What are Utah Vital Records?

The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics (OVRS) is the government entity in charge of all vital records for the state. They issue certified copies of records to eligible individuals. The state of Utah began keeping track of vital records in 1905. The vital records this agency maintains are births, deaths, stillbirths, adoptions, marriages, and divorces. You can request certified copies in person, by mail or online. Amendments and corrections, however, are handled by the courts. The OVRS is also responsible for collecting data from health programs, health care providers, businesses, educational facilities, researchers, and the public to form statistical reports. Vital records are not public records for several years in Utah. Therefore, only certain people can get copies until the records reach a certain age.

Utah Birth Records

The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth records for the state. They began keeping birth records in 1905, and they have them all up to the present day. Birth records are needed when you apply for a driver's license, passport, government job, attend school, sign up for sports, and other instances where you need to validate your name, age, and identity legally.  Birth records are not public for 100 years in Utah, and therefore only close family and legal representatives can get copies. The OVRS allows eligible parties to request certified copies of birth records in person, online using their government system, and by mail. In-person orders may be processed at any local health office. Regardless of how you order, you must fill out an application, provide proper ID, and pay the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Utah?

Contact the Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics. They have birth records from 1905 to the present day. They allow you to get copies online, in person and through the mail.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Utah?

You can order one by downloading the application on the Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics website and bring it to any health office or mail it in. You can also order copies online through the Utah online system.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Utah?

The first copy of a certified birth record is $20. Each additional copy costs $10 if ordered at the same time.

Who can request birth records?

Birth records in Utah are private for 100 years. According to the Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics, "Certificates can be requested by the person of record, an immediate family member, legal guardians, or a designated legal representative."

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Utah birth certificate?

When requesting a copy of someone's birth certificate, you must supply the following information:

  1. Full name on the certificate.
  2. Birthdate.
  3. Hospital.
  4. Place of birth (city/county).
  5. Parent 1 full name and birth date.
  6. Parent 2 full name and birth date.
  7. Your relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
  8. Number of certificates needed.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, a signature, and proof of ID.

Where can I find historical vital records in Utah for genealogy research?

The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics has records from 1905 to the present. Birth records become public after 100 years, and you can also find historical birth records at the Utah State Archives.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics has an official process to correct birth records. First, you need to download and fill out the Affidavit to Amend a Record and then supply documentation to support the change. Some changes require a court order instead.

Can I get a refund if my Utah birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Utah Death Records

Utah has been keeping track of death records since 1905. The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics is the agency in charge of death records, and they issue certified copies to eligible individuals. Death records are not public records for 50 years; then, they are opened up. Death records are necessary when you apply for death benefits or make a claim for life insurance. The OVRS allows eligible parties to request copies in person at any health office, online through their custom system, and also through the mail. To obtain a certificate, you must fill out an application and pay a fee. Only certain people can get copies for the first 50 years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Death Records

How do I find death records in Utah?

You must contact the Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics. They have death records from 1905 until the present day. You can also consult the Utah State Archives and historical records that are open to the public.

Are death records public in Utah?

Not for fifty years. Once they reach the age of 50, anyone can review, request copies, and search for death records.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Utah?

The cost for the first copy of a death certificate is $30. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $10.

How long does it take to get a copy of a Utah death record?

If you visit in person, you can get a copy while you wait. If you order through the mail, order processing may take up to three weeks. If you order online, you will get your copy within a few days.

Who can request death records?

Death records are not open to the public for 50 years. According to the Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics, "Certificates can be requested by the person of record, an immediate family member, legal guardians, or a designated legal representative."

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Utah death certificate?

When ordering copies of certified copies of someone's death record, you will need the following information:

  1. Full name of deceased.
  2. Date of death.
  3. City/county of death.
  4. Date of birth.
  5. Decedent's spouse (if married).
  6. Parent 1's full name.
  7. Parent 2's full name.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, a signature, and proof of ID.

Where can I find historical death records in Utah?

The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics has death records dating back to 1905 to the present day. However, you can also consult the Utah State Archives for historical death records.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

The process to amend a death record involves filling out an affidavit to amend a record and then supplying proper documentation validating the change. Some amendments need to be processed through the courts.

Can I get a refund if my Utah death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Utah Marriage Records

The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics has copies of marriage and divorce records from 1978 to 2010. For earlier or older records, you must contact the courts for copies. Utah marriage records are not public records for 75 years; then, they are opened up to the public.  Some marriage records are available through the Utah State Archives for searches (75 years or older). Marriage records are necessary when you need to change your name, apply for insurance or credit cards, and also when you need to verify your marital status. The OVRS allows eligible parties to request copies of their marriage certificate through their online system, through the mail, and also in person at any health office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Marriage Records

Are Utah marriage records public?

Not right away. Utah marriage records remain private for 75 years, and then they are opened to the public.

What Utah marriage records are available?

The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics  has marriage records from 1978 until 2010. The courts have earlier and older records.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Utah?

If you visit a local health office, you can get one while you wait. If you order by mail, you will wait for about three weeks. If you order online using their in-house system, you can get one within a few days.

How much does a Utah marriage certificate cost?

The cost for the first copy of a Utah marriage certificate is $18. The cost for each additional copy (ordered at the same time) is $10.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When requesting a copy of someone's marriage certificate, you will need the following details:

  1. Spouse 1 full name.
  2. Spouse 2 full name.
  3. Date of marriage.
  4. Place of marriage.
  5. Your relationship to either party on the certificate.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, a signature, and proof of ID.

How do I get a copy of a Utah marriage record?

If your marriage was between 1978 and 2010, you could contact the Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics for a certified copy. If your marriage falls outside that date range, you must contact the Clerk of the Court where your marriage license was filed.

What if I didn't get married in Utah?

If you were not married in Utah, you must contact either the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court in the state/county where your marriage license was filed.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Since marriage records in Utah are not public records for 75 years, only certain people can get copies, such as the person of record, an immediate family member, legal guardians, or a designated legal representative.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Utah?

The process for correcting a marriage certificate in Utah is court-based. You must first contact the Clerk of the Court where your marriage license was filed. You may have to fill out forms and pay a fee to have the change made.

Utah Divorce Records

The Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics has divorce records from 1978 to 2010. They supply certified copies of divorce certificates to eligible parties. Divorce records in Utah are not public records until they reach the age of 75. Therefore, only close family and legal representatives can get copies. If your divorce falls outside of those dates, you must contact the divorce court where your divorce was finalized. The OVRS allows eligible individuals to request copies of their certificates through the mail, online using their customs system, and also in person at any local health office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Utah?

You may be able to search through public divorce records online using the Utah State Archives or some other third-party website that maintains a database of Utah divorces.

How do I find old divorce records?

You must contact the divorce court where the divorce was finalized. You may also check out the Utah State Archives for records. They have some, but not all.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

If your divorce was between 1978 and 2010, contact the Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Otherwise, you must contact the divorce court where your divorce was finalized.

What information is needed to search for a Utah divorce record?

When requesting a copy of someone's divorce certificate, you must have the following information:

  1. Spouse 1 full name.
  2. Spouse 2 full name.
  3. Date of divorce.
  4. Place of divorce.
  5. Your relationship to either party on the certificate.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, a signature, and proof of ID.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Utah?

If you were divorced outside of Utah, then contact either the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court in the state and county where your divorce was finalized.