Riverton Family Court Records Database
Riverton family court records are maintained at the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake City. Riverton is a city in southwest Salt Lake County with approximately 45,000 residents. Families and individuals in Riverton bring family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, paternity, protective orders, and domestic violence cases to this court. You can search Riverton family court records online or visit the District Court Clerk at the Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City.
Riverton Quick Facts
Where Riverton Family Court Records Are Filed
Riverton residents file all family law cases at the Third Judicial District Court. The Matheson Courthouse is at 450 South State Street in downtown Salt Lake City. It is the largest state district court in Utah and handles all Salt Lake County family law matters. The clerk's office processes new filings and provides copies of orders, decrees, and other documents from active and closed Riverton family court cases.
| 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 |
The courthouse is reachable by TRAX light rail and is near several parking garages in downtown Salt Lake City. Security screens all visitors at entry. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to request Riverton family court records. Public XChange terminals inside the courthouse are free to use. The Utah State Law Library, located on the same premises, offers public access to legal databases and free research assistance for self-represented parties.
Riverton has its own Justice Court for local matters. The Riverton Justice Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small claims within the city. You can learn about local Riverton court matters through the Riverton Justice Court website. Family law cases, including divorce, custody, adoption, and protective orders, are filed at the Third District Court in Salt Lake City, not the local Justice Court.
Utah Law and Riverton Family Court Records
The Utah Domestic Relations Code, Title 81, at le.utah.gov, is the core law governing all family court matters in Riverton, including the rules for divorce, child custody decisions, child support calculations, paternity, and protective orders effective September 1, 2024.
Title 81 replaced the previous Title 30 framework on September 1, 2024, renumbering Utah's family law statutes while keeping the same legal standards that apply to all Riverton family court cases handled by the Third District Court.
Riverton Family Court Records by Case Type
Riverton family court cases produce many types of court records. Most orders and final decrees are public under Utah Code § 63G-2, GRAMA. Adoption files and juvenile court records are restricted by law. Mental health evaluations and certain financial documents are also non-public.
Divorce cases from Riverton include the petition, any responses, property disclosures, and the final decree of divorce. When children are involved, the file also holds the parenting plan and child support worksheet. Child custody orders set each parent's time and rights. Support orders define amounts and terms for modification. Protective order files contain the original petition, any temporary order, the hearing record, and the final protective order ruling. Paternity cases may include voluntary declarations and any genetic testing that was used.
Guardianship cases in Riverton produce petitions, inventories, court-issued letters of guardianship, and ongoing court reports. Adoption cases are filed at the Third District Court but sealed by law. Older Salt Lake County records are held by the Utah State Archives, which preserves district court documents from as far back as 1852.
Note: If you are researching records from before Riverton's incorporation in 1999, older documents may be indexed under Salt Lake County in the state archives system.
How to Search Riverton Family Court Records
Utah Courts give Riverton residents several ways to find family court records. Online tools work well for most searches. Going in person allows a full review of case files and same-day certified copies.
XChange is Utah's statewide court case management system. It covers the Third District Court, which handles all Riverton family law cases. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. XChange shows party information, filing dates, case status, document images, and hearing details. Monthly subscriptions cost $30 for unlimited searches. Per-search fees are $0.15 to $0.35 for lighter users. Register at utcourts.gov/courts/xchange. Free public XChange terminals are at the Matheson Courthouse and the Utah State Law Library at the same address.
Parties in active Riverton family court cases can use MyCourtCase at no charge. This portal provides free access to both public and confidential case records. Parties can view filed documents, upcoming hearing dates, orders, and payment history. The system requires registration with case-specific details. It is available any time of day or night.
The OCAP form preparation tool at utcourts.gov/forms helps Riverton residents fill out family court forms step by step online before filing. OCAP covers divorce, custody, protective orders, guardianship, and more. Preparation is free. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office.
Filing Riverton Family Court Cases
Riverton residents file family law cases at the District Court Clerk's window in the Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City. The standard filing fee is approximately $330 for a new family law case. Fees vary by case type. Call (801) 238-7300 before you go to confirm current amounts. Fee waivers are available to those who demonstrate financial hardship through a petition and supporting documents.
Utah requires that at least one spouse live in Utah and in Salt Lake County for at least three months before filing for divorce. Riverton is in Salt Lake County, so residency qualifies when the filing party has been a county resident for the required period. This rule is in Title 81. Utah is a no-fault divorce state, meaning divorce can be granted on the basis of irreconcilable differences. Fault grounds may still be raised and can affect alimony or asset division. A mandatory waiting period applies: 30 days for cases with no minor children and 90 days when children are involved.
Custody decisions in Riverton family cases follow the best-interest standard in Title 81, Chapter 9. The court reviews each parent's moral fitness, ability to provide a stable home, history of abuse or domestic violence, and the child's existing bond with each parent. The optional parent-time schedule in Title 81 sets 145 overnights for the noncustodial parent when all qualifying conditions are present. Child support follows Utah's income shares formula based on both parents' incomes and the custody arrangement.
Legal Resources for Riverton Family Court Matters
Utah Legal Services offers free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents in Riverton and throughout Salt Lake County. Family law services include guidance on protective orders, divorce, custody, and child support matters. Contact their intake line to check if you qualify based on income and case type.
The Utah State Bar lawyer referral service at (801) 531-9077 connects Riverton residents with licensed family law attorneys for initial consultations. The self-help center at utcourts.gov has guides, court forms, and video tutorials for common family law cases throughout Utah. The Utah State Law Library at the Matheson Courthouse is open to all members of the public. Staff there can help with legal research, form selection, and navigating the Utah court system for self-represented Riverton residents.
Riverton Court Records Access Under GRAMA
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, GRAMA (Utah Code § 63G-2), grants every person the right to inspect a public record free of charge and to obtain a copy during normal business hours. Riverton family court records are generally public under GRAMA unless restricted by statute, court rule, or a court order. The Utah Constitution, Article I, Section 11, adds a state constitutional right to open courts.
Rule 4-202 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration defines how courts must handle records access requests. Courts must respond within 10 business days, or 5 days when the request is marked expedited. If a Riverton family court record is sealed or classified as non-public, a party can file a motion with the court to request access. The court must balance the interests favoring disclosure against those favoring closure, and it must put its findings in writing. Records that are routinely restricted include adoption files, juvenile court records, mental health evaluations, sealed case records, and certain financial exhibits. Final decrees, court orders, and most docket entries are public and available through the clerk or the XChange system.
Note: Paper copies of court records generally cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records downloaded through XChange cost $0.50 to $1.00 per document depending on the type.
Salt Lake County Family Court Records
Riverton is a city in Salt Lake County. All family court filings from Riverton go through the Salt Lake County District Court system. The county page provides an overview of the full court system, filing fees, and resources for all Salt Lake County residents.
Nearby Utah Cities
Nearby Salt Lake County cities also file family court cases with the Third District Court. Select a city to find family court record information for that location.