Sl County Recorder: Deeds & Records

Other useful Recorder contacts

Salt Lake County provides a free property search through Recorder Data Services. It is useful when you want a list of recorded documents tied to a particular property.

Unlike some name-first county recording systems, Salt Lake County’s public search asks for a property address or parcel number.

1. Open the county search portal.

   Read the Terms of Service and check the acceptance box if you agree.

2. Enter an address or parcel number.

   Start typing the property address or parcel ID in the search field.

3. Select a suggested result.

   The county requires the address or parcel to be chosen from the auto-populated drop-down list.

4. Review the property record.

   Look for ownership information, legal description and indexed document references.

5. Save the document information.

   Keep the entry number, document type and other references for copies or further research.

What if your address is not found?

Confirm the street direction, such as North, South, East or West. Try the property’s tax parcel number when possible.

If the property is a duplex or uses a number range, the address may be indexed differently. Contact Data Services if you cannot locate it.

Why is a recent document missing?

The county explains that recorded document images are typically available by the next working day. New subdivision plat maps can take longer.

Property information in the search system may be at least 24 hours old. Allow for processing when researching a very recent transaction.

Salt Lake County uses a data-unit system for enhanced Recorder research. Choosing the correct option can prevent unnecessary spending.

Published Data Services packages

The Recorder accepts recordable documents that satisfy applicable Utah law. Deeds, trust deeds, reconveyances and other real-property instruments have different legal effects.

The Recorder checks recording standards and preserves accepted documents. Staff cannot determine whether the instrument is the correct legal choice for your situation.

Salt Lake County recording checklist

Page formatting rules

County guidance specifies white 8.5-by-11-inch paper, printing on one side only and black readable text.

Reserve a blank 2.5-inch-high by 4.5-inch-wide area at the upper-right of the first page. Follow the county’s one-inch margins on subsequent pages.

Sheets should not be continuously bound, and the document must be sufficiently legible for certified copying.

The county’s published recording schedule lists a $40 flat fee for a standard document recording, with additional charges for certain legal descriptions.

The following figures come from the county’s published October 29, 2024 fee schedule. Confirm that the schedule remains current before payment.

Simple recording example

If a standard qualifying deed has one recording and no additional legal-description charges, the published basic recording fee is $40.

If the document has more than ten separately chargeable legal descriptions, additional fees may apply. Map and subdivision recordings use different calculations.

You can use Recorder Data Services to identify a recorded document. Then obtain a copy digitally through the available service or request one from the Recorder’s Office.

A certified copy is useful when a court, financial institution or government office requires official Recorder certification.

1. Search the property.

   Use the address or parcel number to locate recorded instrument references.

2. Find the correct deed.

   Compare names, legal description, entry number and document type.

3. Choose an access method.

   Use the Data Services option suitable for your research or contact the Recorder.

4. Request certification if needed.

   Ask for an official certified copy rather than a regular printed record.

5. Confirm delivery.

   Check payment, mailing or pickup requirements before placing the request.

If you do not know the recording reference, email the Recorder with your property address and parcel number to explain what you need.

Salt Lake County Recorder provides Property Watch, a free notification service that alerts owners when new recorded documents are connected to a monitored property.

The service offers email alerts and an option to register a mobile phone number for text notifications.

1. Open Property Watch.

   Use the official Recorder registration page.

2. Type your property address.

   Include a street direction when applicable, such as N, S, E or W.

3. Select the suggested address.

   You must select the correct match from the drop-down list.

4. Complete registration.

   Provide the requested contact details and finish the county’s instructions.

5. Review future notifications.

   Look for the parcel number, entry number, document type and recording date.

What if Property Watch cannot find your address?

Try the physical property address from your tax notice, not just your mailing address.

The county suggests entering directional letters and continuing to type beyond the first ten suggested results. Duplex addresses sometimes require number ranges.

Legitimate notices may come from propertywatch@slco.org. Verify unusual messages through the official county website rather than following unexpected payment requests.

Salt Lake County maintains separate systems for property ownership records, valuation, taxes, mapping and appeals.

When a property owner dies

Ownership may transfer through survivorship, probate, a trust or another legal process. The correct recording depends on how title was held.

The county publishes a death-of-property-owner guide, but it is not a substitute for estate or title advice.

Discriminatory restrictive covenants

Salt Lake County provides a process for owners seeking to renounce discriminatory language in older recorded housing covenants.

Its guidance explains the Restrictive Covenant Amendment process and notes that the amendment must be signed and notarized before recording.

Researching former property owners

Historical deed research can require older index records or a chain-of-title examination. The Recorder maintains the land records but does not perform individual title research for customers.

If online data does not answer your question, contact the office about available historical materials and in-person research access.