Salt Lake City Court Records
Salt Lake City is the state capital and Utah's largest city, home to roughly 200,000 residents. Court records here span two main venues: the Salt Lake City Justice Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims, while the Third District Court manages felonies, civil matters, and family law. Both courts keep public records you can search online or in person. This page explains how to find Salt Lake City court records, what each court covers, and where to get copies of filed documents.
Salt Lake City Quick Facts
Salt Lake City Courts Overview
Two distinct courts serve Salt Lake City residents. Each one has its own address, phone number, and scope of authority. Knowing which court handled a case helps you find the right records faster.
The Salt Lake City Justice Court is located at the John L. Baxter Courthouse, 333 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. You can learn more about it at slc.gov/courts. This court runs full time, records all proceedings, and welcomes the public to attend sessions. It handles Class B and C misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims disputes, and local ordinance violations. Staff are on hand to answer questions about your case.
The Third District Court handles the larger matters. Its main courthouse sits at 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114, reachable at (801) 238-7300. Felony criminal cases, civil suits over $11,000, domestic relations, and probate all go through this court. It also hears appeals from justice courts within the district.
Search Salt Lake City Court Records Online
Utah offers several ways to search Salt Lake City court records without visiting a courthouse. The statewide XChange system at utcourts.gov/en/courtrecords.html is the most complete tool. It draws from the Courts Information System (CORIS) database and covers both district and justice court records across the state. XChange lets you search by party name, date of birth, case number, court location, or filing date.
A monthly XChange subscription costs $40 and includes up to 500 searches. Annual access runs $240. Each downloaded document costs $1.00. These fees exist because the system operates at a significant cost to maintain statewide records. If you only need to check on your own active case, the free MyCase portal lets you view case history, filed papers, and scheduled hearings at no charge. MyCase also allows parties in debt collection, eviction, and small claims cases to file documents directly online.
Note: Free public access terminals are available at the Third District Courthouse in Salt Lake City and at the Utah State Law Library, giving you XChange access without a subscription fee.
In-Person Court Record Access in Salt Lake City
You can visit either courthouse to request Salt Lake City court records in person. The District Court Clerk's office at 450 South State Street handles requests for Third District cases. Staff can pull files by name or case number and make copies on the spot. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $8.00 each.
For Justice Court records, visit the John L. Baxter Courthouse at 333 S 200 E. Court staff handle walk-in requests during business hours. Bring the full name of at least one party or a case number to speed up the search. If you are a party to an active case, you may also use the MyCase portal to review your file online before making the trip.
GRAMA Requests for Court Records
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, found at Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2, gives anyone the right to inspect public records. Court records are public unless a judge has sealed them or they fall under a protected classification. You can submit a GRAMA request to the court clerk in writing, and the court must respond within 10 business days. Expedited responses take 5 business days for urgent matters.
Your written request must include your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records you need. The court can approve the request, deny it, or notify you of a delay. If a request is denied, you can file a motion to challenge the decision or appeal to the State Records Committee. Most routine Salt Lake City court records requests are approved without issue.
Note: Your reason for requesting records generally does not affect your right to receive them under GRAMA, as long as the records are classified as public.
Types of Salt Lake City Court Records
Court records in Salt Lake City cover a wide range of case types. The records available to the public include criminal case dockets, civil case filings, small claims judgments, traffic citations, domestic relations orders, and probate documents. Each record type may have different access rules depending on the parties involved and whether a court has restricted any portion of the file.
Criminal records from the Third District include felony charges, plea dates, sentence dates, bail amounts, and disposition information. Justice Court criminal records show misdemeanor charges, compliance with court orders, and fines imposed. Civil records show the parties, claims filed, motions, and final judgments. Domestic relations records include divorce decrees, custody orders, and support agreements, though some portions may be restricted to protect minor children.
For background check purposes, the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification at bci.utah.gov processes statewide criminal history reports for a $20 fee. This is separate from searching individual court case files through XChange.
Salt Lake City Justice Court Case Records
The Salt Lake City Justice Court produces records for every case it handles. All proceedings are recorded, and those recordings may be part of the case file. Public case information in the CORIS database includes the plea date, sentence date, disposition, presiding judge, bail amount, court attendance record, compliance with court orders, and the sentence imposed.
Justice Court cases are searchable through XChange just like district court cases. You can look up Salt Lake City traffic cases, small claims matters, and misdemeanor proceedings by name or case number. The court does not maintain a separate public search tool, so XChange or an in-person visit to the courthouse are the primary ways to find these records.
Small claims cases are a common reason people search Salt Lake City Justice Court records. The court handles disputes up to $11,000. Once a judgment is entered, it becomes a public record and appears in the XChange database.
Legal Help in Salt Lake City
Finding Salt Lake City court records is one thing. Understanding what they mean is another. Several free and low-cost resources help residents navigate the court system.
Utah Legal Services provides free legal assistance to income-qualifying residents throughout Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County. Their website at utahlegalservices.org has contact information and details on eligibility. The Utah State Courts website at utcourts.gov offers self-help guides, court forms, and step-by-step instructions for common legal matters. These resources cover topics from small claims procedures to protective orders.
Note: The Utah State Law Library, located near the Third District Courthouse, offers free public access to XChange and legal research assistance on weekdays.
Salt Lake County Court Records
Salt Lake City sits within Salt Lake County, and the county court system covers all city residents. The Third District Court serves the entire county. For broader information on court records across Salt Lake County, including county-level resources, fee schedules, and additional court locations, visit the Salt Lake County court records page.
Nearby Utah Cities
Residents of cities near Salt Lake City file court records at courts serving their area. Select a city below to find court record information for that location.