Utah ranks 37th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#48of 51
Speed#36of 51
Ease of ordering#20of 51
Birth certificates #40 of 51
Cost
$25 first copy, $10 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: about 6 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office; local offices often same day
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6–7 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or a local health department
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State records from 1905
Marriage records #30 of 51
Cost
$25 first copy, $10 each extra copy (state abstracts, 1978–2010 only)
Processing time
Mail: about 6 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office; local offices often same day
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6–7 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or a local county office
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
The state holds 1978–2010 only; other years from the County Clerk
Divorce records #21 of 51
Cost
$25 first copy, $10 each extra copy (state abstracts, 1978–2010 only)
Processing time
Mail: about 6 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office; local offices often same day
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6–7 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or a local county office
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
The state holds 1978–2010 only; other years from the District Court
Death certificates #46 of 51
Cost
$35 first copy, $10 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: about 6 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office; local offices often same day
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6–7 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or a local health department
Order online
Yes, through the state
Records available
State records from 1905
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Utah birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Utah birth certificate?
A certified Utah birth certificate costs $25, plus $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. The fastest way is in person at a local health department, which offers same-day service. You can also order online from the State of Utah, or by mail (allow at least 6 weeks).
Utah birth records: ordering details
Who can order
The person named on the record, an immediate family member, a legal guardian or a designated legal representative. Family members must show proof of relationship (for example, birth certificates with common parents for siblings, or a marriage record for a spouse). Guardians may be asked for the court order, and legal representatives need a letter of legal need from the agency requiring the record.
Fee
$25 for the first certified copy; $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered the same day. If no record is found, you are charged the same amount for a certificate of search. Extras: expedited processing $25 and expedited shipping $30 (mail and online orders); online orders add a $4 convenience fee, $2 identity verification and a $0.75 card fee. A copy of the original book record, where one exists, is $5 more (none for births after 1999).
How to order
Online:the State of Utah’s official ordering site, which the state recommends and says has the lowest fees. In person:most local health departments offer same-day service (last orders 30 minutes before closing). The state office in Salt Lake City no longer has a walk-in window. By mail: the Birth Certificate Application (form 104), a photocopy of the front and back of your ID, and the fee to Vital Records, PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012.
ID needed
One current primary ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. or foreign passport, military ID, tribal ID, permanent resident card or matricula consular. Or two secondary documents, such as a pay stub or W-2, school ID, voter card, Social Security card, vehicle registration, utility bill or insurance card. See the full ID list. Mail orders need a copy of the front and back.
Processing time
In person: same day. Mail: the state says to allow at least 6 weeks for processing and mailing on its ordering page (its getting-started page says at least 3 weeks). Online: no standard time is published; online orders placed before 1 p.m. Mountain time with the expedite fee can arrive the next business day. Estimate: about 6–7 weeks to have it in hand by mail.
Older and local records
The state has Utah births from 1905 to the present. Birth records become public after 100 years; you can search some public records at the Utah State Archives.
Tip: For a new baby, you can order right away. The state says registration takes up to 10 days, and it mails the certificate as soon as the birth is registered.
A certified Utah death certificate costs $35, plus $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You can get one the same day at most local health departments, or order online from the State of Utah or by mail.
Utah death records: ordering details
Who can order
Someone with a “direct, tangible, and legitimate interest”: a member of the deceased person’s immediate family, the guardian of the deceased, or a designated legal representative. Family members must show proof of relationship.
Fee
$35 for the first certified copy; $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered the same day. If no record is found, you are charged the same amount for a certificate of search. Extras: expedited processing $25 and expedited shipping $30 (mail and online orders); online orders add a $4 convenience fee, $2 identity verification and a $0.75 card fee. A reissue within 90 days of the original request is $3.
How to order
Online:the State of Utah’s official ordering site, which the state recommends and says has the lowest fees. In person:most local health departments offer same-day service (last orders 30 minutes before closing). The state office in Salt Lake City no longer has a walk-in window. By mail: the Death Certificate Application (form 200), a photocopy of the front and back of your ID, and the fee to Vital Records, PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012.
ID needed
One current primary ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. or foreign passport, military ID, tribal ID, permanent resident card or matricula consular. Or two secondary documents, such as a pay stub or W-2, school ID, voter card, Social Security card, vehicle registration, utility bill or insurance card. See the full ID list. Mail orders need a copy of the front and back.
Processing time
In person: same day. Mail: the state says to allow at least 6 weeks for processing and mailing on its ordering page (its getting-started page says at least 3 weeks). Online: no standard time is published; online orders placed before 1 p.m. Mountain time with the expedite fee can arrive the next business day. Estimate: about 6–7 weeks to have it in hand by mail.
Older and local records
The state has Utah deaths from 1905 to the present. Death records become public after 50 years at the Utah State Archives.
Tip: Order all the copies you need at once. Extra copies are $10 each when ordered the same day, compared with $35 for a new first copy later.
It depends on the year. The state Office of Vital Records only has marriages from 1978 to 2010, and issues a certified copy for $25. For any other year, contact the county clerk in the county where the marriage license was filed.
Utah marriage records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. verification
The state issues a certified marriage certificate (an abstract) for 1978–2010 only. County clerks hold the marriage records they filed; contact the county clerk for copies from other years.
Who can order
The person named on the record, an immediate family member, a legal guardian or a designated legal representative. Family members must show proof of relationship (for example, birth certificates with common parents for siblings, or a marriage record for a spouse). Guardians may be asked for the court order, and legal representatives need a letter of legal need from the agency requiring the record.
Fee
State (1978–2010): $25 for the first certified copy; $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered the same day. If no record is found, you are charged the same amount for a certificate of search. Extras: expedited processing $25 and expedited shipping $30 (mail and online orders); online orders add a $4 convenience fee, $2 identity verification and a $0.75 card fee. County clerk copies: fees set by the county.
One current primary ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. or foreign passport, military ID, tribal ID, permanent resident card or matricula consular. Or two secondary documents, such as a pay stub or W-2, school ID, voter card, Social Security card, vehicle registration, utility bill or insurance card. See the full ID list. Mail orders need a copy of the front and back. County clerks set their own requirements.
Processing time
State orders: In person: same day. Mail: the state says to allow at least 6 weeks for processing and mailing on its ordering page (its getting-started page says at least 3 weeks). Online: no standard time is published; online orders placed before 1 p.m. Mountain time with the expedite fee can arrive the next business day. Estimate: about 6–7 weeks to have it in hand by mail. County clerks: contact the office.
Older records
Marriage records become public after 75 years. For marriages before 1978, contact the county clerk; you can search some public records at the Utah State Archives.
Tip: Check the year first. Married in 2011 or later? Skip the state and go straight to the county clerk.
The state Office of Vital Records only has divorces from 1978 to 2010, and issues a divorce certificate for $25. For other years, or for the divorce decree itself, contact the district court where the divorce was finalized.
Utah divorce records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. verification
The state issues divorce certificates only (1978–2010). Divorce decrees come from the district court where the divorce was filed.
Who can order
The person named on the record, an immediate family member, a legal guardian or a designated legal representative. Family members must show proof of relationship (for example, birth certificates with common parents for siblings, or a marriage record for a spouse). Guardians may be asked for the court order, and legal representatives need a letter of legal need from the agency requiring the record.
Fee
State (1978–2010): $25 for the first certified copy; $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered the same day. If no record is found, you are charged the same amount for a certificate of search. Extras: expedited processing $25 and expedited shipping $30 (mail and online orders); online orders add a $4 convenience fee, $2 identity verification and a $0.75 card fee. Court copies: fees set by the court.
How to order
1978–2010 certificate:Online:the State of Utah’s official ordering site, which the state recommends and says has the lowest fees. In person:most local health departments offer same-day service (last orders 30 minutes before closing). The state office in Salt Lake City no longer has a walk-in window. By mail: the Marriage/Divorce Certificate Request (form 405), a photocopy of the front and back of your ID, and the fee to Vital Records, PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012. Other years, or the decree: the Utah district court where the divorce was finalized.
ID needed
One current primary ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. or foreign passport, military ID, tribal ID, permanent resident card or matricula consular. Or two secondary documents, such as a pay stub or W-2, school ID, voter card, Social Security card, vehicle registration, utility bill or insurance card. See the full ID list. Mail orders need a copy of the front and back. Courts set their own requirements.
Processing time
State orders: In person: same day. Mail: the state says to allow at least 6 weeks for processing and mailing on its ordering page (its getting-started page says at least 3 weeks). Online: no standard time is published; online orders placed before 1 p.m. Mountain time with the expedite fee can arrive the next business day. Estimate: about 6–7 weeks to have it in hand by mail. Courts: contact the clerk.
Older records
Divorce records become public after 75 years. For divorces before 1978, contact the district court where the divorce was finalized.
Tip: If you need the terms of the divorce, not just proof it happened, ask the district court for the decree; the state only issues certificates.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Utah records people search for
Official Utah sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Utah public records
Certificate Information
Utah Department of Health maintains records for births for 100 years, deaths for 50 years and marriage/divorce records for 75 years
after the date of occurance. Older records are housed at the Division of Archives & Records Service. Copies of records can be
ordered online through the VitalChek service, over the phone, in person or by mail. Search for birth certificates cost $18 dollars
and death records cost $16 dollars.
Office of Vital Records and Statistics
288 North 1460 West
PO Box 141012
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
866-632-2602
The state office has marriage and divorce records for events between 1978 and 2008. A more complete records list is available from the County
Clerk's Office or the Clerk of the District Court. Searches from the state office cost $16 dollars for the first copy and $8 dollars each
additional copy.
Adoption records less than 100 years old in Utah are considered sealed records and are not available for inspeciton except by a
court order. A petition must be filed by the county court that heard the adoption case to start a record search. Adoption
records older than 100 years old are considered public records and open for geneological searches.
Adoption Reunion Registry
Department of Health
Vital Statistics
288 N. 1460 W.
PO Box 141012
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012
Telephone: (801) 538-6363
The AGRC Cadastral Surveyor and county level recorders and surveyors manage and maintain the Utah Parcel online application. Each
of the 29 counties compile parcel and property data to form a state wide GIS layer.
