Daggett County Divorce Decree and Court Records
Daggett County divorce decree records are held by the Eighth District Court in Manila, Utah. Daggett County is the least populous county in Utah, and its court operates on a very limited schedule. Anyone seeking a divorce judgment, dissolution of marriage case file, or certified copy of a divorce decree in Daggett County must contact the court clerk in advance to confirm session dates. Manila is the county seat, and all divorce filings for Daggett County residents are processed through the Eighth Judicial District Court located there.
Daggett County Quick Facts
Eighth District Court for Daggett County Divorce Decrees
The Eighth Judicial District Court handles all divorce cases in Daggett County. The Eighth District serves Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah counties. Due to Daggett County's extremely small population, the court holds sessions in Manila only one day per month. This is a critical fact to know before you plan a visit. Call the court ahead of time to confirm the next available session date before traveling to Manila.
The Eighth District Court in Manila maintains all Daggett County divorce decrees as permanent records. The clerk can search for dissolution of marriage cases, pull files, and provide copies. Despite the limited schedule, the court functions as a full court of record. All documents filed in a Daggett County divorce case are retained in the official case file. Public terminals at the courthouse allow free access to the case index when the court is open.
The Eighth District Court website lists court locations and contact details for Daggett County and the surrounding district.
The Eighth District Court in Manila holds sessions one day per month and maintains all Daggett County divorce filings and decrees.
| Court |
Eighth District Court P.O. Box 100 Manila, UT 84046 Phone: (435) 784-3241 |
|---|---|
| Session Schedule | One day per month -- call to confirm date |
| Daggett County Clerk |
P.O. Box 219 Manila, UT 84046 Phone: (435) 784-3154 |
| Courthouse Address | 95 N 1st W, Manila, UT 84046 |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Note: The Daggett County Justice Court has no jurisdiction over divorce cases. All dissolution of marriage proceedings must go through the Eighth District Court.
Searching Daggett County Divorce Records
Because the Eighth District Court in Manila operates on such a limited schedule, online search tools are especially valuable for Daggett County divorce record searches. The Utah Courts XChange system lets you search divorce cases from home. XChange covers cases filed after 1997. You can search by party name or case number. Registration is required, and there are small fees per search and per document. For many people researching a Daggett County divorce case, XChange will provide enough information to confirm the case exists and get the basic details before contacting the court.
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, every person has the right to inspect public court records free of charge. This means Daggett County divorce decrees are public records you can view during court hours. However, given the one-day-per-month schedule, planning ahead is essential. Written requests submitted by mail may be a practical alternative to in-person visits for many people seeking copies of Daggett County divorce decrees.
Historical Daggett County divorce records date back to when the county was created from Uintah County on January 7, 1919. Daggett County was named for Ellsworth Daggett, the first surveyor-general of Utah. The small population means the total volume of divorce cases is low, which can make individual record searches more manageable. The Utah State Archives holds historical divorce records for Daggett County and can assist with older research requests.
Filing for Divorce in Daggett County
The process for filing a dissolution of marriage case in Daggett County follows Utah law. Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, one spouse must have been a resident of Utah and of Daggett County for at least three months before the divorce petition can be filed. Given the small population of Daggett County, the court staff know that advance coordination is important. Call before you come.
You file the petition with the Eighth District Court clerk and pay the filing fee of approximately $330. The clerk assigns a case number, and the file stays in Manila for the life of the case. After filing, you serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. The court will schedule a hearing for a future session day. Because sessions happen only once a month, the timeline for completing a Daggett County divorce case may take longer than in more populated counties.
Utah law sets a minimum waiting period before a decree can be entered. Under Utah Code § 30-3-18, the wait is 30 days for cases without minor children and 90 days when minor children are involved. If children are part of the case, both parties must complete a mandatory divorce orientation course under Utah Code § 30-3-11.2. The final Daggett County divorce decree sets out the complete terms of the dissolution, including property division under Utah Code § 30-3-5, and remains enforceable as a permanent court order.
Note: Claims about property and support should be stated in the petition or response. The court resolves all related issues within the same divorce case in Daggett County.
What Daggett County Divorce Decrees Contain
A Daggett County divorce decree is the formal court order ending the marriage. It is signed by an Eighth District Court judge and entered into the permanent record by the clerk. The decree is subject to Utah Code § 30-3-4, which specifies what the document must contain.
Daggett County divorce decrees typically show the names of both spouses, the date the petition was filed, the grounds for the dissolution of marriage, and any orders on property, debts, and spousal support. Decrees involving children also contain custody terms, child support amounts, and provisions for medical coverage. These are the elements most commonly needed for legal purposes such as refinancing a home, changing a name on a title, or verifying marital status.
The full case file contains additional documents including the original petition, proofs of service, and any agreements reached by the parties. Some information about minor children and detailed financial data may be redacted from public copies. The decree itself remains available for public inspection. For divorces between 1978 and 2010, a shorter divorce certificate can also be requested from the Utah Office of Vital Records at (801) 538-6105 for $18 per certified copy. That certificate confirms the event but does not include the terms of the decree.
Historical Daggett County Divorce Records and Archives
Daggett County has existed as a separate county only since 1919, which means its historical divorce record collection is smaller than most Utah counties. Even so, these records are maintained and accessible.
The Utah State Archives and Records Service holds historical records from Daggett County going back to its founding. The Archives is located at 300 S. Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. Researchers can search the online catalog or contact the Archives for assistance finding specific divorce cases. Microfilm copies of older records are available.
The Utah State Archives maintains historical Daggett County divorce filings and can assist researchers looking for older dissolution of marriage records.
For genealogical research, FamilySearch maintains a Daggett County resource that includes references to court records held by the County Clerk from 1919 forward. The county courthouse is located at 95 N 1st W in Manila. Very limited staff serve the county, so written requests with clear details about the case you are seeking will receive the fastest response from the Daggett County Clerk at (435) 784-3154.
Note: Under Utah Code § 26-2-22, divorce certificates held by the state become public records after 75 years. For recent Daggett County divorces, access is limited to parties, immediate family members, and those with a direct legal interest.
Nearby Counties
Daggett County borders three other Utah counties. File a divorce petition in the county where you reside so the court has proper jurisdiction over your case.