Search San Juan County Public Records
San Juan County public records are held by county offices in Monticello, the county seat in southeastern Utah. The county covers 7,933 square miles, making it the largest county by area in Utah, and includes significant Native American lands and portions of national parks. Property deeds, court case files, criminal history, marriage licenses, and other government documents are all accessible under state law. This guide covers how to find and request San Juan County public records from the right offices.
San Juan County Quick Facts
San Juan County Recorder
The San Juan County Recorder's Office is at 117 South Main Street, Monticello, UT 84535. Call (435) 587-3221 to reach the office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The county's recorder page is at sanjuancounty.org/recorder/. A satellite office in Blanding serves residents in the southern part of the county, which spans more than 7,900 square miles of remote terrain.
The Recorder maintains all real property documents for San Juan County. Recorded items include deeds, mortgages, trust deeds, judgment liens, releases, easements, and recorded plats. The county's large land area includes federal land, tribal land, and private parcels. When dealing with property near tribal boundaries or national park areas, it is worth confirming that the relevant parcel is within county jurisdiction before requesting records. The Recorder can help confirm this by parcel number or legal description.
Recording fees are $40 for the first page, covering up to 10 property descriptions, plus $2 for each additional description. Certified copies cost $5 plus $1 per page. Records are available in person during business hours. Mail requests are accepted. Call ahead to confirm the procedure for your specific request, especially if the records you need may be held in the Blanding satellite office.
| Office | San Juan County Recorder 117 South Main Street Monticello, UT 84535 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (435) 587-3221 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | sanjuancounty.org/recorder/ |
San Juan County Clerk and Auditor
The San Juan County Clerk-Auditor is also at 117 South Main Street, Monticello, UT 84535. Phone: (435) 587-3223. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Clerk's website is at sanjuancounty.org/clerk-auditor/. This office serves as clerk to the county commission, manages elections, issues marriage licenses, and handles GRAMA requests for county records.
Marriage licenses are issued here. Both parties must appear in person, and the license is valid for 30 days. County commission minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative records are available through the Clerk. Written GRAMA requests for these documents should be addressed to the Clerk-Auditor's Office in Monticello. The office has 10 business days to respond under Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2. Requests can be submitted by mail or in person.
The Auditor side of this office handles county finances, including budgets, expenditures, and tax administration. These financial records are also public under GRAMA and can be requested through the same office. Voter registration information for San Juan County elections is available through the Clerk and also online at vote.utah.gov.
Criminal Records in San Juan County
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office enforces the law in unincorporated county areas and operates the county jail. For incident reports, arrest logs, and other law enforcement records held locally, contact the Sheriff's Office in Monticello. Provide the name, incident date, and case number if available. Given the county's large area and small staff, response times may vary.
For a statewide criminal history check, the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification is the right agency. BCI operates through the Utah Department of Public Safety and maintains Utah's central criminal records database. A name-based check costs $15. A fingerprint check costs $33.25 and gives a more accurate result tied to a specific identity. Submit requests through bci.utah.gov or call BCI at (801) 965-4445. Results reflect criminal history across all Utah counties, not just San Juan County.
Note: San Juan County includes tribal lands where tribal law enforcement and courts have jurisdiction. For incidents on tribal land, records may be held by tribal authorities or federal agencies rather than the county Sheriff.
The GRAMA law also applies to Sheriff's Office records in San Juan County. If a records request is denied, you can appeal under § 63G-2-401 and then § 63G-2-802.
San Juan County Court Records
San Juan County falls under the Seventh Judicial District Court. Court records cover civil cases, criminal proceedings, family law, small claims, probate, and juvenile matters. The Utah Courts XChange system at utcourts.gov lets you search case records online. XChange charges $0.35 per search or $40 per month for unlimited access. Free public terminals are available at district courthouse locations.
To get copies of specific documents from a San Juan County court case, contact the Seventh District Court Clerk. Most court records are open to the public. Bring the case number or the full names of the parties to the clerk's window. Certified copies cost a per-page fee set by the court. Records in sealed cases or involving juveniles may be restricted under state law.
The Utah Courts website also provides self-help forms and guidance for those handling their own cases in San Juan County courts. Visit utcourts.gov to access those resources and to search case information through XChange.
| Court | Seventh Judicial District Court San Juan County Division |
|---|---|
| Website | utcourts.gov |
| XChange | $0.35/search or $40/month |
Property Records and Assessor
The San Juan County Assessor determines taxable values for real and personal property within the county. Given the county's size and the mix of federal, tribal, and private land, parcel research here can be more involved than in smaller counties. Start by confirming the parcel's ownership status and jurisdiction before requesting records. The Assessor's Office in Monticello can provide ownership data and assessed values for privately held parcels.
Recorded deeds and liens are held by the Recorder, while the Assessor handles valuation. Property tax payment records are kept by the Treasurer, also located in Monticello. For a full picture of a property, you may need to contact the Recorder, Assessor, and Treasurer separately. All three are located at or near 117 South Main Street in Monticello. These records are public under GRAMA and can be requested in writing.
GRAMA Requests in San Juan County
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act gives the public the right to see records held by San Juan County. The law is at Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2. Records are presumed public unless the law specifically permits withholding them. Submit your GRAMA request in writing to the office that holds the records you need. Describe the records clearly enough for staff to locate them. The county has 10 business days to respond.
Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an added fee of $5 plus $1 per page. If your request is denied, you may appeal to the county's chief administrative officer under § 63G-2-401. A further appeal to the State Records Committee is available under § 63G-2-802. Both appeal steps must be taken in writing within the time limits set by the law.
The Utah State Archives at archives.utah.gov holds historical San Juan County records transferred to permanent state custody. The Archives can be reached at (801) 531-3847. These records include early land records, court files, and county government documents going back to the county's founding. Online finding aids on the Archives website can help you identify what has been transferred.
The full text of Utah's GRAMA law at Title 63G, Chapter 2 sets the framework for public records access in San Juan County, including the 10-day response requirement and appeal procedures.
Historical San Juan County Records
San Juan County has a long and complex history involving early settlement, Native American communities, and federal land management. Older government records from the county may have been transferred to the Utah State Archives in Salt Lake City. The Archives provides access to these documents for research and genealogy purposes. Visit archives.utah.gov or call (801) 531-3847 to ask about historical San Juan County documents.
The Utah State Archives at archives.utah.gov is the primary repository for historical government records transferred from San Juan County, covering older court files, land records, and county commission documents.
Cities in San Juan County
San Juan County has no cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for individual city pages. Monticello is the county seat, and Blanding is the largest community in the county. Public records for all areas of San Juan County are processed through the offices in Monticello, with a satellite presence in Blanding for some services.
Nearby Counties
San Juan County borders several other Utah counties in the southeastern part of the state. Records for events or properties in neighboring counties are held by those county offices.