Murray City Family Court Records
Murray family court records are filed and maintained at the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake City. Murray is a city in Salt Lake County, located just south of Salt Lake City along the I-15 corridor. Family law cases from Murray go to the Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street. These records include divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, protective orders, and paternity matters. You can search Murray family court records online using Utah's XChange case management system or by visiting the District Court clerk's office during regular business hours.
Murray Quick Facts
Murray Family Court Records Location
All Murray family law cases are filed in the Third Judicial District Court. The main courthouse is the Matheson Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. It handles all divorce, custody, child support, protective order, adoption, and guardianship cases for Salt Lake County. The court is the largest state trial court in Utah and processes more family law filings than any other district.
| Court | Third Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84114 |
| Phone | (801) 238-7300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Murray has its own local Justice Court. That court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims disputes, and city ordinance matters within Murray city limits. For information on the Murray City Justice Court, visit murray.utah.gov/departments/justice-court. Family law filings such as divorce or custody are not handled there. Those cases must go to the Third District Court in Salt Lake City.
Murray is close to the downtown Salt Lake City courthouse. TRAX light rail stops near the Matheson Courthouse. Parking is available in nearby structures. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the courthouse to request Murray family court records. The Utah State Law Library is inside the Matheson Courthouse and is open to the public. It provides free access to the XChange case search system and legal research resources for self-represented residents.
Murray Family Court Records and Case Types
Family court records from Murray cases are held at the Third District Court. Each case type produces different sets of documents. Most records are public under Utah Code § 63G-2, the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). The law says a record is public unless a specific statute, rule, or court order restricts access.
Divorce cases in Murray produce the most common type of family court record. These files include the petition, the respondent's answer, financial disclosure statements, property division agreements, parenting plans, and the final divorce decree. Custody cases may include evaluator reports and parenting plan orders. Child support cases include worksheets, income information, and modification records. Protective order cases include the petition, the respondent's answer, hearing records, and the order itself. Adoption and guardianship files are handled separately and have restricted access under Utah law.
Historical Salt Lake County court records going back to 1852 are stored at the Utah State Archives. Older Murray area cases that have been transferred out of the District Court may be accessible through the Archives. You can visit the Archives at 346 South Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, or search through the Digital Archives online portal at archives.utah.gov.
Note: Adoption records from Murray family cases are sealed by law. Access requires a petition to the court that issued the original adoption decree or an order from the court permitting disclosure.
How to Search Murray Family Court Records
Murray residents have several ways to find family court records. The right method depends on whether you are a party to the case, the type of record you need, and whether you need a certified copy or just case information.
XChange is the primary online tool for searching Utah court records. It is available through utcourts.gov. After registering for an account, you can search by party name, case number, or filing date. XChange shows case status, party names, document images, hearing dates, and judgment information. A monthly subscription is $30 for unlimited searches. Individual searches cost between $0.15 and $0.35. Free access is available at public terminals inside the Matheson Courthouse and at the Utah State Law Library, which can be reached at (801) 238-7990 or library@email.utcourts.gov.
Parties to active Murray family cases can use MyCourtCase. This free portal is available 24/7. After registering with your case information, you can view filed documents, check upcoming hearings, and receive alerts when new items are added to your case. MyCourtCase gives access to both public and confidential records from your own case. It is designed for parties only, not for general public record searches.
For in-person requests, go to the Third District Court Clerk's office at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Standard copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies require an additional fee. You can also request records by mail. Use the standard Utah court records request form. Call (801) 238-7300 to ask about the mail request process and current fees.
Murray Court Records and the Utah Courts System
The Utah Courts website provides a full directory of all state courts, including the Third District Court that handles Murray family law cases, along with court locations, hours, and contact information across all 29 counties.
The Utah Courts directory is a useful starting point for Murray residents who want to confirm which court has jurisdiction over their family law matter and how to reach the right clerk's office for records requests or filings.
Utah reorganized its family law statutes on September 1, 2024. All domestic relations law moved from Title 30 to Title 81, the Utah Domestic Relations Code. The underlying legal standards did not change. Only the citation numbers were updated. Murray residents reviewing court records from before September 1, 2024 will see references to Title 30. Newer orders cite Title 81. If your case was active before and after that date, you may see both sets of citations in the same file.
Filing Family Court Cases in Murray
Murray residents file new family court cases at the Third District Court Clerk's office at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City. The filing fee for a new divorce or family law case is approximately $330. The amount varies by case type. Call (801) 238-7300 to confirm the exact fee before you file. If you cannot pay the fee, you may apply for a waiver by submitting a petition and proof of financial hardship. The court reviews the application and decides if you qualify for a full or partial waiver.
Filing for divorce in Salt Lake County requires that at least one spouse has been a Utah resident and a Salt Lake County resident for at least three months before the case is filed, under Title 81. Utah is a no-fault divorce state. You can file based on irreconcilable differences without proving any wrongdoing. Fault grounds can still be cited in the petition and may affect alimony or property division. After the petition is filed, the court imposes a waiting period of 30 days for cases with no minor children and 90 days when children are involved.
Custody decisions in Murray cases follow the best-interest standard set out in Title 81, Chapter 9. The court weighs each parent's moral character, the stability and safety of each parent's home, any history of abuse or domestic violence, and the child's relationship with each parent. Child support is calculated using Utah's income shares formula. The formula uses both parents' incomes to determine the support amount. Modifications to existing orders can be filed when there is a material change in circumstances, such as a change in income or a change in the child's primary residence.
Murray residents seeking protective orders can file at the courthouse in person or use the OCAP system online to prepare the forms at no charge. The court can issue a temporary protective order the same day in urgent situations. Permanent orders are entered after a hearing where both parties can present their case.
Accessing Murray Family Court Records Under GRAMA
Utah's open records law, GRAMA (Utah Code § 63G-2), gives every person the right to inspect and copy a public court record at no charge during normal business hours. Murray family court records are generally public under GRAMA. The Utah Constitution's Article I, Section 11 also guarantees that all courts remain open and accessible to the public. The presumption in Utah law favors disclosure. The burden is on the agency to justify keeping a record closed.
Rule 4-202 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration governs how courts respond to records requests. The court must reply within 10 business days for standard requests and 5 business days for expedited requests. If a specific Murray family court record has been sealed or classified as non-public, a party may file a motion requesting access. The court weighs the interests favoring disclosure against those favoring closure and must issue written findings explaining its decision. Records commonly restricted in family cases include adoption files, juvenile court records, mental health evaluations, and certain financial exhibits. Public records include final orders, decrees, and docket sheets. Contact the District Court Clerk at (801) 238-7300 with questions about the access status of any specific Murray family court record.
Note: The Utah Open Courts Compendium documents the state's legal framework for court record access and is a useful reference for Murray residents who want to understand their rights under GRAMA and the Utah Constitution.
Murray Family Court Legal Resources
Utah Legal Services serves Salt Lake County residents including people in Murray. They provide free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income individuals, including help with protective orders, divorce, custody, and child support. Call or visit their website to find out if you are eligible based on your household income and case type.
The Utah State Bar's lawyer referral service at (801) 531-9077 can help Murray residents find a family law attorney for an initial consultation. The Utah Courts self-help center at utcourts.gov provides step-by-step guides, instructional videos, and approved forms for all common family law case types. The Utah State Law Library inside the Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street offers free public access to legal databases, XChange terminals, and in-person research help for Murray residents handling their own family court matters.
Murray Family Court Appeals
If a party in a Murray family court case disagrees with the final order or decree, they may appeal to the Utah Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals hears appeals from district courts in domestic relations cases, including divorce and custody. It is an intermediate appellate court that handles cases assigned by the Utah Supreme Court.
Appellate court records for cases originally filed in Murray are searchable through the Utah Courts appellate docket search. This tool provides information on pending and decided cases before the Utah Court of Appeals and the Utah Supreme Court. Cases since 1996 are available on the Utah Courts website. The Utah State Law Library also maintains copies of appellate decisions and can help Murray residents understand the appellate process.
Salt Lake County Family Court Records
Murray is in Salt Lake County. All family court filings go through the Salt Lake County District Court. The county page covers the full court system, fee schedules, and additional resources for all Salt Lake County residents.
Nearby Utah Cities
Residents of nearby cities file family court cases at the courthouse that serves their area. Select a city below to learn more about family court records in that location.