Tooele County Divorce Records
Tooele County divorce records are maintained by the Third District Court at the courthouse in Tooele. Court and divorce records in Tooele County date back to 1859, offering researchers more than 160 years of case history. The county seat is Tooele, named for "tu-wanda," the Goshute word for "bear." If you need to find or obtain a Tooele County divorce record, this guide covers the court location, how to search, what the records contain, and where else to look for related documents.
Tooele County Quick Facts
Tooele County Third District Court
The Third District Court in Tooele handles all divorce cases filed by Tooele County residents. The court is located at 74 South 100 East, Suite 14 in Tooele. The phone number is (435) 833-8000. Court hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This is a standard weekday schedule, with no reduced Friday hours or extended evening times.
The Tooele County Clerk office at 47 South Main Street in Tooele also holds county-level records. The clerk phone number is 435-843-3140. Marriage records in Tooele County date from 1887. Birth and death records from the county go from 1897 to 1905. Court and divorce records begin in 1859. This deep archive makes Tooele County a useful resource for genealogy researchers studying families in western Utah.
The Third District also serves Salt Lake and Summit counties. Tooele County cases are handled at the Tooele courthouse, not at the Salt Lake City or Park City locations. Confirm that you are contacting the right court location before visiting.
| Court |
Third District Court 74 South 100 East, Suite 14 Tooele, UT 84074 Phone: (435) 833-8000 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County Clerk | 47 South Main Street, Tooele, UT 84074 Phone: 435-843-3140 |
| Website | utcourts.gov - Tooele |
How to Find Tooele County Divorce Records
Searching for Tooele County divorce records can be done online or in person. Each method has its strengths. Online searches are good for quick lookups of recent cases. In-person visits give you access to the complete case file and let you get certified copies right away.
The Utah Courts online system lets you search by name or case number without a fee for basic data. Go to utcourts.gov and use the case search feature to look up Tooele County divorce records. The system covers cases from recent decades. For older records, especially those from the 19th century, you will likely need to visit the courthouse or contact the Utah Division of Archives.
Genealogy researchers will find the FamilySearch Tooele County genealogy page helpful. Many early records from Tooele County have been microfilmed and indexed. The Utah Division of Archives also holds older records that may no longer be stored at the courthouse in Tooele.
To search in person at the Third District Court in Tooele, bring the full name of at least one party and an approximate case year. A photo ID is helpful. Copy fees apply for printed documents. The clerk can search by name or case number and will direct you to the right file.
Note: Court records from before 1978 are not available through the Utah Office of Vital Records. You must request those directly from the Third District Court in Tooele.
Tooele County Records at the State Archives
The Utah Division of Archives holds historical records from counties across the state, including Tooele County. If you are looking for divorce records from the 19th century or early 20th century, the archives may have what you need. Some records from Tooele County's territorial era are held there rather than at the courthouse.
The Utah Division of Archives maintains historical government records from Tooele County and across the state.
Researchers looking for older Tooele County divorce records may find them at the Utah State Archives, particularly for cases from before the mid-20th century.
The archives are located in Salt Lake City and can be contacted in advance to confirm whether a specific Tooele County record is in their collection. Online finding aids are available on their website to help you plan a research visit.
Tooele County Divorce Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Tooele County starts at the Third District Court at 74 South 100 East in Tooele. You file a petition for divorce with the court clerk and pay the filing fee of approximately $330. The clerk opens a case file and assigns a case number. All documents filed after that point become part of the Tooele County court record.
Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Utah and of Tooele County for at least three months before filing. Utah allows no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences. Fault-based grounds under Utah law include willful desertion lasting more than one year, neglect, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, adultery, and conviction of a felony. Most Tooele County divorce cases are filed on no-fault grounds.
After filing, you must serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. Then a waiting period applies. Cases without minor children wait a minimum of 30 days. Cases with minor children require at least 90 days before the court can finalize the divorce. These timelines are set by state law and apply in Tooele County just as they do in every other Utah county.
The Utah Courts self-help center has forms and plain-language instructions for people who want to file without an attorney. Visit the Utah Courts divorce self-help page for guidance. If you qualify based on income, Utah Legal Services may also be able to help.
Tooele County Divorce Certificates
Utah Vital Records issues divorce certificates for cases finalized between 1978 and 2010. A certificate is a short document that confirms the divorce happened. It shows names, date, and county. It does not include property terms or custody arrangements. The cost is $18 for the first copy. For Tooele County divorces outside that date range, you must go to the Third District Court in Tooele.
Utah Vital Records handles divorce certificates for Tooele County cases from 1978 to 2010.
The Utah Office of Vital Records provides a fast way to get a Tooele County divorce certificate if the case falls within the covered date range.
Most legal matters require the full divorce decree, not just a certificate. Get a certified copy of the decree from the Third District Court in Tooele. Staff can provide certified copies during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
Public Access to Tooele County Divorce Records
Tooele County divorce records are generally public under GRAMA, Utah Code § 63G-2. Divorce decrees and case indexes are accessible to any member of the public. You do not have to be a party to the divorce to request a record. The Third District Court in Tooele handles these requests in person or by mail.
Some parts of the file may be redacted in public copies. Information about minor children, financial account numbers, and certain personal data may be withheld. After 75 years, GRAMA opens records fully. Many older Tooele County divorce records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are now fully accessible without any redactions. This makes Tooele County a valuable resource for family history research going back several generations.
Nearby Counties
Tooele County borders several other Utah counties. File your divorce case in the county where you have lived for at least three months. If you are unsure, the Third District Court clerk can help you determine the right jurisdiction.