San Juan County Divorce Records
San Juan County divorce records are stored at the Seventh District Court in Monticello, the county seat. Records go back to 1888 and include divorce decrees, petitions, and court orders filed in this large, rural southeastern Utah county. The county was named for the San Juan River, which flows through the region. Searching San Juan County divorce records can help you confirm a past divorce, obtain a certified copy of a decree, or research family history. This page covers where the records are held, how to request them, and what state tools are available.
San Juan County Quick Facts
San Juan County Seventh District Court
The Seventh District Court in Monticello handles all divorce filings in San Juan County. The courthouse is located at 297 South Main Street in Monticello. The District Court Clerk maintains the full collection of San Juan County divorce records and can help you look up cases, review files, and obtain copies of court documents. San Juan County is one of the largest Utah counties by land area, covering much of the Four Corners region.
Court records in San Juan County go back to 1888. The county includes vast stretches of public land, including Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, and Bears Ears National Monument. Despite its size, the population is small, and the courthouse in Monticello is the sole location for San Juan County divorce records. Call the court at (435) 587-2122 before visiting to confirm hours and what to bring.
The San Juan County official website has contact information for all county offices. The Utah Court directory at utcourts.gov/san-juan lists current court contacts and location details.
| Court |
Seventh District Court 297 South Main Street Monticello, UT 84535 Phone: (435) 587-2122 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk |
297 S Main Monticello, UT 84535 Phone: (435) 587-3223 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
San Juan County Clerk and Divorce Filings
The San Juan County government operates the county clerk office, which is co-located with the Seventh District Court at 297 South Main Street in Monticello.
The county clerk office in Monticello is the primary contact for accessing San Juan County divorce records, including certified copies of decrees and other documents from cases filed in the Seventh District Court.
How to Search San Juan County Divorce Records
You can search San Juan County divorce records online through the Utah Courts system or by contacting the Seventh District Court in Monticello directly. Online searches are free for basic case details. Copies of actual documents require contacting the clerk.
The Utah Courts case search tool at utcourts.gov lets you search by name or case number. Enter one party's full name to find San Juan County divorce cases. You will see the case number, filing date, parties, and current status. This is the quickest way to confirm that a divorce was filed in San Juan County before making a records request.
For copies of documents from San Juan County divorce records, call the clerk at (435) 587-3223 or visit the courthouse at 297 South Main Street in Monticello. Bring the full names of both parties and a photo ID. You can also submit a written request by mail. The clerk will tell you the copy fee and how long your request will take to process. Older San Juan County records from the late 1800s and early 1900s may require more time to locate.
Genealogy researchers can use the FamilySearch San Juan County guide to find digitized or indexed historical divorce records. This is particularly helpful for cases filed before 1950 in San Juan County.
Utah Courts Resources for San Juan County Divorce Records
The Utah Courts self-help center provides guidance for anyone searching for divorce records or handling a divorce case in San Juan County.
The self-help center has plain-language guides on how to search for cases, request copies, and understand your rights under Utah law. It is a practical starting point for residents of San Juan County who are new to the process.
Filing for Divorce in San Juan County
Filing for divorce in San Juan County begins with meeting the residency requirement in Utah Code § 30-3-1. At least one spouse must have lived in Utah and in San Juan County for at least three months before the petition is filed. You bring the petition to the Seventh District Court clerk's office at 297 South Main Street in Monticello and pay the approximately $330 filing fee.
Utah law allows no-fault divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. This is the most widely used ground in San Juan County divorce cases. The state also allows fault-based divorce. Recognized fault grounds include adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, willful neglect of family support, habitual drunkenness, felony conviction, cruel treatment causing bodily injury or great mental distress, and permanent insanity. The grounds chosen become part of the San Juan County court record once the petition is filed.
Once the other spouse is served, the waiting period begins. San Juan County cases without minor children can be finalized no earlier than 30 days after service. Cases involving minor children must wait at least 90 days. This requirement is set by state law and applies to every divorce filed in San Juan County. The court enters the decree once all conditions are met and the case is reviewed by the judge.
Fee waivers are available for those with low income. Ask the clerk for a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis at the time of filing in San Juan County.
Who Can View San Juan County Divorce Records
San Juan County divorce records are public documents under Utah Code § 63G-2. Any member of the public may request a divorce decree or basic case documents from the Seventh District Court in Monticello. You do not need to be a party to the case or explain why you need the records.
Some portions of the full San Juan County divorce file are restricted. Social Security numbers are always redacted. Sealed orders, financial account details, and information about minor children are not included in public copies. Records become fully public after 75 years. For most requests, the decree and standard filings from San Juan County divorce cases are accessible without issue.
San Juan County Divorce Certificates and Vital Records
The Utah Office of Vital Records holds divorce certificates for Utah divorces finalized between 1978 and 2010. This includes San Juan County divorces from that period. A divorce certificate is a short document that confirms the divorce took place. It shows the names, the date, and the county. It does not include settlement terms, custody orders, or property agreements.
The first copy of a Utah divorce certificate costs $18. Each additional copy is $10. You can order by mail or online through the Vital Records certificate ordering page. For San Juan County divorces before 1978 or after 2010, contact the Seventh District Court in Monticello. That court is the only source for those records.
For legal matters that require the full terms of the divorce, such as property transfers, name changes, or custody enforcement, you need the complete decree from the San Juan County Seventh District Court rather than a vital records certificate.
Note: The CDC also maintains a national reference guide for where to write for vital records, including Utah. Visit cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/utah for federal-level guidance on obtaining San Juan County vital records.
Legal Help for San Juan County Divorce Cases
The Utah Courts self-help center at utcourts.gov has free forms and step-by-step instructions for filing a divorce case in San Juan County without an attorney. The guides cover filing, service of process, and attending hearings at the Seventh District Court in Monticello.
Utah Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents across Utah, including those in rural areas like San Juan County. They can assist with divorce filings, custody matters, and support issues. Check their website to find out whether you qualify for free help with your San Juan County case.
The Utah Courts judgments database is another tool that may help you locate a judgment tied to a San Juan County divorce case, especially if you are tracking down a past decree or enforcement order.
Nearby Counties
San Juan County shares borders with several other Utah counties. If you live close to a county boundary, confirm your county of residence before filing for divorce. You must file in the county where you have lived for at least three months.