Court Records in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County is Utah's most populous county, home to over 1.2 million residents and the state capital. Court records here span a large and active court system that includes the Third District Court, multiple justice courts, and a juvenile court division. Whether you need to look up a criminal case, a civil filing, or a family law matter, Salt Lake County court records can be searched online through the Utah Courts system or accessed in person at the courthouse in Salt Lake City. This guide covers every method available.
Salt Lake County Quick Facts
Salt Lake County Court Locations
Salt Lake County has several court locations spread across the county. The main district court is the Third District Court at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City. This location handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $11,000, domestic relations, and probate. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the main phone number is (801) 238-7300.
A second district court location serves the west side of the county. The West Jordan District Court is located at 8080 S. Redwood Road, Suite 1701, West Jordan, UT 84088, and can be reached at (801) 233-9700. Justice court services are provided at the Salt Lake City Justice Court, located at the John L. Baxter Courthouse at 333 S 200 E in Salt Lake City, and at the Salt Lake County Justice Court at 2001 South State Street, Suite S4-300, Salt Lake City. The juvenile court handles delinquency proceedings, child welfare cases, adoptions, and termination of parental rights.
| Third District Court |
450 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84114 Phone: (801) 238-7300 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| West Jordan District Court |
8080 S. Redwood Road, Suite 1701 West Jordan, UT 84088 Phone: (801) 233-9700 |
| Salt Lake County Justice Court |
2001 South State Street, Ste S4-300 Salt Lake City, UT 84114 |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Online Access to Salt Lake County Court Records
Several online tools let you search court records in Salt Lake County without visiting the courthouse. The most complete option is XChange, the Utah Courts official case database. XChange covers all district and justice court cases across the state, including Salt Lake County. You can search by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney. The system shows case summaries, dockets, and document images. Monthly subscriptions are $40, or $240 per year. Individual searches cost $0.35, and each document download is $1.00. Sign up at utcourts.gov/en/courtrecords.html.
A free limited search option exists through the Utah Court Case Search portal. It provides basic case details like party names, case types, and filing dates, but does not include document images or full docket entries. This is a good starting point if you only need to confirm whether a case exists. For appellate cases from the Utah Supreme Court or Court of Appeals, a separate appellate case search is available through the Utah Courts website.
The MyCase portal at mycase.utcourts.gov is available to parties in active Salt Lake County cases. It lets you view case history, filed documents, and hearing dates, and make payments on case balances. MyCase is free for case parties and does not require a subscription.
Note: XChange is updated daily, so new filings in Salt Lake County courts typically appear within one business day of being entered into the system.
In-Person Court Records in Salt Lake County
Visiting the courthouse is the best way to review a full case file or obtain certified copies. The public records desk at the Third District Court is located at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Staff can search for cases by name or case number and pull files for you to review at the courthouse.
Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for free XChange searches during business hours. You do not need a paid subscription to use the terminals. The Utah State Law Library also provides free XChange access to the public. The law library is located in the same building at 450 South State Street and offers research help for self-represented parties.
For mail or phone requests, contact the court at (801) 238-7300. You will need to provide the case number and a description of the records you are looking for. Mail requests should include your name, return address, and a check or money order for the estimated copy fees. Staff will confirm the exact cost before processing payment.
Salt Lake County Court Record Fees
Court record copy fees in Salt Lake County follow the statewide Utah fee schedule. Standard paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $8 each. Audio or video records of court hearings cost $15 per half-day of testimony. For records delivered by fax or email, the fee is $5 for the first 10 pages and $0.50 for each additional page. Research assistance from court staff is free for the first 15 minutes, then billed at $15 per hour.
These fees apply at both the Third District Court and the West Jordan location. Justice court fees may vary slightly. Call ahead to confirm current rates before submitting a large request. If you have a low income and cannot afford record fees, you may ask the court about a fee waiver.
Salt Lake County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Salt Lake County are filed in the Third District Court for felonies and in the justice courts for misdemeanors and traffic offenses. Both types of records are searchable through XChange by name or case number. A criminal case record shows the charges filed, court dates, plea entries, verdicts, and sentencing information.
For local criminal case status in Salt Lake City, the justice court at the John L. Baxter Courthouse handles Class B and C misdemeanors and traffic infractions filed within city limits. The Salt Lake County District Attorney also provides case status information at saltlakecounty.gov/district-attorney/how-to-find-a-case/, or by phone at (801) 238-7300.
For statewide criminal background checks, the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification handles requests at bci.utah.gov. The BCI fee is $20 and requires a copy of your ID. A BCI check covers the full state record, not just Salt Lake County, and includes arrests and convictions from all Utah counties.
Note: Federal criminal cases filed in the U.S. District Court for Utah are separate from state court records. The federal courthouse is also located in Salt Lake City, and federal case records are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. The federal court clerk can be reached at (801) 524-6100.
Family Court Records in Salt Lake County
Family court cases are handled by the Third District Court in Salt Lake County. This includes divorce, child custody, child support, adoptions, and guardianship. Not all family court records are public. Knowing which ones are open and which ones are restricted will save you time.
Divorce decrees are public records in Salt Lake County and can be searched through XChange or obtained in person at the courthouse. Child support, adoption, and custody records are private under Utah law. Only parties to those cases, their attorneys, and certain authorized persons can access them. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the district or justice court clerk. These copies are often needed for legal purposes like name changes, property transfers, or remarriage.
The Third District Court also handles protective orders and domestic violence cases. These records may be partially restricted depending on the circumstances, but the existence of the case is generally public information.
Historical Salt Lake County Court Records
For older court records that may no longer be held at the courthouse, the Utah State Archives is a valuable resource. The archives holds historical records from state and local government offices, including older court case files. Visit archives.utah.gov to search the archive catalog and find out how to request records.
Salt Lake County was established in 1850, making it one of Utah's oldest counties. Court records from earlier periods may have been transferred to the archives for long-term storage. The archives can help you locate records that are not available through XChange or the courthouse. Research assistance is available by appointment or through the online catalog. Many older records have been digitized and can be accessed remotely.
Legal Help in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County has a wide range of legal resources available to residents. The Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov provides self-help forms and guides for the most common case types, including small claims, protective orders, divorce, and debt collection. These materials are written for people who represent themselves and are free to use.
Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in Salt Lake County and across the state. Their services cover family law, housing, benefits, and consumer matters. Apply online or find contact information at utahlegalservices.org. For help finding a private attorney, the Utah State Bar operates a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a licensed attorney in the practice area you need.
Cities in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County includes a large number of incorporated cities and towns. Court cases are filed based on where the matter occurred or where the parties reside within the county.
Nearby Counties
Salt Lake County borders several other Utah counties. Cases involving events near a county border should be verified with both county courts to confirm which court has jurisdiction.