What are Washington County Public Records?
Utah lawmakers designed the Government Records Access and Management Act to guarantee access to government-generated public records at all levels. The Act defines Washington County public records as any document a county official creates while discharging their duty. Washington public records may take handwritten or typewritten form. Government-generated photos, videos, maps, emails, and other digitally created documents are also public records in Washington County. Some Washington County records are exempt from the open record law, including:
- Information whose release would constitute a breach of privacy;
- Government employee information;
- Personal health records;
- Information whose release may result in security problems, financial instability, or unfair competition;
- Documents relating to ongoing police or court cases.
Washington County Crime Statistics
In Washington County, the Sheriff’s office collects records of crimes and arrests and forwards them to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Bureau includes the data into its yearly Uniform Crime Report. In 2013, the Sheriff’s office recorded eleven violent crimes and 142 property crimes. Among its 147,923 people, there were two rapists and nine cases of aggravated assault. There were also 45 burglaries, 86 instances of larceny-theft, eleven vehicular-theft cases, and one arson.
Over the next five years, the county’s population grew, but its crime rate reduced. In 2018, out of 171,567 people, law enforcement in Washington County recorded 36 violent crimes and 119 property crimes. There were six rapes, one robbery, and 29 cases of aggravated assault. Further, there were 31 burglaries, 72 instances of larceny-theft, 16 instances of vehicular-theft, and one arson.
Are Washington County Criminal Records Public?
Per the Utah Code Ann. § 53-10-108(1), Washington County criminal records are not available to the public. Law enforcement agencies may only provide Washington criminal records to:
- Criminal justice agencies and their employees;
- Private companies conducting employment background checks for employees;
- Agencies or individuals that require clearance for foreign travel or getting citizenship;
- Agencies or individuals conducting background checks for pre-placement adoption studies;
- Private security agencies conducting employment background checks for current and prospective employees.
Eligible persons may get Washington County criminal records by completing a GRAMA Request Form, having it notarized, attaching valid identification, and sending the complete package to the Bureau of Criminal Identification office. Copies of criminal records cost $5 for the first ten pages in black and white, and 11 to 50 pages cost $25. After fifty pages, the Bureau charges 50 cents per page. Color copies cost $1 per page.
Department of Public Safety
Bureau of Criminal Investigation
3888 West 5400 South,
Taylorsville, UT 84129
How to Obtain Washington County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office maintains police reports and arrest records for the county. Eligible parties who wish to access these records may do so by contacting the Sheriff’s Office at
Washington 620
South 5300 West,
Hurricane, UT 84737
Queries can also go to (435) 656-6500. Interested parties can also request information and copies of reports from the Sheriff’s office by completing a GRAMA Request form online.
Note: Copies of Washington County reports cost a minimum of $5 each.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Washington County
Interested parties can obtain information on sex offenders in Washington County from the Utah Sex and Kidnap Offender Registration and Notification registry. The Utah Department of Corrections regularly maintains and updates it. This registry allows interested parties to search for offenders by name, area, city, and compliance.
How to find Washington County Inmate Information
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division handles all queries related to jail and inmate information. Interested parties can access a Current Inmate Roster online to view a list of incarcerated inmates. Interested parties can also get inmate information by contacting the support desk for the Sheriff's office located at:
750 South 5300 West,
Hurricane, UT 84737
Phone: (435) 656-6600
The office opens between 8 a.m and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Queries can also go to (435) 656-6600. Interested parties can also fund inmates’ accounts using any of the kiosks located in the jail’s lobby.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Washington County Jail?
Friends and family may visit Washington County inmates at the Purgatory Correctional Facility located at:
750 South 5300 West,
Hurricane, UT 84737
Phone: (435) 656-6600
Prospective visitors must call the Sheriff’s Office to confirm the visiting schedule and make appointments. The facility does not admit visitors without a prior appointment. Visitors must provide a valid ID, pass through a metal detector, and subject themselves to a search before entering the facility. The prison does not allow visitors to bring the following items with them:
- Mobile phones / Cameras / Video cameras / Recording devices;
- Cigarettes, tobacco, or alcohol;
- Weapons (guns, knives, etc.);
- Briefcases, backpacks, handbags, wallets, purses, etc.);
- Personal property, including keys, money, personal identification;
- Electronic games consoles, music players, memory sticks, or heart rate monitors (except where pre-approved);
- Multimedia items like CDs, DVDs, and films;
- Electronic items like rechargeable toothbrushes, razors, clippers, etc.;
- Lighters, candles, incense, matches, aerosol-pressure spray can;
- Any food or drink;
- Metal cutlery or glass containers;
- Clothing with gang-affiliated colors/patches;
- Paint, pens, and highlighters with a non-transparent casing, scissors, knitting needles;
Washington County Court Records
The Utah trial court system consists of district courts, juvenile courts, and justice courts. In Washington County, the District Court has general jurisdiction over most cases, presiding over criminal cases, civil court cases, and family matters. The location of all courts in Washington County are below:
5th District Court - Washington County
206 West Tabernacle,
Suite 100,
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 986-5700
5th District Juvenile Court - Washington County
206 West Tabernacle,
Suite 125,
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 986-5730
Enterprise Justice Court
Box 340, Enterprise, UT 84725
Phone: (435) 878-2221
Hildale Justice Court
320 East Newel Avenue,
P.O. Box 840490,
Hildale, UT 84784
Phone: (435) 874-2323
Hurricane City Justice Court
80 South 700 West,
Hurricane, UT 84737
Phone: (435) 635-4072
Santa Clara Justice Court
2603 Santa Clara Drive,
Santa Clara, UT 84765
Phone: (435) 673-6712 ext. 202
Washington City Justice Court
111 North 100 East,
Washington, UT 84780
Phone: (435) 656-6350
Washington County Justice Court
87 North 200 East,
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 634-5728
Are Washington County Court Records Public?
According to the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act, Washington County court records are in the public domain. Interested persons may visit the District Court to access public Washington Court cases on its openly available terminals. The court charges a $4 fee per certified document and a 50 cent fee per page. Also, Utah Courts provide a fee-based subscription service that allows interested parties to access court records online. There is an initial registration fee of $25.00 and a $30 monthly subscription fee, enabling the subscriber to perform a maximum of 200 searches. There is an extra 10 cent fee per inquiry if the subscriber exceeds the 200-search monthly allowance.
How to Obtain Washington County Civil Court Case Records
There are two ways that interested parties may obtain Washington County civil court case records. Firstly, they may use the fee-based subscription service, XChange, which the Utah Court System provides for the public. Users must pay an initial registration fee of $25.00 and a $30 monthly subscription fee, allowing them to perform a maximum of 200 searches. If the subscriber exceeds the 200-search monthly allowance, they will pay a 10 cent fee per inquiry.
Interested persons may also view Washington County civil court cases at the District Court’s openly available terminals. Those who wish to copy them must visit the District Court clerk’s office. The court charges a $4 fee per certified document and a 50 cent fee per page.
5th District Court - Washington County
206 West Tabernacle,
Suite 100,
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 986-5700
How to Obtain Washington County Criminal Court Records
Interested parties may obtain Washington County criminal court records in two ways. The first option is to use the fee-based subscription service, XChange, which the Utah Court System provides for the public. Researchers must pay an initial registration fee of $25.00 and a $30 monthly subscription fee, allowing the subscriber to perform a maximum of 200 searches. If the subscriber exceeds the 200-search monthly allowance, they will pay a 10 cent fee per inquiry.
The second option is to visit the District Court, where Washington County civil court cases are available on public terminals. To copy criminal court records, interested persons must query the District Court clerk’s office. The court charges a $4 fee per certified document and a 50 cent fee per page.
5th District Court - Washington County
206 West Tabernacle,
Suite 100,
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 986-5700
What are Washington County Vital Records?
In Washington County, vital records refer to official documents that record important life events such as births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. The Southwest Utah Public Health Department maintains and issues records for births, weddings, divorces, and deaths in Washington County. Interested parties who wish to obtain copies of these records must have a current state-issued photo ID. In addition to this, Washington County also maintains and issues some of these records locally.
Where and How to Obtain Washington County Divorce Records
The Washington County District Court Clerk is responsible for the county’s divorce register. It provides certified copies of Washington County divorce records to the following eligible persons:
- The divorcees;
- The divorcees’ immediate family members;
- The divorcees’ legal representatives;
- Anyone with a legal order to obtain the record.
To obtain copies of divorce decrees, eligible parties should contact the Washington County District Court Clerk in person or by mail. To expedite a search, requesters must provide the divorcees’ names, the divorce date, and the case number (if available). Certified copies of court documents cost a minimum of $5.
Utah residents may obtain Washington County records online, using the state’s online request portal. Requesters who wish to apply for records must subscribe using a valid email address. Interested parties can also obtain copies of divorce records for divorces that occurred from 1978 to present from the Vital Records of the Southwest Utah Public Health Department located at:
620 South 400 East,
St. George,
UT 84770
This office operates between 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. Queries can go to (435) 673-3528.
Where and How to Get Public Washington County Marriage Records
In Utah, marriage records do not become public until 75 years after the initial issue. The Washington County Clerk is responsible for the county’s marriage register and provides public Washington County marriage records to interested persons.
Anyone interested in obtaining a public Washington County marriage may query the office of the County Clerk in person or writing at:
Washington County Clerk
197 East Tabernacle St.
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 634-5712
Requesters must provide the couples’ full names and the marriage date. Certified copies of public marriage licenses cost $9, with an additional $5 fee per extra copy.
Where and How to Get Confidential Washington County Marriage Records
In Utah, marriage records are confidential until 75 years after the initial issue. The Washington County Clerk is responsible for the county’s marriage register and provides certified copies of Washington County marriage records to eligible persons such as the following:
- The couple;
- The couple’s immediate family members;
- The couple’s legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain the record.
Eligible persons who wish to obtain confidential Washington County marriage may query the office of the County Clerk in person or writing at:
Washington County Clerk
197 East Tabernacle St.
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 634-5712
Requesters must provide the couples’ full names, the marriage date, and proof of eligibility. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $9, with an additional $5 fee per extra copy. Eligible parties can also obtain copies of marriage records for marriages from 1978 until present on the state’s Vital Records Order portal or in-person from the Southwest Utah Public Health Department’s Vital Records section.
620 South 400 East
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 673-3528
Fax: (435) 628-6425
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where and How to Find Washington County Birth Records
The Southwest Utah Public Health manages Washington County birth records and makes them available to eligible persons, including:
- The record holder (above 18 years old);
- The record holder’s parents (listed on the record);
- The record holder’s spouse;
- The record holder’s immediate family members;
- The record holder’s legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to get the record.
Eligible parties can obtain copies of Washington County birth certificates at the Southwest Utah Public Health Department located at
620 South 400 East,
St. George,
UT 84770
Applicants must complete a Birth Certificate Request Form. The office operates between 7:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. Interested parties can also mail in their requests to:
Office of Vital Records and Statistics,
P.O. Box 141012,
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012
Certified copies of birth certificates cost $22, with an extra $10 fee per extra additional copy.
Where and How to Find Washington County Death Records
The Southwest Utah Public Health is responsible for managing Washington County death records and making them available to eligible persons, including:
- The deceased’s spouse;
- The deceased’s immediate family members;
- The deceased’s legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to get the record.
Eligible parties can obtain copies of birth or death certificates at the Southwest Utah Public Health Department located at:
620 South 400 East,
St. George,
UT 84770
Applicants must complete a Death Certificate Request Form. The office operates between 7:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. Interested parties can also mail in their requests to:
Office of Vital Records and Statistics,
P.O. Box 141012,
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012
Certified copies of death certificates cost $30, with an extra $10 fee per extra additional copy.
