Summit County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Summit County in 2026
SummitRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Summit County, Utah. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Record availability varies by case age, filing method, and whether any portion of the file has been sealed by court order.
Divorce records in Summit County may be searched through the following official resources:
- Utah State Courts online case search portal
- Summit County District Court Clerk's office
- Utah Division of Archives and Records Service
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office
- Public access terminals located at the courthouse
Multiple Search Methods:
Online Searches:
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
Members of the public may search Utah court case records through the Utah Courts Case Search portal. This system provides free access to basic case information, including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries. Obtaining copies of actual documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Utah Courts statewide portal consolidates case information across all Utah district courts, including Summit County. Users may search by party name or case number to locate divorce proceedings filed anywhere in the state.
3. State Vital Records
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office maintains divorce certificates for proceedings finalized in Utah. These certificates provide summary-level information and are distinct from the full court case file. Fees apply to certified copies ordered through this office.
In-Person Searches:
Clerk of Court — Summit County District Court:
Summit County District Court
60 North Main Street
Coalville, UT 84017
Phone: (435) 336-4400
Utah State Courts
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived records
Records Department:
Older or archived divorce case files may be held by the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service, which maintains civil court records including divorce proceedings from 1896 to the present. Requests for archived materials may require additional processing time.
By Mail:
Written Request:
- Mail to: Summit County District Court Clerk, 60 North Main Street, Coalville, UT 84017
- Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, though archived records may require additional time.
By Phone:
Limited Information:
- Summit County District Court Clerk: (435) 336-4400
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or sealed case information
Through Attorneys:
Licensed attorneys may access court records on behalf of clients, including requesting sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause. The Utah State Bar provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in connection with divorce record access or related family law matters.
Information Needed for Search:
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if previously obtained
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Last known addresses of the parties
- Names of minor children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County:
Pursuant to Utah Code § 30-3-1, divorce proceedings must be filed in the county where at least one of the parties resides at the time the complaint is filed. Members of the public searching for a divorce record should confirm the county of residence at the time of filing. Searching in the county where the marriage occurred is not appropriate unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement:
Utah law requires that at least one spouse have been a resident of the state for a minimum of three months immediately preceding the filing of the divorce complaint, as established under Utah Code § 30-3-1.
Time Considerations:
- Recent divorces: Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately. Members of the public should allow several business days to weeks following the final hearing for records to be indexed and available.
- Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing systems may exist only in paper form. The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service notes that divorce records are available from 1896 to the present, though older materials may require special retrieval requests and additional processing time.
What If You Cannot Find a Record:
-
Common issues:
- Incorrect county of search
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site archival storage
- Case sealed by court order
-
Next steps:
- Contact the Summit County District Court Clerk at (435) 336-4400
- Attempt alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check the Utah Division of Archives for historical records
- Consult a licensed Utah attorney for complex access issues
What Are Summit County Divorce Records?
Summit County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Summit County District Court. These records constitute part of the public court file and are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the family law case docket.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Proposed and final parenting plans
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree:
The final decree of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof of divorce and establishes:
- The date the marriage was dissolved
- Division of marital property and debts
- Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
- Child custody and parent-time arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Any court-ordered name restoration
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Summit County District Court Clerk.
Supporting Documents:
- Original marriage certificate submitted as evidence
- Financial disclosure documents
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Parenting plan attachments
- Post-judgment modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Legal Purposes:
- Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documenting name changes
- Supporting property transfer and title proceedings
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration proceedings requiring proof of prior marriage dissolution
- Social Security benefit determinations
Personal Purposes:
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal recordkeeping
- Verification of divorce terms for compliance purposes
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Summit County District Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of divorce case files, maintaining complete records indexed by party name and case number. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office maintains a separate registry of divorce certificates, which provide summary-level information distinct from the full court file.
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Utah are governed by Utah Code § 30-3, which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution of marriage. Access to court records is subject to the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), codified at Utah Code § 63G-2, which establishes the public's right of access to government records and the permissible bases for restricting that access.
Are Summit County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Summit County are public court records subject to the presumption of public access under Utah law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are subject to restriction or redaction.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Scheduled court hearing dates
- Court orders and judgments
- Final decree of dissolution
- Property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from public filings)
- Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal or with restricted access)
- Specific account balances (subject to redaction rules)
Children's Information:
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Names of schools children attend
- Medical and psychological records pertaining to children
- Child custody evaluation reports (may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Sexual abuse allegations and related evidence
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required at the clerk's office.
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view.
- Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files. Access to sealed records requires a court order. First Amendment considerations apply to news reporting on matters of public concern.
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use that information for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Summit County?
The Summit County District Court charges fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records in accordance with the Utah State Courts fee schedule. Current fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $4.00 per document |
| Certification fee | $4.00 |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Varies |
| Search fee | No separate search fee |
- Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public court records at no charge at the courthouse public access terminals.
- Certified copies: A certification fee applies to each document requiring an official court seal and signature.
- Payment methods: The Summit County District Court accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card for in-person requests. Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Summit County District Court.
- Fee waivers: Parties who qualify as indigent may petition the court for a waiver of fees pursuant to applicable Utah court rules.
- Free access: Basic case information, including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries, is available at no charge through the Utah Courts online case search portal.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Summit County
A complete Summit County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the court from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The following categories of documents are part of the standard case file.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and assigned judge
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Names and contact information of attorneys of record
- Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis
Initial Pleadings:
The petition for dissolution of marriage identifies both parties, states the date and location of the marriage, provides the date of separation if applicable, and sets forth the grounds for divorce. Under Utah law, the primary ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences, reflecting the state's no-fault framework. The petition also identifies minor children, states current custody arrangements, and requests specific relief regarding property, support, and custody. The respondent's answer admits or denies the allegations and may include a counterpetition.
Financial Affidavits:
Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities. These documents form the evidentiary basis for property division and support determinations.
Discovery Documents:
Discovery materials may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with descriptions and estimated values
- Debt inventory including mortgages, vehicle loans, and credit obligations
- Real property appraisals and business valuations
- Expert reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
Where minor children are involved, the case file includes a parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, a parent-time schedule covering regular, holiday, and vacation periods, a child support calculation worksheet, and any custody evaluation reports ordered by the court. Guardian ad litem reports, where a guardian has been appointed, are part of the file but may be subject to restricted access.
Support Documents:
Alimony or spousal support provisions, where ordered, specify the type of support, the monthly amount, the duration, and the conditions for modification or termination. Calculation worksheets documenting the parties' incomes, standard of living during the marriage, and the need and ability to pay are included in the file.
Settlement Documents:
A marital settlement agreement, where the parties have resolved issues by agreement, constitutes a comprehensive document addressing property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions. Mediation agreements may be incorporated into the settlement agreement, though the underlying mediation communications remain confidential.
Court Orders and Final Judgment:
Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case are part of the file. The final judgment of dissolution constitutes the court's definitive order ending the marriage, incorporating findings of fact and conclusions of law, and addressing all contested and agreed issues. Where retirement accounts are divided, a separate Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is prepared and filed.
Post-Judgment Documents:
Following entry of the final decree, the case file may be supplemented by petitions to modify custody or support, motions for contempt, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
- Residential addresses and school information for minor children
- Domestic violence evidence and related protective order materials
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Trade secret information in business valuations
- Mediation communications
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Summit County?
Proof of divorce in Summit County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution issued by the Summit County District Court. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the clerk's signature, making it acceptable for legal, governmental, and administrative purposes including remarriage, name change proceedings, and benefit applications.
Steps to obtain a certified copy:
- Identify the case number and filing county. If the case number is unknown, search the Utah Courts Case Search portal using the parties' names.
- Contact or visit the Summit County District Court Clerk at 60 North Main Street, Coalville, UT 84017, phone (435) 336-4400.
- Submit a written request identifying the case by number and party names, specifying the number of certified copies needed.
- Pay the applicable certification fee of $4.00 per document plus $0.25 per page.
- For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to the Summit County District Court.
Members of the public who require a divorce certificate rather than a certified court copy may order a vital record certificate through the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The vital records office maintains divorce certificates and issues them upon payment of the applicable fee. A divorce certificate provides summary information and is distinct from the full certified court decree.
Summit County District Court
60 North Main Street
Coalville, UT 84017
Phone: (435) 336-4400
Utah State Courts
Utah Department of Health and Human Services — Vital Records
288 North 1460 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Phone: (801) 538-6105
Utah Vital Records
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Summit County?
Divorce proceedings in Summit County are presumptively public under Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act. However, specific circumstances permit a court to restrict access to all or part of a divorce case file.
- Sealing by court order: A party may petition the court to seal records upon a showing of good cause. The court balances the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
- Domestic violence cases: Where a party has obtained a protective order or where the case involves allegations of domestic violence, the court may restrict access to addresses, contact information, and related evidence to protect the safety of the victim.
- Children's information: Information identifying the residential addresses, schools, or medical providers of minor children is subject to restriction under Utah court rules.
- Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all public filings as a matter of standard practice.
- Mental health and substance abuse records: Clinical records submitted as evidence may be filed under seal upon motion.
- Mediation communications: All communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and are not part of the public record.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The court rules on such motions on a case-by-case basis, with notice provided to the parties.
How Long Does Summit County Keep Divorce Records?
Summit County divorce records are retained in accordance with the Utah State Archives records retention schedules applicable to district court case files.
- Permanent retention: Final decrees of dissolution and the complete case files for contested divorce proceedings are retained permanently. These records are not subject to destruction.
- Archived records: Cases older than a specified number of years may be transferred from the active courthouse files to the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service, which maintains civil court records including divorce proceedings from 1896 to the present.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically through the Utah Courts e-filing system are maintained in the statewide electronic case management system and remain accessible through the court's online portal.
- Paper records: Older paper case files that have been transferred to the state archives may require advance notice for retrieval. Some older records have been digitized; others remain in paper form only.
- Post-judgment documents: Modification orders, contempt proceedings, and enforcement actions filed after the entry of the final decree are retained as part of the original case file for the same period.
- Vital records: The Utah Department of Health and Human Services retains divorce certificates in its vital records registry on a permanent basis.
Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service directly to confirm availability and request retrieval of archived materials.