Tooele City Civil Court Records
Tooele civil court records are held at the Third District Court, which serves all of Tooele County. The city of Tooele sits roughly 35 miles west of Salt Lake City and is the county seat of Tooele County. Civil case records from Tooele cover lawsuits, small claims, property disputes, family law matters, and other civil filings processed through this court. Whether you want to look up a pending case, find a judgment, or pull copies of filed documents, this guide covers the courts, access methods, and resources available for Tooele civil court records.
Tooele Quick Facts
Third District Court Serving Tooele
The Third Judicial District Court serves Tooele County and handles all major civil filings for the city of Tooele. The courthouse is located at 74 South 100 East, Suite 14, in Tooele, UT 84074. You can reach the court by phone at 435-833-8000. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All civil cases from Tooele that go beyond the Justice Court's jurisdiction are filed here. That includes contract disputes, civil lawsuits, family law cases, probate proceedings, and appeals from lower courts.
The Third District covers Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties, making it one of the larger judicial districts in the state. The main Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov has court calendars, case lookup tools, and general information about civil proceedings in the Third District.
Tooele County also operates its own Justice Court for limited jurisdiction matters. Small claims cases up to $11,000, traffic violations, Class B and C misdemeanors, and county ordinance violations are all handled at this level. In addition to the county Justice Court, Tooele City maintains a separate municipal Justice Court for city-level violations.
Note: For civil lawsuits over $11,000, all filings go to the Third District Court, not the Justice Court.
How to Find Tooele Civil Court Records
The primary tool for searching Tooele civil court records online is the Utah Courts XChange portal. XChange is the state's official case management system. It lets users search by party name or case number and retrieve docket entries, filing dates, case status, and court orders for civil filings. Subscriptions cost $40 per month or $240 per year, with additional fees of $0.35 per search and $1.00 per document. Access is available through XChange on the Utah Courts website.
Free access to the XChange system is available on public terminals at the Third District Court in Tooele. These terminals are open during court hours and do not require a paid subscription. Residents who need to search Tooele civil court records without a subscription can use these in-person terminals at no cost. The Utah State Law Library in Salt Lake City also provides a free public terminal at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse; the library can be reached at (801) 238-7990.
Tooele County Clerk and Civil Case Files
The Tooele County Clerk maintains certain court-related records and handles public records requests for county-held documents. The Clerk's office is led by Tracy Shaw. You can contact the office at (435) 843-3140 or by email at tracy.shaw@tooeleco.gov. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with walk-in services available until 5:00 PM.
The image below is from tooeleco.gov, the official Tooele County Clerk page, which covers records access, GRAMA requests, and county services.
Civil case files held at the district court are separate from county clerk records. Court files include the actual case documents: complaints, motions, orders, judgments, and docket entries. The county clerk's office manages its own set of county records, including election documents and certain public filings. Both offices accept GRAMA requests for records they hold.
Note: When requesting court records in Tooele, confirm whether the file you need is held by the Third District Court clerk or the County Clerk, as the two are distinct offices.
Civil Court Filings Available in Tooele
The Third District Court and Tooele Justice Courts maintain a range of civil case records. Most records are public unless the court has ordered them sealed. Public access includes party names, case numbers, filing dates, docket entries, and final judgments. Here are the main types of civil records available in Tooele:
- General civil lawsuits and complaints
- Contract and property disputes
- Small claims filings and judgments
- Family law cases including divorce and custody
- Probate and estate proceedings
- Court orders and civil decrees
- Appeals from the Tooele Justice Court
Certain records are restricted by law and are not available to the public. Juvenile case files, adoption proceedings, mental health matters, sealed cases, and documents with Social Security numbers or financial account details are all restricted. These restrictions apply statewide and cover all Tooele civil court records in the same way they apply across Utah.
Historical Tooele Civil Court Records
Tooele County has a long court history. Court records for the county date back to 1859, and probate records start as early as 1851. Marriage records begin in 1887. These older civil and probate records are accessible through the Utah State Archives. The Archives maintains a comprehensive guide to court records from across all Utah counties and can be reached online at archives.utah.gov.
Historical records held at the Archives include probate inventories, guardianship filings, and early civil case records from the territorial period. These documents are useful for genealogy research and historical legal research involving Tooele families and properties. Most early records have been cataloged and can be requested through the Archives either in person or by written request.
The FamilySearch genealogy database at familysearch.org also holds digitized Tooele County records, including some court documents and probate files from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Cross-referencing Archives resources with FamilySearch can help when searching for older Tooele civil court records that predate the electronic record era.
GRAMA Requests for Tooele Records
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act applies to all public agencies in Tooele, including the Third District Court and Tooele County offices. Under Utah Code Section 63G-2-201, civil court records are presumptively public. Any person can inspect public records at no cost. Copies cost $0.25 per page for standard documents. Certified copies typically run between $4 and $8 each. Agencies must respond to GRAMA requests within 10 business days.
To request Tooele civil court records under GRAMA, submit a written request to the Third District Court clerk's office at 74 South 100 East in Tooele. Include the case number or party names, the date range, and the type of document you need. If your request is denied, you have 30 days to appeal that decision. For guidance on GRAMA procedures, the Utah State Archives offers resources and help at archives.utah.gov.
Legal Resources for Tooele Residents
Tooele residents who need help with civil court matters have several options for legal assistance. Free and low-cost services are available depending on your situation and income level.
Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal help to qualifying residents in Tooele County. Income guidelines apply. Their services cover a range of civil matters and include advice, representation, and assistance with court forms and procedures. Their website lists available programs and how to apply.
The Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov also offers self-help resources, including fillable court forms, step-by-step guides, and information about civil procedure for people who want to handle a case on their own. Tooele residents can access these tools online or visit the courthouse in person for help navigating the civil case process.
Tooele County Civil Court Records
Tooele City is the county seat of Tooele County. All district court civil filings for the city are part of the broader Tooele County court system. For a full overview of civil court records across Tooele County, including court locations, access details, and county-wide resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Utah Cities
The following cities are within reasonable driving distance of Tooele and have their own civil court records resources through their respective county courts.