Salt Lake County Civil Court Records
Salt Lake County civil court records are maintained by the Third Judicial District Court, the largest trial court in Utah. With more than 1.2 million residents, Salt Lake County generates a substantial volume of civil court filings each year. The Third District handles civil disputes, family law matters, probate proceedings, small claims cases, and more. Civil court records in Salt Lake County are publicly accessible in person at the courthouse, through the XChange online system, and via written public records requests under Utah's GRAMA law. The county seat is Salt Lake City, and the courthouse is located at 450 South State Street.
Salt Lake County Court Quick Facts
Third District Court Civil Records
The Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake County handles more civil cases than any other district court in Utah. The Scott M. Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114 is the main location for accessing civil court records in Salt Lake County. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court clerk can be reached at (801) 238-7300.
Civil court records at the Third District include filings across a wide range of case types. Contract disputes, tort claims, property matters, landlord issues, and civil rights cases all generate civil court records in Salt Lake County. The clerk's office maintains these records and can assist with case searches, docket lookups, and copy requests. For general information about the court, visit utcourts.gov.
The Salt Lake County Third District Court processes thousands of civil filings every year. Its records go back well over a century, with historical civil court dockets and minute books dating to the 1800s. Whether you need a recent judgment or a historical record, the Third District clerk's office is the starting point for Salt Lake County civil court research.
Salt Lake City Justice Court Records
Salt Lake City maintains its own Justice Court for municipal civil and criminal matters. The Salt Lake City Justice Court can be reached at 801-483-6072. It handles small claims cases up to the jurisdictional limit, traffic citations, Class B and C misdemeanor offenses, and city ordinance violations. For information about the Justice Court's services and procedures, visit sslc.gov/164/Justice-Court.
Justice Courts in Salt Lake County are courts not of record. They do not create verbatim transcripts of proceedings. If a party appeals a Justice Court decision, the appeal results in a trial de novo in the Third District Court, where the case is heard fresh from the beginning. Other municipal justice courts throughout Salt Lake County, including those in Sandy, West Valley City, and other cities, follow the same not-of-record structure.
Salt Lake City Justice Court civil court records, including small claims filings and their outcomes, are separate from Third District civil records. Contacting the Justice Court directly at 801-483-6072 is the most direct way to access records from that court. In-person inspection is available during business hours, and written GRAMA requests can also be submitted.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Case Information
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's office provides guidance on finding case information through its online resources. Civil court records related to cases involving the District Attorney's office can often be located by contacting the Third District Court at (801) 238-7300. For specific guidance on how to find a case, visit saltlakecounty.gov.
The District Attorney's guidance page explains which case details are available to the public, how to look up an active case, and what information is needed to conduct a search. For civil court matters in Salt Lake County not involving the District Attorney, the Third District Court clerk is the appropriate contact. The court's main line at (801) 238-7300 connects you to staff who can direct your inquiry to the right division.
Civil Court Record Types in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County civil court records span several distinct case categories. Each category reflects a different type of legal proceeding handled by the Third District Court.
General civil case files cover disputes between parties involving money, property, or other legal rights. These records contain the complaint or petition, the opposing party's answer, any discovery materials entered into the record, motions and responses, court orders, and the final judgment. Judgment records in Salt Lake County civil cases are frequently sought by researchers, attorneys, and parties to the case.
Family law records in Salt Lake County include divorce filings, child custody and support matters, adoptions, and legal separation proceedings. These are part of the public civil court record, though some details about minor children may be restricted. Probate records document estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings for Salt Lake County residents.
Small claims civil court records in Salt Lake County reflect disputes involving smaller dollar amounts resolved through simplified court procedures. These records contain the original claim, any counter-claims, and the court's ruling on the matter.
Public civil court records in Salt Lake County typically show case numbers and filing dates, names of all parties, scheduled court dates, docket entries and filings, orders and judgments issued by the court, and appeal records if applicable. Restricted records include juvenile court files, adoption proceedings, mental health records, sealed cases, and documents containing Social Security numbers or financial account details.
GRAMA and Public Access to Salt Lake County Records
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act makes civil court records in Salt Lake County presumptively public. Under Utah Code Section 63G-2-201, anyone can request to inspect civil court records without needing to state a reason. The Third District Court has 10 business days to respond to a written GRAMA request for Salt Lake County civil records.
Free in-person inspection is available at the Third District courthouse during regular court hours. Standard copy fees are $0.25 to $0.50 per page for Salt Lake County civil court records. Certified copies cost between $4 and $8 per document.
For free record access without a subscription, the Utah State Law Library at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse offers free XChange terminals. The law library can be reached at 801-238-7990 or by email at library@email.utcourts.gov. This is one of the most convenient free access points for Salt Lake County civil court records. General legal assistance resources are also available through Utah Legal Services, which serves Salt Lake County residents.
Searching Salt Lake County Civil Records Online
XChange is the official statewide online system for Utah court records, including Salt Lake County civil court filings. Subscription pricing as of July 1, 2025 is $40 per month or $240 per year. Individual searches cost $0.35, and document downloads are $1.00 per document. Create an account and access Salt Lake County civil records through the XChange portal at utcourts.gov.
Free public access terminals are available at the Third District courthouse and at the Utah State Law Library on the Matheson Courthouse campus. These terminals provide the same XChange search capability without a subscription fee, making them an accessible option for Salt Lake County civil court record searches.
Searches can be conducted by party name or case number. For Salt Lake County civil cases, having a case number significantly speeds up the process. The docket view in XChange shows all filings, orders, and events in a case, giving a complete picture of the civil court record for any Salt Lake County matter.
Historical Civil Court Records in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County has some of the oldest civil court records in Utah. The Third District Court criminal registers date to 1889. Probate Court civil and criminal case dockets go back as far as 1852. District Court civil and criminal minute books cover the period from 1896 to 1967. Coroner's inquest case files from 1886 to 1937 are also part of the historical record collection.
These older civil court records are held at the Utah State Archives. Visit archives.utah.gov to search for historical Salt Lake County civil records. The archives hold materials that are no longer kept at the courthouse and can be invaluable for genealogical research and historical legal inquiries involving Salt Lake County.
Cities in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County includes many cities and communities. Civil court records for all Salt Lake County residents are filed through the Third District Court in Salt Lake City. Select a city below to find specific civil court record information.
Nearby Counties
Salt Lake County borders several other Utah counties. If you are unsure which county court holds a civil court record, verify the address of the filing party at the time the case was initiated. Civil court records must be searched in the county where the case was originally filed with the district court.