Tooele County Divorce Decree Records
A Tooele County Divorce Decree is the official court order ending a marriage in this northwestern Utah county. The Third District Court in Tooele City handles all divorce filings and maintains case files for the county. Tooele City is both the county seat and the location of the district courthouse. Residents searching for a past decree or needing to file for divorce start their process at the Third District Court located at 74 South 100 East in Tooele. Records are accessible to the public under Utah law, and both online and in-person search options are available.
Tooele County Quick Facts
Tooele County Third District Court
The Third Judicial District Court has jurisdiction over divorce cases in Tooele County. The Third District covers Tooele, Salt Lake, and Summit counties. Tooele County cases are handled at the Tooele courthouse, which is separate from the Salt Lake City and Park City locations. All Tooele County divorce filings, case files, and Divorce Decrees are kept by the court clerk at this location.
The Utah State Courts website provides forms, filing guides, and access to the XChange case search system. Court clerks at the Tooele location can search for cases by name or case number and provide certified or plain copies of a Divorce Decree. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for searching the XChange system without a subscription.
Tooele County has a long history of court records. Divorce records date back to 1859 according to historical sources. The county name comes from a Goshute word meaning bear. Records from the territorial period are held by the Utah State Archives rather than the current district court.
| Court |
Third District Court - Tooele County 74 South 100 East Tooele, UT 84074 Phone: (435) 833-8000 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Note: The Tooele County Courthouse at 47 South Main also houses county administrative offices, but divorce records are held specifically by the Clerk of the District Court, not the county recorder or other offices.
How to Search Tooele County Divorce Decree Records
Searching for a Divorce Decree in Tooele County can be done online or in person. The quickest online option is the Utah Courts XChange system. XChange allows searches by party name, case number, or date for cases filed after 1997. A paid subscription is needed for full document access, but basic case index information is available to registered users. Document images cost 50 cents each to view through XChange.
To search in person, go to the Third District Court at 74 South 100 East in Tooele. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can look up cases by name and provide copies of the Divorce Decree. Certified copies require payment of an additional fee per page. Call (435) 833-8000 ahead of your visit to confirm what documents you need to bring and the current copy fees.
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, any person has the right to inspect a public record. Tooele County Divorce Decree records are public documents under GRAMA. Some portions may be restricted under Utah Code § 63G-2-302. Financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and information about minor children are typically redacted from public copies.
For historical records from the territorial period, the Utah State Archives at 300 South Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 maintains Tooele County court records dating back to the 1850s. Their research room hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Staff can assist with locating historical Tooele County divorce filings.
Filing for Divorce in Tooele County
Filing for divorce in Tooele County follows the same steps as other Utah counties under state law. At least one spouse must have been a real and continuous resident of Utah and of Tooele County for three months before filing. This rule is found in Utah Code § 30-3-1. If you just moved to Tooele County, you must wait until you meet this requirement.
You file a divorce petition with the Third District Court Clerk at 74 South 100 East in Tooele. The current filing fee is approximately $330. The clerk assigns a case number after you pay the fee. Next, you serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. Tooele County allows service by the county sheriff, a private process server, or other Utah-approved methods. Proof of service must be filed with the court clerk before your case can move forward.
Utah allows no-fault divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences under Utah Code § 30-3-1. Fault-based grounds also include adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, willful neglect to provide basic necessities, habitual drunkenness, felony conviction, and cruel treatment causing bodily injury or great mental distress. The court needs some evidence to support the decree, even if just by affidavit.
Once both parties resolve all issues in the case, the court holds a final hearing and issues the Divorce Decree. Under Utah Code § 30-3-18, a waiting period must pass before the decree can be granted. Cases without minor children require 30 days. Cases with minor children require 90 days. Both parents in cases involving minor children must also attend a mandatory divorce education course before receiving the final decree under Utah Code § 30-3-11.2.
Note: Property division and support matters are governed by Utah Code § 30-3-5, which gives the court authority to make equitable orders on all marital assets and debts. The court retains jurisdiction to modify certain orders after the Tooele County Divorce Decree is entered.
What a Tooele County Divorce Decree Contains
The Divorce Decree is the final document in a Tooele County divorce case. The judge signs it. The clerk enters it in the record. The decree becomes absolute on the date of entry under Utah Code § 30-3-7. That date is when the marriage legally ends in Tooele County.
A Tooele County Divorce Decree typically includes both parties' names and addresses, the date of marriage, the grounds for divorce, the date the petition was filed, and the date the decree was entered. Cases with minor children include child custody and visitation terms, child support amounts, and medical coverage orders. Property and debt division orders are also part of the decree when marital assets are involved. Any name restoration is noted if requested by a party.
Under Utah Code § 30-3-4, the full decree is open to public inspection. This is true even if the rest of the case file was sealed by the court. Sensitive financial data and information about minor children may be redacted from copies provided to the public. Certified copies of the decree are often needed for legal matters like name changes, property transfers, and tax filings.
Vital Records for Tooele County Divorces
The Utah Office of Vital Records maintains divorce certificates for Tooele County divorces from 1978 to 2010. A divorce certificate is a short document that confirms a divorce took place. It shows the names of the parties, the date, and the county. It does not include the full terms of any settlement or custody arrangement. A certificate works for many name change situations and for proof of single status when remarrying.
The Utah Office of Vital Records processes certificate requests for Tooele County divorces from its Salt Lake City office, located at 288 North 1460 West.
Certificates cost $18 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You can order online, by mail to P.O. Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012, or in person at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012. The main phone line is (801) 538-6105. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on holidays.
For divorces before 1978, contact the Utah State Archives at 300 South Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, phone (801) 531-3800. The archives hold historical Tooele County court records from the territorial period through 1956, including civil and criminal case files that contain early divorce records. For divorces after 2010, contact the Third District Court in Tooele directly.
Cities in Tooele County
Tooele City is the county seat of Tooele County and the location of the Third District Court. All divorce cases for residents of Tooele County are filed at the courthouse in Tooele City.
Tooele City residents file for divorce and access decree records at the Third District Court at 74 South 100 East, Tooele, UT 84074.
Nearby Counties
Tooele County borders several other Utah counties. Divorce jurisdiction depends on where you actually live. You must file in your county of residence to give the court proper authority over your case.