Juab County Divorce Decree Search and Records
Juab County divorce decree records are held by the Fourth District Court at the Juab County Courthouse in Nephi, Utah. Juab County is one of the original Utah counties, created in 1852, and its court records date back to the territorial period. If you need a certified copy of a dissolution judgment, want to look up a past divorce case, or are preparing to file a new divorce petition in Juab County, this page explains the court system, the search process, and what records are available to the public.
Juab County Quick Facts
Fourth District Court and Juab County Divorce Decrees
The Fourth District Court at the Juab County Courthouse handles all divorce cases filed in Juab County. The courthouse is located at 102 East 200 North in Nephi. The District Court Clerk maintains the official divorce decree for every case filed in the county. Staff can search records by name or case number, provide certified copies of dissolution documents, and assist with public records requests.
The Clerk of Court phone number is (435) 623-0901. Calling ahead lets you confirm current hours, copy fees, and what information you need to have ready when you visit or submit a written request.
The Juab County official website provides contact information for county departments including the Clerk/Auditor office, which handles voter registration, elections, marriage licenses, and business licenses in addition to serving as Clerk of the Fourth District Court.
Current Clerk/Auditor Tanielle Callaway can be reached at (435) 623-3410 or taniellec@juabcounty.gov for general county clerk inquiries.
| Court |
Fourth District Court Juab County Courthouse 102 East 200 North Nephi, UT 84648 Phone: (435) 623-0901 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Note: Juab County has never experienced a known courthouse disaster or major record loss. This means divorce and court records from the early statehood period onward are generally intact and accessible through the District Court Clerk.
How to Search Juab County Divorce Records
Searching for a Juab County divorce decree can be done online, by phone, or in person at the courthouse in Nephi. Each method has its own advantages depending on how much information you need and how quickly you need it.
The XChange case search provides a guide to accessing court records for Juab County. It covers divorce cases handled by the District Court, along with online search tools and procedures for record requests.
The Utah State Courts website explains which records are public, which may be restricted, and how to submit a formal request for documents in Juab County.
For online case searches, the XChange system provides statewide access to court indexes including Juab County divorce cases. You need a registered account to search. The system covers cases filed after 1997. Older records require direct contact with the Juab County courthouse.
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, every person has the right to inspect public records free of charge and to obtain copies during normal working hours. Juab County divorce case records are generally public. However, records containing juvenile matters, sealed financial details, and certain sensitive personal information may be restricted under Utah Code § 63G-2-302.
Historical Juab County Divorce Records and Archives
Juab County has a rich historical record base. The county was formed on March 3, 1852 as one of the original Utah counties. Its name comes from a Native American word meaning "thirsty valley" or "only valley." County records including births, marriages, deaths, court cases, and land records go back to 1898, with some earlier records available through the Utah State Archives.
The Utah State Archives maintains older records from the territorial and early statehood period for Juab County. The Archives collection includes civil and criminal case files, divorce records, probate records, and naturalization records covering years from 1848 through 2001 for many Utah counties including Juab. Historical researchers can visit the Archives research room at 300 S. Rio Grande Street in Salt Lake City or access some records online.
Juab County was historically tied to the Tintic Mining District, organized in 1869. The county includes historic mining towns such as Diamond, Silver City, and Eureka. These communities contributed to early county growth, and their residents appear in historical divorce and court records held at the Archives and the county courthouse.
FamilySearch has digitized a portion of Juab County's historical records, including land and probate records spanning 1847 to 1948. These are useful for genealogical research involving older dissolution cases. Some early divorce records are mixed in with other civil case files and may need to be searched chronologically if not indexed.
Note: For divorce records between 1852 and 1887, contact the Utah State Archives. Records from 1888 to 1969 may also be available at the Utah History Research Center at 300 Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, phone (801) 533-3535.
Filing a Divorce Case in Juab County
Filing for divorce in Juab County requires that at least one spouse has lived in Utah and in Juab County for a minimum of three months before filing. This residency requirement is established by Utah Code § 30-3-1. You file the petition with the Fourth District Court Clerk at 102 East 200 North in Nephi. The filing fee is approximately $330 at time of filing.
Utah law provides for both no-fault and fault-based divorce. No-fault dissolution is based on irreconcilable differences. Fault grounds under § 30-3-1 include adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, habitual drunkenness, felony conviction, willful neglect to provide necessaries of life, and cruel treatment causing bodily injury or great mental distress. You do not need to prove fault to obtain a divorce in Utah.
After filing, you must serve the respondent spouse with the divorce papers. Proof of service goes into the court file. The case then moves forward based on whether the respondent files an answer and whether the parties reach an agreement or proceed to a hearing.
The mandatory waiting period applies in Juab County just as it does statewide. Under Utah Code § 30-3-18, no hearing for the final decree can be held until 30 days have passed from the date of filing for cases without minor children. When the case involves minor children, the waiting period is 90 days. Temporary orders covering support, custody, and use of property can be issued by the court during this waiting period.
What a Juab County Divorce Decree Contains
The divorce decree is the court order that ends the marriage. Under Utah Code § 30-3-4, the final document may include orders about children, medical coverage for the children, property division, and debts. The court must take evidence to support the decree, even if only by affidavit in uncontested cases.
Property division in Juab County follows the equitable distribution standard under Utah Code § 30-3-5. The court makes equitable orders about marital property and debts and retains continuing jurisdiction to modify orders related to children and support. Both spouses may also request spousal support, which the court may award based on the circumstances of each case.
When minor children are involved, both parties must attend a mandatory divorce orientation education course before the decree is entered. This requirement under Utah Code § 30-3-11.2 ensures that parents understand the impact of divorce on children and the resources available to support their family after the dissolution. Proof of completion is required in the court file.
The decree becomes final upon signing and entry by the clerk. Under Utah Code § 30-3-7, the court may specify a time period before the decree is fully effective. Once entered, it is part of the permanent public record at the Juab County courthouse in Nephi.
Certified copies of the decree are commonly required for name changes, deed transfers, insurance policy updates, bank account changes, and remarriage applications. Contact the Fourth District Court Clerk at (435) 623-0901 for current copy fees and request procedures.
Juab County Divorce Certificates from Vital Records
The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics maintains short-form divorce certificates for divorces that occurred from 1978 to 2010. These documents confirm the dissolution took place and identify the parties, date, and county. They do not include the full terms of the divorce decree, custody orders, or property agreements.
Juab County residents can request certificates for divorces in that date range from the Utah Vital Records office at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012, phone (801) 538-6105. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The first certified copy costs $18. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $10. Online ordering is available through the Utah.gov portal.
For divorces before 1978 or after 2010, the state office does not hold records. You must contact the Fourth District Court Clerk in Nephi for those cases. The full divorce decree from the courthouse remains available for all years and is the document most legal and financial institutions require.
Note: Marriage and divorce certificates from the state office become public after 75 years under Utah law. Before that point, access is limited to parties named in the record, immediate family members, legal guardians, and designated legal representatives with a direct and tangible interest.
Online Access to Juab County Divorce Records
Several online tools provide access to Juab County divorce case information. The Utah State Courts website at utcourts.gov is the main gateway for court forms, filing guides, and self-help resources. This site also links to the Online Court Assistance Program, which helps self-represented parties prepare court-approved documents for divorce cases.
The XChange case search system provides index-level access to Juab County court records online. You can search by party name or case number. XChange covers cases filed after 1997. Viewing document images costs additional fees per document. The system requires a registered account.
The MyCase portal at mycase.utcourts.gov allows parties to a case to monitor their own proceedings online. You can receive text or email alerts when filings are made or hearings are scheduled. This is separate from the public XChange system and is available only to parties of the case at no charge.
For older historical records going back to the territorial period, the Utah State Archives catalog provides access to digitized and physical records. The Archives research room in Salt Lake City offers free public access to these historical divorce records for researchers and genealogists.
Nearby Counties
Juab County is in west-central Utah and shares borders with several surrounding counties. Each county has its own district court. You must file for divorce in the county where you have lived for the required three months.