County.
Utah offers no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences. This is the most common ground used in Rich County divorce records. The state also recognizes fault grounds. These include adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, willful neglect to provide for the family, habitual drunkenness, conviction of a felony, cruel treatment causing bodily injury or great mental distress, and permanent insanity. The grounds stated in the petition become part of the permanent public record for the Rich County case.
After the petition is filed and the other spouse is served, the court requires a waiting period. Cases with no minor children can be finalized 30 days after service. Cases involving minor children must wait at least 90 days. This waiting period is mandatory in all Rich County cases under Utah law. Once the period ends, the court reviews the case, and the judge signs the decree. The decree becomes the final Rich County divorce record.
Note: Low-income filers in Rich County may apply for a fee waiver by submitting a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis at the time of filing.
Public Access to Rich County Divorce Records
Rich County divorce records are public under the Government Records Access and Management Act, Utah Code § 63G-2. Divorce decrees and basic court filings are available to any member of the public. You do not have to be a party to the case to request copies of Rich County divorce records.
Some information in the full case file is restricted. Social Security numbers are redacted before any copy is released. Details about minor children, sealed financial orders, and sensitive family information are not shown in public copies. After 75 years, all documents in a Rich County divorce file become fully public. For most requests, the decree is the primary document available, and it is generally accessible without difficulty.
Utah Vital Records holds divorce certificates for divorces that were finalized in Utah between 1978 and 2010. Visit vitalrecords.utah.gov to order a certificate for a Rich County divorce from that period. The first copy costs $18 and each additional copy costs $10. For Rich County divorces outside that range, the First District Court in Randolph is the only source.
Utah Divorce Law and Rich County Records
The Utah Code Title 30, Chapter 3 governs divorce in all Utah counties, including Rich County, and sets the rules for residency, grounds, and waiting periods.
Understanding the legal framework behind Rich County divorce records can help you know what to expect during a search or when filing. The statute also explains what courts must include in a final decree and how records are maintained over time.
Legal Resources for Rich County Divorce
The Utah Courts self-help center at utcourts.gov has free forms and guides for people filing for divorce without an attorney in Rich County. The guides explain each step from filing the petition through the final decree. This is a good resource for anyone handling their own Rich County case.
Utah Legal Services serves residents across the state, including those in rural areas like Rich County. They offer free legal help to low-income individuals on divorce, custody, and support matters. Contact them to learn whether you qualify for help with your Rich County divorce case.
The Utah Courts judgments database may also be helpful if you are searching for a specific judgment connected to a Rich County divorce case.
Nearby Counties
Rich County borders several other Utah counties. If you are near a county line, confirm your county of residence before filing. Divorce cases must be filed in the county where you have lived for at least three months.