Uintah County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Uintah County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Uintah County may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, state court systems, and online portals. UintahRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating publicly available data related to Uintah County government records. The types of records that may be found through official channels include, but are not limited to:
- Property deeds and land records
- Court filings (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, county clerk and recorder offices, public access terminals located at county facilities, and online tools maintained by the Uintah County government.
Online Access:
- The Uintah County property records portal allows members of the public to search property information by serial number, parcel number, owner name, or address. No registration is required to conduct a basic property search.
- Court records may be accessed through the Utah State Courts online case search system, which provides access to civil, criminal, and probate case information statewide.
- The county recorder's document index is open for public inspection at the Recorder's Office and through available online tools.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Uintah County Recorder's Office at 152 E 100 N, Vernal, Utah 84078. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the record sought and may be asked to complete a request form at the counter.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the Uintah County Recorder's Office, 152 E 100 N, Vernal, Utah 84078. Requests must include a sufficient description of the record, the requestor's name, and a return mailing address. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-204, a governmental entity must respond to a records request within ten business days.
Phone/Email:
- Main Phone: 435-781-0770
- Requestors may also contact the county through the official Uintah County website for department-specific contact information.
What Are Public Records in Uintah County?
Public records in Uintah County are defined under Utah state law as documents, data, and information prepared, owned, received, or retained by a governmental entity in the conduct of public business. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-103, a "record" includes any writing that contains information relating to the conduct or administration of the public's business prepared, owned, received, or retained by a governmental entity.
The following record types are maintained by Uintah County offices and accessible to the public:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Recorder |
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | District Court / Utah State Courts |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / Assessor |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commission / Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Auditor |
| Law enforcement records | Sheriff's Office (where permitted) |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
The Uintah County Recorder's Office is the primary custodian of land and property records. Court records are maintained by the Eighth Judicial District Court and are accessible through the Utah State Courts system.
Is Uintah County an Open Records County?
Uintah County operates in full compliance with Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, all records are public unless otherwise classified as private, controlled, or protected by statute.
As stated in the official description of the Uintah County Recorder's Office, "the records are open for public inspection," affirming the county's commitment to transparency under state law. GRAMA establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that any record not specifically exempted by statute is available for public inspection and copying.
The Utah State Archives notes that "GRAMA provides a framework for citizens to access government records while protecting legitimate privacy and security interests." County departments are required to designate a records officer and maintain a records retention schedule in accordance with state directives. Uintah County follows these requirements as part of its standard administrative operations.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Uintah County?
The fee structure for obtaining public records in Uintah County is governed by state law and county policy. Following the passage of HB-38, the Utah Legislature increased county recording fees by $5, a change that currently applies to documents recorded with the Uintah County Recorder's Office.
Standard fees applicable to public records requests include:
- Inspection: No fee is charged for inspecting records at a public counter or terminal.
- Paper copies: A per-page fee applies for printed copies; standard rates are set by county policy in accordance with state guidelines.
- Certified copies: An additional certification fee applies for documents requiring an official seal or certification.
- Electronic copies: Fees for electronic records may be assessed based on the cost of duplication.
- Search fees: Under GRAMA, a governmental entity may charge a reasonable fee for the time spent locating records when the request requires extraordinary effort.
Accepted payment methods at the Recorder's Office include cash, check, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as when the requester demonstrates that disclosure is in the public interest and the primary purpose is not commercial. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver must submit a written request explaining the basis for the waiver.
Does Uintah County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at Uintah County offices during regular business hours. Under GRAMA, governmental entities are required to allow inspection of public records without charge; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
The following free resources are currently available:
- Online property search: The Uintah County property search portal allows free searches by parcel number, owner name, or address without registration.
- Court records online: Basic case information is available at no cost through the Utah State Courts online search system.
- In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect land records, meeting minutes, and other public documents at the Recorder's Office and County Clerk's Office at no charge.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing a record in person carries no fee, obtaining a physical or electronic copy is subject to the county's standard fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Uintah County?
Any person may request public records in Uintah County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under GRAMA, there is no requirement that a requestor be a Utah resident or provide identification to access public records, except in cases involving records classified as private or controlled, where the requestor must demonstrate a legal basis for access.
Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for records classified as public. However, for records that are private or controlled, the requestor must provide a written statement of the legal basis for access, such as being the subject of the record or having a court order.
Non-residents retain the same rights as residents with respect to public records. Individuals requesting their own records—such as personal court filings or property documents—follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification of identity may be required for records containing sensitive personal information.
What Records Are Confidential in Uintah County?
Not all government records in Uintah County are available for public inspection. GRAMA establishes specific categories of records that are classified as private, controlled, or protected and are therefore exempt from public disclosure. The following record types are among those currently withheld from public access:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records
- Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information
- Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA and state law)
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of government employees (with limited exceptions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-302, records are classified as private when their disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or when the individual's interest in privacy outweighs the public's interest in access. A balancing test is applied in cases where the classification of a record is disputed, and requestors have the right to appeal a denial of access through the State Records Committee.
Uintah County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Office Name: Uintah County Recorder's Office
Physical Address: 152 E 100 N Vernal, Utah 84078
Phone: 435-781-0770 Website: Uintah County Recorder
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Additional Offices:
Uintah County Clerk's Office 152 E 100 N Vernal, Utah 84078 Phone: 435-781-0770 Uintah County UT
Eighth Judicial District Court – Uintah County 920 E Highway 40 Vernal, Utah 84078 Phone: 435-781-9300 Utah State Courts – case search and court information
Uintah County Assessor's Office 152 E 100 N Vernal, Utah 84078 Phone: 435-781-0770 Uintah County UT