Utah Death Records: How to Perform a Utah Death Records Search

Although county clerks in Utah started recording deaths as early as 1898, the practice wasn’t mandated by law until 1905. 

By 1919, statewide registration of deaths had achieved general compliance.

The Utah Department of Health is the government agency set up to maintain and disseminate death records in Utah. 

However, counties in the state continue to keep and provide Vermont death records.

Records of deaths within the past 50 years are confidential. During this time, only eligible people can access them. 

The records only become available to members of the public at the expiration of the 50-year confidentiality period. 

Requesters of death records in Utah can obtain the records in person or by mail. Utah death records can also be accessed online.

How to Access Utah Death Records Online

The state of Utah offers a secure web portal, known as Silver, through which eligible and interested members of the public can access and obtain certified copies of death records in Utah.

It is possible to request a death record online through Silver quickly and easily. 

In order to maintain the highest level of privacy, requests are made directly to the official repository for Utah death records in a safe and secure manner. 

Those wishing to place orders through Silver must first log in with their Utah.gov accounts or create new ones.

Interested members of the public can also access Utah death records online through third-party websites. 

These platforms can access and provide unconfidential death records in Utah to interested individuals on request.

In order to perform a search on a third-party website, requesters just need to provide the record subject's name and most recent address. 

There are no regional restrictions on these third-party websites, so Utah death record searches can be done anywhere in the country.

Who Can Access Death Records in Utah?

Utah death records only become available to members of the public 50 years after the death of the record holder. 

Within this period, anyone who’s interested in obtaining certified copies of these records must demonstrate a “direct, tangible, and legitimate interest”, according to state laws.

The government of Utah describes people with a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest as members of the decedent’s immediate family, the record-holder’s guardian, or the decedent’s legal representative. 

People who can provide written permission from any member of the decedent’s immediate family can also access and obtain certified copies of death records in Utah.

How to Obtain Death Records in Utah:

Utah death records are available to eligible requesters in person or via mail.

Although the Vital Records and Statistics Office of the Utah Department of Health is the official repository of death records in the state, requesters can also obtain Utah death records from the Utah Local Health Department closest to them. 

If the requested death record is older than 50 years, the interested party can find the record at the Utah State Archives.

Requesters interested in obtaining Utah death records from a Local Health Department must make their request in person at the Department. 

Interested parties must go with valid identification, applicable request fees, and most importantly, a completed application form. 

Requesters who are unable to download application forms online may get one at the Department.

To obtain Utah death records from the Vital Records and Statistics Office, requesters can make walk-in orders at the department at:

Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics,
288 N 1460 W,
Salt Lake City, UT

As a result of limitations necessitated by the pandemic, the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics can only receive a limited number of visitors per day. 

Therefore, the government encourages requesters to send mail-in death records requests instead.

To send Utah death records to request by mail, interested parties must fill out and print the death certificate application form, then attach valid identification and applicable processing fees and mail the package to:

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

How Much Do Utah Death Records Cost?

There is a $30 charge for the initial certified copy of a death certificate. In the event that no record was found, the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics will provide a certificate of search. 

No refunds will be given on fees. 

There is a fee of $10 for each additional certified copy. For $3, you can reprint a death certificate within 90 days of your original request. 

If you want to make a mail order payment, you can use a check or money order.

How Long Does a Utah Death Record Search Take?

Requests for Utah death records made in person can be processed and completed on the same day. 

Requesters who make their requests online will need to wait between 3-5 business days to obtain the records. 

Mail-in requests take the longest to complete. Requests sent by mail can only be obtained 4-6 weeks after the request was sent.