Find Public Records in Washington County

Washington County public records are maintained by the County Recorder, Clerk/Auditor, Fifth District Court, and the Washington County Sheriff in and around St. George. Washington County is one of Utah's fastest-growing counties, and the volume of public records filed here reflects that growth. You can search property documents online through the county website, look up court cases through Utah's XChange system, and request other government records under GRAMA. This page explains where each type of record lives and how to get it.

Washington County Recorder

The Washington County Recorder is the official keeper of all real property documents in the county. The office records deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, easements, and subdivision maps. Washington County is among the busiest recording offices in Utah, processing between 80,000 and 100,000 documents each year as the county continues to grow. The office is located at 87 North 200 East in St. George, inside the Washington County Administration Building.

Online search is available through the county website. You can look up records by owner name, property address, or parcel number. Document images are available for most recent records, and the system is regularly updated. Recording fees follow the statewide schedule: $40 for the first page and $2 for each additional legal description. Certified copies cost $5 plus $1 per page. E-recording is available for authorized submitters. Visit washco.utah.gov/recorder to search property records online.

The screenshot below shows the online property search tool for Washington County. The Washington County Recorder website gives you access to deeds, mortgage documents, and other land records without visiting St. George.

Document images for recent recordings are available directly through the online portal, which is updated regularly.

Washington County Clerk and Auditor

The Washington County Clerk/Auditor handles county government records, elections, marriage licenses, and serves as clerk to the Washington County Commission. This office is also the main point of contact for GRAMA requests directed at county-level documents. The office shares the Administration Building address at 87 North 200 East in St. George.

Under Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2, most records held by the Clerk are open to the public. You can request county commission meeting minutes, financial audit reports, election filings, and other administrative records. Written GRAMA requests must receive a response within 10 business days. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard documents. If you need a marriage license record or want to verify an official county document, this is the right office to contact in Washington County.

Washington County Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Washington County come from a few different sources depending on what you need. For statewide criminal history, the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification is the primary agency. The BCI at bci.utah.gov provides name-based background checks for $15 and fingerprint-based checks for $33.25. Call (801) 965-4445 or submit a request online. BCI records cover all Utah counties including Washington County.

For incident-level records from Washington County, contact the Sheriff's Records Division for unincorporated areas, or the St. George Police Department for incidents within city limits. Incident reports are available through a public records request to the relevant agency. The BCI screenshot below shows the criminal records lookup tool available through the Utah Department of Public Safety. The Utah BCI is the official source for background check history covering Washington County.

Name-based BCI checks typically return results within a few business days when submitted online.

Arrest records and jail roster information for Washington County may also be found through the Washington County Sheriff's website. Check the county website at washco.utah.gov for current inmate information and links to the Records Division.

Washington County Court Records

Washington County is served by the Fifth Judicial District Court. The St. George Department of the Fifth District is located at 206 West Tabernacle Street in St. George and handles felony criminal cases, family law, civil matters over $11,500, probate, and juvenile proceedings. The court clerk maintains all filed documents. You can get copies of case records by visiting the clerk's office or by using the Utah Courts online system.

The Utah Courts provide access to case records through the XChange system at utcourts.gov. XChange costs $0.35 per search or $40 per month for unlimited use. You can search by party name or case number. Free public terminals are available inside the courthouse for basic index lookups. For certified copies or full case documents, visit the Fifth District Court Clerk at 206 West Tabernacle Street in St. George during business hours.

Washington County court records include civil complaints, criminal filings, family law cases, and probate records. These are public documents under Utah law unless sealed by order of the court. Some juvenile records and sensitive family law filings may be restricted. Note: Call (435) 986-5700 before visiting the court to confirm what identification or fee is required for your copy request.

Washington County Property and Assessor Records

Washington County property records come from both the Recorder and the Assessor. The Recorder holds title documents. The Assessor sets taxable values for all property in the county and maintains ownership and parcel data. Because Washington County is growing fast, property records here change frequently. New subdivisions, transfers, and development activity generate a large number of new filings each year.

The Assessor's data can help you check current ownership, find assessed value, look up parcel details, and identify recent sales. Property tax information is available through the Treasurer's office. All of these offices share the Administration Building address in St. George. Property records are public and can be accessed online or in person. For title-level documents and recorded instruments, start with the Recorder at washco.utah.gov/recorder.

GRAMA Requests in Washington County

Washington County public records are accessible under the Government Records Access and Management Act. GRAMA is found at Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2. This law sets the rules for who can see what, how to ask, and what an agency can charge. Most government records in Washington County are classified as public, which means anyone can request them without giving a reason.

To get records under GRAMA, send a written request to the office that holds them. Your request should describe the record clearly enough for staff to find it. Include your name and a way to reach you. The agency has 10 business days to respond. They can fulfill the request, ask for more time if the search is complex, deny it with a written explanation, or partially fulfill it. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies and electronic records may be priced differently.

If Washington County denies your GRAMA request, you can appeal to the county's chief administrative officer under section 63G-2-401. If that appeal fails, the next step is the Utah State Records Committee under section 63G-2-802. The Utah State Archives at archives.utah.gov can also help you locate older government records and historical filings related to Washington County.

Cities in Washington County

Washington County includes several incorporated cities. The following cities have individual public records pages with local office details and search resources.

All court filings and most Washington County public records are processed through the Fifth District Court and county offices in St. George.

Nearby Counties

Washington County shares borders with several other Utah counties and with Nevada and Arizona. Use the links below to reach neighboring county records offices.

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