Uintah County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Uintah County in 2026
UintahRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Uintah County, Utah. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, party names, filing dates, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and post-judgment modification orders. Access and completeness may vary depending on the age of the record and applicable privacy protections.
Divorce records in Uintah County may be searched through official court resources, the clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and authorized online tools. The Eighth District Court, which serves Uintah County, maintains the primary repository of divorce case files. The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service notes that the Eighth District Court was formed in 1988 and consists of Daggett County, Duchesne County, and Uintah County, with district courts deciding most cases in the state.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search — Xchange
The Utah Courts system provides Xchange: Public Case Search, the primary online tool for locating divorce case records filed in Utah district courts. Images of public documents filed in district court cases are available for purchase through Xchange, and the database is complete for all courts since they began using the electronic filing system.
- Access is available at the Utah Courts website
- Basic case information is searchable at no charge
- Document images require a fee per page
- Search by party name, case number, or filing date
2. Utah State Vital Records
The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics maintains a statewide registry of divorce records. Members of the public may order a vital record certificate directly through the state portal. Records for marriages and divorces are available from 1978 to 2010 through the state office. For divorces finalized prior to 1978, requests must be directed to the county clerk's office where the divorce was granted.
- Divorce certificates available for the period 1978–2010
- Fees apply per certificate
- Online, mail, and in-person ordering options available
3. Utah State Archives — Civil Court Records
For older divorce records, the Civil Court Records guide maintained by the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service provides research guidance. Divorce records are available from 1896 to the present through the Archives, making this resource particularly valuable for genealogical and historical research.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Eighth District Court, Uintah County
Uintah County District Court
920 West 400 North
Vernal, UT 84078
Phone: (435) 781-9300
Utah Courts – Eighth District
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Case file searches by party name or case number
- Viewing of public court documents
- Requests for certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Public access computer terminals
- Staff assistance for locating records
By Mail
Written requests for divorce records may be submitted by mail to the Eighth District Court clerk's office.
Mail requests to:
Uintah County District Court Clerk
920 West 400 North
Vernal, UT 84078
Include the following with each written request:
- Full legal names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce or filing year
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Stated purpose of the request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on record volume and whether the file requires retrieval from off-site storage.
By Phone
Limited information is available by telephone:
- Eighth District Court Clerk: (435) 781-9300
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date
- Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or any information classified as confidential under applicable court rules
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Utah may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting sealed or restricted documents upon a proper showing of need. The Utah State Bar provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters. Attorney access is particularly useful in cases involving sealed records, complex property disputes, or post-judgment enforcement proceedings.
Information Needed for Search
Essential information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of the divorce
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate year or date range of the divorce
- Case number, if previously obtained
Helpful supplemental information:
- Date and location of the marriage
- Last known addresses of both parties at the time of filing
- Names of minor children involved in the case
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in the Correct County
Divorce proceedings in Utah are filed in the district court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, one spouse must have been a resident of Utah for at least three months immediately preceding the filing of the divorce action. If the county of filing is uncertain, requestors may need to search multiple counties or consult the statewide Xchange system.
Time Considerations
Recent divorces:
- Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
- Allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final order is entered
- Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm availability
Older divorces:
- Records predating electronic filing may be stored in paper format or off-site archives
- Digitization is not complete for all historical records
- Additional retrieval time should be anticipated for archived files
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a divorce record may not be located include:
- The divorce was filed in a different county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case remains pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in physical archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
If a record cannot be located through standard searches, requestors may contact the clerk's office at (435) 781-9300, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, consult the Utah State Archives civil court records database, or retain an attorney to conduct a professional records search.
What Are Uintah County Divorce Records?
Uintah County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Eighth District Court. These records constitute part of the public court file and are maintained by the clerk of court as permanent legal records of the judicial process. Under Utah law, divorce proceedings are governed by Utah Code § 30-3-1 et seq., which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution of marriage in the state.
Types of divorce records maintained by the Eighth District Court include:
Court Case Files:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, orders, and stipulations
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree of Divorce:
- The official court order terminating the marriage
- Serves as legal proof of divorce for all purposes
- Establishes the date of dissolution
- Documents division of marital property and debts
- Sets forth alimony or spousal support terms, if any
- Establishes child custody, parent-time, and child support arrangements, if applicable
- Authorizes name restoration, if requested
- Certified copies are available from the clerk of court
Supporting and Post-Judgment Documents:
- Original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
- Financial disclosure documents and asset inventories
- Property appraisals and business valuations
- Modification orders entered after the final decree
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement account division
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The clerk of the Eighth District Court serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files for Uintah County. The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service maintains historical civil court records, including divorce records dating from 1896 to the present, and provides research guidance for accessing archived files. The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics maintains a separate registry of divorce certificates for the period 1978 through 2010.
Are Uintah County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in the Eighth District Court are public court records subject to the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act ([GRAMA], Utah Code § 63G-2-101 et seq.). Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are restricted or sealed to protect sensitive personal and financial data.
What is public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of both parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and outcomes
- Final divorce decree and property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments
What may be restricted or redacted:
Financial information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
- Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
- Specific account balances (subject to redaction rules)
Children's information:
- Names and addresses of minor children (subject to redaction)
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of 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 records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Medical records submitted as exhibits
Sealed records may be ordered by the court in cases involving abuse, high-profile parties, confidential settlements, or other circumstances where the court finds that the privacy interest outweighs the public interest in access. Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public court record.
Who may access divorce records:
| Requestor Category | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents and docket entries |
| Parties to the case | Full access to their own case file |
| Licensed attorneys | Case files; sealed records upon proper showing |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; sealed records require court order |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted records |
Prohibited uses of divorce records include stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, and any use that violates an existing protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background verification, genealogical research, news reporting protected by the First Amendment, and academic research.
Members of the public seeking access to confidential or sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating good cause. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in transparency and the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Uintah County?
The Eighth District Court charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with the Utah Court fee schedule established under Utah Code § 78A-2-301. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:
Standard copy and certification fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain paper copies (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $4.00 per document |
| Certification seal | Included with certified copy fee |
| Xchange document image (online) | $0.25 per page |
| Record search by staff | No separate search fee |
Vital records fees (Utah Office of Vital Records):
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (state registry) | $18.00 per certificate |
| Additional copies ordered at same time | $8.00 each |
Accepted payment methods at the courthouse:
- Cash
- Check or money order payable to "Eighth District Court"
- Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard)
Online payments through the Xchange system require a valid credit or debit card. Fees are charged per page of document images accessed.
Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals who demonstrate financial hardship. A fee waiver application must be submitted to the clerk of court and approved by a judge prior to the request being processed. Parties who are already litigants in an active case may be entitled to access their own case file without additional copy fees for in-person review at the courthouse.
Inspection of public court records at the courthouse public access terminals is available at no charge. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Uintah County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Eighth District Court contains all documents filed by the parties, issued by the court, and entered into the record from the date of initial filing through the resolution of any post-judgment proceedings. The scope of a given file depends on whether the case was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Basic case information included in every file:
- Case caption with case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Name of the assigned judge
- Names and bar numbers of attorneys of record
- Filing date and case type designation
- Jurisdiction basis (residency of the filing party)
Initial pleadings:
The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (Utah is a no-fault state permitting divorce on the ground of irreconcilable differences), information regarding minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer or response sets forth the respondent's position, admissions or denials of the petition's allegations, and any counterpetition for relief.
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly living expenses, all marital and separate assets, and all liabilities. These documents form the evidentiary basis for property division and support determinations.
Discovery and financial disclosure documents:
- Recent tax returns (federal and state)
- Pay stubs and employer verification
- Bank and investment account statements
- Retirement account statements
- Credit card and loan statements
- Business financial statements, if applicable
- Written interrogatories and answers under oath
- Responses to requests for production of documents
Property-related documents:
- Marital asset inventory listing real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property with estimated values
- Debt inventory listing mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, and other liabilities
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations prepared by qualified experts
- Personal property appraisals for significant items
Children-related documents (when applicable):
The parenting plan filed in cases involving minor children addresses legal custody (decision-making authority), physical custody and primary residence, the regular parent-time schedule, holiday and vacation schedules, transportation arrangements, and provisions for relocation. The child support calculation worksheet documents each parent's gross income, the number of overnights with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses, producing the support amount ordered in accordance with the Utah Child Support Guidelines.
Custody evaluations ordered by the court contain the evaluator's findings, home study results, child interview summaries, and recommendations regarding custody and parent-time. Guardian ad litem reports, when a guardian is appointed to represent the children's interests, contain the guardian's findings and recommendations and are subject to restricted access.
Settlement documents:
The marital settlement agreement, when the parties resolve their case by agreement, is a comprehensive document addressing all issues in the case, including the division of every identified asset and debt, spousal support terms, child-related provisions, tax filing arrangements, attorney fee allocation, and any other terms the parties negotiate. Mediation agreements, when mediation is used, may be incorporated into the settlement agreement but the mediation communications themselves remain confidential.
Court orders and final judgment:
Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case address interim custody, support, use of the marital home, and restraining provisions. The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the court's definitive order terminating the marriage, incorporating or superseding all prior orders, and establishing the permanent rights and obligations of both parties. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, when retirement accounts are divided, are separate court orders directing plan administrators to divide retirement benefits in accordance with the divorce decree.
Post-judgment documents:
Petitions to modify custody, parent-time, or support; court orders on modification requests; contempt motions and orders; income deduction orders for support enforcement; and any other post-judgment filings become part of the original case file and are accessible through the same search methods as the original divorce record.
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Uintah County?
Proof of divorce in Uintah County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution of marriage issued by the Eighth District Court or through a divorce certificate issued by the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
Certified copy of the final decree (court-issued):
A certified copy of the final decree bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally acceptable proof of divorce for remarriage, name change, immigration, Social Security, and other official purposes.
Uintah County District Court
920 West 400 North
Vernal, UT 84078
Phone: (435) 781-9300
Utah Courts – Eighth District
- Request in person at the clerk's window during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
- Submit a written request by mail with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Order document images through Xchange: Public Case Search for electronic access
- Fee: $4.00 per certified document plus $0.25 per page for copies
Divorce certificate (state vital records):
For divorces finalized between 1978 and 2010, a divorce certificate may be ordered through the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Members of the public may order a vital record certificate online, by mail, or in person. The state-issued certificate confirms that a divorce was granted but contains less detail than a certified copy of the full decree.
Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics
288 North 1460 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Phone: (801) 538-6105
Utah Vital Records
For divorces finalized prior to 1978, the certified copy must be obtained directly from the Eighth District Court clerk's office in Vernal, as state-level registration of divorce records did not begin until 1978.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Uintah County?
A divorce proceeding in Uintah County may be partially or fully confidential under specific legal circumstances, though complete sealing of an entire divorce case is uncommon. Utah courts apply a presumption of public access to court records under GRAMA and the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, but the court retains authority to restrict access to particular documents or entire files upon a proper showing.
Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential:
- Domestic violence cases: Addresses, contact information, and identifying details of protected parties may be withheld from public records to prevent harm
- Child protection: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological information of minor children are subject to redaction under Utah court rules
- Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed account statements, and trade secret information related to business valuations may be filed under seal by court order
- Mental health and substance abuse records: Records protected under federal and state confidentiality statutes are not disclosed in public court files
- Mediation communications: All communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and do not become part of the public record
- Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion to seal specific documents or the entire case file; the court grants such motions only upon a finding that the privacy interest substantially outweighs the public interest in access
- Confidential settlements: Terms of private settlement negotiations are not filed with the court and remain outside the public record
Members of the public seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Eighth District Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Uintah County Keep Divorce Records?
The Eighth District Court retains divorce records in accordance with the Utah State Archives retention schedules established for district court case files. Divorce records are among the most permanently retained categories of court records in Utah, reflecting their ongoing legal significance for the parties and their descendants.
Retention periods for Uintah County divorce records:
- Final decrees and judgments: Retained permanently; these documents are never destroyed
- Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of the final order, with permanent retention for cases involving significant legal precedent or public interest
- Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 30 years from the date of the final order
- Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the duration of the case file's retention period
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file; subject to the same retention schedule as the overall file
- State vital records (divorce certificates, 1978–2010): Retained permanently by the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics
- Utah State Archives holdings: The Civil Court Records collection at the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service preserves divorce records dating from 1896 to the present
Records that have reached the end of their active retention period at the courthouse may be transferred to the Utah State Archives for permanent preservation. Researchers seeking records transferred to the Archives may submit requests directly to the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service.