The earliest divorces were granted by church leaders. A few records of divorce or sealing cancellation may be found inserted in temple sealing records near the location where the original sealing was recorded. For more information about sealing records see Tracing LDS Families Research Outline (34080).

From 1847 to 1877 there were over two thousand divorces. During the territorial period, the federal district courts had jurisdiction for divorce cases from 1852 to 1895. The probate courts also had jurisdiction from 1852 to 1887. Some pre-statehood records may be found in records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After 1896, jurisdiction for divorce was given to the state district courts.

Some territorial divorce records have been indexed on a compact disc that contains birth, marriage, guardianship, and naturalization information; divorce records; and wills. This source is cited under Territorial Records in the "Vital Records" section of this outline.

The divorce records for 1852–1969 for Salt Lake City Third District Court can be obtained through the Utah State Archives. See their Internet site or call them for further information. The Family History Library has many records from the probate courts and a few from different courts. Other divorce records are available through individual courts. After 1978, certified copies are available through the Vital Records Department. See the address for the Bureau of Vital Records in the "Vital Records" section of this outline.

The divorce decrees are usually mixed with other court records, though some may have been kept separately. Some of the records are not indexed and will need to be searched chronologically. An example of a separate record is:

Utah. Probate Court (Salt Lake County) Divorce Records, 1852–1856, 1877–1887. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL film 431227; computer number 74310.) This record is unindexed and is in chronological order. It gives names of each spouse and reason for separation or divorce, and date of court action.

An example of a record mixed with different types of court actions is found in Millard County.

Utah. District Court (Millard County) Probate Division. Probate Court Records, 1870–1910. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL film 482034; computer number 731256.) This film includes divorce, incorporation and dis-incorporation information, minutes, and estate information.

To locate other records, look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

UTAH, [COUNTY] - DIVORCE RECORDS
UTAH, [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS

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