Clearfield Civil Records and Court Access
Clearfield civil court records are part of the Second District Court system in Davis County. The city sits in the heart of Davis County and generates a steady volume of civil filings each year, from small claims and contract disputes to family law matters and property cases. Whether you need to look up a past judgment, confirm an active case, or obtain a copy of a court filing, this guide covers how Clearfield civil court records are organized, where they are kept, and how to access them in person or online.
Clearfield Quick Facts
Second District Court for Clearfield Cases
Civil cases from Clearfield are handled by the Second Judicial District Court, which serves all of Davis County. The Second District Court has two active locations that serve Clearfield residents. The main courthouse is in Farmington at 800 West State Street, Farmington, UT 84025, phone (801) 447-3800. A second branch is in Layton at 425 N. Wasatch Drive, Layton, UT 84041, phone (801) 447-3820. Clearfield residents may file or access records at either location, though the Layton branch is often closer and more convenient for those living in central Davis County.
The Second District Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $11,000. It also manages family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and adoption, as well as probate and estate proceedings. Court hours at both locations run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The main website for all Utah district courts is Utah Courts, where you can find court calendars, forms, and case search tools.
The Second District Court system in Davis County processes a large number of filings each year across its three locations, including a Bountiful branch. Clearfield sits between Layton and Ogden, and many of its civil filings are handled at the Layton branch due to geographic proximity. All civil filings, regardless of which branch receives them, are part of the same Second District docket and accessible through the same court record systems.
How to Search Clearfield Civil Court Records
The primary online tool for searching Clearfield civil court records is XChange, the Utah court system's official case management portal. XChange allows searches by party name or case number and returns docket entries, filing dates, judgments, and court orders for district and justice court cases across Utah. A paid subscription is required: $40 per month or $240 per year. Each search costs an additional $0.35, and viewing a document costs $1.00. Subscriptions are available through XChange on the Utah Courts website.
The source below provides an overview of how Davis County civil court records are organized and what access options are available to Clearfield residents.
For residents who do not need a subscription, free public access terminals are available at the Second District Court in Farmington. These terminals provide the same search features as the paid XChange subscription at no cost, but require a visit during court hours. The Utah State Law Library in Salt Lake City also offers free XChange terminal access and can be reached at (801) 238-7990. Both options let you search Clearfield civil court records without paying a monthly fee.
Note: In-person terminal access covers full XChange searches but does not allow you to print or download documents without paying the standard per-page copy fees.
Clearfield Justice Court Records
Clearfield operates its own Justice Court for municipal-level civil and criminal matters. The Clearfield Justice Court is located at 55 South State Street, Clearfield, UT 84015, and can be reached by phone at (801) 525-2760. This court handles small claims cases, traffic violations, misdemeanor offenses, and city ordinance violations. Small claims at the justice court level involve amounts up to $11,000 and are resolved through a faster, simplified process compared to cases filed in district court.
The source below covers how Clearfield's district-level civil records are stored and how residents can request access through both online and in-person channels.
Justice court records in Clearfield are separate from Second District Court records. Small claims judgments, traffic case outcomes, and misdemeanor records are maintained at the Clearfield Justice Court rather than at the district courthouse. If a justice court case is appealed, it moves to the Second District Court for a trial de novo, meaning the case is heard fresh without reference to the justice court's outcome. Appeals from justice courts in Davis County go to the Second District Court in Farmington or Layton.
Clearfield Civil Records: What Is Available
Civil court records in Clearfield span two courts: the Clearfield Justice Court and the Second District Court in Davis County. Both maintain public records that can be inspected in person at no cost. Most civil court records are presumptively public under Utah law, meaning they are available unless a judge has specifically ordered them sealed. The types of records available through the Second District Court for Clearfield cases include the following:
- Civil case complaints and answers
- Contract and property dispute filings
- Divorce, custody, and family law orders
- Probate filings and estate records
- Judgment entries and court orders
- Small claims appeals from justice courts
Certain records are not available to the public. Juvenile case files, adoption records, mental health proceedings, sealed civil cases, and documents containing Social Security numbers or financial account details are restricted by court rule or statute. These restrictions apply across all Davis County civil court records, including those from Clearfield. If you are unsure whether a specific record is public, the clerk at the Second District Court can confirm before you submit a formal request.
Case numbers in Davis County follow a standard format that includes the two-digit filing year, a case type code, and a sequential case number. Knowing the case number speeds up your search whether you use XChange or visit the courthouse in person.
GRAMA Requests for Clearfield Court Records
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act governs how public records, including civil court records, are requested from government agencies. Under Utah Code Section 63G-2-201, most civil court records are classified as public and must be made available upon written request. In-person inspection is free. If you need copies, certified documents, or records sent by mail, a written GRAMA request is required.
Agencies in Davis County, including the courts, must respond to GRAMA requests within 10 business days. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies typically cost between $4 and $8 each. Davis County also charges $2.00 per document for certification. Digital copies on CD or DVD cost $10.00 per disc, and staff research time beyond 15 minutes is billed at $20.00 per hour, with the first 15 minutes free. Davis County uses the NextRequest platform for submitting electronic GRAMA requests and tracking their status online.
If your GRAMA request is denied, you have 30 days to file an appeal. You may appeal to the chief administrative officer of the agency, then to the State Records Committee, and finally to district court. For older Clearfield court records not held at the courthouse, the Utah State Archives at archives.utah.gov maintains historical records from Davis County going back to 1870.
Note: Fee waivers for GRAMA requests may be available in Davis County if the request primarily benefits the public, if you are the subject of the record, or if your financial means are limited and legal rights are at issue.
Historical Davis County Civil Court Records
Davis County has been keeping civil court records since the territorial period, and a portion of those older records have been transferred to state archives. The Utah State Archives holds historical Davis County records dating back to 1870, including archived court documents, divorce records, and property filings from the county's earliest decades. These records are searchable through the archives' online catalog at archives.utah.gov and can often be viewed in person at the archives building in Salt Lake City.
For divorce records from 1978 to the present, the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics holds certified copies. Their office is at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, and can be reached at (801) 538-6105. The fee for a certified divorce certificate is $18. Complete divorce case files, including all pleadings and orders, must be obtained from the Second District Court where the divorce was originally filed, with certification fees of $8 per document plus $0.50 per page.
For divorces prior to 1978, requests must go to the Davis County Clerk/Auditor's Office using a GRAMA request form. The Clerk/Auditor is located at 61 South Main Street, Room 101, Farmington, UT 84025, phone (801) 451-3213. Processing times and fees vary based on the age and availability of the requested records.
Legal Help for Clearfield Residents
Clearfield residents who need assistance with civil court matters have several resources available. The Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov provides self-help guides, court forms, and step-by-step instructions for handling civil matters without an attorney. These resources cover small claims filings, divorce petitions, custody modifications, and other common civil case types in Davis County.
Utah Legal Services serves Davis County residents who qualify based on income. This organization provides free civil legal help, including advice on navigating the Second District Court system and representation for those who cannot afford an attorney. Their website lists eligibility guidelines and office contact information for clients in the Clearfield and Davis County area.
The Utah State Bar maintains a lawyer referral service for residents who need to find a licensed civil attorney in Davis County. Bar members licensed to practice in Utah are searchable through the Bar's online directory. For day-to-day case lookups, the Davis County Clerk/Auditor's Office at (801) 451-3213 can direct you to the right court office for the type of record you need.
Davis County Civil Court Records
Clearfield is part of Davis County, and all district court civil filings for the city are part of the broader Davis County court system. For a full overview of civil court records across Davis County, including all court locations, access options, and county-wide resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Utah Cities
Many surrounding cities are also served by the Second District Court system and have their own civil court records resources.