Davis County Divorce Decree Records
Davis County divorce decree records are maintained by the Second District Court, which operates three courthouse locations across the county in Farmington, Bountiful, and Layton. Davis County is one of Utah's most populous counties and one of the original counties created at statehood, with court records going back to 1850. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, want to search for a dissolution of marriage case, or plan to file a new divorce petition, the Second District Court clerk's office in Davis County can help. All three locations handle divorce cases for Davis County residents.
Davis County Quick Facts
Second District Court Davis County Locations
The Second Judicial District serves Weber, Davis, and Morgan counties. Davis County residents are well served by three separate courthouse locations, each with full court staff and Self-Help Center resources. You can file a Davis County divorce petition at any of the three locations, and the clerk will assign a case number that tracks all documents through the court system.
Davis County was created on October 5, 1850, as one of Utah's original counties. It was named for Captain William M. Davis, an early settler. Marriage records for the county date back to 1852. The county's long history means Second District Court holds divorce records spanning over a century of dissolution of marriage cases in Davis County.
The Second District Court website provides current hours, filing instructions, and contact details for all three Davis County courthouse locations.
The Second District Court serves Davis County from three locations and maintains all divorce decree records for the county.
| Farmington (Main) |
800 W State St Farmington, UT 84025 Phone: (801) 447-3800 |
|---|---|
| Layton |
425 N Wasatch Dr Layton, UT 84041 Phone: (801) 444-4300 |
| Bountiful |
805 S Main St Bountiful, UT 84010 Phone: (801) 397-7000 |
| Davis County Clerk |
61 S Main St Farmington, UT 84025 Phone: (801) 451-3213 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Note: The Davis County Justice Court at 800 West State Street in Farmington handles traffic and misdemeanor matters only and has no jurisdiction over divorce cases in Davis County.
How to Search Davis County Divorce Records
Davis County offers several ways to search for a divorce decree or dissolution of marriage case file. The best approach depends on what you already know and what level of detail you need.
Online searching is fast and convenient. The Utah Courts XChange system covers Davis County divorce cases filed after 1997. You search by party name or case number and see basic case details like filing date, parties, and current status. XChange requires a paid account with registration and per-search fees. For complete documents, you still need to contact the court or visit a courthouse location.
The Utah State Courts website provides information about Second District Court records. The site covers divorce petitions, custody orders, and support determinations maintained by the court. Records retention rules for Davis County domestic relations cases call for keeping files for 30 years from the date of the final decree. Copy fees run $0.25 to $0.50 per page, with certification fees of $4 to $8 per document.
For in-person searches, visit any of the three Davis County courthouse locations. Bring the full name of at least one spouse and the approximate filing year. A case number speeds the search significantly. Staff at each location can look up cases and produce copies on the same visit. Public terminals at all three courthouses provide free access to the case index during business hours.
Historical Davis County divorce records older than 1997 require a direct request to the court clerk or a visit to the Utah State Archives at 300 S. Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. The Archives maintains Davis County records going back to 1850 and can assist with both in-person and mail-in research requests.
Online Portals for Davis County Divorce Cases
Parties with an active Davis County divorce case have access to additional online tools beyond the public XChange system.
The MyCourtCase portal is a free service from the Utah Courts for people who are parties to a case. Through MyCourtCase, you can view filed documents, check hearing dates, make payments, and receive text or email notifications when actions are taken in your Davis County divorce case. Access requires registration with your case number. It works 24 hours a day and is separate from the public-facing XChange search tool.
MyCourtCase gives Davis County divorce case parties 24-hour online access to their case documents, hearing schedules, and payment options.
The Utah State Courts website also provides court-approved forms and Self-Help Center resources for people filing without an attorney. The Farmington courthouse has a Self-Help Center on site. This is a valuable resource for Davis County residents who are representing themselves in a dissolution of marriage case.
Note: Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, Davis County divorce decrees are public records that anyone may inspect free of charge. Some details about minor children and certain financial data may be redacted from public copies, but the decree itself remains open.
Filing a Davis County Divorce Decree
The process for obtaining a divorce decree in Davis County follows Utah law. Start by confirming you meet the residency requirement. Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, one spouse must have lived in Utah and in Davis County for at least three months before the petition is filed. If you meet that requirement, you can file at any of the three Second District Court locations in Davis County.
File the petition with the court clerk and pay the approximately $330 filing fee. The clerk assigns a case number. All future filings go under that number. After filing, serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. Utah allows service through a process server, the county sheriff, or certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service is filed with the court and becomes part of the permanent record in Davis County.
Utah law sets minimum waiting times before the court can finalize a divorce. Under Utah Code § 30-3-18, the wait is 30 days from filing when no minor children are involved, and 90 days when minor children are part of the case. Davis County parents who are divorcing must also complete a mandatory divorce orientation education course under Utah Code § 30-3-11.2 before the decree can be entered. Utah is one of the few states in the country with this requirement.
Property and debt division, spousal support, child custody, and child support are all addressed within the same Davis County divorce case. Utah follows equitable distribution of marital property under Utah Code § 30-3-5. The final divorce decree signed by the judge resolves all of these issues and becomes enforceable as a permanent court order. Under Utah Code § 30-3-4, the decree must contain the specific terms set out by statute, and the court must take evidence before entering the final order.
What Davis County Divorce Records Include
Davis County divorce records are among the most complete in Utah due to the county's large population and long history. The Second District Court keeps all documents filed in each divorce case as part of the permanent case file.
The divorce decree is the primary document most people need. It names both parties, states the date the petition was filed, identifies the grounds for dissolution of marriage, and sets out the terms of the final settlement. When children are involved, the decree also contains custody arrangements, visitation schedules, child support amounts, and provisions for health insurance. Certified copies of the Davis County divorce decree are required for many legal purposes, including changing a name on a title, refinancing a mortgage after divorce, or remarrying.
The full case file contains additional documents beyond the decree itself. These typically include the original petition, the respondent's answer, financial disclosure statements, any temporary orders entered during the case, and the final settlement agreement if the parties reached one. Certain information may be redacted from public copies, particularly details about minor children and Social Security numbers. The decree itself is fully public.
For divorces that occurred between 1978 and 2010, a shorter divorce certificate is also available through the Utah Office of Vital Records at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012, phone (801) 538-6105. Under Utah Code § 26-2-22, divorce certificates are restricted to parties, immediate family members, and those with a direct legal interest until the records become public after 75 years. The first certified copy costs $18. This certificate shows that the divorce took place but does not contain the settlement terms. For most legal purposes, the full Davis County divorce decree from the Second District Court is required.
Cities in Davis County
Davis County includes several cities and communities. All divorce cases for Davis County residents are filed at one of the three Second District Court locations in Farmington, Layton, or Bountiful.
Layton is the largest city in Davis County. Residents from all Davis County cities file divorce petitions at the Second District Court in Farmington, Layton, or Bountiful.
Nearby Counties
Davis County borders four other Utah counties. Confirm which county you live in before filing. The court can only hear your case if you file in the correct county.