Riverton Probate Court Records
Probate court records for Riverton are filed and maintained at the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake County. Estate cases, will filings, guardianships, and conservatorship proceedings for Riverton residents all go through this court. You can search probate court records online through the Utah XChange system, check basic docket data at MyCourtCase for free, or visit the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City in person. This page covers how to find Riverton probate court records and what to expect at each step.
Riverton Quick Facts
Where Riverton Probate Cases Are Filed
Riverton sits in Salt Lake County, so the Third Judicial District Court handles all probate proceedings for the city. The courthouse is the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114. The main court line is (801) 238-7300. Mail copies can be sent to P.O. Box 1860, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1860 if you are requesting records by mail. This is where wills are admitted, estates are opened, and guardianship orders are issued for Riverton residents.
| Court | Third Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84114 |
| Mail Copies To | P.O. Box 1860 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1860 |
| Phone | (801) 238-7300 |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Salt Lake County probate records go back to 1852. For the oldest filings, check with the Utah State Archives at 346 South Rio Grande Street in Salt Lake City. Some historical Salt Lake County probate collections are also held at 4505 South 5600 West, West Valley City. Not all old records are at the Matheson Courthouse, so it pays to check the Archives first for anything before the mid-20th century.
Searching Riverton Probate Records Online
Utah Courts XChange is the best tool for searching Riverton probate records from home. XChange is operated by the Utah court system and pulls data directly from Third District Court filings. You can search by the name of the deceased, an estate administrator, or a case number. Results show party names, filing dates, case status, and links to documents. The system covers current and past cases, including Salt Lake County probate filings that have been closed.
The cost to use XChange starts with a one-time $5 account setup. After that, searches run $0.35 each and document views cost $1.00. If you need to check several cases, the $40 monthly flat rate is better since it includes unlimited searches and documents for that period. Register at utcourts.gov/xchange. This avoids the drive from Riverton to downtown Salt Lake City and lets you check records at any hour.
For a no-cost option, MyCourtCase shows basic docket information including party names and hearing dates. It does not give access to document images. Use it to check whether a case exists and to find a case number before buying XChange access.
The screenshot below is from the Riverton City Government website. The city's site points Riverton residents to Salt Lake County services, including court resources for probate filings.
Riverton City's official website confirms the city's location in Salt Lake County and connects residents to Third District Court resources for probate matters.
In-Person Probate Records Access in Salt Lake County
The Matheson Courthouse has public access terminals on the floor where the District Court Clerk operates. You can search the Third District Court case index at these terminals for free. Court staff at the Clerk window can pull Riverton probate cases, confirm filing dates, and provide copies. No subscription or advance payment is needed to view records in person, though copy fees apply if you want paper copies to take with you.
Plain copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $4.00 certification fee per document. Certified copies are often required when you need to transfer property, close bank accounts, or deal with out-of-state agencies following a death. Ask the clerk for a page count before ordering so you know the total in advance. Checks made payable to the Third Judicial District Court are accepted, and some locations take credit cards.
Note: If you are looking for a very old Riverton estate from the 1800s or early 1900s, call the Archives at archives.utah.gov before visiting the courthouse. Those records may have been moved out of active storage.
Probate Procedures for Riverton Estates
Utah recognizes informal and formal probate. Informal probate works when a valid will exists and the heirs are in agreement. No court hearing is required, and the estate can be opened and closed without a judge's involvement in many cases. Formal probate is required when there is no will, when someone contests the will, or when creditor or heir disputes need a judge to resolve. Both types cost $375 to file at the Third District Court for Riverton estates.
Small estates may qualify for a simpler process. If the total value is under $100,000 and no real property is involved, Utah law allows a small estate affidavit to transfer assets. This cuts the time and cost compared to opening a full probate case. The person who signs the affidavit bears legal responsibility for the claims made. Real estate in Riverton or anywhere else in Utah cannot be transferred by affidavit alone. A full probate case is needed to transfer title when real property is part of the estate.
Guardianship and conservatorship cases for children or adults who cannot manage their own affairs go through the same court. They are separate case types but are indexed in the same probate system and can be searched through XChange just like estate cases.
Utah Probate Law and Riverton Estates
Riverton probate cases are governed by Utah Title 75, the Utah Uniform Probate Code. Two provisions are worth knowing before you search or file probate court records in Salt Lake County.
Utah Code Section 75-2-104 is the 120-hour rule. It requires that a person survive the deceased by at least 120 hours to inherit under a will or through intestate succession. When two people die close together, this rule determines who inherits and which estates get filed. It affects which cases appear in Third District Court records for Salt Lake County including Riverton filings.
Utah Code Section 75-3-107 sets a three-year deadline to open formal probate. After that, formal proceedings generally cannot be started. Some Riverton estates were never filed, either because the assets were small enough for the affidavit process or because no one acted within three years. A missing probate record does not always mean nothing was owned.
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) gives the public the right to access most court records. Probate filings are generally public. Only a narrow set of cases can be sealed, and that requires a court order. The default for Riverton and all Salt Lake County probate cases is open access.
Historical Probate Records for Riverton Area
Salt Lake County probate records date back to 1852, covering the territorial era before Utah statehood in 1896. Many of the earliest records have been digitized and indexed through genealogy databases. FamilySearch has free access to Utah probate records from the 1800s and early 1900s, and Salt Lake County is among the most well-documented counties in their database. This is often the fastest way to search old Riverton-area probate records without visiting the courthouse or Archives.
For records that are not yet digitized, the Utah State Archives holds physical collections for Salt Lake County. Reach them through archives.utah.gov to ask about specific cases or to find out what years are available for the Riverton area. Staff can sometimes confirm whether a record exists before you make the trip in person.
The screenshot below shows the Utah State Archives website, which holds historical Salt Lake County probate records including those from the Riverton area.
The Utah State Archives is the main repository for pre-20th century Salt Lake County probate records and a key resource for Riverton genealogy and estate research.
Riverton Probate Court Forms and Assistance
Free probate forms for Riverton cases are available at utcourts.gov/forms. Forms are grouped by proceeding type, covering informal and formal probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and estate closure. Always download a fresh copy before you file. The court rejects outdated forms, and the site updates forms when the rules change.
The Third District Court provides a self-help center for people who are managing a case without an attorney. Court staff can explain the filing process and help you find the right forms, but they cannot give legal advice on what to do or how to interpret Utah Title 75. For attorney help with a Riverton probate case, the Utah State Bar offers a referral service at utahbar.org that can connect you with Salt Lake County probate lawyers.
Nearby Cities in Salt Lake County
These cities are also in Salt Lake County and file probate cases at the Third District Court.