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How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access a range of publicly available information through WashingtonUTRecords.us and through official Washington County government offices. The site aggregates publicly available data that may include property records, court indexes, vital records, and other documents maintained by county and state agencies. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the originating agency, the record type, and applicable state law. Records that may be accessible through official channels include:

Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Court case indexes (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and permits
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Land use and zoning documents
Motor vehicle and driving records

Records may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals, and online government portals.

Online Access:

The Washington County official website provides access to assessor data, recorder information, property watch alerts, and ownership maps.
The Washington County Recorder's property document search allows members of the public to search recorded land documents by entering one or more search fields; no registration is required for basic searches.
Utah Courts maintains a statewide court records portal through which members of the public may access case information subject to applicable access rules.
Historical Washington County vital records held by the Utah State Archives are available digitally for records predating the state's centralized vital records system.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Washington County Recorder/Surveyor's Office at 197 E. Tabernacle Street, St. George, UT 84770. Staff at the public counter can assist with document searches, certified copy requests, and recording submissions. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the Washington County Recorder/Surveyor's Office, 197 E. Tabernacle Street, St. George, UT 84770. Requests must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-204, a governmental entity must respond to a records request no later than ten business days after receiving it.

Phone/Email: The Washington County Recorder's Office may be reached by telephone at (435) 301-7600. Inquiries regarding vital records should be directed to the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.

What Are Public Records in Washington County?

Public records in Washington County are defined by the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), codified at Utah Code § 63G-2-101 et seq., as records that are prepared, owned, received, or retained by a governmental entity in the conduct of public business. The following record types are maintained by specific county and state offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Washington County Recorder/Surveyor
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)	Fifth District Court, Washington County
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Utah Office of Vital Records; Utah State Archives
Tax assessment records	Washington County Assessor
Business licenses and permits	Washington County Clerk; municipal offices
Meeting minutes and agendas	Washington County Clerk/Auditor
Land use and zoning records	Washington County Planning Department
Law enforcement records	Washington County Sheriff's Office
Motor vehicle and driving records	Utah Driver License Division

The Washington County Recorder/Surveyor's Office maintains ownership records, recorded maps, and land documents. Historical court case indexes for the Fifth District are accessible through the Utah State Archives digital collections. Driving records are administered separately by the Utah Driver License Division.

Is Washington County an Open Records County?

Washington County operates in full compliance with Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), which establishes the right of the public to access government records. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, all records are public unless expressly classified as private, protected, or controlled by statute. As the Utah State Archives states, "Access to government records is a fundamental right of Utah citizens," reflecting the legislature's intent that openness be the default posture of all governmental entities.

GRAMA applies to all county offices, including the Recorder, Assessor, Clerk, Sheriff, and Planning Department. Washington County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; GRAMA governs all public records requests submitted to county offices. The county's compliance with state sunshine laws extends to the open meetings requirements of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, which mandates that meeting minutes and agendas of the County Commission and its boards be made available to the public.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?

The fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by GRAMA and the county's adopted fee schedule. Members of the public should be aware of the following standard fees:

Record inspection: No fee is charged for inspecting a record at the office where it is maintained.
Paper copies: The Washington County Recorder's Office charges a per-page fee for printed copies of recorded documents; the standard fee is $1.00 per page for standard-size documents.
Certified copies: Certified copies of recorded documents carry an additional certification fee, which varies by document type.
Electronic copies: Fees for electronic copies are set in accordance with GRAMA's cost-recovery provisions.
Search fees: Under GRAMA, a governmental entity may charge a reasonable fee for record searches that require extraordinary use of personnel or equipment.
Vital record certificates: Certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are subject to fees established by the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics; members of the public may order a vital record certificate through the state's online ordering system.

Accepted payment methods at the Washington County Recorder's Office include cash, check, and credit card. GRAMA provides that fees may be waived if the requester is an indigent individual or if the disclosure is in the public interest.

Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the office maintaining the record, without charge, pursuant to GRAMA. The following resources provide free access to Washington County records:

The Washington County property document search portal allows free online searching of recorded land documents without registration.
The Washington County official website provides free access to assessor data, property characteristics, and ownership information.
The Utah State Archives offers free digital access to historical Washington County vital records predating the state's centralized vital records system.
The Utah Courts records portal provides free access to certain court case information online.
Fifth District Court indexes for Washington County are freely accessible through the Utah State Archives digital collections.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection at a public office carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?

Any person may submit a public records request under GRAMA, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Utah law does not require a requester to be a resident of Washington County or the state of Utah. The following conditions apply:

Identification: Requesters are not required to provide identification for access to public records, though identification may be required for records restricted to specific individuals (such as certain vital records).
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request for public records, except where purpose is relevant to determining access to records classified as private or protected.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Utah retain the same right of access to public records as residents.
Restricted record types: Access to certain records—such as certified vital records, juvenile court records, and sealed court documents—is limited to authorized individuals as defined by statute.
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be classified as private, upon providing satisfactory proof of identity.

The Southwest Utah Public Health Department, which serves Washington County, can assist residents with obtaining local copies of certain vital records and directing requests to the appropriate state office.

What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?

Not all government records in Washington County are available to the public. GRAMA establishes categories of records that are classified as private, protected, or controlled. The following record types are exempt from public disclosure under Utah Code § 63G-2-302 and related provisions:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are restricted pursuant to Utah Code § 78A-6-209.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for criminal investigations are protected if disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are classified as private.
Medical records: Health information is protected under both GRAMA and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Adoption case files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
Child welfare records: Records of the Division of Child and Family Services are classified as private.
Personnel records: Employee records are private with limited exceptions for certain public employee information.
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to a governmental entity is protected.
Security plans: Infrastructure and security-related documents are classified as controlled or protected.

As the Utah State Archives notes, "Some records are restricted by law and may only be accessed by the subject of the record or their authorized representative." Requesters who believe a record has been improperly withheld may appeal the denial through the process established under GRAMA.

Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Washington County Recorder/Surveyor's Office
197 E. Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7600
Washington County Recorder/Surveyor

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Additional Offices:

Washington County Assessor's Office
197 E. Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7020
Washington County of Utah

Fifth District Court – Washington County
206 W. Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 656-6600
Utah Courts – Records

Southwest Utah Public Health Department
620 S. 400 E.
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 986-2565
Local Health Departments – Utah Vital Records

Utah Driver License Division – St. George Office
1067 E. Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (801) 965-4437
Driving Record (MVR) – Utah Driver License Division