Salt Lake County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Salt Lake County?

Public records in Salt Lake County are defined as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, electronic data, or other material prepared, owned, received, or retained by a governmental entity that is reproducible, regardless of physical form or storage characteristics. This definition is established under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), codified in Utah Code § 63G-2.

Salt Lake County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases filed in the Third District Court. These records are maintained by the Utah State Courts system and include case filings, judgments, and court calendars.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments. The Salt Lake County Recorder's Office serves as the custodian for real estate transactions, subdivision plats, and related documents.
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. While the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics maintains the official repository, certain records may be accessed through the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations (DBAs). These are typically maintained by the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office and various municipal offices within the county.
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records maintained by the Salt Lake County Assessor's Office and Treasurer's Office.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance disclosures maintained by the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Official proceedings of the Salt Lake County Council, boards, and commissions, maintained by the County Clerk's Office.
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements maintained by the Salt Lake County Auditor's Office.
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and booking information maintained by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, subject to certain privacy restrictions.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits maintained by the Salt Lake County Planning and Development Services.

The Salt Lake County Records Management division oversees the county's records management program and facilitates public access to these records through GRAMA requests.

Is Salt Lake County an Open Records County?

Salt Lake County adheres to Utah's open records laws as established under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, "Every person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge, and the right to take a copy of a public record during normal working hours."

This statute establishes the presumption that government records are public unless specifically classified otherwise. Key provisions of GRAMA include:

Records are presumed public unless expressly classified as private, controlled, or protected.
Governmental entities must respond to records requests within 10 business days (or 5 business days for media requests).
Requestors have the right to appeal denied requests.

Salt Lake County has implemented specific policies to comply with GRAMA through its Records Management division. The county utilizes the NextRequest platform to facilitate public access to records and streamline the request process.

In addition to GRAMA, Salt Lake County complies with Utah's Open and Public Meetings Act (Utah Code § 52-4), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with proper notice given, and minutes kept and made available.

The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its Open Data Portal, which provides public access to various datasets and information resources without requiring formal records requests.

How to Find Public Records in Salt Lake County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Salt Lake County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Request Portal: Salt Lake County currently uses the NextRequest platform for processing public records requests. Requestors may submit requests electronically, track their status, and receive documents digitally when available.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours to request records in person. For general records inquiries, visit:

Salt Lake County Government Center
2001 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(385) 468-7500
Salt Lake County
Department-Specific Records:
- For property records, contact the Salt Lake County Recorder's Office.
- For court records, contact the Third District Court or use the District Attorney's case lookup resources.
- For vital records, contact the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
- For law enforcement records, submit requests to the Salt Lake City Police Department or relevant municipal police agency.
Online Databases: Several record types are available through searchable online databases:
- Property records via the Salt Lake County Recorder's Office Public Search
- Court records through the Utah Courts XChange system
- Historical records through the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service
Written Requests: Submit written GRAMA requests by mail to the specific department that maintains the records. Include your name, contact information, and a detailed description of the records sought.

When submitting requests, be as specific as possible about the records needed, including relevant dates, names, and document types. Pursuant to GRAMA requirements, agencies must respond to requests within 10 business days (5 days for media requests).

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Salt Lake County?

Salt Lake County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Utah Code § 63G-2-203, which permits governmental entities to charge reasonable fees to cover the actual cost of providing records. Current fee structures include:

Standard Copying Fees: $0.25 per page for black and white copies; $0.50 per page for color copies.
Staff Time: The first 15 minutes of staff time to search, retrieve, and compile records is typically provided at no cost. Beyond that, fees are assessed at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the work, not to exceed the actual cost.
Electronic Records: When records are available electronically, fees may be charged for the actual cost of providing the record in that format, including media costs.
Specialized Records: Certain record types have specific fee schedules:
- Police reports: $10.00 per report
- Body camera footage: $33.00 per request through the Salt Lake City Police Department
- Certified copies of vital records: $18.00 for the first copy, $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Recorder's Office Fees:
- Document recording: $40.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page
- Document copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 additional fee

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (where available). Some departments may not accept all payment types.

Fee waivers may be granted if the governmental entity determines that:

Releasing the record primarily benefits the public rather than an individual
The requestor is the subject of the record
The requestor's legal rights are directly implicated by the record, and the requestor is impecunious

Requestors should inquire about applicable fees when submitting their request, as costs may vary depending on the specific records sought and the department maintaining them.

Does Salt Lake County Have Free Public Records?

Salt Lake County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:

Free Inspection: Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201(1), every person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge during normal business hours. This applies to all public records maintained by Salt Lake County departments.
Online Resources: The county provides numerous free online resources for accessing public records:
- The Salt Lake County Open Data Portal offers free access to various datasets including budget information, geographic data, and demographic statistics.
- The Salt Lake County Recorder's Office Public Search provides free basic property record searches.
- The Salt Lake County Assessor's Parcel Viewer offers free access to property assessment information.
- Salt Lake County Council meeting agendas and minutes are available at no cost.
Government Publications: Reports, newsletters, and informational materials published by Salt Lake County are typically available for free download from department websites or in print form at county offices.
Historical Records: The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service provides free access to historical Salt Lake County records, including probate case files from the Third District Court.
Fee Waivers: As mentioned previously, fee waivers may be granted for certain requests that primarily benefit the public rather than an individual, or when the requestor is the subject of the record and has limited financial means.

While many records are available at no cost, requestors should be aware that fees may apply for copies, certified documents, extensive searches, or specialized formats. The first 15 minutes of staff time for record retrieval is typically provided at no charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Salt Lake County?

Under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Salt Lake County. According to Utah Code § 63G-2-201, "Every person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge, and the right to take a copy of a public record during normal working hours."

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency Requirements: There is no Utah residency requirement to request public records from Salt Lake County.
Identification: While basic identification information (name and contact information) is required to submit a request, formal identification documents are generally not required for most public records. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity.
Purpose Statement: For most public records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. However, when requesting access to private, controlled, or protected records, a statement of purpose may be required to determine eligibility.
Special Access Rights: Under Utah Code § 63G-2-202, certain individuals have enhanced access rights:
- Individuals have the right to access records containing their own private information
- Parents or legal guardians may access records containing information about their minor children
- Legal representatives may access records on behalf of their clients
- Government officials may access records for specific governmental functions
Business Entities: Corporations, organizations, and other legal entities may request public records through authorized representatives.
Media Representatives: Journalists and media organizations have the same access rights as other requestors, but benefit from expedited response times (5 business days instead of 10) under GRAMA.

When requesting records that contain restricted information, requestors may need to provide additional documentation to establish their legal right to access such information. This might include proof of identity, legal authorization, or court orders.

What Records Are Confidential in Salt Lake County?

While Salt Lake County operates under the presumption of openness, certain records are classified as private, controlled, or protected under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). According to Utah Code § 63G-2-302, § 63G-2-303, and § 63G-2-305, the following records are generally not available for public inspection:

Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
- Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA)
- Personal contact information when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Employment records containing performance evaluations and personal recommendations
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation records
- Records that would disclose the identity of confidential sources
- Records that would interfere with investigations or prosecutions
- Records that would endanger an individual's life or safety
- Victim information in sexual assault cases
Juvenile Records:
- Court records involving minors, except as provided by juvenile court rules
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Educational records protected under FERPA
Court Records:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
- Records subject to protective orders
Business Information:
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
- Records that would give unfair competitive advantage
- Records subject to non-disclosure agreements
Security Information:
- Critical infrastructure details
- Security plans and vulnerability assessments
- Records that would jeopardize life, safety, or property
Deliberative Process Records:
- Draft documents prior to final approval
- Pre-decisional memoranda and working papers
- Records related to procurement processes before award
Vital Records:
- Birth records less than 100 years old (with exceptions for immediate family)
- Death records less than 50 years old (with exceptions for immediate family)
- Adoption records

When a record contains both public and non-public information, the county may redact the protected portions and release the remainder. Requestors denied access to records may appeal the decision through the county's appeals process and ultimately to the State Records Committee or district court.

Salt Lake County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Salt Lake County Recorder's Office
2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4575
(385) 468-8145
Salt Lake County Recorder

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Salt Lake County Recorder's Office serves as the official custodian of real property records for Salt Lake County. The office is responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to various documents related to real estate transactions, including:

Deeds and property transfers
Mortgages and trust deeds
Liens and judgments
Subdivision plats and surveys
Mining claims
Military discharge documents (DD-214)

The Recorder's Office maintains a public search portal that allows online access to property records. In-person assistance is available during regular business hours for those who need help with record searches or have specific questions about property records.

Document recording services are available both in person and through mail submission. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for payment of recording fees and copy requests.

For historical property records dating back to the county's founding, the Recorder's Office maintains an archive that can be accessed with staff assistance. Some historical records may also be available through the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service.