Washington City Public Records
Washington City public records are available to the public under Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, known as GRAMA. The city maintains council minutes, ordinances, city contracts, and police reports that you can request from the appropriate office. This guide covers how to access Washington City government records, where to search court filings through the Fifth District Court, how to look up property records through Washington County, and how to get a statewide criminal background check. Records can be requested in person, by mail, or online through city and state systems.
Washington City Quick Facts
Washington City Recorder Records
The City Recorder in Washington City is the official custodian of city documents. This office maintains City Council meeting minutes, adopted ordinances, resolutions, city contracts, and election records. GRAMA requests for city-level records are processed through this office. You can submit a request in person, by mail, or through the city's website at washingtoncityut.gov.
| Office | Washington City Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 North 100 East Washington, UT 84780 |
| Phone | (435) 656-6300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | washingtoncityut.gov |
Under Utah Code section 63G-2, public agencies must respond to a GRAMA request within 10 business days. In-person inspection of records is free. Copies are $0.25 per page for standard-size documents. Larger requests that require significant staff time to compile may carry an additional fee. Call (435) 656-6300 before submitting a large request to confirm what fees, if any, will apply.
Council meeting agendas, recent minutes, and some ordinances are posted on the city website. Check there first since online documents do not require a GRAMA request. Older records or materials not posted online must be requested in writing through the Recorder's office. Staff can guide you on how to describe the records you are looking for to make your request as specific as possible.
Washington City Police Records
The Washington City Police Department handles law enforcement for the city and maintains incident reports, arrest records, and traffic accident reports. Contact the department's records staff for public records requests related to police activities.
| Office | Washington City Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 North 100 East Washington, UT 84780 |
| Phone | (435) 656-6380 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
To request an incident report, call (435) 656-6380 and provide the date of the incident and the names of the parties involved. Fees vary by report type. Traffic accident reports may have a different cost than general incident reports. Body camera footage requests require a separate process and may take additional time because footage is reviewed before release to check for restricted content. The department can give you the current fee schedule when you call.
Note: Washington City Police records cover only incidents handled by their officers. For incidents involving Washington County Sheriff or state agencies, contact those offices separately.
Fifth District Court Records
Washington City is served by the Fifth District Court, which covers Washington County. This court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters, domestic relations cases, and probate. Most significant legal proceedings involving Washington City residents are filed here. The Fifth District Court is located in St. George, about 5 miles from Washington City.
| Court | Fifth District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 206 West Tabernacle Street St. George, UT 84770 |
| Phone | (435) 986-5700 |
| Website | utcourts.gov/en/district-courts/fifth-district |
You can search Fifth District Court case records through the Utah Courts XChange system. XChange lets you look up cases by name or case number and view docket entries, party information, and case status. Each search costs $0.35. A $40 monthly subscription covers unlimited searches. If you prefer to search at no cost, free public terminals are available at the courthouse in St. George.
Washington City also has a Justice Court for misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and city ordinance cases. For copies of court documents, contact the clerk of the relevant court. Most records are public. Sealed files, juvenile records, and certain protective order documents are restricted. Call ahead to confirm availability before visiting.
Washington County Recorder and Property Records
Property records for Washington City are held by the Washington County Recorder, not the city itself. The Recorder's office maintains deeds, liens, plats, and other property-related documents. These records are separate from what the city holds and require contact with the county rather than city offices.
| Office | Washington County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 87 North 200 East St. George, UT 84770 |
| Phone | (435) 477-3300 |
| Website | washco.utah.gov/recorder |
The Washington County Recorder's website offers online access to property records including deeds and plats. You can search by owner name or parcel number. Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a fee. If you are researching property history in Washington City, this is the office to contact.
Washington City Public Records Resources
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Investigation website is where to go for statewide criminal history checks covering Washington City and all other Utah jurisdictions.
BCI maintains the statewide criminal history database. A name-based check costs $15. The phone number is (801) 965-4445 if you prefer to call with questions before ordering.
The Utah GRAMA statute page sets out the rules that govern public records access across all state and local agencies, including Washington City departments.
Knowing your rights under GRAMA before you file a request can save time. The statute explains what records are public, what can be withheld, and how to appeal a denial.
Criminal Background Checks
Statewide criminal background checks for Utah run through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. BCI holds data from law enforcement agencies across the state. A name-based check costs $15 and can be ordered through the BCI website or by mail. BCI's main line is (801) 965-4445. A fingerprint-based check costs $33.25 and is the more thorough option used for employment or licensing screening. BCI records cover Utah only. Federal criminal history requires a separate process through the FBI.
Vital Records for Washington City
Birth and death records for Washington City residents are not held at City Hall. They are maintained by the Utah Office of Vital Records. You can order certified copies through the SILVER system. Birth certificates are $18. Death certificates are $16. Marriage and divorce records for events that happened in Utah are also available through the same office. The office is part of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
Older or historical government documents that are no longer held at the originating office may be at the Utah State Archives in Salt Lake City. The Archives can be reached at (801) 531-3847 and has online finding aids to help you plan a research visit.
Legal Help in Washington County
If a Washington City agency denies your GRAMA request, you can appeal to the agency's chief administrative officer. If that appeal fails, the next step is the State Records Committee, which holds public hearings and can order agencies to produce records. The appeal process is described in Utah Code section 63G-2. For free legal help, contact Utah Legal Services to see if you qualify. The Utah State Bar referral line is (801) 531-9077.
Washington County Public Records
Washington City is part of Washington County. The county holds its own public records separate from city files, including property deeds, county commission minutes, and court filings. Visit the Washington County page for a full guide to county-level resources.
Nearby Utah Cities
St. George is the nearest qualifying city in Washington County with its own public records resources.