Find South Jordan Family Court Records
South Jordan family court records are filed and maintained at the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake City. South Jordan is a growing city in Salt Lake County, located in the southwestern part of the Salt Lake Valley. Family law cases from South Jordan are processed at the main courthouse at 450 South State Street. These records cover divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, protective orders, and paternity actions. You can search South Jordan family court records through the Utah Courts XChange system online or by requesting records at the courthouse during regular business hours.
South Jordan Quick Facts
South Jordan Family Court Location
South Jordan is part of the Third Judicial District. All family law filings go to the District Court in Salt Lake City. That courthouse handles thousands of family law cases each year for Salt Lake County residents. It is the largest state trial court in Utah. The clerk's office can issue certified copies of orders, decrees, parenting plans, and other documents from filed 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 |
South Jordan also has a local Justice Court at 1600 West Towne Center Drive, phone (801) 254-4708. That court handles traffic violations, Class B and C misdemeanors, small claims cases, and city ordinance matters. It does not process family law filings. Divorce, custody, child support, and protective order petitions must be filed with the Third District Court in downtown Salt Lake City.
South Jordan is one of the fastest-growing cities in Utah. Its population growth means more family court filings each year at the Third District Court. The court is accessible by TRAX light rail and is near several downtown parking structures. Security screening applies at the entrance. Bring photo ID when visiting to request South Jordan family court records.
Note: The Utah State Law Library inside the Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street provides free public access to the XChange system and legal research databases for South Jordan residents.
South Jordan Family Court Records Types
Family court records from South Jordan cases are maintained by the Third District Court clerk. Most final orders and decrees are public records under Utah Code § 63G-2, the Government Records Access and Management Act. GRAMA establishes a presumption in favor of public access. Records are restricted only when statute, court rule, or a specific court order closes them to the public.
South Jordan family court case files can include a range of documents depending on the case type. Common records include divorce petitions and decrees, custody and parent-time orders, child support worksheets and orders, modification motions, protective order petitions and hearing records, adoption decrees, guardianship petitions and orders, and paternity establishment documents. Each document type is assigned to the case file and tracked through the court's information system.
Older Salt Lake County court records, including historical files from the South Jordan area, are held by the Utah State Archives. The Archives collection goes back to 1852 and includes probate records, civil case files, and naturalization documents. You can visit the Archives Building at 346 South Rio Grande Street in Salt Lake City or search through the Digital Archives online portal.
Utah GRAMA and South Jordan Records Access
The Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), available through the Utah Legislature's website at le.utah.gov, governs public access to court records, including South Jordan family court filings.
GRAMA gives every person the right to inspect public records at no cost and to get copies during normal business hours. For South Jordan family court cases, this means docket sheets, final orders, and decrees are available to the public without a special reason or petition.
Utah's family law statutes were restructured effective September 1, 2024. Domestic relations law moved from Title 30 to Title 81, the Utah Domestic Relations Code. The legal standards stayed the same. Only the citation numbers changed. South Jordan residents reviewing family court records from before that date will see references to Title 30. Records from after September 1, 2024 cite Title 81. If your case spans that date, you may see references to both sets of statutes in the same file.
How to Search South Jordan Family Court Records
South Jordan residents can access family court records through several tools provided by the Utah Courts system. Choose based on whether you are a party to a case or searching as a member of the general public.
XChange is the most complete public search option. It is available at utcourts.gov. Register for a free account, then choose a subscription plan. The monthly plan costs $30 for unlimited searches. Lower-volume options are $0.15 to $0.35 per search. XChange returns party names, case status, filing dates, hearing information, and document images for most district court cases. Free XChange terminals are located inside the Matheson Courthouse and at the Utah State Law Library, phone (801) 238-7990.
Parties to active South Jordan family cases can use MyCourtCase at no charge. This portal shows your case documents, hearings, and updates. You can choose to get text or email notifications when something changes. MyCourtCase gives access to both public and confidential records from your own case. It is a different system from XChange and requires registration with your case details to verify your identity.
The Utah Court Assistance Program (OCAP) at utcourts.gov/forms helps South Jordan residents prepare court forms online at no cost. OCAP covers divorce, custody, child support, protective orders, and guardianship. A document preparation fee applies when you file the completed forms. The forms are available in PDF format for download after preparation.
Filing Family Court Cases from South Jordan
South Jordan residents file family court cases at the District Court Clerk's office at the Matheson Courthouse, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City. The filing fee for a new divorce or family law case is approximately $330. Fees vary by case type. Call the clerk at (801) 238-7300 to confirm the exact amount for your case before you arrive. If the fee is a hardship, you can apply for a waiver by submitting a petition form and financial disclosure. The court will review and decide your eligibility.
To file for divorce in Salt Lake County, at least one spouse must have been a Utah resident and a Salt Lake County resident for at least three months before filing, as stated in Title 81. Utah allows no-fault divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences. Fault grounds such as a felony conviction or abandonment may be cited and can influence alimony or property division. After the petition is filed, a 30-day waiting period applies to cases with no minor children. Cases involving children have a 90-day waiting period. Temporary orders can be entered during the waiting period to address custody, support, and use of the marital home.
Custody decisions for South Jordan cases follow the best-interest standard in Title 81, Chapter 9. The court weighs factors including each parent's moral character, ability to provide a safe and stable home, any history of domestic violence, and the child's relationship with each parent. Child support is calculated using Utah's income shares model, which considers the income of both parents. Protective orders and stalking injunctions can be requested at the courthouse or through the OCAP online system.
Note: Paternity cases filed by South Jordan residents must also go to the Third District Court. Under Title 81-6-105, a biological father has a duty to pay 50% of the mother's pregnancy expenses unless paternity is disputed or a court apportions the costs differently.
Records Access Rights for South Jordan Court Cases
Utah's open records law at GRAMA (§ 63G-2) creates a right of access to public government records, including court filings. South Jordan family court records are presumptively public. The state constitution's Article I, Section 11 also requires open courts. A record can only be withheld if a specific statute, court rule, or court order restricts it. Agencies must justify any decision to withhold a record from public view.
Rule 4-202 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration governs how the court handles records requests. Courts must respond within 10 business days for standard requests and 5 business days for expedited ones. If a record from a South Jordan case is sealed or classified as non-public, a party can file a motion to access it. The court must balance the interests favoring disclosure against those favoring closure and issue written findings. Records typically restricted in family cases include adoption files, juvenile court records, mental health evaluations, and sealed financial exhibits. Public records include docket sheets, final orders, and decrees. Contact the clerk at (801) 238-7300 if you have questions about a specific South Jordan family court record.
South Jordan Family Court Legal Help
Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income Salt Lake County residents, including people in South Jordan. They handle protective orders, custody matters, and divorce for eligible individuals. Visit their website or call their intake line to check eligibility requirements.
The Utah State Bar referral service at (801) 531-9077 can connect South Jordan residents with a family law attorney. The courts' self-help center at utcourts.gov provides step-by-step guides, instructional videos, and downloadable forms for all major family law case types. The Utah State Law Library inside the Matheson Courthouse offers free research help, public access to legal databases, and in-person support for self-represented South Jordan parties handling family law matters.
Salt Lake County Family Court Records
South Jordan 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 residents across the county.
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.