South Salt Lake Divorce Decree Records
South Salt Lake is a Salt Lake County city with about 25,000 residents, located just south of Salt Lake City along the I-15 corridor. If you are searching for a Divorce Decree from South Salt Lake, the record is held at the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake City. All divorce cases from South Salt Lake go through that court. The city has made clear in its own FAQ that divorce cases must be filed in District Court, not at the city level. This page explains how to find and obtain South Salt Lake divorce records, what the filing process involves, and where to get certified copies of a decree.
South Salt Lake Quick Facts
Where to File a South Salt Lake Divorce Decree
South Salt Lake residents must file for divorce at the Third Judicial District Court. The courthouse is at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City. This court handles all Salt Lake County divorce cases, including those from South Salt Lake. The city itself does not handle divorce filings of any kind.
| 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 |
The South Salt Lake City government has explicitly stated in its public FAQ that divorce cases must be filed in District Court. Do not attempt to file at the South Salt Lake Justice Court or at City Hall. The Justice Court handles minor civil matters, infractions, and ordinance cases but does not have jurisdiction over divorce. All South Salt Lake Divorce Decree filings belong at the Third Judicial District Court at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City.
Note: If you are uncertain which court handles a specific legal matter in South Salt Lake, call the Third District Court at (801) 238-7300. Court staff can confirm whether your case type belongs in district court or elsewhere.
South Salt Lake City Resources
The South Salt Lake City official website offers municipal services and city government information for residents of South Salt Lake.
For divorce filings and South Salt Lake Divorce Decree records, always contact the Third District Court directly or use the Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov.
How to Search South Salt Lake Divorce Decree Cases
Searching for a South Salt Lake Divorce Decree can be done online or in person. Both methods give you access to the same public record. Your choice depends on how much information you need and whether you need official certified documents.
The free case search at utcourts.gov is the fastest starting point. Enter a party name or case number and the system returns filing dates, case status, and other basic details for any South Salt Lake divorce case on file. This tool covers all Third District Court cases and costs nothing to use. It is good for confirming a case exists and finding the case number before you make other requests.
The XChange system at xchange.utcourts.gov provides deeper document-level searches for a small fee. XChange covers cases filed after 1997 and charges per search. A monthly subscription is available if you run many searches. XChange is especially useful when you want to review specific filings without traveling to Salt Lake City.
For a full in-person review, visit the Third District Court clerk at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City. Staff can retrieve the case file for any South Salt Lake Divorce Decree. You can review the documents on site and order plain or certified copies. Bring a valid photo ID and the case number or names of both parties. Call (801) 238-7300 ahead of time to confirm what you need to bring and the current copy fee schedule.
South Salt Lake Divorce Decree Filing Process
Filing for divorce in South Salt Lake follows the same steps as any Utah divorce. The rules come from state law. The court you file at is the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake City. Every document you submit creates part of the official record that leads to the final South Salt Lake Divorce Decree.
Residency is the first requirement. Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, at least one spouse must have been a Utah resident and a Salt Lake County resident for at least three months before filing. South Salt Lake residents who have lived in the city for more than three months meet this requirement. If you are newly arrived, check your exact move-in date before submitting your petition.
Utah offers divorce on no-fault and fault-based grounds. No-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences is the most common path. Fault grounds under Utah Code § 30-3-1 include adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, willful neglect to provide basic necessities, habitual drunkenness, felony conviction, cruel treatment causing bodily injury or great mental distress, and irreconcilable differences. Most South Salt Lake residents choose the no-fault option for its simplicity.
You file the divorce petition at the Third District Court. The filing fee is approximately $330. Once filed, you must serve your spouse. Approved methods include a licensed process server, the Salt Lake County Sheriff, or certified mail under certain conditions. Proof of service must be filed with the court clerk before the case can proceed to a hearing.
Utah law requires a waiting period before the court can issue a final South Salt Lake Divorce Decree. Under Utah Code § 30-3-18, the court cannot hold a final hearing until at least 30 days have passed since filing. When minor children are involved, the waiting period extends to 90 days. The court may also require both parties to attend a mandatory divorce orientation education course under Utah Code § 30-3-11.2 when children are part of the case.
When both parties agree on all terms, they can submit a stipulated settlement agreement. The judge reviews the agreement and, if satisfied, signs the final South Salt Lake Divorce Decree. Property and debts are divided under Utah Code § 30-3-5. The decree becomes a public record under Utah Code § 63G-2-201 once the judge enters it.
Copies of South Salt Lake Divorce Decree Records
Once a South Salt Lake divorce is final, you can get copies through the district court or the state vital records office, depending on when the divorce happened and what type of document you need.
The full South Salt Lake Divorce Decree is available from the Third District Court clerk at 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for legal matters like real property transfers, name changes, and benefit updates. Plain copies are cheaper and fine for personal files. Call (801) 238-7300 to ask about current copy fees and the preferred request process.
The Utah Office of Vital Records maintains divorce certificates for divorces from 1978 through 2010. A certificate is a short document that confirms the divorce took place. It does not include the full terms of the court order. Certificates cost $18 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Mail requests to: 288 North 1460 West, P.O. Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012. Phone: (801) 538-6105.
For divorces outside the 1978-2010 range, go directly to the Third District Court. The Utah State Archives also holds historical Salt Lake County divorce records at their research room at 300 S. Rio Grande Street in Salt Lake City. Historical records are available at no charge for in-person research.
Salt Lake County Divorce Records
South Salt Lake is part of Salt Lake County. All divorce cases from South Salt Lake are filed through the Salt Lake County district court system. For county-wide resources, full fee schedules, and related records, visit the Salt Lake County page below.
Nearby Utah Cities
Residents of nearby cities file for divorce at their own county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn about divorce records in that area.