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Library of Congress Research Guides

Utah: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide

Courthouse Records

County level research is essential in the pursuit of family and local history. The list below highlights the most common county courthouse records used by genealogists, but there are many more record sets available. Use the guides below and explore the specific resources for the counties of interest to assure that you locate all pertinent documents.

When requesting courthouse records, inquire about both docket books and paper files. Often both types of material exist for each record. While the two formats may merely repeat the data, one may be easier to read than the other. And, in many cases, there are further details, unique notations, over-sized pages such as maps, and so on, that are filed in only the docket book or in only the paper file. Seeing both will provide a more complete review of the record.

Timeline for County Courthouse Records

Birth Records
  • County Level: 1898 to present
  • State Level: 1905 to present

Note: Neither counties nor the state were required to record birth records before 1898. Some counties chose to begin recording births earlier. Good alternative resources for birth records include newspapers and church records.

Also note: Some early birth records from individual counties can be found in the Utah State Archives. The Archives also have birth certificates from 1905-1913.

Also note: Utah statewide birth registration began in 1905, and was generally complied with by 1917. The Utah Department of Health began issuing birth certificates in 1904.

(Also see the Vital Records section of this guide.)
Civil Lawsuits
  • Generally maintained by: District Court system
  • 1847 - 1900: Some cases may have been handled by the L.D.S. Court of Bishops
  • 1849: County Courts created
  • 1851: County Courts were replaced by Probate Courts
  • 1874: County Probate Courts were replaced by Territorial District Courts
  • 1896: Statewide District Court system implemented.

Note: Court records (microfilmed, but not indexed) are available in the Utah State Archives.
Coroner's Inquests
  • Generally maintained by: Probate Court or Coroner in each county, later by Precinct Court
  • 1870-1871, 1886-1937: Microfilm available in the Utah State Archives
  • After 1896: Coroners abolished, records kept in Precinct Courts or District Courts

Note: If the cause of death is suspicious or unknown, inquests were performed by the coroner's office before 1896, and in precincts throughout each county after 1896.
Criminal Court
  • Generally maintained by: 1859 to present, Clerk of District Courts or Courts of Justice. Many can be found in the Utah State Archives.
  • Many civil and criminal cases were heard in LDS Bishops' Courts throughout the 19th century. You may find these records at the LDS Church History Library in Salt Lake City.
Death Records
  • Country or City Level: 1848 to present
  • State Level: 1898 to present

Note: Compliance with state requirements was in effect by 1919.

(Also see the Vital Records section of this guide.)
Deeds
  • Generally maintained by: Recorder of Deeds
  • 1847: Land ceded by Mexico to the United States
  • 1847 - 1850: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • 1850 - 1869: Recorder of Deeds or Probate court
  • 1869 to present: Recorder of Deeds or County Clerk, State Archives
Divorce Records
  • 1847 - 1877: Earliest divorces were granted by Church leaders. See the records of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • Territory Level 1852 - 1895: Federal District Courts, Probate Courts, Utah State Archives
  • State Level 1896 to present: State District Courts
  • State Level 1978 to present: Utah State Department of Health

(Also see the Vital Records section of this guide.)
Marriage Records
  • 1800s - 1906: Territorial Records, Records of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • County Level 1887 to present: County Clerks, Utah State Archives, Personal records of judges or bishops
  • State Level 1978 to present: Utah State Department of Health

Note: Church and family records may be a better source of documentation for early marriages.

(Also see the Vital Records section of this guide.)
Naturalizations
  • Before 1850: U.S. Passport Applications
  • 1878-1895: 4th District Court in Utah

Note: Records are available at the Utah State Archives.
Taxes
  • Generally maintained by: County Treasurer, Tax Assessment Rolls
Will and Probate
  • Generally maintained by: County Probate Court Records, State District Courts, Utah State Archives.  May include adoption and guardianship cases.  Adoption papers are sealed for 100 years.

Online Resources for Courthouse Records

The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.

Using Ancestry Library Edition for Utah

Begin your search through Ancestry's vast collections, by viewing the list designated as Utah records External.

Using FamilySearch for Utah

FamilySearch provides useful state and county wikis that make excellent starting points for research. The Utah Wiki External includes links to each of its counties. You can also see specific pages such as the FamilySearch guide to Utah Court Records External.

FamilySearch has digitized many of its microfilms containing county courthouse records. Not all records have been indexed yet, so search engine results may NOT show you the full range of FamilySearch data. You must browse the FamilySearch catalog External listings for each county to view the full set of records available. The vast amount of accessible original records is well worth your time to explore.

There is no fee to use FamilySearch, but you must create a free, personal account to access the databases and digital records.

Published Courthouse Records

Below are selected print publications for statewide courthouse records. The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

To locate additional published materials, go to the Print Resources section of this guide for search tips on locating published county courthouse records, abstracts, and indexes that may aide you in locating original records at the county level.

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