Utah Public Records

Utah is one of the largest states in the U.S. in terms of area size, but one of the smaller in terms of population, with just over 2.8 million residents estimated in 2011. The state was inhabited by a variety of Native American tribes for many centuries, before European explorers and American settlers began to discover the unique terrain this state has to offer. Utah is home to the Great Salt Lake, a hot spot for tourists, located not far from the capital city of Salt Lake City. The history of this great state can be documented in Utah free public records that offer a glimpse into the people who have lived and died in this state throughout generations. 

Launching a public records search in Utah begins with a foundational knowledge of where these records are stored. Fortunately, the state makes it relatively easy to find the vital records you need by storing the majority of the documents in a single location, at the Utah Office of Vital Statistics. Additional files, some dating back centuries, can also be located through an additional source that specializes in historic documents and archives. Before initiating your public records search in Utah, consider these quick tips:

Utah Public Records Search Eligibility

State law restricts access to some Utah public records. All vital records in the state are limited to the person on the document and immediate family members. Others may gain access to the information if they have written permission by one of the parties listed above. Identification is required for all requests for Utah public records for this reason.

Records do become a matter of public record within a set period of time, which means they are then available for access by the general public. Utah birth records are available 100 years after the date of birth, while death records can be accessed 50 years after the date of death. Utah marriage and divorce records become public 75 years after the date of the event. At that time, the storage location for these documents shifts as well.  

Locations for Utah Public Records

The majority of vital records in Utah can be found at the Utah Office of Vital Statistics, found within the Utah Department of Health. This agency stores all birth, death, marriage and divorce records for the state until they become a matter of public record according to the timelines listed above. While they are stored with the Utah Office of Vital Statistics, access may be gained in person, by mail or through the Internet.

Utah marriage and divorce records are available at this office if the event took place between 1978 and 2008. Those that took place within 75 years, but do not fall within this time spread, must be located through the county clerk’s office where the event took place. Those that are older than 75 years can be found at the Division of Archives or Records Service, along with birth records in Utah over 100 years and death records over 50 years old.

The Division of Archives or Records Service provides access to documents prior to those found at the Office of Vital Statistics. This office provides an online research guide to help interested individuals navigate the complex maze of Utah online public records found here. In addition to the online services, the office offers the ability to locate specific documents online and includes a downloadable request form if you need copies of your documents.

Are Online Public Records Available in Utah?

This state offers a number of options for conducting an online public records search for Utah today. Birth records in Utah can be located online through the Department of Health’s SILVER service. There is no fee for using this service, and turnaround for document copies is typically one week to 10 days. The state also partners with VitalChek to provide online access to birth, death, marriage and divorce records. This service allows for online searches and requests for document copies, with a similar turnaround time to the SILVER service offered by the state. There is an additional fee for using the VitalChek service.