Research Guides
Research Our Records
Using Our Records
Research Guides are arranged by research interests and topics. These guides will direct you to indexes, specific record series, and other resources that can help you find the record you are seeking at the Utah State Archives.
We have completely rebuilt our research guides and a few are still in progress. Let us know if you can't find a guide you need.
Genealogy
Our collection contains many useful primary and secondary sources for researching people, families, and communities in Utah. Our staff will attempt to locate and copy records related to specific individuals, but we can only search those record series that are indexed.
Birth Records
Birth Certificates, Delayed Birth Certificates, County Birth Registers
Marriage Records
Applications, registers, and licenses to marry
Death Records
Death Certificates, County Death Registers
Cemetery and Burial Records
Plot and internment records in public cemeteries
Court Records
The most frequently requested court records are divorce decrees, naturalization or citizenship records, documentation of name changes, probate records, and criminal records.
Court Records
Overview of court organization, jurisdictions, and case types
Utah’s Court System
History and explanation of appellate courts, trial courts, and administration of the courts
Territorial Court Records
Summary of all extent court records from the territorial period
Naturalization and Citizenship
Guide to the process of an immigrant becoming a U.S. citizen
Civil (including divorce) Case Records
Summary of identifying and accessing civil lawsuits
Probate Case Records
Summary of identifying and accessing probate cases, including name changes and adoptions
Criminal Case Records
Summary of identifying and accessing criminal records
Land Records
We are the repository for many state and local government records relating to land and property history. You may explore records that document the history of a family home, a business, or a government building.
Land Records
Property, buildings, and other records repositories
Territorial Land Records
Original land titles in Utah Territory
Law and Legislation
We are the repository for permanent records of the Utah State Legislature, and the regulatory Administrative Rules Office.
Legislative Records
Records of the lawmaking process in the House of Representative and Senate
Administrative Rules
Rules are created by agencies of the state's executive branch with the authority of law
Governors of Utah
We hold many records from Utah’s governors, providing a glimpse into the important topics during their respective administrations.
Governors’ Records
Access to the official records of the chief administrative officer of the state
Governors’ Correspondence
The governor directly engages with issues of both local and national importance through correspondence
Utah History
Much of Utah’s History may be seen through the lens of its government entities and their records. These guides highlight especially important topics for Utah.
Mining Claims
Utah county recorders and mining district recorders kept documents associated with individual claims
Colorado River
Documenting the state’s ongoing planning and management of the Colorado River
Military Records and History
We hold a large collection of early military records and will guide you to the locations of more recent service records.
Military Records
Explore service records and an overview for different wars and conflicts
Discharge Records
Find where discharge and benefit records for military service may be accessed
Government Records About Business
One of the responsibilities of government is to ensure safe and functional economic activity.
Incorporation Records
County Clerks and the state agencies have shared responsibility for recording incorporation of businesses
Local Government
The records of local entities document the closest government to us as citizens.
City and County Records
Municipal and county government records
County Formation
History and boundaries of counties
Education Records
State and local school district records
