San Juan County Court Records
San Juan County covers a vast stretch of southeastern Utah, including portions of the Navajo Nation and some of the most scenic public lands in the country. The county seat is Monticello, where the San Juan District Court and related justice and juvenile courts are all based. Court records from this county are available through the Utah Courts online system and in person at the courthouse during business hours. This page explains how to find, search, and request San Juan County court records.
San Juan County Quick Facts
San Juan County Court Locations
All three court divisions in San Juan County are located at the same address in Monticello. The San Juan District Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $11,000, domestic relations, and probate. The justice court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims up to $11,000. The juvenile court handles delinquency proceedings, child welfare cases, adoptions, and parental rights matters.
Having all three courts at one address makes in-person records requests more straightforward for San Juan County residents. When visiting, bring a valid photo ID and, if possible, the case number or names of the parties involved in the case you are researching. Court staff can assist with searches during regular business hours.
| San Juan District Court |
297 S. Main P.O. Box 68 Monticello, UT 84535-0068 |
|---|---|
| San Juan County Justice Court |
297 South Main Street P.O. Box 833 Monticello, UT 84535 |
| San Juan Juvenile Court |
297 S. Main P.O. Box 68 Monticello, UT 84535 |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Search San Juan Court Records Online
The Utah Courts XChange system is the go-to tool for searching San Juan County court records from any location. XChange covers all district and justice courts in Utah, including San Juan County. You can search by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney. The results show case summaries, docket entries, and document images for most district court cases. XChange is the most complete online source available for Utah court records.
A monthly XChange subscription is $40, or $240 per year. Each search costs $0.35 and each document download is $1.00. Go to utcourts.gov/en/courtrecords.html to create an account. A free limited search option is also available without a subscription, but it only shows basic case information and does not include documents or full docket history.
Active parties in a San Juan County case can use the MyCase portal at mycase.utcourts.gov to view case history, review filed documents, see upcoming hearings, and make payments. MyCase is free for case parties. You will need your case number and party details to sign in.
Note: Public access terminals at the San Juan County courthouse provide free XChange access during business hours, which is a good option if you want to run a search without setting up a paid account.
Requesting San Juan County Court Records
Court records in San Juan County are public under the Government Records Access and Management Act, known as GRAMA. The law is found at Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2. Any person has the right to request and inspect public court records. The county court has 10 business days to respond to a standard written request. For urgent needs, an expedited 5-day response is also available.
Your written request should include your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records you need. Provide as much detail as possible: case number, party names, and the approximate filing date. The more specific you are, the faster the court clerk can locate the records. Standard copy fees apply once the records are found and ready to be provided.
Copy fees at San Juan County courts follow the Utah schedule. Plain paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $8 each. Audio or video recordings cost $15 per half-day. For fax or email delivery, the fee is $5 for the first 10 pages and $0.50 for each additional page. The first 15 minutes of staff research time are free, with a $15 per hour charge after that.
Types of Court Cases in San Juan County
San Juan County courts handle a broad range of case types. The district court takes on the most serious matters, while the justice court handles lower-level cases and the juvenile court addresses matters involving minors.
District court cases in San Juan County include felony criminal charges, civil lawsuits over $11,000, divorce and child custody, guardianship, and probate. These records are generally public and can be searched through XChange. Justice court records cover Class B and C misdemeanors, traffic citations, and small claims cases. Small claims can involve disputes up to $11,000. These records are also searchable online.
Juvenile court records are restricted. They are not available to the general public regardless of the type of case. Only parties, legal guardians, and specifically authorized persons may access juvenile records. Family court records involving adoption, child support, and custody are also private. Divorce decrees, however, are public and can be obtained through XChange or at the courthouse.
Criminal Records in San Juan County
Criminal cases filed in San Juan County become part of the public court record once charges are brought. The record shows the charge, hearing dates, plea, verdict, and sentence. You can look up criminal cases through XChange using the defendant's name or case number.
For a full Utah-wide criminal history, the Bureau of Criminal Identification handles statewide background checks. Visit bci.utah.gov to learn how to apply. The fee is $20 and you must provide a copy of your ID. A BCI report covers arrests and convictions from all Utah counties, not just San Juan. This is the right tool when you need a complete picture rather than a single-county search.
Keep in mind that some charges may have been filed in tribal courts for matters that occurred on Navajo Nation land within San Juan County. Tribal court records are separate from state court records and are not accessible through XChange or GRAMA.
Note: Expunged records are removed from public access. If a case does not appear in XChange, it may have been expunged or sealed by court order.
State Resources for San Juan County Records
Beyond the local courthouse, several state-level resources can help with San Juan County court record research. The Utah State Archives holds historical records that may no longer be stored at the Monticello courthouse. Visit archives.utah.gov to search the catalog and find older case files. The archives serves researchers looking for records going back to the county's early years.
The Utah Courts self-help center at utcourts.gov provides forms and guides for common case types. These free resources are especially helpful for San Juan County residents who may have limited access to legal professionals due to the county's rural and remote location. Topics covered include small claims, protective orders, divorce, and debt matters.
Legal Help in San Juan County
Legal resources in rural counties like San Juan can be harder to find in person, but state-level help is available to everyone. Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to people with low income across the entire state. You can apply online or find contact information at utahlegalservices.org. They handle matters including family law, housing, and consumer disputes.
For court forms, filing guides, and self-help tools, the Utah Courts website is the best place to start. The site covers small claims, protective orders, name changes, and many other case types in plain language. If you need help understanding court records you have already obtained, a legal aid attorney or a private attorney licensed in Utah can review the documents with you.
Note: Utah Legal Services covers civil cases only and cannot provide help with criminal defense matters.
Nearby Counties
San Juan County borders several other counties in eastern and southeastern Utah. If you are unsure which county has jurisdiction over a case, confirm based on where the event took place or where the parties were residing.