Beaver County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Beaver County dissolution of marriage records date back to 1871, making them among the oldest divorce records in Utah. These records are held by the Fifth District Court and the Beaver County Clerk/Auditor. Whether you need a certified copy of a decree, want to confirm a case was filed, or are researching historical divorce records in Beaver County, this guide covers where to look, what to request, and how the process works for obtaining official documents.
Beaver County Quick Facts
Where to Find Beaver County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Beaver County keeps dissolution of marriage records in two main places. The Fifth District Court holds active and recent case files from filings made through the court system. The Beaver County Clerk/Auditor's office holds older records, including divorce documents dating to 1871. Each office serves a different purpose, and knowing which to contact can save you time.
The Beaver County Clerk/Auditor's office is located at 105 East Center, P.O. Box 392, Beaver UT 84713. The phone number is (435) 438-6463. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and again from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staff there can help with birth records from 1897 to 1905, as well as court and divorce records going back to the 1800s.
For cases filed more recently through the district court, you will work with the Fifth District Court directly. Both offices can confirm whether a record exists and guide you through the steps to get a certified copy. If you are looking for records before 1978 or after 2010, the clerk is often the best first call.
The Beaver County Clerk/Auditor's licenses page provides contact details and office information for the county office that maintains many local civil records.
This resource shows the Beaver County Clerk/Auditor's responsibilities including the handling of local court and divorce documentation.
Fifth District Court Beaver County Divorce Filings
The Fifth District Court serves Beaver, Iron, and Washington counties. All dissolution of marriage petitions filed in Beaver County go through this court. The court handles case management, hearings, and the issuance of final decrees. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree filed in Beaver County, this is where you will request it.
| Court Name | Fifth District Court - Beaver |
|---|---|
| Address | 2270 South 525 West, P.O. Box 1683, Beaver UT 84713 |
| Phone | (435) 438-5309 |
| Fax | (435) 438-5395 |
| Certified Copy Fee | $8 per document plus $0.50 per page |
The Utah Courts directory lists all district courts, including location details and contact information for the Fifth District Court serving Beaver County.
This resource maps Utah's judicial districts, showing how Beaver County falls within the Fifth District and which courts handle local dissolution of marriage cases.
When you contact the Fifth District Court to request a certified copy, staff will ask for the names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Having the case number speeds things up considerably. Fees in Beaver County are $8 per document plus $0.50 per page, which differs slightly from the standard state schedule.
Note: Walk-in requests for certified copies may require same-day processing time, so calling ahead before you visit is a good idea.
Are Beaver County Dissolution Records Public
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, known as GRAMA, governs which court records the public can see. Under GRAMA, most dissolution of marriage records are available to the public. However, some information within those records is protected. Financial disclosure forms, details about minor children, and any information a court has ordered sealed are not released to general requesters.
A key change took effect on April 1, 2012. After that date, divorce case files became private by default. Final decrees and court orders, though, remain accessible to the parties involved and to members of the public under GRAMA. This means you can still request a copy of a final divorce decree even for cases filed after 2012, but you may not be able to view the full case file without a court order or showing a legal need.
Records more than 75 years old become fully public under Utah law. Beaver County's divorce records go back to 1871, so a large portion of the historical archive is freely accessible. Researchers and genealogists often find this useful when tracing family history in this part of southern Utah.
Beaver County Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Requirements
Before filing for dissolution of marriage in Beaver County, you must meet the residency requirement set out in Utah Code § 30-3-1. That statute requires at least three months of continuous residence in Utah and in the county where you plan to file. For Beaver County residents, this means living in the county for at least three months before the petition is submitted to the Fifth District Court.
Utah recognizes ten grounds for divorce. Irreconcilable differences is the most common. Others include adultery, willful desertion, and cruel treatment. You do not need to prove fault to obtain a divorce in Utah, but the ground you list must be one of those recognized under § 30-3-1.
The Utah Courts self-help divorce page walks through the entire filing process step by step, including how to use the OCAP online document system for $20 to generate your forms.
This page covers what documents to file, how to serve the other party, and what happens at each stage of a Beaver County dissolution of marriage case.
After filing, couples with no minor children must wait at least 30 days before a decree can be entered. Couples with minor children face a 90-day waiting period under § 30-3-18. Property division follows the equitable distribution rules in § 30-3-5, which means the court splits marital assets fairly but not always equally.
Note: The OCAP system can help you generate the right forms for an uncontested Beaver County dissolution, but complex cases involving property disputes or child custody usually benefit from attorney review.
Fees for Beaver Dissolution Of Marriage Documents
Several fees apply when you file or request dissolution of marriage records in Beaver County. The filing fee to start a new dissolution case is approximately $325. This is paid to the Fifth District Court at the time you submit your petition.
For certified copies of documents already in the court record, Beaver County charges $8 per document plus $0.50 per page. This is slightly higher than the standard state schedule, which runs $4 per document plus $0.50 per page. Always confirm the current fee schedule directly with the court before submitting payment, as fees can change.
If you need a divorce certificate rather than a certified court copy, Utah Office of Vital Records charges $18 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy. Vital Records holds certificates from 1978 to the present. For cases outside that range, you will need the county clerk or state archives.
State Vital Records for Beaver County Residents
The Utah Office of Vital Records maintains divorce certificates for events that occurred from 1978 to the present. If you are a Beaver County resident who was divorced after 1977, you can request a certificate from this office. It is located at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City UT 84116, and can be reached at (801) 538-6105.
A divorce certificate from Vital Records is a summary document. It confirms the names of the parties, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was granted. It does not include the full decree or case details. For legal purposes such as remarriage, name changes, or Social Security benefits, a divorce certificate is often sufficient. If you need the actual decree or order, you must request that from the Fifth District Court in Beaver County.
Fees at Vital Records are $18 for the first copy and $10 for each copy after that. Mail requests typically take two to four weeks. You can also visit the office in person to speed up the process. If you need the document for international use, an apostille can be obtained through the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office for $20 standard, $55 next-business-day, or $95 same-day service.
The Utah Office of Vital Records page provides forms, fee schedules, and instructions for ordering divorce certificates by mail or in person.
This resource details how to request a divorce certificate from the state office, including identification requirements and processing timelines for Beaver County and all other Utah counties.
Historical Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Beaver County
Beaver County was created from Iron County on January 10, 1856, and its court records date to that founding year. Divorce records specifically go back to 1871, giving genealogists and researchers access to a long historical record. The county seat of Beaver has served as the hub of county government since the beginning, and most of the earliest records were generated and stored there.
The Utah State Archives holds Beaver County records as part of the broader "Utah, State Archives, Records, 1848-2001" collection available through FamilySearch. Researchers can access divorce records from 1871 through this collection. The State Archives is located at 300 South Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City UT 84101, and can be reached at (801) 531-3800.
For records held locally in Beaver County, the Clerk/Auditor's office is your primary contact. The clerk holds probate records from 1872 and court records from 1856. Divorce records from 1871 are among the oldest documents in their collection. Staff can help you determine whether a specific record exists and what format it is available in, whether original, microfilm, or digital scan.
Note: Some very old records in the Beaver County collection may be fragile or partially damaged, and access may be limited to digital or microfilm copies rather than originals.
Legal Help for Dissolution Of Marriage in Beaver County
Not every dissolution of marriage case in Beaver County requires an attorney, but many do. Contested cases involving property division, custody, or support are complex. Even uncontested filings can become complicated if the parties own real estate, have retirement accounts, or disagree on any terms. Getting at least a consultation with a lawyer before you file is usually worthwhile.
Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents across Utah, including those in Beaver County. If you qualify based on income, you may be able to get free assistance preparing your dissolution petition and supporting documents. The Utah State Bar also offers a lawyer referral service at (801) 531-9077 if you need help finding a private attorney.
For those who want to handle their own case, the Utah Courts self-help center provides detailed instructions and the OCAP document preparation system. OCAP guides you through filling out the required forms for $20 and produces a packet ready to file with the Fifth District Court. This works well for straightforward cases where both parties agree on all issues.
Cities in Beaver County
Residents from all cities and towns in Beaver County file dissolution of marriage cases with the Fifth District Court in Beaver, including those from Milford, Minersville, and other small communities throughout the county.
Nearby Counties
Beaver County borders several other Utah counties whose residents use different district courts for dissolution of marriage filings.