St. George Family Court Records
St. George family court records are filed and maintained at the Fifth District Court in Washington County. St. George is the largest city in southern Utah and serves as the county seat of Washington County. Family law matters filed here include divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, adoption, and paternity cases. You can search St. George family court records online through the Utah Courts system or visit the courthouse to review case files and request copies of court documents.
St. George Quick Facts
St. George Family Court Records Location
All family law cases for St. George residents are handled by the Fifth Judicial District Court. This court is the main courthouse for Washington County and sits in the heart of St. George. Family court records in St. George cover divorce, custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, and domestic violence protection orders. The court clerk maintains all case files and can provide copies of filed documents upon request.
| Court | Fifth Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 N 200 E St. George, UT 84770 |
| Phone | (435) 986-5700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
The Washington County Clerk-Auditor also maintains court-related records and is located at 111 East Tabernacle Street in historic downtown St. George, near the St. George Temple. You can reach that office at (435) 634-5712. Both offices serve the large and fast-growing population of Washington County. Same-day processing is available for many records requests due to high demand in this region of Utah.
The St. George Justice Court handles misdemeanor cases and small claims within the city. That court is located at 87 North 200 East, St. George, UT 84770, and can be reached at (435) 627-4300. Justice Court records are also generally public and accessible through the XChange system.
How to Find St. George Family Court Records
There are three main ways to search family court records in St. George: online through the state courts portal, in person at the Fifth District Court, or by submitting a written records request. Each method gives you access to public case information, but the level of detail and types of documents available may vary depending on the case type and how it was classified under Utah law.
The Utah Courts XChange system is the primary online tool for searching St. George family court records. XChange is a subscription-based service that lets you search district and justice court records statewide, including all Washington County cases. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show party names, filing dates, hearing schedules, and case status. Go to utcourts.gov/courts/xchange to register and set up access. Monthly subscriptions cost $30, and there are guest and one-time use options as well.
For parties who are already part of a case, the MyCourtCase portal offers free access to your own case records, hearing schedules, and filed documents. You can also receive text or email alerts when your case is updated. This portal is separate from XChange and requires verification of your party status to access confidential documents.
You can also visit the Fifth District Court in St. George directly. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search records for free using XChange. Staff can help locate case files by name or case number and provide copies. Call ahead to confirm what to bring and what fees apply for document copies.
Note: Free public XChange terminals are available at the Fifth District Courthouse in St. George for walk-in searches during regular business hours.
Utah Courts Online Access for St. George Records
The Utah State Courts website at utcourts.gov provides the official XChange portal and other tools for searching St. George family court records remotely.
XChange covers all district and justice court cases in Utah, including those filed in Washington County and the St. George area, with daily updates to reflect new filings and case activity.
St. George Family Court Record Types
Family court records in St. George cover a wide range of legal proceedings. Divorce is the most common type. Custody, child support, and paternity cases are also filed frequently. The Fifth District Court handles all of these matters for Washington County residents, and the records become part of the public court file unless sealed or restricted by law.
Divorce records in St. George include the petition, response, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and the final decree. Under Utah Title 81, which took effect September 1, 2024, family law matters are now governed by the Utah Domestic Relations Code. This code reorganized prior statutes from Title 30 without changing the substance of the law. Divorce decrees are public records under Utah law and can be requested from the court clerk.
Custody records include court orders on legal and physical custody, parent-time schedules, and modifications. Child support orders set out payment amounts and enforcement terms. Protective orders filed at the Fifth District Court in St. George are generally public, though certain details related to domestic violence cases may be restricted to protect victims. Guardianship and conservatorship matters are also heard at the Fifth District Court and produce their own set of records.
Adoption records are handled differently. They are sealed under Utah law and are not available to the general public. Paternity records establish legal fatherhood and may be connected to child support or custody cases. All of these case types generate records that the Fifth District Court clerk maintains in St. George.
Note: Juvenile court records, sealed adoption files, and mental health evaluations submitted as evidence are restricted from public access under Utah law and Rule 4-202 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration.
Public Access Rights for Family Records in St. George
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, known as GRAMA and found at Utah Code Section 63G-2, gives everyone the right to inspect public records free of charge. Court records in St. George are public unless they fall into a restricted category. The law presumes records are open. Any agency seeking to withhold records bears the burden to justify doing so.
Under Rule 4-202 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration, the court must respond to records requests within 10 business days. An expedited response is required within 5 business days in some situations. If a record is closed, the court must identify the specific interests justifying closure and consider whether any alternatives would protect those interests without full closure. Requesters who are denied access may file a motion with the court to seek access to the record.
Washington County court records generally follow these same state-level rules. Most civil and family case information is publicly accessible through XChange or in person. Full document images are available for most district court cases. Case summaries and docket entries are viewable at no charge through public terminals at the St. George courthouse.
GRAMA Records Access in Washington County
Utah's official legislative website at le.utah.gov publishes the full text of GRAMA, which governs how St. George family court records and other government documents must be managed and disclosed.
GRAMA was enacted in 1991 and replaced prior laws. It favors public disclosure and requires agencies to err on the side of access when interests are evenly balanced.
Filing Family Court Cases in St. George
St. George residents file family law cases at the Fifth Judicial District Court. The filing fee for a divorce petition is approximately $330. Fees for other case types vary. The court clerk can confirm current fees before you file. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or major credit cards at the Washington County courthouse.
Utah is a no-fault divorce state. Either spouse may file for divorce based on irreconcilable differences without proving fault. Fault-based grounds still exist and can influence alimony and property division decisions. At least one spouse must have lived in Utah and in Washington County for a minimum of three months before filing in St. George. The case is filed at the Fifth District Court, and both parties receive copies of all documents filed in the case.
Utah law requires a waiting period before a divorce is finalized. When there are no minor children, the wait is 30 days. When minor children are involved, it extends to 90 days. Property in Washington County frequently includes vacation homes, retirement properties, and recreational assets tied to the red rock landscape of the region. These assets are addressed in property settlement agreements that become part of the court record in St. George. Certified copies of divorce decrees are used for title transfers and name change documentation and typically cost $50 to $100 per copy.
The Utah Courts Online Court Assistance Program, or OCAP, helps self-represented parties prepare court forms. You can access OCAP at utcourts.gov/forms. Forms are available for divorce, custody, protective orders, guardianship, and more. Registration is free, and form preparation is also free. A filing fee applies when the form is submitted to the court.
Court Forms for St. George Family Law Cases
The Utah State Courts forms page at utcourts.gov/forms provides approved family law forms used to file and respond to cases at the Fifth District Court in St. George.
All family law forms are free to download and cover every step from the initial petition through parenting plans, child support worksheets, and final decrees.
Historical Family Court Records in Washington County
Older family court records from Washington County are stored at the Utah State Archives. The archives hold records dating back to the territorial period, including probate court files, estate settlements, guardianships, and early divorce records. Washington County was one of the early settled regions of Utah, and its court records reflect that long history.
The Utah State Archives maintains district and probate court records from across Utah's history. Researchers and genealogists can access historical records from Washington County in person at the Archives Building in Salt Lake City at 346 South Rio Grande Street, or through the Digital Archives online portal. These records provide information on family relationships, estate administration, and property matters going back to the 1800s.
For more recent records that have not yet transferred to the archives, requests go to the Fifth District Court clerk in St. George. The court follows records retention schedules set by the Utah Judicial Council. Domestic relations cases are retained for 30 years after judgment. Probate cases are kept for 75 years. This means most family court records filed in St. George remain at the courthouse for decades before any archival transfer.
Note: The Utah State Archives digital portal allows online access to many historical court records for Washington County without a trip to Salt Lake City.
Utah State Archives and St. George Court History
The Utah State Archives at archives.utah.gov holds historical court records from Washington County, giving researchers access to early family law filings from St. George and surrounding communities.
The Utah State Law Library also provides free public XChange access at its Salt Lake City location and can assist researchers with family court record searches for Washington County cases.
Washington County Family Court Records
St. George is the county seat of Washington County, and all family law filings in St. George go through the Washington County District Court system. For complete information on court fees, access procedures, and family court resources across the entire county, visit the Washington County family court records page.
Nearby Utah Cities
Residents of nearby cities file family court cases at their own district courthouse. Select a city below to find family court record information for that area.