Utah Public Records
The Utah Government Records Access Act is a state law that gives the public the right to access government records.
The act requires that all government records be open to the public unless they are classified as private under state law. Unlike other open records laws, the Utah law does not require a person to be a Utah resident to request records.
Government records include all information created, maintained, or kept by any state or local government agency. This includes emails, memos, reports, and other documents.
The act also requires state and local agencies to provide a reasonable amount of time for the public to inspect and copy records.
How to Find Utah Public Records
Each agency in Utah is responsible for keeping and maintaining its records. Some agencies, such as the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics, have an online tool that allows you to request records. Others require that requests be made in person or by mail.
You can find a directory of state agencies on the Utah State Government website to find contact information for a specific agency.
If you are unsure of which agency to contact, you can also submit a request to the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service. This division is responsible for coordinating public records requests for all state agencies.
Are Utah Public Records Available Online?
Some Utah public records are available online. However, not all documents are available through this method.
Court records in Utah are available online through the Utah Courts website. The MyCase online tool allows people to view their case history and papers filed in court.
Some counties like Salt Lake County and Utah County also have an online public records search tool. This allows people to access a variety of records, including property records, court records, and vital records.
While some public records are available online, it is essential to note that not all records are available through this method. If you cannot find the record you are looking for online, you must submit a request to the appropriate agency.
Third-party websites are also a good resource for finding public records. These websites often collect and compile data from various sources, making finding the record you need easier. Just be sure to use a reputable website such as InfoTracer to avoid scams.
What Records are Available in Utah?
A public record is any document created, retained, or maintained by a state or local government agency in Utah.
Some of the most popular types of public records include:
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records.
- Court Records: Court cases, judgments, and other documents.
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, property tax records, and more.
- Police Records: Arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement records. To see a complete list of all the different types of public records in Utah, you can view
What Records are Non-Public in Utah?
Records that endanger the life or safety of a person are not considered public records and are not available to the public. These records include:
- Records that Reveal Investigatory Techniques: Records that would reveal law enforcement techniques are not considered public records. This includes information about undercover officers, informants, and surveillance methods.
- Victim Information: Records that contain information about crime victims are not public records. This includes information about child abuse and sexual assault victims.
- Active Criminal Investigations: Records of active criminal investigations are not considered public records. These records include information about suspects, witnesses, and evidence.
For a complete list of non-public records in Utah, you can view the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act.
Types of Public Records Available in Utah
Below are some of the most commonly requested public records in Utah:
Utah Public Criminal Records
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains a Utah criminal history records database. These records include information about arrests, convictions, and sentencing.
To request criminal history records from DPS, you can mail in a completed criminal history records request form to:
Department of Public Safety
Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 West 5400 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84129
Phone: (801) 965-4445
Fax: (801) 969-7065
You can also search online for criminal records through the Utah Courts website here. A $5 fee will be charged for each online search.
You can use Utah Courts' appellate docket search tool for pending court cases by looking up the docket number.
Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Utah :
Arrest Records and Warrants
The Utah Statewide Warrants search tool by the DPS allows you to check for outstanding warrants in Utah. The search will return results that include the person's name, date of birth, case number, and warrant type.
You need to input your first name, last name, and middle initial (if available).
If you want to check for arrest records in Utah, you can contact the local sheriff’s office or police department in the county where the arrest took place. These records will also appear on a criminal records report from DPS.
Inmate and Jail Records
If you want to find out if someone is in jail, some counties in Utah have an online search tool that you can use. These include:
- Utah County Arrested Person Search
- Davis County Inmate Roster
- Salt Lake County Current Inmate Lookup Tool
- Weber County Inmate Roster
If the county where the person was arrested does not have an online search tool, you can call the local sheriff’s office to find out if someone is in jail.
Inmate records are also considered public records in Utah, so you can also request these records from the Department of Corrections.
Jails and Prisons in Utah :
Utah Background Checks
Utah Code Annotated 53-10-108 states that qualified applicants may request a criminal history background check from the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI).
The BCI will provide criminal history information if the person requesting it has a legitimate purpose.
To request a background check, you need to complete an application form as a qualified entity to request a background check.
Background checks often contain information about a person’s criminal history, arrest records, and warrants.
If you want to conduct a background check on someone in Utah, you can also contact a private background check company. These companies will often have access to public records unavailable through the state.
How to find Sex Offenders in Utah
The Department of Corrections in Utah maintains a publicly accessible sex offender and kidnap offender registry. This registry includes information about offenders currently on probation or parole and those who have completed their sentence.
The registry will include the following:
- Name
- Photo
- Offenses
- Aliases
- Vehicle details
You can look up an offender by name, city, or address. You can also sign up for email alerts when an offender moves into your neighborhood.
Utah Public Vital Records
The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics is responsible for maintaining and issuing vital records for the state of Utah, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees.
You can request these records online. You can also check the local county clerk’s office in the county where the event occurred.
Utah Court Records
As mentioned, court records in Utah are easily accessible to the public. A central repository for these records is maintained by the Utah State Courts and can be found online.
You can search by case number or party name to access court records. You can also conduct an appellate docket search to find out information about pending cases.
You can also check the local counties ’ websites for court records or request them through the mail or in person.
State Court System in Utah
Utah is divided into three levels of courts:
- Supreme Court
- The Court of General Jurisdiction
- Courts of Limited Jurisdiction
The Utah Supreme Court is the court of last resort and hears appeals from the lower courts. The Court of General Jurisdiction is the trial court and handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $10,000, election contests, and juvenile matters. Lastly, the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction are made up of district courts and hear misdemeanor criminal cases, small civil cases, and traffic offenses.
Courts in Utah :
Driving Records
DPS also has a driver's license division responsible for maintaining driving records. These records will show a person’s history of traffic violations, accidents, and DUI offenses.
You can request your own driving record from the DPS here. You need to fill out this online request form with your personal information and the reason for your request.
You can also request it by mail by sending a request letter and an accomplished request form to DPS.
Driving records usually contain the following information:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Driver’s license number
- Address
- Traffic violations
- Accidents
- DUI offenses
- And more
Civil Driving Infractions
Civil driving infractions in Utah are defined as any traffic violation that is not a criminal offense. These include speeding, running a stop sign, and parking violations.
It is usually removed from your records after three years and will not appear on your criminal background check.
Utah License Plate Lookup
Utah does not have a public license plate lookup system. This means you cannot access information about a vehicle’s owner just by looking up the license plate number.
If you want information about a vehicle, you must contact the local police department or the Department of Motor Vehicles. The record custodian might need to approve your request before giving you the information.
Utah Property and Asset Records Online
The Utah State Archives houses documents on property history that may be useful to homeowners seeking to learn more about the origin of their homes. The records include:
- Deeds
- Mortgages
- Assessment rolls
- Survey plats
You can also find asset records, such as unclaimed property, through the Utah Division of Unclaimed Property. This division is responsible for holding onto a property its owner has abandoned. The property includes:
- Savings accounts
- Wages
- Insurance benefits
- Jewelry
- And more
The State Treasurer is in charge of this division, and you can search for unclaimed property online.
Important Government Agencies in Utah
Several government agencies in Utah might be of use to you. These include:
- Secretary of State
- State Governor
- Utah State Archives
- Utah Legislature
- Utah Attorney General
- Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics
- Department of Health
- Utah Highway Patrol
- Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Utah Courts
- Utah Office of State Treasurer
- Utah Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- Department of Motor Vehicles
Counties in Utah
- Beaver
- Box Elder
- Cache
- Carbon
- Daggett
- Davis
- Duchesne
- Emery
- Garfield
- Grand
- Iron
- Juab
- Kane
- Millard
- Morgan
- Piute
- Rich
- Salt Lake
- San Juan
- Sanpete
- Sevier
- Summit
- Tooele
- Uintah
- Utah
- Wasatch
- Washington
- Wayne
- Weber