Find Probate Records in Syracuse
Probate court records for Syracuse residents are filed with the Second District Court in Davis County. Syracuse is a growing city in Davis County, and all estate proceedings, guardianship cases, and probate filings for the city go through the Second District Court in Farmington. This page covers how to search Syracuse probate records, where to get copies of court documents, and what state tools are available to find open and closed probate cases tied to this city and the surrounding area.
Syracuse Quick Facts
Second District Court for Syracuse Probate
The Second Judicial District Court serves Davis County and handles all probate matters for Syracuse residents. The courthouse is at 800 West State Street, Farmington, UT 84025. The court can be reached by phone at (801) 447-3800. This is the court where you file to open an estate, request guardianship, or handle a name change. Syracuse itself does not have a district court. All formal probate proceedings go to the Farmington courthouse. If you are unsure which filing type you need, the court clerk can point you to the right forms.
The Second District Court has probate records going back to 1852, with court records starting in 1853. These are the records tied to Davis County as a whole, which includes Syracuse along with other cities in the county. The court handles both formal and informal probate. Informal probate moves faster and works well when there are no disputes and a valid will is in place. Formal probate is used when the estate is contested, when there is no will, or when the court needs to resolve a dispute among heirs or creditors.
Probate case files include the original petition, the will if one exists, an inventory of assets, and the court's final orders. These records are kept permanently and can be accessed by the public unless sealed by the court.
Davis County Clerk and Probate Records
The Davis County Clerk/Auditor office is located at 61 South Main Street, Room 101, Farmington, UT 84025. The phone number is (801) 451-3213. The Clerk District Court division within this office handles divorce records, probate records, and other court-related documents. If you need certified copies of a probate filing or want to confirm what is on file for a specific estate case, this office is the right place to start.
The clerk's office works alongside the Second District Court to maintain court records. When you request a copy of a probate document, you will typically go through the clerk's office to pay the fee and receive the copies. Plain copies in Utah courts cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $0.50 per page plus a $4.00 certification fee. For older historical records, the Utah State Archives may hold documents that have been transferred out of the courthouse.
Note: The Davis County Justice Court handles misdemeanors and small claims cases only. It does not handle probate matters. Syracuse residents with probate questions should contact the Second District Court in Farmington directly.
Search Syracuse Probate Records Online
Utah Courts operates XChange, the state's online case management system. This tool gives access to court records filed with the Second District Court, including probate cases tied to Syracuse and the rest of Davis County. To use XChange, you pay a one-time $5.00 setup fee, then $0.35 per search and $1.00 per document you view. A monthly plan is available for $40.00 if you search records frequently. You can search by the name of the deceased, the petitioner's name, or the case number if you already have it.
For active probate cases, MyCourtCase shows current case status, upcoming hearings, and recent activity. This is useful if you are tracking a case that is currently in progress. For older, closed cases, XChange is the better tool. Both are managed by Utah Courts and access records from district courts across the state.
Historical records, especially those going back to the mid-1800s, may not be fully available online. In those cases, you can request records directly from the Second District Court clerk, or check the Utah State Archives online catalog. The FamilySearch Utah Probate Records collection also includes Davis County materials and is free to search.
Davis County Clerk Office Screenshot
The Davis County Clerk/Auditor page lists all services handled by the clerk, including the district court division that manages probate and court records for all of Davis County, including Syracuse.
The Clerk District Court division is the place to go for certified copies of probate filings and estate case documents for Syracuse residents.
Filing Probate in Davis County
To open a probate case for a Syracuse resident, you file a petition with the Second District Court in Farmington. The filing fee for a standard probate case is $375. If the estate is valued under $100,000, you may qualify to use a small estate affidavit instead of formal probate. The affidavit process avoids opening a full court case, which saves both time and money. Court forms for both options are available at utcourts.gov/forms.
Utah law requires that a person survive the decedent by at least 120 hours to inherit under Utah Title 75. This is the 120-hour survival rule found at Utah Code Section 75-2-104. There is also a deadline for filing: probate must be opened within three years of the date of death under Utah Code Section 75-3-107. Both rules apply to Davis County cases, including those involving Syracuse residents.
Once a case is open, the personal representative handles notifying creditors, paying valid debts, managing estate assets, and distributing what remains to the heirs. Each of these steps is documented and filed with the court. When the case is complete, the court issues a final order closing the estate. This document becomes part of the permanent probate record for that case.
If you need help with the filing process, the Utah State Bar offers a referral service to help you find a probate attorney in Davis County. Legal aid services are also available for those who qualify.
Utah Courts XChange Screenshot
The Utah Courts XChange portal is the main tool for searching probate records online, including cases filed in the Second District Court for Davis County and Syracuse.
XChange lets you search by name or case number and view documents from cases filed in district courts across Utah, including all Second District Court probate cases.
Public Access and Record Rules
Most probate records in Utah are public. The Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) sets the rules for how public records are made available. Under GRAMA, probate court filings are generally accessible to anyone who requests them. You do not need to show a specific interest or reason to request most probate documents. However, some records may be sealed by court order, particularly when they involve minors or sensitive financial details.
To request records in person, go to the Second District Court clerk at 800 West State Street, Farmington. Bring the name of the deceased or the case number if you have it. The clerk can search the system and provide copies for the standard fee. If you are requesting a large volume of documents, it may help to call ahead so the clerk can pull the file before your visit.
For requests by mail, you can send a written request to the court clerk along with a check or money order for the estimated copy fee. Include as much detail as possible about the case you are looking for, including the full name, approximate date of death, and the type of proceeding. The clerk will contact you if additional information is needed or if the fee needs to be adjusted.
Nearby Cities in Davis County
Other qualifying cities in Davis County also have their probate cases handled by the Second District Court in Farmington.