Salt Lake County Divorce Records
Salt Lake County divorce records are maintained by the District Court Clerk at the Salt Lake County Courthouse. Salt Lake County is the most populous county in Utah with over 1.2 million residents. The Third District Court handles divorce cases filed in Salt Lake County. The county seat is Salt Lake City, and the courts serve the entire county including the Salt Lake County government.
Salt Lake County Quick Facts
Salt Lake County District Court
The District Court Clerk maintains all divorce records in Salt Lake County. This office handles case filings, stores court files, and provides copies of divorce decrees. Staff can help you find both old and recent cases. The Scott M. Matheson Courthouse is located in downtown Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake County has the Third District Court that handles divorce cases. The District Court Clerk can search divorce records and provide copies for you. Call ahead to confirm hours and what you need to bring when visiting Salt Lake County.
| Court |
Third District Court Scott M. Matheson Courthouse 450 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84114 Phone: (801) 238-7300 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
How to Search Salt Lake County Divorce Records
You can search for divorce records in Salt Lake County online or in person. The method you choose depends on what you need. Online searches work well for basic case details. In-person visits let you review the full file and get certified copies right away. Both methods give you access to divorce records going back many years in Salt Lake County.
The Utah Court System provides access to court records across many counties, including Salt Lake County. You can search by party name or case number to find divorce cases. The system is free to search for basic case information. For copies of actual documents, contact the District Court Clerk or visit the courthouse. Go to utcourts.gov to begin your search for Salt Lake County divorce records.
To search divorce records in Salt Lake County, you need the following:
- Full name of one or both spouses
- Year the divorce was filed
- Case number if you have it
You can also search in person at the District Court Clerk office in Salt Lake County. Go to 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Bring your ID with you. The clerk can search by name or case number. Older records may take more time to locate. You can also submit a public records request for records at the Salt Lake County District Court Clerk office.
Salt Lake County Divorce Fees
Salt Lake County follows the Utah fee schedule for divorce cases and records. The cost to file a new petition for divorce is approximately $330 in Salt Lake County. Fees can change, so call the District Court Clerk to confirm current rates before you file in Salt Lake County.
The main fees for divorce in Salt Lake County are:
- File a petition for divorce: ~$330.00
- Response filing fee: varies
- Motion filing fee: varies
- Certified copy of decree: varies
- Service of process fee: varies
Service fees also apply when you file for divorce in Salt Lake County. You must serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. You can use the Salt Lake County Sheriff for service, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Copy fees depend on the number of pages, and certified copies cost more than plain ones. If you have low income, you may apply for a fee waiver by filing a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the court in Salt Lake County.
Divorce Filing Process in Salt Lake County
Filing for divorce in Salt Lake County follows the process set by Utah law. Each step creates records that become part of your case file. The District Court Clerk keeps all these documents at the courthouse. You can get copies of any paper in your case file once it is filed in Salt Lake County.
First, you file a petition for divorce with the District Court Clerk in Salt Lake County. You pay the approximately $330 filing fee at this time. The clerk assigns you a case number. Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Utah and of Salt Lake County for at least three months before filing. If you live in Salt Lake County, you file here.
Next, you serve your spouse with the divorce papers. You can use the Salt Lake County Sheriff, a private process server, or other methods allowed under Utah law. Proof of service goes in the court file. Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, Utah offers no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences. Fault grounds include adultery, impotency, willful desertion for more than one year, willful neglect, habitual drunkenness, conviction of a felony, and cruel treatment. There is a mandatory waiting period of 30 days without minor children or 90 days with minor children before the court can finalize the divorce. The divorce decree ends the marriage and becomes part of the public record in Salt Lake County.
Note: Claims for property division and spousal support should be addressed in the petition or response in Salt Lake County. Utah follows equitable distribution of marital property under Utah Code § 30-3-5, and courts handle all related issues within the same divorce case.
What Salt Lake County Divorce Records Contain
Divorce records in Salt Lake County include many types of documents. The petition for divorce is the first document filed. It states the grounds for divorce under Utah Code § 30-3-1 and what the petitioner seeks. The answer is filed by the other spouse. A stipulation and settlement agreement shows what the parties agreed to on property, children, and support. All of these are part of the court record in Salt Lake County.
The divorce decree is the main document most people need from Salt Lake County. This is the court order that dissolves the marriage. Certified copies of the decree are often needed for legal matters like changing your name or selling property. You can get certified copies from the District Court Clerk in Salt Lake County.
A divorce record in Salt Lake County typically shows:
- Names and addresses of both parties
- Date of marriage and separation
- Grounds for divorce
- Date the petition was filed
- Date the decree was entered
- Name restoration if requested
Salt Lake County divorce records are generally public under GRAMA (Government Records Access and Management Act), Utah Code § 63G-2. Anyone can request to view them. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some details about children or finances may be sealed or redacted in public copies, but most of the file is accessible to the public in Salt Lake County.
Divorce Certificates in Salt Lake County
The Utah Department of Health, Office of Vital Records issues divorce certificates as an alternative to court records in Salt Lake County. A certificate is a shorter document that confirms a divorce took place. It shows the names, date, and county but not the full terms of any settlement. Many people need a certificate for purposes like changing their name or getting remarried in Salt Lake County.
You can get a divorce certificate by ordering online through VitalChek, by mailing a request to the Office of Vital Records, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, or by visiting the office in person in Salt Lake City. The fee is $25 per certified copy. The office has records for divorces from July 1945 to the present day in Utah.
For the full divorce decree with all the terms, go to the District Court Clerk in Salt Lake County. Most legal matters require the decree, not just a certificate.
Legal Help for Divorce in Salt Lake County
Several organizations offer help with divorce cases in Salt Lake County. Some provide free legal assistance to people who qualify based on income. Others offer a first consultation at a reduced rate. These resources can help you understand divorce law, fill out forms, or find a lawyer in Salt Lake County.
Utah Legal Services serves Salt Lake County through their Salt Lake City offices. They provide free legal help to people with low income. Visit utahlegalservices.org to find help with divorce in Salt Lake County. The Utah State Bar can also help connect you with a family law attorney. You can reach the Utah State Bar lawyer referral service at (801) 531-9077.
The Utah Court System at utcourts.gov has court forms and information you need to file for divorce in Salt Lake County, along with instructions for self-represented litigants. The Salt Lake County courts also have resources that can assist with form selection and filing procedures.
Related Records in Salt Lake County
Other offices in Salt Lake County keep records that may connect to divorce cases. The Salt Lake County Recorder handles property records including deeds that often change hands after a divorce. The court handles marriage licenses and estate matters. You may need a marriage record to prove the marriage before the divorce. Visit slco.org for more on these records in Salt Lake County.
The Salt Lake County court also deals with matters that involve children in divorce cases. This includes child support enforcement, custody modifications, and protection from abuse orders. For child support questions in Salt Lake County, contact the Utah Office of Recovery Services. The court handles estate matters that may intersect with divorce proceedings in Salt Lake County.
Cities in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County includes several cities and towns. All divorce cases for residents of Salt Lake County are filed at the Salt Lake County District Court.
Salt Lake City is the largest city in Salt Lake County and the state capital. All divorce cases are filed at the Salt Lake County courts.
Nearby Counties
Salt Lake County borders several other Utah counties. If you are not sure which county handles your divorce case, check the address where you live. You must file in the right county for the court to have jurisdiction over your case.