Search Box Elder County Divorce Records

Box Elder County dissolution of marriage records go back to 1856, when the county was first formed from Weber County. The First District Court in Brigham City handles all current divorce filings for Box Elder County. Whether you are looking for a recent decree, trying to confirm a case was filed, or researching historical dissolution of marriage records, this page explains where records are kept, how to request them, and what to expect from the process.

Where Box Elder Dissolution Of Marriage Records Are Kept

Box Elder County dissolution of marriage records are maintained in two main places. The First District Court in Brigham City holds case files for divorces filed through the court system. The Box Elder County Clerk, located in the same courthouse building, holds older civil records including divorce documents dating to 1856. Knowing which office to contact first saves time and avoids back-and-forth calls.

The Box Elder County Courthouse is at 43 North Main Street, Brigham City UT 84302. Both the county clerk and the First District Court operate from this address. The main phone number for the courthouse and clerk is (435) 734-4600. The First District Court fax is (435) 734-4610. Court records from 1856 are on file, along with land records, probate filings, and marriage records from 1887.

For cases filed within the last two decades, the court clerk's office is your primary contact. For much older Box Elder County divorce records, the State Archives holds materials that go back to the county's founding year. Staff at the courthouse can usually confirm whether a record exists and point you toward the right office for the type of document you need.

Note: Box Elder County's courthouse has no history of major disasters or record losses, so its collection of civil records, including dissolution of marriage filings, is unusually intact for a county of its age.

First District Court Box Elder County Divorce Cases

The First District Court serves Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties. All dissolution of marriage petitions filed by Box Elder County residents go through this court. The court handles everything from initial petition filings to final decree entry. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree from a Box Elder County case, you request it here.

The Utah Courts directory lists complete contact details, locations, and hours for all district courts in Utah, including the First District Court locations serving Box Elder County.

This resource maps Utah's judicial districts and shows that Box Elder County falls within the First District, which also covers Cache and Rich counties for dissolution of marriage and other civil matters.

When you contact the First District Court to request a certified copy of a dissolution of marriage decree, staff will ask for the names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Having the case number makes the search faster. Certified copies cost $4 per document plus $0.50 per page at the standard state rate used in Box Elder County.

Box Elder County Divorce Records and Public Access

Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) controls what court records the public can view. In Box Elder County, dissolution of marriage records are generally treated as public records. However, GRAMA carves out exceptions for financial disclosures, information about minor children, and any records a court has sealed. These exceptions mean that even though a case is technically public, certain documents within it may not be released to a general requester.

A significant change took effect on April 1, 2012. Starting on that date, divorce case files became private by default in Utah. Before that date, full case files were more readily accessible. After that date, final decrees and court orders remain available to the parties and to the public under GRAMA, but the underlying case file documents have more limited access. If you need something beyond the final decree, you may need to show a legal interest or obtain a court order.

Box Elder County records older than 75 years are fully public under Utah law. Given that court records in this county go back to 1856, a large portion of the historical archive is open to anyone. Researchers tracing family history in Box Elder County can access dissolution of marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s through the State Archives or the county clerk.

Filing a Dissolution Of Marriage in Box Elder County

To file a dissolution of marriage in Box Elder County, you must first meet the residency requirement under Utah Code § 30-3-1. This statute requires that at least one spouse has lived in Utah for a minimum of three months and in Box Elder County specifically for three months before filing. Both conditions must be met at the time the petition is submitted to the First District Court.

Utah recognizes ten grounds for dissolution of marriage under § 30-3-1. Irreconcilable differences is by far the most common ground chosen by Box Elder County filers. The others include impotency, adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, willful neglect, habitual drunkenness, conviction of a felony, cruel treatment, incurable insanity, and living apart for three or more years under a decree of separate maintenance. You do not need to prove fault, but you must select a recognized ground.

The Utah Courts divorce self-help page explains the full filing process in plain language, covering how to complete forms, serve the other party, and navigate the waiting period before a final decree can be entered.

This page walks through each step of filing a dissolution of marriage in Utah, including the specific requirements that apply to Box Elder County cases handled by the First District Court.

After filing, the waiting period depends on whether the couple has minor children. Couples without minor children must wait at least 30 days before the court can enter a final decree. Couples with minor children must wait 90 days under § 30-3-18. Property is divided under the equitable distribution standard in § 30-3-5, giving the court flexibility to divide marital assets fairly based on the circumstances of each Box Elder County case.

Note: The OCAP online document system costs $20 and can generate a complete filing packet for uncontested Box Elder County dissolution cases, which is often enough for couples who agree on all terms.

Box Elder County Dissolution Of Marriage Fees

Several fees apply when you file or request documents in a Box Elder County dissolution of marriage case. The filing fee to open a new case at the First District Court is approximately $325. This covers the cost of processing the initial petition and opening a case file.

For certified copies of records already on file with the court, the standard Utah fee schedule applies: $4 per document plus $0.50 per page. If you need multiple certified copies, each one carries its own base fee. Always confirm the current fee schedule with the First District Court in Brigham City before submitting payment, as the legislature can adjust fees.

If you need a divorce certificate from the state rather than a certified court copy, Utah Office of Vital Records charges $18 for the first copy and $10 for each additional one. That office holds records from 1978 onward. For Box Elder County divorces before 1978, you need the State Archives or the county clerk.

Historical Box Elder County Dissolution Records

Box Elder County was established on January 5, 1856, carved out of Weber County. Its court records date to that founding year, and the county has maintained a continuous archive ever since. The county takes its name from the box elder trees that grew abundantly in the area when early settlers arrived. Dissolution of marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s reflect the legal practices of territorial and early statehood Utah.

The Utah State Archives holds Box Elder County records as part of its statewide collection. The Archives is located at 300 South Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City UT 84101, phone (801) 531-3800. Staff can help you identify which collections hold Box Elder County dissolution of marriage records and how to access them.

FamilySearch also holds genealogical records tied to Box Elder County. The FamilySearch Box Elder County genealogy page lists available record sets including vital records, court filings, and probate materials that can help researchers trace dissolution of marriage cases from the 1800s forward.

Birth records from 1898, marriage records from 1887, and death records from 1898 are all available through the county. Court and land records date to 1856, making Box Elder County one of the richer historical archives in northern Utah. Census records for the area go back to 1851, before the county was even officially formed.

Note: Very old records may be in microfilm or scanned format rather than original paper, and some items may require advance scheduling to access at the archives.

Utah Vital Records for Box Elder County Divorce

The Utah Office of Vital Records is the state-level resource for divorce certificates for events from 1978 to the present. Box Elder County residents who were divorced after 1977 can order a certificate from this office. It is at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City UT 84116, phone (801) 538-6105.

A divorce certificate from Vital Records is a short summary document. It shows the names of the parties, the date of the dissolution, and the county where it was granted. This type of certificate is often used to prove marital status for remarriage, name change requests, or Social Security and insurance purposes. It does not include the full text of the decree or any orders about property or children.

Processing by mail takes two to four weeks. In-person visits to the Salt Lake City office can be faster. If you need the document for use in another country, an apostille from the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office adds $20 for standard service, $55 for next-business-day processing, or $95 for same-day turnaround.

The Utah Vital Records website provides downloadable request forms, fee information, and identification requirements for ordering a Box Elder County divorce certificate.

This resource shows how Box Elder County residents can request official divorce certificates from the state office, along with the documentation needed and current processing times.

Legal Help for Box Elder County Divorce

Some Box Elder County dissolution of marriage cases are straightforward. Both parties agree on the terms, there are no minor children, and the property is simple to divide. In those situations, the OCAP online system and the court's self-help resources may be enough. Many cases, though, involve disagreements that require legal guidance.

Utah Legal Services offers free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents throughout Utah. Box Elder County residents who meet the income guidelines can get help with dissolution of marriage forms, filing procedures, and court representation in some cases. The Utah State Bar's lawyer referral line at (801) 531-9077 can connect you with a private attorney if you do not qualify for free services but still need professional help.

For those handling their own case, the Utah Courts self-help divorce center provides step-by-step instructions for every stage of a Box Elder County dissolution, from the initial petition through the final decree. The OCAP system generates a ready-to-file packet for $20, which covers most of the paperwork for an uncontested case filed at the First District Court in Brigham City.

Cities in Box Elder County

Residents from all cities and communities in Box Elder County file dissolution of marriage cases at the First District Court in Brigham City, including those from Tremonton, Garland, Perry, Willard, Corinne, and other towns throughout the county.

Nearby Counties

Box Elder County borders several other Utah counties, each served by its own court for dissolution of marriage filings.

View All 29 Counties