Salt Lake County Public Records /Salt Lake County Court Records

Salt Lake County Court Records

What Is Salt Lake County Court Records

Salt Lake County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's judicial system. These records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by the courts. Pursuant to Utah Code § 63G-2-103, court records are defined as "information or documents that are made, maintained, or received by a governmental entity in relation to a judicial proceeding."

Court records are distinct from other public records such as property records (deeds, mortgages, liens), vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), and administrative records. The following courts maintain records within Salt Lake County:

Third District Court (general jurisdiction)
Salt Lake City Justice Court
Salt Lake County Justice Court
Municipal Courts (Sandy, West Valley, etc.)
Juvenile Court
Probate Court divisions
Small Claims divisions

These courts generate and maintain records for various case types including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate cases, traffic violations, and small claims disputes. The Utah State Courts system provides centralized access to many of these records, though specific access methods vary by court and record type.

Are Court Records Public In Salt Lake County

Court records in Salt Lake County are generally public pursuant to the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) and Utah Code § 63G-2-201, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Additionally, the Utah Constitution Article I, Section 11 guarantees open courts, stating "all courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done to him in his person, property or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law."

Public court records typically include:

Civil case files (complaints, answers, motions, orders)
Criminal case files (post-charging)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets and case indices
Hearing schedules and calendars
Court transcripts (when prepared)

However, certain records may be restricted or sealed by court order or statute. According to Utah Judicial Administration Rule 4-202.02, protected records include juvenile court records, adoption proceedings, mental health cases, sealed criminal records, and certain family court matters involving minors. Federal court records for the District of Utah are maintained separately from state and county records through the federal PACER system.

How To Find Court Records in Salt Lake County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Salt Lake County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:

Online Access: The Utah State Courts provides the Xchange system for searching district and justice court case information. Registration and subscription fees apply for full access.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate courthouse to request records in person:

Third District Court - Salt Lake City
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-238-7300
Utah State Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Written Requests: Submit a written request to the clerk of the specific court where the case was filed. Include the case number (if known), names of parties involved, approximate date of filing, and specific documents requested.
Historical Records: For older court records, contact:

Utah State Archives and Records Service
346 South Rio Grande Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-531-3800
Utah Division of Archives and Records Service
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

District Attorney Records: For criminal case information, contact:

Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office
35 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
385-468-7700
Salt Lake County District Attorney
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

When requesting records, be prepared to provide identification and pay applicable fees for copies as established under Utah Code § 78A-2-301.

How To Look Up Court Records in Salt Lake County Online?

Salt Lake County residents and interested parties may access court records through several online portals:

Utah XChange: The primary online system for accessing district and justice court records. To use this system:
- Create an account at the Utah Courts XChange portal
- Pay the subscription fee ($30 monthly or $240 annually)
- Search by case number, party name, citation number, or attorney
- View case summaries, dockets, and some document images
Utah Court Case Search: A limited free search option available at Utah Courts website:
- Provides basic case information including party names, case types, and filing dates
- Does not include document images or complete docket entries
- Search by name or case number
Utah Appellate Case Search:
- Access Utah Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney
- View opinions, orders, and briefs
Salt Lake County Justice Court:
- Access through the Utah Courts portal
- Search traffic citations, misdemeanors, and small claims
- Limited to basic case information
Municipal Court Records:
- Individual city courts may have separate online access systems
- Contact the specific municipal court for online access instructions

When searching online, users should note that certain sensitive information may be redacted pursuant to Utah Judicial Administration Rule 4-202.09, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and birth dates.

How To Search Salt Lake County Court Records for Free?

Utah law provides for free public inspection of court records under Utah Code § 63G-2-201(1), which states "every person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge." While obtaining copies typically involves fees, several free options exist for searching Salt Lake County court records:

Public Access Terminals: Available at all courthouses during regular business hours:
- Third District Court (Salt Lake City location)
- Salt Lake County Justice Court
- Municipal courts throughout the county
- No fee for on-site searches
Basic Online Case Search: The Utah Courts website offers a limited free search function:
- Provides case numbers, filing dates, and party names
- Does not include document images
- Search by name or case number at no cost
Court Calendars: Daily court schedules are freely available online:
- Shows upcoming hearings and trials
- Searchable by judge, courtroom, or date
- Accessible through the Utah Courts website
Utah State Archives: Historical court records can be searched for free:
- Court Records Research Guide provides access to older Salt Lake County court records
- In-person research at the archives is available at no charge
- Some digitized historical records are freely available online
Law Libraries: The Utah State Law Library and county law libraries offer free access to court records research tools:

Utah State Law Library
450 South State Street, Room W-13
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-238-7990
Utah State Law Library
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What's Included in a Salt Lake County Court Record?

Salt Lake County court records contain various documents depending on the case type and court of jurisdiction. A comprehensive court record typically includes:

Case Initiation Documents:
- Civil complaints or petitions
- Criminal informations or indictments
- Summonses and subpoenas
- Service of process documentation
Pleadings and Motions:
- Answers and replies
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Affidavits and declarations
- Exhibits and attachments
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary restraining orders
- Preliminary and permanent injunctions
- Summary judgment orders
- Final judgments and decrees
- Sentencing orders in criminal cases
Docket Sheets:
- Chronological listing of all case events
- Filing dates and document descriptions
- Hearing dates and outcomes
- Judge assignments
Hearing Records:
- Transcripts (when prepared)
- Minute entries
- Audio recordings (in some courts)
Financial Information:
- Filing fees paid
- Fines and restitution orders
- Payment records
- Fee waiver determinations
Case-Specific Documents:
- Divorce decrees and parenting plans
- Probate inventories and accountings
- Criminal pre-sentence reports (restricted access)
- Plea agreements

According to the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service, certain specialized records such as probate files may contain additional documentation including wills, estate inventories, and guardianship papers.

How Long Does Salt Lake County Keep Court Records?

Salt Lake County courts retain records according to schedules established by the Utah Judicial Council and the Utah State Archives. Retention periods vary by record type and court jurisdiction as mandated by Utah Code § 63G-2-604, which requires each governmental entity to "file with the State Archives a schedule for the retention and disposition of each type of material which is classified as a record."

Common retention periods include:

Criminal Felony Cases: 75 years from case closure
Criminal Misdemeanor Cases: 10-20 years depending on classification
Civil Cases: 7-10 years after final disposition
Domestic Relations Cases: 30 years after judgment
Probate Cases: Permanent retention
Small Claims: 6 years after judgment
Traffic Cases: 3-6 years depending on violation type
Juvenile Court Records: Until subject reaches age 21, then transferred to archives
Court Dockets and Indices: Permanent retention

After the retention period expires, records may be:

Destroyed according to approved procedures
Transferred to the Utah State Archives for permanent preservation
Microfilmed or digitized with the physical copies destroyed

Historical court records dating back to 1896 are maintained by the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service, which preserves these documents for research and historical purposes. The Third District Court records for Salt Lake County are particularly well-preserved, with comprehensive holdings available for public research.

Types of Courts In Salt Lake County

Salt Lake County's judicial system consists of several court types, each with specific jurisdiction and authority:

Third District Court
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-238-7300
Utah State Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Third District Court is Utah's general jurisdiction trial court for Salt Lake County, handling felony criminal cases, civil matters over $11,000, domestic relations, probate, and tax cases.

Salt Lake City Justice Court
333 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-535-6300
Salt Lake City Justice Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Salt Lake County Justice Court
2001 South State Street, S3700
Salt Lake City, UT 84190
385-468-8600
Salt Lake County Justice Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Justice Courts handle class B and C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small claims up to $11,000 within their geographic boundaries.

Third District Juvenile Court
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-238-7800
Utah Juvenile Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Juvenile Courts handle cases involving minors, including delinquency, dependency, neglect, and abuse.

Utah Court of Appeals
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-578-3900
Utah Court of Appeals
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Court of Appeals hears appeals from District and Juvenile Courts.

Utah Supreme Court
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-578-3900
Utah Supreme Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Supreme Court is Utah's highest court and final appellate authority.

What Types of Cases Do Salt Lake County Courts Hear?

Salt Lake County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority:

Third District Court:

Felony criminal prosecutions
Civil lawsuits exceeding $11,000
Domestic relations (divorce, custody, support)
Probate and estate administration
Real property disputes
Administrative agency appeals
Tax cases
Complex commercial litigation

Justice Courts (Salt Lake City and County):

Class B and C misdemeanors
Traffic violations and infractions
Small claims up to $11,000
Local ordinance violations
Preliminary hearings in felony cases
Protective orders and stalking injunctions

Juvenile Court:

Delinquency proceedings
Child welfare cases (abuse, neglect)
Termination of parental rights
Adoption proceedings
Truancy matters
Juvenile traffic violations
Guardian ad litem appointments

Utah Court of Appeals:

Appeals from District Court decisions
Appeals from Juvenile Court
Appeals from administrative agencies
Original writs in limited circumstances

Utah Supreme Court:

Appeals from Court of Appeals
Capital felony appeals
Constitutional questions
Matters of first impression
Attorney discipline
Judicial conduct review

Municipal courts within Salt Lake County handle violations of city ordinances, parking infractions, and some misdemeanors occurring within city limits. According to the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service, specialized probate matters have historically been handled by dedicated probate divisions within the district court system.

How To Find a Court Docket In Salt Lake County

Court dockets in Salt Lake County provide chronological listings of all filings, hearings, and actions in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods:

Online Docket Search:
- The Utah Courts XChange system provides comprehensive docket access for a subscription fee
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney
- View complete docket entries showing all case activity
- Print or download docket reports
Public Access Terminals:
- Available at all courthouse locations
- Free to use during regular business hours
- Provide complete docket information
- Staff assistance available if needed
Clerk's Office Request:
- Visit or call the clerk's office for the appropriate court
- Provide case number or party names
- Request printed docket sheet (fees may apply)
- Third District Court: 801-238-7300
Daily Court Calendars:
- Available on the Utah Courts website
- Show upcoming hearings by judge and courtroom
- Updated daily for all Salt Lake County courts
- Free to access and search
Case Status Information:
- The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office provides information on criminal case status
- Call 801-238-7300 for Third District Court case status
- Provide case number when inquiring

When searching for docket information, users should note that case numbers in Utah follow a specific format: two-digit year, followed by case type code, followed by sequential number (e.g., 23-CR-12345 for a 2023 criminal case).

Which Courts in Salt Lake County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Utah's judicial system, "courts not of record" are tribunals where proceedings are not recorded verbatim and appeals from these courts involve a complete retrial (trial de novo) rather than a review of the record. According to Utah Code § 78A-1-101, courts are designated as either "courts of record" or "courts not of record" by statute.

The following Salt Lake County courts are classified as courts not of record:

Justice Courts:
- Salt Lake City Justice Court
- Salt Lake County Justice Court
- Municipal Justice Courts (Sandy, West Valley, etc.)

These courts handle:

Class B and C misdemeanors
Traffic infractions
Small claims cases
Local ordinance violations

As courts not of record, justice courts do not typically maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings. Instead, they keep docket entries, judgments, and basic case information. Appeals from justice courts are heard in District Court as trials de novo pursuant to Utah Code § 78A-7-118, which states "a defendant has the right to appeal the judgment of a justice court by filing a notice of appeal."

By contrast, the following Salt Lake County courts are courts of record:

Third District Court
Juvenile Court
Utah Court of Appeals
Utah Supreme Court

These courts maintain complete records of all proceedings, including audio recordings or transcripts, and appeals are based on the established record rather than a new trial.