Are Salt Lake County Records Public?

Yes. Salt Lake County records are generally deemed public and accessible under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). GRAMA applies to all state and subsidiary branches of government, including state universities, public bodies, and private organizations carrying out public functions. This Act provides members of the public with the right to access certain records prepared, maintained, or controlled by a government entity, with some exceptions for confidential or protected information. Some examples of these records include Salt Lake County court records, criminal records, crime statistics, and vital, property, and probate records.

What is Exempted Under the Utah Public Records Act?

In GRAMA, the Utah State Legislature acknowledges individual privacy rights and the public's right to access information about official businesses (63G-2-102). For this reason, a custodian may restrict access to specific records and information. The following records or information are not open to the public and may be exempt from public disclosure:

• Private information, such as medical records
• Controlled information, such as those found in a mental health record
• Protected information, such as those that may jeopardize safety, interfere with ongoing investigations
• Documents sequestered by a court order, state law, federal law, or federal regulation.

Certain persons may be permitted to view or obtain records exempt from public access even though general access is prohibited. These include the record subjects, their legal representatives, or authorized government officials or agencies.

Salt Lake County Public Records Search

It is important for record seekers to first determine the type of record or document they are looking for and which agency is the material's principal custodian. Each agency in Salt Lake County is the custodian of its own record. Anyone who wishes to conduct a Salt Lake public records search may contact the agency directly. The procedures for viewing or obtaining public records are generally provided on agency websites or can be received by calling a service number assigned to an agency. Records may be accessed in person, online, or via calls, direct mail, or email.

For the convenience of the record seekers, Salt Lake County has an online GRAMA Request Portal where a requester can submit a request online. The request will be sent straight to the selected appropriate agency, and if an email address is supplied, the requestor may receive updates on its status. An alternative method of submitting a request is the GRAMA Request Form, which can be delivered in person, by mail, or by email to the relevant agency. Requests may be downloaded and made in writing.

The following should be considered by anyone making a public record request:

• Record seekers should be as specific as possible when describing the public records they are looking for
• Record seekers must ensure that the name, phone number, mailing address, and email address provided are functional and accurate
• A response to the request will be received by the requester within 14 calendar days.
• Requesters will receive email notifications regarding the status of their request

Those who desire to access records that are not public may explain why they believe they are entitled to access such records.

Find Public Records For Free in Salt Lake County

Third-party websites are owned by independent companies that gather and make publicly available records from a variety of official sources. Those who are interested can easily access public records from these websites, which are frequently simpler to access than government websites. Users can conveniently obtain public records from any location with the help of third-party websites. Such searches are typically conducted using a person's initial and last name. Although using these websites' databases is typically free, more thorough record searches could involve a one-time, monthly, or yearly subscription.

Since they primarily function independently of any official website, they may not be totally reliable, and data gleaned from these sites might not be correct. The accuracy and dependability of any information obtained from third-party websites may need to be confirmed by record searchers.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

Under Utah Code Section 17-21-12.5, anyone can request that their personal information from recorded instruments be redacted, and the county recorder will create a redacted copy. This law governs record redaction in Utah, specifically concerning personal information. Only personal information such as the subject's signature, the first five digits of a social security number, or the month and day of the month of a birth date may be redacted from a public record.

A person may ask the county recorder to produce a redacted copy of an instrument that has already been recorded. To submit a request, one must first locate the personal information to be redacted by entry number and page number or book and page number in the county recorder's files. However, a request may be in writing and may include the payment of the required fees according to state laws.

Furthermore, Utah's Clean Slate Law permits the automatic expungement of certain misdemeanor criminal records. Only Class A misdemeanor drug possession offenses, most Class B and C misdemeanor offenses, minor regulatory offenses, and infractions are eligible to be expunged automatically. However, individuals with more serious criminal records who are eligible for expungement may need to go through the petition-based process.

Who Can Access Salt Lake County Public Records in Utah?

Access to public records in Salt Lake County is governed by GRAMA and the Salt Lake County Policy on Public Records Access. Records created, collated, or maintained by government agencies within the county are public records unless otherwise provided by statute. Therefore, anyone can request, access, view, and obtain public records, as governed by the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). However, individuals making an in-state request must certify that they live in Utah, are legal residents of Utah, or conduct business or principal operations in Utah if the request was made by an entity. In-state requests may also be submitted on behalf of third parties outside Utah.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

An agency that denies a GRAMA request must provide a notice of denial explaining why all or part of the record should be withheld, provide a referral, and notify that additional time will be needed to respond due to extraordinary circumstances (Utah Code 63G-2-204(3)).

Government entities may provide the following reasons for the potential refusal of a public records request in Salt Lake County.

• The record may be under the restricted classification
• The agency does not have any records responsive to the request
• The request is too broad or vague
• The requestor duplicates an earlier request.

Any requester whose request for a public record was denied may appeal to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The notice of appeal should contain the petitioner’s name, mailing address, phone number, and the relief sought. Following receipt of the appeal, the chief administrative officer will consider the available options and reach a decision. Alternatively, the requestor may file a petition with the Salt Lake County District Court (Utah Code 63G-2-403).