Research Adoption Records
Provisions for adopting children were first enacted by the Utah Territorial legislature in March 1884; prior to that date there were provisions for indenturing children and for assigning guardians in the case of deceased parents, but none for formal adoption.
Accessing Historical Adoptions
Utah law permits public access to adoption records over 100 years old (Utah Code 1953 78B-6-141 (2)(e), see also Access to Adoption Records). In addition, access will be permitted 100 years after the birth date (Adoption Records Access Amendments).
Adoptions were usually conducted as a court probate proceeding (more on the Utah Court System).Many of the probate records are not indexed, so knowing when and where the adoption took place can be critical.
The following series with Archives holdings likely contain accessible adoption records:
County Probate Courts | |
Box Elder County (Utah). Probate Court | |
Adoption record book, 1888. | Series 772 |
Sanpete County (Utah). Probate Court | |
Record books, 1855 - 1896 | Series 26609 |
Tooele County (Utah). Probate Court. | |
Record books, 1859-1892. | Series 1422 |
Weber County (Utah). Probate Court | |
Guardians record, 1884-1895. | Series 22725 |
Probate Minute Books, 1883-1896 | Series 5142 |
State District Courts | |
District Court (First District : Box Elder County) | |
Index to probate registers, 1896-1966 | Series 26051 |
Probate case files, 1906- | Series 11796 |
Probate record books, 1876-1966. | Series 17456 |
District Court (First District : Cache County) | |
Probate account books, 1883-1898. | Series 22725 |
Probate case files, 1864- | Series 1532 |
Probate index, 1864-1988. | Series 22659 |
Probate minute/record books, 1860-1966 | Series 22905 |
Probate record books, 1876-1906 | Series 767 |
Probate registers of actions, 1864-1988 | Series 22724 |
District Court (Second District : Davis County) | |
Adoption record books, 1885-1949 | Series 1420 |
Guardianship and adoption record books, 1881-1966 | Series 1418 |
Probate case files, 1870- | Series 4654 |
Probate record books, 1896- | Series 4733 |
District Court (Second District : Morgan County) | |
Probate record books, 1868-1966. | Series 1291 |
District Court (Second District : Weber County) | |
Minutes, 1896- | Series 1407 |
Probate case files, 1851- | Series 6874 |
Probate Court index, 1851-1899. | Series 21023 |
Probate record books, 1879-1959, 1975-1984 | Series 6405 |
District Court (Third District : Salt Lake County) |
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Adoption record books, 1884-1917. | Series 3932 |
Estate registers, 1876- | Series 3927 |
Probate case files, 1851- | Series 1621 |
Probate minutes, 1884-1973. | Series 3938 |
Probate record books, 1852-1966. | Series 3372 |
District Court (Third District : Tooele County) | |
Probate case files, 1871- | Series 83314 |
Probate record books, 1899-1966. | Series 17546 |
District Court (Fourth District : Juab County) | |
Adoption files, 1893- | Series 7057 |
Probate case files, 1896- | Series 17925 |
Probate record books, 1883- | Series 1160 |
District Court (Fourth District : Summit County) |
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Probate record books, 1866-1963 | Series 1342 |
District Court (Fourth District : Uintah County) | |
Probate record books, 1886-1966 | Series 1371 |
Probate registers of action, 1888-1966 | Series 27216 |
District Court (Fourth District : Utah County) | |
Adoption record books, 1885-1949. | Series 1420 |
Probate record books, 1875-1973. | Series 1373 |
Probate and insanity cases indexes, 1896-1977. | Series 25988 |
District Court (Fourth District : Wasatch County) | |
Probate case files, 1908- | Series 3590 |
Probate record books, 1862-1964. | Series 1378 |
District Court (Fifth District : Beaver County) | |
Probate case files, 1856- | Series 6241 |
Probate record books, 1897-1997 | Series 1053 |
Probate registers of action, 1896-1998 | Series 23866 |
District Court (Fifth District : Iron County) | |
Probate case files, 1895- | Series 26645 |
Probate record books, 1899-1964 | Series 1124 |
District Court (Fifth District : Millard County) | |
Minute books, 1896-1980. | Series 1406 |
Probate record books, 1870-1966. | Series 1188 |
District Court (Fifth District : Washington County) | |
Guardianships and adoptions record, 1902-1920 | Series 13505 |
Probate case files, 1896- | Series 3636 |
Probate record books, 1897-1991 | Series 18215 |
Probate registers of action, 1902-1990. | Series 18217 |
District Court (Sixth District : Garfield County) | |
Probate record books, 1883-1892; 1980-1981 | Series 1115 |
District Court (Sixth District : Piute County) | |
Probate record books, 1869-1910. | Series 1353 |
District Court (Sixth District : Sanpete County) | |
Index to register of estates, 1894-1993 | Series 26600 |
Probate case files, 1882- | Series 14694 |
Probate record books, 1884-1990. | Series 1336 |
District Court (Sixth District : Sevier County) | |
Probate record books, 1865-1985. | Series 1338 |
District Court (Sixth District : Wayne County) | |
Probate record books, 1889-1987. | Series 1380 |
District Court (Seventh District : Carbon County) | |
Probate record books, 1895-1966; 1973- | Series 1063 |
District Court (Seventh District : Emery County) | |
Probate case files, 1888-1989 | Series 12488 |
Probate record books, 1889-1993 | Series 1088 |
Probate registers of actions, 1887-1966 | Series 21917 |
District Court (Seventh District : Grand County) | |
Probate record books, 1908-1975 | Series 1103 |
Probate registers of actions, 1890-1990 | Series 26182 |
District Court (Seventh District : San Juan County) | |
Probate record books, 1888-1975 | Series 1314 |
District Court (Eighth District : Uintah County) | |
Probate case files, 1888- | Series 14198 |
More Recent Adoptions
Adoption files less than 100 years old are sealed. The adoptive parents and the adult adopted child may obtain a copy of the adoption decree, but otherwise the file cannot be opened for inspection except upon a court order. All requests to open sealed adoption files to obtain identifying information of adoptee or birth parents are initiated by filing a formal petition with the clerk of the court in the county where the adoption was granted. Addresses can be obtained from the court directory.
Adoption Mutual consent Voluntary Registry
Utah's "Mutual-Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry" makes it easier for adult adoptees and their "birth parents" or their blood-related brothers and sisters to find each other. The registry is a result of legislation that became effective April 27, 1987.
The registry is administered by the Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records. Adult Adoptees {at least 21 years old} who were born in Utah, their blood-related brothers and sisters, and their birth parents may use the registry.
A form available from the Bureau must be used to provide identifying information to the registry. Adult adoptees must be at least 21 years old to file, but a birth parent may file at any time. To help operate the registry, a $25.00 fee must be included with each application.
Each registry application is stored in computer files. A computer program compares each new application with all others in search of a match. When the Bureau receives an application from an adult adoptee that matches the application of a birth parent or an adult blood-related brother or sister, identifying information will be provided to the matched applicants.
For registry information, contact:
Adoption Reunion Registry
Department of Health
Vital Statistics
288 N. 1460 W.
PO Box 141012
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012
Telephone: (801) 538-6363
Website: adoptionregistry.utah.gov/adoption/
Original Sources: Utah Code Annotated 78-30-15,78-30-19; Utah Code of Judicial Administration, Rules4-202.02(11)(A), 4-202.03(11), and 6-406. Records list added later along with updated code citations.
Page Last Updated February 26, 2016.