Utah Court Records Database
Utah court records are public documents held by District Courts, Justice Courts, and the Utah Supreme Court across all 29 counties. You can search court cases online through the XChange system at utcourts.gov, find case filings and docket entries, and look up hearing schedules. The state courts maintain records for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. This guide explains how to find court documents, what fees apply, and where to get free access to court case information in Utah.
Utah Court Records Quick Facts
Utah Court System Overview
Utah operates a unified court system run by the Utah Judicial Council and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The mission is to give people an open, fair, and efficient system for justice. All state courts fall under this structure. That means one set of rules, one central records system, and clear paths for public access to court case information across the state.
The Utah Supreme Court sits at the top. It is located at 450 S. State Street in Salt Lake City and can be reached at (801) 578-3900. Below the Supreme Court is the Court of Appeals, which reviews decisions from district courts and juvenile courts. District Courts form the backbone of the system. Eight judicial districts cover all 29 counties in Utah. These trial courts handle felonies, civil cases over $11,000, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters. They were created in 1896 when Utah became a state, and their clerks maintain the core of Utah court records today.
Justice Courts operate at a limited level. They handle Class B and C misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and small claims cases up to $11,000. Juvenile Courts work separately to handle delinquency cases, child welfare matters, and adoptions. Together these courts process thousands of case filings each year across Utah. The XChange system and the MyCase portal are the two main tools built to give the public and parties access to court documents and case history online.
Note: Utah's unified court structure means you can search case records across all districts through a single online system rather than going county by county.
How to Search Utah Court Records Online
The fastest way to search Utah court records is through the XChange system. You can reach it through the court records page at utcourts.gov/en/courtrecords.html. XChange holds case data for all district and justice courts statewide. It is updated daily with new filings and case activity. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. The system shows civil, criminal, traffic, and domestic case records, including document images for most district court cases.
To use XChange, you need to create a free account at the Utah Courts portal. Registration is subject to approval by Utah State Courts. Once approved, you can buy a subscription. Free searches are not available through XChange, but public terminals at most District Courthouses let you search at no charge. The Utah State Law Library at 450 South State Street, Room W-13, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 also provides free public access to XChange during business hours. Call the library at (801) 238-7990 for details.
For parties to active cases, MyCase offers a free way to view case history, see filed papers, check scheduled hearings, file documents in debt, eviction, and small claims cases, make payments, and receive text or email notifications. You need your case number and party identification to sign up. MyCase does not replace XChange for general public case searches, but it is the best tool for anyone directly involved in a pending Utah court case.
Utah Court Record Types
Utah court records cover a wide range of case types. Knowing which type you need helps you find the right court and the right records system. District Courts generate the most records, since they handle the broadest range of cases across the state.
Civil case records include complaints, answers, motions, judgments, and appeals. These cover contract disputes, personal injury cases, landlord-tenant matters, and civil rights claims. Criminal case records come from both District Courts (felonies) and Justice Courts (misdemeanors and infractions). Family court records include divorce decrees, custody orders, child support documents, and adoption records. Probate records cover wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Traffic records are held by Justice Courts for minor infractions and by District Courts for more serious traffic crimes.
Utah classifies court records into four types: Public, Private, Protected, and Controlled. Under Rule 4-202.02 of the Utah Rules of Judicial Administration, "Court records are public unless otherwise classified by this rule." Most case filings, docket entries, and judgments are public. Private records include items like Social Security numbers and financial account details. Protected records cover attorney-client materials and some investigation documents. Sealed records exist but are uncommon and require a court order.
Note: Juvenile court records follow separate access rules and are generally not available to the public through XChange or standard GRAMA requests.
Utah XChange Court Records System
XChange is Utah's official online court records database. It is widely considered one of the best state court record systems in the country. The Administrative Office of the Courts maintains it. The system displays public record data entered into the Courts Information System (CORIS). Coverage spans all district and justice courts in Utah, making it the most complete single source for state court case information.
The current fee structure for XChange took effect in 2025. A monthly subscription costs $40 and covers up to 500 searches per month. An annual subscription runs $240. For those who need less frequent access, the per-search fee is $0.35, and each document download costs $1.00. There is also a one-time setup fee of $25 for monthly subscribers, and a $10 setup fee for guest accounts. According to Utah State Courts spokesperson Tania Mashburn, XChange fees had not increased since 2021, and document download costs had held steady for ten years before the 2025 adjustment. The fee increases came after XChange ran at a $1.3 million deficit in 2023 and nearly $1.5 million in 2024.
To access XChange, go to utcourts.gov/en/courtrecords.html and register for an account. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. Document images for most district court cases are available for download at $1.00 each. For those who cannot afford a subscription, public access terminals at most District Courthouses and the Utah State Law Library at 450 South State Street offer free XChange access during regular hours.
GRAMA Requests for Utah Court Records
The Government Records Access and Management Act governs public access to government records in Utah, including court records. You can find the full statute at Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2. Under GRAMA, any person can request access to public records. Your reason for asking does not matter. The law gives you the right to inspect public records at no charge and to get copies during normal working hours.
To make a GRAMA request, you must submit a written request to the court clerk. Your request needs to include your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number. It must also describe the record you want with enough detail for the clerk to find it. The court has 10 business days to respond. For urgent requests, you can ask for an expedited response, which the court must provide within 5 business days. The court may approve the request, deny it, direct you to another office, or notify you of a delay.
If the court denies your request, you can file a motion or petition to access the record. Appeals go to the State Records Committee. If that process does not resolve the issue, judicial review is available. Most routine requests for public court documents do not reach this stage. Court clerks process the bulk of requests within the standard 10-day window, and many records can be accessed directly through XChange without filing a formal GRAMA request.
GRAMA copy fees follow a set schedule. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $8 per document. Audio recordings of hearings are $15 per half day. Electronic copies cost $15 per unit. Fax or email delivery is $5 for the first 10 pages and $0.50 for each page after that. Research time is free for the first 15 minutes and $15 per hour after that.
Note: Filing a GRAMA request is the formal legal path for records access, but using XChange or visiting a public terminal is usually faster for routine court case lookups.
Utah Court Records Fees
Costs for Utah court records depend on how you access them and what you need. XChange charges $40 per month for up to 500 searches, or $240 per year. Each document download costs $1.00. For people who only need a few searches, the $0.35 per-search rate applies once you set up an account. These fees cover the XChange system operated by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Court clerks charge separate fees for copies made at the courthouse. Plain paper copies cost $0.25 per page under Rule 4-202.08. Certified copies run $8 per document. If you need an audio recording of a court hearing, expect to pay $15 per half day of testimony. Research time beyond 15 minutes is billed at $15 per hour. For online citation payment and fine processing, the courts use a portal at apps.utcourts.gov/ePayments/EPayment.jsp.
Criminal background checks from the Bureau of Criminal Identification cost $20. The BCI can be reached at bci.utah.gov. These checks must be submitted in person or by mail and require a photo ID copy. BCI records are separate from court records and provide a broader criminal history. Court records show post-charging case information; BCI holds the full criminal history for the subject of the record.
Free Ways to Access Utah Court Records
Not everyone needs to pay for court record access in Utah. Several free options exist. Public access terminals at most District Courthouses let anyone search XChange at no cost during court business hours. These terminals are set up specifically for public use and do not require an account or subscription.
The Utah State Law Library provides free XChange access at its public research computers. The library is located at 450 South State Street, Room W-13, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (801) 238-7990 for hours and details. Reference librarians can help guide your search. The library also holds Utah Supreme Court decisions from 1896 to the present and Court of Appeals decisions from 1987 forward.
For parties to active cases, the MyCase portal at mycase.utcourts.gov is completely free and gives direct access to case history, filed papers, and hearing schedules. For legal help with court cases, Utah Legal Services offers free assistance to people with low income across the state.
Note: Public terminals at courthouses cannot print documents for free, but they allow full case lookup and docket viewing at no charge.
Historical Utah Court Records
Older court records in Utah are held by the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service. The state archives at archives.utah.gov maintains historical court records going back to the territorial period. Records available include the Territorial Case Files of the U.S. District Courts from 1870 to 1896, the Utah District Court Criminal Case Files Index from 1882 to 1916, and historical court registers and probate records. Some digitized records are available online, and in-person research at the Salt Lake City location is free.
Utah courts follow set retention schedules for how long they keep records. District Court felony cases are retained for 75 years after case closure. Civil litigation records are kept for 20 years after final disposition. Domestic relations records, including divorce and custody cases, are retained for 30 years. Probate matters are held for 75 years after case closure. Adoption records are kept permanently. Justice Court misdemeanor records are held for 6 years after closure. Traffic violation records are kept for 3 years after disposition. Once records pass their retention period, they may be transferred to the state archives or destroyed according to the schedule.
For very old records that predate the XChange system or the AOC's digital infrastructure, contact the State Archives directly. Staff can help locate specific cases and provide guidance on what is available for a given time period or court location in Utah.
Federal Court Records in Utah
Federal court records are separate from state court records. The U.S. District Court for the District of Utah handles civil and criminal cases involving federal law, citizens of different states, immigration, and interstate matters. Its main office is at 351 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. The phone number is (801) 524-6100. You can also reach the clerk's office at utdecf_clerk@utd.uscourts.gov.
Federal records are accessed through PACER, which stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. You can register and search at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER covers federal district, bankruptcy, and appellate courts across the country. For Utah, this includes cases heard by the four active district judges, seven senior district judges, and five full-time magistrate judges who serve the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of the state. One senior district judge is stationed in St. George to serve the Southern Region.
Early federal district court records for Utah have been sent to the National Archives in Denver. For records that predate electronic filing, contact the National Archives-Denver Branch. Public access terminals are also available at the clerk's office in Salt Lake City during business hours. Federal court records are not available through XChange, MyCase, or the Utah State Law Library's court systems. PACER is the only route for federal case lookups.
Browse Utah Court Records by County
Each of Utah's 29 counties is served by a District Court that maintains local court case filings and records. Select a county below to find court records information for that area.
Search Court Records by City
Residents of major Utah cities file court cases at their county courthouse. Select a city below to find court records resources and contact information for that area.