Washington County Probate Court Records
Washington County probate court records are held by the Fifth District Court in St. George. If you need to search estate cases, find a will on file, or look up a guardianship matter in Washington County, the Fifth District Court is the right place to start. This guide covers how to find records, who keeps them, what the files contain, and where to go for help with probate matters in Washington County.
Washington County Quick Facts
Fifth District Court in Washington County
The Fifth Judicial District Court handles all probate matters filed in Washington County. This includes estate cases, conservatorships, guardianships, and will probations. The court is located in St. George and serves as the main court of record for probate filings in the county. Clerks at this location maintain the official case files and can assist with record requests.
Washington County was created in 1852, and probate records here date back to that same year. Early records from 1852 through 1934 have been preserved and are available through Utah State Archives and FamilySearch. Modern records are kept at the courthouse and accessible through the Utah Courts system. The Fifth District also covers Beaver and Iron counties, so the court handles a broad caseload across southern Utah.
The Washington County Justice Court at 87 North 200 East in St. George handles misdemeanor matters only. That court does not process probate cases. Always direct probate questions to the Fifth District Court on West Tabernacle.
The Washington County Justice Court website has local court contact details and can point you to the right office for your type of case.
The justice court page also lists hours and local court contacts, which is useful if you are not sure where to file.
| Court |
Fifth District Court 206 West Tabernacle, Suite 100 St. George, UT 84770 Phone: (435) 986-5700 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk |
197 E. Tabernacle Saint George, UT 84770 |
| Judicial District | Fifth Judicial District (Beaver, Iron, Washington) |
| Website | utcourts.gov/directory |
How to Search Washington County Probate Records
There are two main ways to search Washington County probate court records. The first is online through the Utah Courts XChange system at utcourts.gov/xchange. XChange lets you look up case names, case numbers, hearing dates, and party information from any location. You can find most active and recently closed probate cases this way without visiting the courthouse. The system does require a small fee for some search features.
The second way is to visit the Fifth District Court in person at 206 West Tabernacle in St. George. Clerks can search records by name or case number. You can review files on-site and request copies of documents you need. Bring a photo ID and the name of the decedent or subject of the case. Older records from before the digital era may require extra time to locate, especially files from the early 1900s or earlier.
For historical Washington County probate records from 1852 to 1934, contact the Utah State Archives directly. The archives hold original probate documents from that period and can assist with research requests.
Note: For historical probate records older than 1934, the Utah State Archives at archives.utah.gov is often the fastest source since those files are fully cataloged and indexed.
Types of Washington County Probate Records
Washington County probate court records cover a range of legal matters. Estate cases are the most common. These open when a person dies and their assets need to be distributed. The probate file typically contains the petition to open the estate, a copy of the will if one exists, an inventory of assets, creditor claims, and the final order closing the estate. Contested estates may have many more documents on file.
Guardianship and conservatorship cases are also handled through Washington County probate court. A guardianship is opened when a court appoints someone to care for a minor or an incapacitated adult. A conservatorship is opened to manage the finances of someone who cannot do so themselves. Both types of cases generate records at the Fifth District Court. These files often contain medical evaluations, financial statements, and annual reports filed by the guardian or conservator.
Will probation is a distinct process. When a person dies with a will, that document must be formally admitted to probate before it has legal effect. The original will is filed with the court. This is true even for informal probate proceedings in Washington County. The filed will becomes a permanent part of the public record.
Utah law offers three tracks for probate: informal, unsupervised formal, and supervised formal. Under Utah Code Title 75, most simple estates qualify for informal probate. Supervised formal probate is reserved for contested or complex cases. The type of proceeding affects how much court activity appears in the Washington County probate file.
Historical Washington County Probate Records
Washington County has some of the oldest probate records in Utah. The county was formed in 1852, and court records go back to the territorial period. Probate records from 1852 through 1934 are held at the Utah State Archives and are also available through FamilySearch at no cost. These collections include estate inventories, will books, and administrator bonds from the pioneer era.
Researchers working on family history will find Washington County well documented for its age. The region was an early settlement area for pioneer families moving through southern Utah. Probate files from that era often contain detailed property lists and family names that do not appear in other public records. The Utah State Archives at archives.utah.gov has finding aids for these collections.
Note: FamilySearch provides free online access to many digitized historical Washington County probate records, which can save a trip to the archives for genealogy research.
Washington County Probate Fees and Record Access
Washington County probate court records are public under the Government Records Access and Management Act, known as GRAMA. Utah Code ยง 63G-2 gives the public the right to access court records. You do not need to be a party to the case to view most probate files. Some records may be sealed by court order, but these are the exception rather than the rule.
The initial filing fee to open a probate case in Washington County is $375. This is the statewide fee set by the Utah Courts. Copy fees depend on the number of pages. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call the Fifth District Court at (435) 986-5700 to confirm current rates before your visit. Fee waivers are available for people who qualify based on income by filing the appropriate petition with the court.
The Utah Courts directory lists current contact information and fee schedules for the Fifth District Court covering Washington County.
Court records viewed at the Fifth District Court are free to look at on-site. Copies carry a per-page fee. Certified copies require a separate certification fee on top of the copy cost.
Legal Help with Washington County Probate
If you need help with a probate case in Washington County, several resources are available. The Utah State Bar at utahbar.org has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a probate attorney in the St. George area. Many Washington County attorneys offer an initial consultation at low or no cost.
Utah Legal Services provides free legal help to residents who meet income guidelines. They serve clients across Utah, including Washington County. Visit utahlegalservices.org to apply or find out if you qualify. Their staff can help with simple estate questions, guardianship forms, and probate procedures.
The Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov/forms has free probate forms and step-by-step instructions for self-represented filers. Forms for informal probate, formal probate, guardianship, and conservatorship are all available there. This is a good starting point if you want to understand what the process looks like before hiring an attorney.
Note: Small estates worth less than $100,000 may qualify for a simplified affidavit process under Utah law, which avoids formal probate entirely and can be handled without an attorney.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes several communities in the St. George area. Probate cases for all residents of Washington County are filed at the Fifth District Court in St. George.
St. George is the county seat and the largest city in Washington County. The Fifth District Court there handles probate filings for all cities and towns throughout the county.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several counties in southern Utah. If you are not certain which county has jurisdiction, check the decedent's last residence address. Probate must be filed in the county where the person lived at the time of death.