Find Probate Records in Murray
Murray probate court records are filed at the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake County. That court handles all estate cases, will filings, guardianships, and conservatorship proceedings for Murray residents. You can search these records online through the Utah XChange system or visit the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City. Murray has its own Justice Court, but that court handles minor matters only. All probate work goes to the Third District Court. This page explains each way to find and access Murray probate court records.
Murray Quick Facts
Murray Probate Court Location and Contact
All Murray probate filings go to the Third Judicial District Court at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114. The general court line is (801) 238-7300. The Murray Justice Court, which sits inside city limits, handles misdemeanor cases and minor civil matters only. It does not hear estate, guardianship, or conservatorship cases. Those go to the Third District Court regardless of where in Salt Lake County the deceased lived or owned property.
| Court | Third Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84114 |
| Phone | (801) 238-7300 |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Salt Lake County probate records reach back to 1852. Records from the 1800s and early 1900s may have been transferred to the Salt Lake County Archives. The historical collection for Salt Lake County is held at Utah State Archives at 4505 South 5600 West, West Valley City. Call or check the Archives website before making a trip for older records.
Online Search for Murray Probate Records
The Utah Courts XChange system is the main online tool for searching probate court records tied to Murray cases. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing year. The system shows case status, party names, filing dates, and document images for Third District Court filings. XChange covers open cases and many closed ones going back years. It is run directly by the Utah court system, so the information comes straight from court records rather than a third-party aggregator.
To use XChange, you pay a one-time $5 account setup fee. Searches cost $0.35 each. Documents cost $1.00 to view. If you need to check many cases, the $40 monthly flat rate is the better deal since it covers all searches and documents. Sign up at utcourts.gov/xchange. This is often the fastest option for Murray residents who do not want to drive to Salt Lake City for a one-time lookup.
The free option is MyCourtCase at mycourtcase.utah.gov. That system shows party names and docket events but does not let you view or print documents. Use it to check if a case was filed or to find a case number before paying for XChange access.
The screenshot below shows the Murray City Government website, which serves as a local reference point for Salt Lake County services including probate court records for Murray residents.
Murray City's official site links residents to Salt Lake County resources and confirms that probate matters for Murray are handled at the Third District Court level.
Getting Copies of Murray Probate Records
You can get plain copies of Murray probate court records for $0.25 per page at the courthouse. Certified copies cost more. The fee is $0.50 per page plus a $4.00 certification fee per document. So a 10-page will costs $5.00 for a plain copy or $9.00 for a certified one. Certified copies are often needed when dealing with financial institutions, title companies, or out-of-state agencies after someone dies.
To order copies in person, go to the District Court Clerk window at the Matheson Courthouse. If you prefer to order by mail, send a written request to the Third Judicial District Court with the case name, case number if known, and a check for the estimated copy cost. The court will contact you if the total is different. Allow extra time for mail requests since processing depends on staff workload.
Note: Bring photo ID to the courthouse. The clerk can look up Murray cases by name if you do not have a case number, but having one speeds up the process.
Types of Probate Cases Filed for Murray Estates
Utah uses two types of probate. Informal probate handles cases where a valid will exists, the heirs agree, and no disputes are involved. The process is faster and does not require a formal hearing. Formal probate applies when there is no will, when someone contests the will, or when estate issues are complex. The filing fee for either type is $375 to open the case at the Third District Court.
Small estates in Murray can sometimes skip probate entirely. If the total estate value is under $100,000 and no real property is involved, Utah law allows heirs to use a small estate affidavit to transfer assets. This is faster and avoids the $375 filing fee. The person who signs is legally responsible for the accuracy of what they claim. If the deceased owned a home or any real estate in Murray or elsewhere in Utah, real property must go through the court regardless of the total estate size. Title cannot be transferred by affidavit alone.
Guardianship and conservatorship cases are also filed at the Third District Court. These come up when a minor child needs a court-appointed guardian or when an adult can no longer manage their own affairs. They are part of the probate case system and are searchable through XChange.
The screenshot below shows the Utah GRAMA statute page, which establishes the legal right to access public probate court records for Murray and all of Salt Lake County.
GRAMA guarantees that most Salt Lake County probate court filings, including those from Murray, are open to the public under Utah law.
Utah Law Governing Murray Probate Cases
Murray probate cases follow Utah Title 75, the Utah Uniform Probate Code. This is the same law that applies to every county in Utah. Two sections come up often when you are looking at probate records or planning to file one in Salt Lake County.
Utah Code Section 75-2-104 is the 120-hour rule. To inherit under a will or through the default succession rules, a person must survive the deceased by at least 120 hours. This rule matters when two people die in the same event. It controls which estate inherits from which and which cases show up in the Third District Court records for Salt Lake County.
Utah Code Section 75-3-107 gives a three-year window to start formal probate after a death. After that window closes, the court cannot accept a formal probate petition. Some Murray estates were never filed, either because the assets were small enough for an affidavit or because no one started the process in time. A missing record does not always mean there was no estate.
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) gives the public the right to see most court records. Probate filings are generally public. A court can seal specific records under narrow conditions, but the default is open access for Murray and all Salt Lake County probate cases.
Historical Murray Probate Records
Salt Lake County probate records start in 1852, which covers the territorial period before Utah became a state. FamilySearch has indexed many of these early Salt Lake County probate and court records and offers access for free. For genealogy research or older estate cases, the FamilySearch Utah Probate Records page is a solid starting point.
The Utah State Archives holds historical court records that are no longer active at the Matheson Courthouse. The Salt Lake County collection at the Archives includes probate records from the 1800s and some of the early 1900s. Contact the Archives through archives.utah.gov to ask about specific records or to request a search before visiting in person.
Murray Probate Filing Help and Court Forms
Utah probate forms are free to download and print from utcourts.gov/forms. The site groups forms by proceeding type, so you can find what you need for informal probate, formal probate, guardianship, or conservatorship without sorting through unrelated forms. Always download the current version before filing since outdated forms get rejected.
The Third District Court has a self-help center for people who are not using an attorney. Staff can point you to the right forms and explain the steps, but they cannot advise you on legal decisions. If you need an attorney for a Murray probate case, contact the Utah State Bar at utahbar.org for a lawyer referral in Salt Lake County.
Nearby Cities in Salt Lake County
These cities are also in Salt Lake County and file probate cases at the same Third District Court.