Weber County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Weber County?
Public records in Weber County are defined as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, electronic data, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that are prepared, owned, received, or retained by a governmental entity where the record is reproducible. This definition is established under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), specifically Utah Code § 63G-2-103.
Weber County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that includes:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Utah State Courts system, including the Second District Court serving Weber County
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments maintained by the Weber County Recorder/Surveyor's Office
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (available through the Utah Department of Health), marriage licenses and divorce decrees (available through the Weber County Clerk/Auditor)
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls maintained by the Weber County Assessor
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Weber County Commission meetings and other county boards and committees
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial statements, and expenditure reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records maintained by the Weber County Sheriff's Office
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
Each record type is maintained by a specific Weber County department or office. The Weber County Clerk/Auditor serves as the primary custodian of county records, while specialized records are maintained by their respective departments. Many records can be accessed through the county's online services portal, which provides a centralized access point for various record types.
Is Weber County an Open Records County?
Weber County fully adheres to Utah's open records laws as established under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, the law establishes that "every person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge, and the right to take a copy of a public record during normal working hours."
Key provisions of GRAMA that Weber County follows include:
- The presumption that government records are public unless expressly classified otherwise
- The requirement that records requests be responded to within 10 business days (5 days for media requests)
- The establishment of four record classifications: public, private, controlled, and protected
Weber County has implemented specific policies to ensure compliance with state transparency laws. The county maintains a dedicated GRAMA request process through its Transparency Portal, where members of the public can submit formal records requests.
In addition to GRAMA, Weber County complies with Utah's Open and Public Meetings Act (Utah Code § 52-4), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, properly noticed, and recorded. This commitment to transparency extends to all county departments and agencies, including the Weber County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county.
How to Find Public Records in Weber County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Weber County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Online Access: Many Weber County records are available through the county's online services portal. This includes property records, marriage licenses, and certain court documents. The portal allows users to search by name, address, parcel number, or other identifiers depending on the record type.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person:
- For property records: Visit the Weber County Recorder's Office
- For marriage licenses and county documents: Visit the Weber County Clerk/Auditor's Office
- For court records: Visit the Second District Court clerk's office
- For tax and assessment records: Visit the Weber County Assessor's Office
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Written Requests: Submit a GRAMA request form to the specific department that maintains the desired records. The county's GRAMA request portal provides standardized forms and submission instructions.
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Historical Records: For historical Weber County records, the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service maintains collections of older county documents, including historical court registers and other archival materials.
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Vital Records: Birth and death certificates can be requested through the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics, while marriage records from Weber County are available through the County Clerk/Auditor's office.
When submitting a records request, individuals should provide as much specific information as possible about the record being sought, including names, dates, case numbers, or property addresses. This specificity helps county staff locate the requested information efficiently.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Weber County?
Weber County assesses fees for certain public records in accordance with Utah Code § 63G-2-203, which permits governmental entities to charge reasonable fees to cover the actual cost of providing records. The current fee structure for Weber County public records includes:
- Standard Copies: $0.25 per page for black and white copies
- Color Copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified Copies: Additional $2.00 per document
- Research Fee: $20.00 per hour after the first quarter hour (which is free)
- Electronic Records: $10.00 per CD/DVD or actual cost of reproduction
Specific record types have standardized fees:
- Marriage License: $50.00 for issuance, $5.00 for certified copies
- Birth/Death Certificates: $20.00 for first copy, $10.00 for additional copies (through Utah Vital Records)
- Property Records: $10.00-$30.00 depending on document type and certification
- Court Records: Varies by document type and length (set by Utah State Courts)
Weber County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit cards for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options for in-person requests.
Fee waivers may be granted if the request benefits the public rather than an individual, if the requester is the subject of the record, or if the requester's legal rights are directly implicated by the record. Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing with the initial records request.
Does Weber County Have Free Public Records?
Weber County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Utah Code § 63G-2-201, which states that "a person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge." The following records are available for free inspection during regular business hours:
- County Commission Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Available for inspection at the Weber County Clerk's Office and online through the county website
- Property Ownership Information: Basic property ownership details can be viewed for free through the Weber County Assessor's online property search
- Voter Registration Status: Individuals may verify their own voter registration status at no cost
- Public Notices: Legal notices and announcements are freely accessible
- Budget Documents: County financial reports and budgets are available for public inspection
Additionally, the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service provides free access to historical Weber County records through their research center. This includes access to historical court registers and other archival materials.
While inspection of records is free, reproduction costs may apply if copies are requested. Some records are also freely available through the county's online services portal, though certain detailed searches or document retrievals may incur fees.
The Weber County Sheriff's Office provides certain public safety information at no cost, including jail inmate lookup services and general crime statistics.
Who Can Request Public Records in Weber County?
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, any person has the right to request and receive public records from Weber County governmental entities. The following eligibility requirements and considerations apply:
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Residency: There is no residency requirement for requesting public records in Weber County. Both Utah residents and non-residents may submit records requests.
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Identification: For most public records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly if the requestor is seeking records about themselves.
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Purpose Statement: Generally, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for public records. However, if requesting access to private, controlled, or protected records, the requestor may need to demonstrate legal standing or authorization.
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Record-Specific Requirements:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): Requestors must demonstrate a direct relationship or legal interest
- Criminal justice records: Access may be restricted based on case status and privacy considerations
- Property records: While generally public, certain property owner information may be protected
The Ogden City Records Department, which handles municipal records within Weber County's largest city, follows similar protocols for records access.
When requesting your own records versus records about others, different standards may apply. Under GRAMA, individuals have greater access rights to records about themselves, while access to records about others may be more limited, particularly for private or protected records.
Business entities, media organizations, and legal representatives have the same basic rights to public records as individual requestors, though media requests may receive expedited processing under Utah law.
What Records Are Confidential in Weber County?
Weber County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Utah Code § 63G-2-302 through § 63G-2-305, which establishes classifications for private, controlled, and protected records. The following record types are generally not available for public inspection:
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Private Records (§ 63G-2-302):
- Medical and mental health records
- Personnel evaluations and personal employment information
- Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
- Certain law enforcement records containing personal identifying information
- Library user records and circulation history
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Controlled Records (§ 63G-2-304):
- Medical, psychiatric, or psychological data where release might be detrimental to the subject's mental health
- Medical information where release might be harmful to the subject's condition
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Protected Records (§ 63G-2-305):
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
- Records prepared for pending or reasonably anticipated litigation
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Records that would jeopardize life, safety, or property if disclosed
- Records that would interfere with investigations, disciplinary proceedings, or audits
- Records that would identify confidential informants
Additional confidential records include:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
- Critical infrastructure and security plans
The Weber County Sheriff's Office maintains certain law enforcement records as confidential when disclosure would interfere with investigations or compromise privacy rights. Similarly, the Ogden City Police Department classifies certain records as private, protected, or controlled in accordance with GRAMA provisions.
Weber County applies a balancing test when considering disclosure of protected records, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and potential harm from release.
Weber County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Weber County Recorder/Surveyor's Office
2380 Washington Boulevard, Suite 370
Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: (801) 399-8543
Weber County Recorder/Surveyor
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
- Maintenance of property ownership records
- Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
- Property boundary and survey information
- Plat map access and reproduction
- Document research assistance
Additional County Offices for Records:
Weber County Clerk/Auditor's Office
2380 Washington Boulevard, Suite 320
Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: (801) 399-8400
Weber County Clerk/Auditor
Weber County Assessor's Office
2380 Washington Boulevard, Suite 380
Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: (801) 399-8572
Weber County Assessor
Weber County Sheriff's Office - Records Division
721 W 12th Street
Ogden, UT 84404
Phone: (801) 778-6661
Weber County Sheriff's Office
Second District Court - Weber County
2525 Grant Avenue
Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: (801) 395-1079
Utah State Courts
Lookup Public Records in Weber County
Weber County Online Services Portal
Utah State Courts Records Search
Weber County Recorder/Surveyor Property Records
Weber County GRAMA Request Portal
Weber County Assessor Property Search
Utah Division of Archives - Weber County Records
Weber County Sheriff's Office Records
Utah Vital Records Certificate Orders
Weber County Sheriff's Office Inmate Information