Utah Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Utah divorce records are legal documents created by the state's District Courts during divorce proceedings. These include appellate records from the Utah Court of Appeals and Utah Supreme Court.

Divorce records serve key purposes. Besides confirming marital status, these documents are vital for:

• Enforcement and modification of court orders on marriage dissolution
• Genealogical, legal, academic, demographic, and social research
• Monitoring marriage stability, family formation, and public health.

Data from Utah's Public Health Indicator-Based Information System (IBIS) indicate that the divorce rate in the state in 2023 was 3.1 per 1,000 persons. This figure is an increase over the 2.9 per 1,000 persons for 2022, and is above the U.S. provisional average of 2.4 per 1,000 for 2023. Furthermore, a report from the Utah State University Women & Leadership Project shows that in 2023, about 10.1% of Utah women aged 15 and above were divorced, and about 6.5% of households with children under 18 were headed by single mothers.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Utah

In Utah, divorce records encompass:

• Certificate of divorce (divorce abstract)
• Divorce decree (final judgment of divorce)
• Divorce case file

Utah Certificates of Divorce (State Vital Records Divorce Certificates or Certificates of Divorce)

The Utah Department of Health & Human Services and local health/Vital records offices issue divorce certificates. These documents are short, certified divorce statements for statistical use or identity verification. Interested individuals can request copies of divorce certificates from 1978 to 2010 through the Utah Department of Health & Human Services. For divorce certificates outside this range, requesters should visit the District Court that handled the specific divorce case.

Utah Divorce Decrees (Final Decree of Divorce, Judgment of Divorce)

A Utah divorce decree or judgment of divorce is the final court order that dissolves a marriage. It is the legally binding document that makes the divorce effective and creates enforceable court orders. In Utah, access to certified copies of these documents is through the state's District Courts Clerk's Offices. Some counties may also provide access to divorce decrees through Utah court systems, such as MyCase and Xchange Portals. The MyCase access portal enables parties to a divorce case to access documents, view case histories, and make payments for their cases. Meanwhile, the public can search for divorce records through the Xchange portal.

Utah Divorce Case Files

A divorce case file in Utah refers to the complete court record for a specific divorce case. This document contains:

• Full procedural history
• Read filings and exhibits
• Precise wording of court orders
• Subsequent orders or modifications (if any).

Utah's divorce case files are accessible through the District Court Clerk's Office where the divorce was filed. However, older divorce case files may be accessible through the Utah State Archives.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Utah Department of Health & Human Services	Proof of legal divorce	Names of the spouses Date of divorce County of the divorce Case number
Divorce Decree/Judgment of Divorce	District Court Clerk's Offices	Details of the settlement and terms	Rulings Custody orders Property division
Divorce Case Files	District Court Clerk's Offices	Complete court records on a divorce for legal, administrative, and informational purposes.	Original petition/complaint Responses Financial affidavits Motions Temporary orders Hearing transcripts (if any) Evidence/exhibits The final decree and any subsequent orders or modifications.

Public Access and Confidentiality of Utah Divorce Records

Utah's divorce records are part of the state's Court records, and such documents should be publicly accessible under Rule 4€‘202.03 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Notwithstanding, Utah classifies divorce records as private and under Title 63G, Chapter 2-201 of the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), access to these documents is limited to certain entities. Individuals/entities who can access a Utah divorce record include:

• The parties involved in the divorce and their attorneys of record
• A person with written permission from any of the subjects of the document
• Court-approved third-parties
• Authorized government agencies.

Typically, the public can access case numbers, basic docket information, and the final judgment or decree of divorce. However, Utah laws restrict public access to divorce information, such as:

• Financial disclosures
• Income affidavits
• Property division details
• Child custody, visitation, or support documents
• Personal identifiers such as Social Security Numbers and contact details
• Medical or psychological evaluation records
• Sealed records involving minors or victims of abuse.

The Utah Department of Health & Human Services provides access to divorce certificates. Interested individuals can contact their Office of Vital Records and Statistics at:

Mailing Address

What Information Do Utah Divorce Records Include?

Utah's divorce records comprise three distinct documents with varying information, whose access may depend on the requester's identity. These documents are the divorce certificates, divorce decrees, and divorce case files. The specific contents of these documents can vary across counties, but may include the following information.

Utah Divorce Certificates

• Full names of both spouses at the time of the divorce
• Dates of birth of both spouses (this information may not be part of older divorce records)
• The county where the divorce was granted
• Name of the presiding District Court
• Certificate or registration number
• Number of minor children involved
• Date of the divorce filing
• Signature or certification by the state registrar.

Utah Divorce Decrees

• Case number and court name
• Names of the petitioner and the respondent
• Filing and judgment dates
• Judge's name and signature
• Official statement ending the marriage
• Child and spousal support amounts and payment schedules
• Division of debts and liabilities
• Name change (if applicable)
• Enforcement provisions or restraining orders
• Supplemental findings or amendments (if any)
• Certification by the court clerk (for certified copies).

Utah Divorce Case Files

• All items in the decree
• Original petition for divorce
• Response or counter-petition
• Temporary orders (custody, child support, protection orders)
• Financial declarations and asset disclosures
• Motions, affidavits, and supporting evidence
• Mediation reports and settlement agreements
• Child custody evaluations or parenting plans
• Hearing notices and transcripts (if applicable)
• Final judgment and post-judgment motions
• Any sealed or protected documents.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Utah

There are four official repositories for divorce records in Utah:

• Utah District Courts
• Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Vital Records and Statistics
• Utah State Courts Online Portals
• Utah State Archives.

For certain fees, these official sources provide access to divorce records online, by mail, or in person. The costs for certified copies of Utah's divorce records depend on the access method:

MyCase Access Portal - individuals can log in as participants and access records of their own divorces for free

Utah State Courts Xchange Portal

• Guest/One-Time Use - $10.00
• Monthly subscription setup - $25
• Subscription - $40 for up to 500 searches; after 500 searches:
• $0.35 per search
• $10.00 per document download

Utah District Courts Clerk's Offices

• Certified copies of decree - $4.00 per document, plus $0.50 per page
• Exemplified copy - $6.00 per document, plus $0.50 per page
• Search fees may apply for extensive searches

Utah Department of Health & Human Services (OVRS)

• Non-refundable $18.00 fee for one search and one certified abstract
• $10.00 for each additional copy of the document ordered at the same time

Utah State Archives

• Copies for staff member:

Letter/PDF - $0.25 per page

Legal paper size - $0.50 per page

• Copies by patrons - $0.10 per page
• Certification fee - $4.00.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	Utah Department of Health & Human Services	1978 to 2010	Online/Mail-in/In-person	Non-refundable $18.00 fee for one search and one certified abstract, in addition to $10.00 for each additional copy of the same document ordered at the same time
Judiciary Portal	Utah Courts MyCase and Xchange Systems	MyCase Portal - not specified Xchange access system - 1998 to the present	Online	MyCase Portal - free Xchange Access System: Guest/One-Time Use - $10.00 Monthly subscription setup - $25 Subscription - $40 for up to 500 searches; after 500 searches $0.35 per search $10.00 per complete divorce decree download
County Clerks	Local District Courts	1896 to the present	Mail-in/In-person	$4.00 per certified copy document, plus $0.50 per page $6.00 per exemplified document, plus $0.50 per page Search fees may apply if documents require an extensive search
State Archives	Utah State Archives	Territorial divorces: 1852 to 1895 District Court divorce records (statehood period): 1896 to present for records transferred to the State Archives	Online/Mail-in/In-person	Copies for staff member: Letter/PDF - $0.25 per page Legal paper size - $0.50 per page Copies by patrons - $0.10 per page Certification fee - $4.00.

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Utah

Certified copies of Utah's divorce records are official, court-stamped documents that verify the authenticity of divorce judgments or certificates. These documents are legal for several purposes and must carry the seals of authenticity. In Utah, depending on the divorce records, these documents are accessible through the Clerk's Offices of the state's District Courts, and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Vital Records Office. Eligible individuals seeking certified copies of Utah's divorce records can follow the steps below:

Access to divorce records through Utah's District Courts Clerk's Offices

• Identify the District Court where the divorce was finalized
• Contact the District Court's Clerk's Office (this information is accessible through the Utah State Courts Directory Page)
• Gather the necessary information, including the full legal names of both spouses at the time of divorce, the approximate date or year of the divorce, and the case number (if known)
• Draft and submit a request for the divorce record to the District Court's Clerk's Office. The request should include a valid government-issued photo ID
• Pay all applicable fees. District Courts typically charge $4.0 per certified document and $0.50 per page for copies. Payments for mail-in requests are by checks or money orders payable to the specific District Court Clerk's Office
• Receive copies of the divorce records the same day if the request is made in person, or through the mail after a few weeks.

Alternatively, order certified copies of Utah divorce certificates online, by mail, or through in-person visits to the Office of Vital Records and Statistics of the Utah Department of Health & Human Services, or the Utah State Archives.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified Divorce Certificate	Utah Vital Records	Spouse Immediate family members of either spouse Legal representatives of either spouse Authorized government agencies or entities with a direct and tangible interest	Proof of divorce for name change Evidence of marital status for remarriage or immigration Supporting documentation for financial, insurance, or pension updates
Certified Divorce Decree	District Court Clerk's Office	Either spouse or their attorneys of record Representatives with the consent of either of the spouses Government agencies or courts with a legitimate legal Individuals with court orders	Legal proof of the final outcome of the divorce proceeding Documentation for property settlements, debt division, and spousal support Verification of divorce details for government or court proceedings
Informational Copy Divorce Records	Vital Records/Archives	Utah does not issue informational copies of divorce certificates. However, interested individuals can view case summaries and docket information that are publicly accessible through the Utah State Courts online portal or in person at the courthouse, unless the case has been sealed.	_.

Why Search for Divorce Records in Utah?

There are several practical and legal reasons why individuals search for divorce records in Utah. These documents are official proof of the end of marriages, and their owner can use them for:

• Remarriage
• Enforcing court-imposed terms of marriage dissolutions
• Verifying divorce details for court proceedings
• Supporting financial, insurance, or pension updates.

Additionally, researchers and genealogists may also use older Utah divorce records to trace family histories, and these documents may set precedents for future legal trials.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Utah?

Like most jurisdictions, Utah maintains permanent retention for divorce records. This means that, unlike some expungeable criminal records, the state retains divorce records indefinitely. Nevertheless, the availability of these records depends on their age and format.

Custodian agencies store recent divorce records (from the 1990s to the present) in digital systems, such as the Utah Court Records Information System (CORIS), for easy electronic access. In comparison, custodian agencies keep older documents in paper or microfilm/microfiche formats in off-site storage, which makes real-time access more difficult.