Utah Death Records

Are Death Certificates Public in Utah?

No, death certificates in Utah are private until 50 years after death. Afterward, record seekers can access these certificates if they can prove their relationship with the decedent. For instance, the decedent's spouse, birth parents, adult child, sibling, or grandparent. Aside from that, these records are not available for public examination. According to Code Section 26-2-22(2), Record seekers must show evidence of a tangible interest if they are not members of the decedent's immediate family or authorized legal personnel.

Utah death certificate search can be done online, by mail, by phone, and through the local health departments. Search results reveal the decedent’s social security number, age, cause of death, date of death, place of death, birth records, and burial information.

What Shows Up on Death Records in Utah?

A death record is legal documentation of the death of the person named on the record. Proper documentation of deaths helps the government at various levels design effective public health policies and measure their impact. Registration of deaths is important for sourcing vital statistics for state and national mortality rates. It is required for a variety of medical and health-related research efforts. The information on death certificates can only be as accurate as the information contained in the death records filed.

There are many reasons why obtaining a death certificate is important. These reasons include accessing pension benefits, settling estates, claiming life insurance, getting married (where a widow or widower needs to prove that a previous partner is deceased), or arranging for a funeral.

Along with other Utah vital records, the Utah Department of Health maintains death records from 1905 to the present. County clerks in Utah were responsible for recording deaths between 1898 and 1905. Before 1898, no Utah government agency was required by law to record deaths in the state. Although it was not required, some Utah cities registered death before 1898.

A Utah death certificate contains:

• The decedent's name
• The decedent's place of death
• The decedent's age
• The decedent's occupation or kind of business
• The decedent's usual residence
• The cause of death
• The decedent's marital status
• The decedent's sex
• The decedent’s date of birth
• The decedent's birthplace
• The decedent’s father’s name
• The decedent's mother's maiden name
• The name of the decedent's spouse
• The decedent's color or race

How are Death Records Created in Utah?

Per Utah Code 26-2-13 (1)(a), a death certificate must be filed within five days of death and before the final disposition of the decedent's remains. Per R436-8-1(c) of the Utah Code, a burial transit permit must also be obtained to remove the remains from the death place. To begin the death record filing process, complete but do not sign the Utah Death Records Processing Form. The form is required to be signed in the presence of a local health department staff member. Subsequently, the death record processing form must be returned to the vital records office in the local health department that serves the county where the death occurred.

The individual filing a death record is required to be prepared with the following information about the deceased:

• Full name of deceased
• Time of death
• Date of death
• Place of death
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Social Security number
• Any history of service in the US armed forces
• Marital status
• Spouse's name (before first marriage)
• Occupation
• Residence address
• Names of parents
• Parent or father's name (before first marriage)
• Parent or mother’s name (before first marriage)
• Level of education completed
• Place of burial or disposition
• Name, address, and phone number of certifying physician

It is also necessary to obtain a certification of the cause of death from the attending physician and in certain cases, the Office of the Medical Examiner before the death record can be registered. Upon obtaining the medical certification, the death record will be filed, registered, and necessary permits will be issued.

For further inquiries on filing a death record in Utah, contact the local health department Vital Records office, or contact the state Office of Vital Records and Statistics.

How to Find Death Records Online in Utah?

Utah does not allow members of the public to look up death records online. Utah death records are not public until after 50 years of the death events. However, through the state’s secure web portal - Silver, requesters can search death records and obtain certified copies of requested records. A death record can be ordered online through Silver in a few minutes. Requests are submitted directly to the official source of Utah death records safely and securely to ensure that the requesters' personal information provided is kept as confidential as possible. Requesters must log in with their Utah.gov account or create a new one before orders can be placed via Silver.

Considered open to citizens of the United States, public records are available through both traditional, and government sources, and through third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are considered a good place to start when looking for a specific record or multiple records. To gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:

• The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
• The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.

While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government-sponsored entities and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.

Death Record Search by Name in Utah

Utah death record search by name is available on the Utah State Library website. A record seeker must provide the decedent's name on the search box available, and the result of persons bearing the name will be displayed. The search results reveal the descendant’s full name, age, place, and cause of death.

Death Record Search by Address in Utah

Utah doesn’t offer the option of a death record search by address. Thus, to obtain a piece of accurate death information, one must carry out a death record search by name online or may make in-person or mail-in requests to the record custodian.

How to Find Death Records for Free in Utah?

Utah death records from 1905 to the present can be obtained by eligible persons through walk-in or mail requests. However, a request must include the proper fee for the number of certified copies requested and acceptable identification. Utah has two kinds of acceptable identification for persons seeking to obtain death records: primary identification list and secondary identification list. If the identification provided by a requester is from the primary list, only one item may be presented. If the requester opts to submit identification from the secondary list, two items from the list must be presented.

The primary list of acceptable identification comprises:

• Government-issued photo driver's license
• Government-issued photo identification
• Government-issued work ID
• Employment Card
• U.S. Military Identification Card
• Tribal Identification Card
• Pilot License
• Alien Registration Card
• Permanent Resident Card
• Temporary Resident Card
• U.S. Passport
• Foreign Passport
• U.S. Certification of Naturalization
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
• U.S. Citizen Identification Card
• Matricula Consular Card
• Concealed Weapon Permit
• Mexican Voter Registration Card
• Jail/Prison Release Form (with picture)

The secondary list of acceptable identification comprises

• Work Identification/Paycheck/W-2
• School, University, or College ID Card
• Voter Registration Card
• Social Security Card
• US Military Separation/DD-214
• Motor Vehicle Registration/Title
• Marriage License (not issued by Utah State Vital Records)
• Court Order or Court Documents
• Jail/Prison documents
• Probation Documents
• Property Tax Receipt
• Veterans Universal Access ID Card
• Selective Service Card
• Hunting/Fishing License
• Insurance cards or documents
• Medicare Cards
• Utility Bill
• Business License
• Professional License

The Utah Vital Records Office does not accept novelty identification cards and driving privilege cards. A requester who cannot provide acceptable identification may have a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child who can provide appropriate identification and request the death certificate. Note that proof of relationship must be required.

If a requester fails to provide complete information on the application for a death certificate, the requester will be granted a 90-day window to provide the missing information. The Vital Records Office will retain all monies paid in the application process if no responses are received within 90 days.

The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics also issues stillbirth certificates to birth mothers who experienced fetal deaths. Stillbirths of 20 weeks or greater gestation as calculated from the mother's last normal menses period to the date of delivery, must be filed with the Office of Vital Records and Statistics within 5 days of the delivery by the delivering birth facility. To obtain a stillbirth certificate, complete a Stillbirth Certificate Application Form and contact the Office of Vital Records and Statistics at (801) 538-6371 for further information.

How to Obtain Utah Death Records in Person?

To obtain a Utah death certificate in person, visit any of Utah's Local Health Departments. Each request must include a completed application form, the correct fee, and valid identification. An application form can also be obtained from any department if one cannot be printed online.

Walk-in orders can also be placed at the location of the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics at:

288 N 1460 W Salt Lake City, UT 84116

The Office opens between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday except for state holidays. Note that due to restrictions placed in compliance with COVID-19 protocols, some of the local health departments are currently closed until further notice. Hence, requesters are advised to contact the local offices to verify that walk-in requests are accepted.

How to Obtain Utah Death Records by Mail?

To obtain a Utah Death certificate by mail:

• Complete the Death Certificate Application Form
• Include the correct fees
• Include valid identification
• Mail completed application. correct fees, and valid identification to:

Vital Records P.O. Box 141012 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012

Note that if an application form cannot be printed online, the state Vital Records Office will accept a written letter from the requester, including:

• The type of record requested
• The name of the person on the record
• The death date
• The place of death
• The name of the parents of the decedent (include maiden names for the mother of the decedent)
• The relationship of the requester to the person named on the record
• The reason for the request
• The signature of the requester

How to Obtain Death Records in Utah

To obtain a death record in Utah, visit the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics at the State Department of Health. Utah death records can also be obtained from the majority of the local health departments. Death records older than 50 years can be found at the Utah State Archives.

Can Anyone Get a Copy of a Death Certificate in Utah?

In Utah, persons entitled to obtain a certified copy of a death record must demonstrate a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest. Per Utah Code Section 26-2-22(2), a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest is present only if the applicant is a member of the deceased person's immediate family, the guardian of the deceased, or a designated legal representative. These include:

• The parent of the person named on the record
• The sibling of the person named on the record
• The spouse of the person named on the record
• The child of the person named on the record
• The grandparent of the person named on the record
• The grandchild of the person named on the record
• Persons with written permission from the immediate family.

It is a crime under Utah law to make false statements on a death certificate application form or to obtain a death certificate fraudulently.

How Much Does a Death Certificate Cost in Utah?

An initial certified copy of a death certificate costs $30. If no record is found, the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics will issue a certificate of search. Fees are non-refundable. Each additional certified copy costs $10. A death certificate reissued within 90 days of the original request will be charged $3. Mail orders can be paid with a check or money order.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in Utah?

Utah death records may be obtained by mail in 4-6 weeks. In-person requests can be completed on the same day as requests, while online orders take about 3-5 business days.

How Long to Keep Records After Death?

Utah makes the following provisions for the length of time a record must be kept after the death of the person named on the record:

• Property records (Deeds, titles, licenses, permits) - permanently
• Business and financial records - 10 years
• Medical records - 10 years

How to Expunge Death Records in Utah?

Expungement refers to sealing a record away from public view. In some instances, the term covers the physical destruction of a file or record to make it inaccessible to members of the public. A court order usually backs expungement. An expungement is considered useful where the subject of a record or persons connected to the record would be better served with the erasure of the event stated on the record.

How to Seal Death Records in Utah?

Utah makes no provisions for death records to be sealed or expunged in the state.

How to Unseal Death Records in Utah?

Although Utah death records of less than 50 years are closed records, such records are not sealed by court order and can be obtained by eligible persons. Utah death records cannot be sealed, and hence no statutes were established to provide for unsealing death records in the state.

How to Use the Utah Death Registry

The Utah Department of Health offers the provision of the Utah Death Index, where interested record seekers can find information concerning the death of residents in the state. Most importantly, the Health Department allows families to employ the services of authorized individuals like funeral directors to register deaths on their behalf via the Utah death registration system or file a death certificate by themselves if they do not want to retain a funeral director in compliance with Utah Code 26-2-13 (4)(a)(b) concerning the disposition of human remains.

It’s important to note that the Utah death registry is a comprehensive list of individuals who died in the State of Utah. Hence, one may be unable to find details of the death concerning a resident who died outside the state. For ease of access, the Utah index is often arranged by year of death and carries a decedent's name, age, date of death, and place of death.

On one hand, the local and state vital records offices do not easily grant access to the Utah death index and certificates since they are not public information in Utah. On the other hand, the Utah Death Index is accessible only to genealogists online. Thus, to use the Utah death index through legal means, record seekers must submit a written request to a vital statistics office and pay the applicable fee.

Bear in mind that the Utah death index is not an index to Utah death notices. This simply means paid notices that families employ to announce the death of their loved ones to the general public. Also, the Utah death index does not grant access to data regarding residents in the United States as a whole. Individuals who are curious about this information may need to search another United States death registry or check the website of the specific vital statistics office. If such information is available for public perusal on the website, individuals can retrieve it when they perform the United States death records lookup.

How to Find an Obituary for a Specific Person in Utah

Record seekers who are curious to find an obituary for a specific person can do so by conducting a Utah obituary search on the Utah State Library website via the Utah Newspaper Indexes. The requestor may enter the specific person’s name on the search tool available on the website. The search result will reveal a list of everyone bearing that name. Individuals are not requested to pay fees to conduct a Utah obituary search. Additionally, this free obituary search is available to the general public.

How to Conduct a Free Obituary Search in Utah

A free obituary lookup can be done on the Utah State Library website. A record seeker can perform a free Utah obituary search by either typing the name of the decedent or the word “obituary” on the search box available, and the result of persons bearing the name or obituaries that have taken place in the state will be displayed. This free obituary search is not time-consuming, and it is available to all.

What is Considered a Death Notice in Utah?

Utah death notices are short publications that give details of a person’s death. Such announcements are usually made in newspapers by family members.

What is the Difference Between Death Notices and Obituaries?

Death notices are announcements that family members pay for to notify the public about a person's death. These notices usually contain information about the deceased, like minor biological information, funeral services, and where donations can be made. On the other hand, obituaries provide detailed biological information about the deceased. Unlike death notices, obituaries are usually written by newspaper reporters or editors. The Utah State Library website allows a record seeker to conduct a free obituary search on their website.