Murray Utah Divorce Decree Search
Murray residents who need a Divorce Decree can find it through the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake County. Murray is a mid-sized city of about 50,000 people in the heart of the Salt Lake Valley. All divorce filings for Murray go through the district court system. The court clerk keeps every decree on file and can provide copies to anyone who requests them. This guide covers how to search, where to file, what fees to expect, and how Utah law shapes the process from start to finish.
Murray Quick Facts
Where to File a Murray Divorce Decree
Murray is part of Salt Lake County, so all divorce cases go to the Third Judicial District Court. The main courthouse is in downtown Salt Lake City. You file there, and the court clerk assigns a case number on the same day. That number lets you track your case and pull documents later.
The Third District covers all of Salt Lake County. Murray residents do not need to travel far. The courthouse is accessible by TRAX light rail and has parking nearby. Security screens everyone at the door, so bring a valid photo ID. Avoid bringing large bags when you visit to pick up your Divorce Decree in Murray.
| Court | Third Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 S State St Salt Lake City, UT 84111 |
| Phone | (801) 238-7300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Note: Murray also has a City Recorder who maintains city legal records. The City Recorder's office is a good starting point if you need background on local filings, but all Divorce Decree documents are kept at the district court level.
Murray City Divorce Decree Resources
The Murray City official website provides access to city services, local government contacts, and community resources that may help residents during a divorce.
While the city site does not manage court records, it links to local resources and can help you find the right contact for Murray-related matters outside of the courthouse.
How to Search Murray Divorce Decree Records
You have two main paths to find a Divorce Decree in Murray. The first is online through the Utah Courts case portal. The second is a direct visit to the courthouse clerk. Each method has trade-offs in speed, cost, and depth of information.
Online searches are free for basic case data. Go to utcourts.gov and use the case search tool. You can look up cases by party name or case number. Results show filing date, parties, and current status. This works well when you just need to confirm a case exists or find a case number. For the full Divorce Decree text, you will still need copies from the clerk.
The XChange system at xchange.utcourts.gov gives deeper access to Murray divorce records. It covers cases filed after 1997. There is a signup fee and a monthly charge, plus a small per-document fee. XChange suits researchers or attorneys who need to pull many records at once.
In-person visits to the courthouse let you review the full case file. Staff at the clerk's window can print plain or certified copies of a Divorce Decree. Certified copies cost more and carry an official stamp. Call ahead at (801) 238-7300 to confirm current copy fees before your trip.
Note: Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, every person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge during normal working hours. The Divorce Decree itself is a public record in Murray unless the court has sealed it by order.
Murray Divorce Decree Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Murray follows Utah state law. The process is the same for all Salt Lake County residents. Each step adds a document to the case file, and every filed document becomes part of the public record under Utah Code § 63G-2-201. The final Divorce Decree is the most important document in that file.
First, confirm you meet the residency rule. Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, at least one spouse must have lived in Utah and in Salt Lake County for three months before filing. Murray residents who have lived here for three months or more meet this test. Recent movers may need to wait before they can file in Salt Lake County.
Next, prepare and file the divorce petition at the Third District Court clerk. The filing fee is about $330. Pay by cash, check, or card at the clerk's window. Once filed, you must serve your spouse with a copy of the petition and summons. You can use the Salt Lake County Sheriff, a licensed process server, or another approved method. Proof of service goes into the case file in Murray.
Utah law allows no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences under Utah Code § 30-3-1. You can also cite fault grounds such as adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, habitual drunkenness, felony conviction, or cruel treatment. Most Murray couples file on no-fault grounds. The court accepts both approaches.
Utah requires a mandatory waiting period under Utah Code § 30-3-18. The wait is 30 days when there are no minor children and 90 days when minor children are involved. The court can waive this only for extraordinary circumstances. During the wait, the court can issue temporary orders for support, custody, and property use. If both spouses agree on all terms, the judge can sign the Divorce Decree once the waiting period ends. Property division falls under Utah Code § 30-3-5, which gives the court broad authority to divide assets and debts fairly.
Murray Divorce Decree and Minor Children
When minor children are part of a Murray divorce case, extra rules apply. The 90-day waiting period kicks in rather than the 30-day period. Both parents must complete a mandatory divorce education course under Utah Code § 30-3-11.2 before the court will sign the Divorce Decree. This course focuses on children's needs during and after the divorce. It is offered in person and online at approved providers.
The Divorce Decree in Murray will include a parenting plan, a child support order, and instructions for medical and dental coverage. Under Utah Code § 30-3-5, the court must address all of these issues before finalizing the decree. The custody terms and support amounts become binding court orders the moment the judge signs.
Note: Parents who ignore the mandatory education requirement will find their case delayed. The court will not set a final hearing until both parents show proof of completion.
Murray Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
Two separate documents confirm a divorce in Utah. The Divorce Decree is the full court order. It comes from the district court clerk in Murray's Third District. The decree spells out every term: property split, support amounts, custody schedule, and the legal end of the marriage.
A divorce certificate is a shorter document from the state health department. The Utah Office of Vital Records issues certificates for divorces from 1978 to 2010. You can order one by mail at 288 N 1460 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012, or call (801) 538-6105. The fee is $18 for the first copy and $10 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. After 2010, you go directly to the district court for copies.
Most legal and financial matters require the full Divorce Decree. Banks, title companies, and government agencies often ask for the decree rather than the certificate. If you are not sure which one you need, ask the requesting party before you order. Getting the wrong document wastes time and money for Murray residents.
Under Utah Code § 30-3-4, the Divorce Decree is open to public inspection. A court can seal supporting case documents, but the decree itself remains accessible. This means any person can request a copy of a Murray Divorce Decree from the Third District Court clerk, not just the parties involved.
Filing Your Own Murray Divorce Decree
Some Murray residents file for divorce without a lawyer. This is called filing pro se. It works best when both spouses agree on all terms and there are no complex property or custody issues. The court does not give legal advice, but several free resources can help you prepare.
The Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov has all standard divorce forms. The Online Court Assistance Program (OCAP) walks you through the forms step by step. It generates properly formatted documents based on your answers. Murray residents can use OCAP at no charge to create a petition, response, or final Divorce Decree for submission to the Third District Court.
The Third District Court clerk can tell you which forms you need and how to file them, but staff cannot give legal advice. If your case involves contested property, significant assets, or disputed child custody, talking to a family law attorney before filing is wise. A short consultation often prevents costly mistakes in Murray divorce cases.
Note: The Utah State Bar lawyer referral line is (801) 531-9077. You can also visit utcourts.gov for self-help guides specific to Salt Lake County and the Third District.
Historical Murray Divorce Decree Records
Older Murray divorce records follow different access rules. For divorces finalized between 1978 and 2010, the Utah Office of Vital Records holds certificates at vitalrecords.utah.gov. The full Divorce Decree from that period stays at the Third District Court. Certificates cost $18 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy.
For divorces before 1978, the Utah State Archives at archives.utah.gov may hold records. Salt Lake County civil and criminal case files going back to 1852 are part of the archives collection. Some older records are not indexed and require a chronological search. Research room hours and access instructions are on the archives website.
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-302, some information within divorce files, such as Social Security numbers and financial account data, is classified as private even when the Divorce Decree itself is public. Staff redact private data before releasing copies. Plan for this when you order records.
Salt Lake County Divorce Decree Records
Murray sits inside Salt Lake County, and every divorce filing goes through the Salt Lake County District Court. The county page has a full list of court locations, fee schedules, and related resources for Salt Lake County residents. Visit the county page for broader Salt Lake County information on divorce filings and records access.
Nearby Utah Cities
Residents of cities near Murray file for divorce through their own county courthouse. Select a city below for local divorce decree information.