Salt Lake County UT Property Search: Recorder Records
The Salt Lake County Recorder maintains the official property-ownership and recorded-document history for real estate in Salt Lake County, Utah. Its search systems can help you find the owner of record, parcel history, legal descriptions, deeds, mortgages, liens, subdivision maps and other recorded documents.
The fastest search depends on what you already know. Salt Lake County offers a free property search for a quick document list by address or parcel number, while its paid Data Services system provides deeper historical records, document images, tract-index information and chain-of-title research tools.
How Do You Search Salt Lake County Recorder Property Records?
If you know the property’s street address or parcel number, start with the Recorder’s free Public Search. It gives a quick property-record view and list of recorded documents without requiring a paid Data Services package. If you need ownership history, legal descriptions, recorded document images, tract-index research, chain of title or subdivision-map information, move to Recorder Data Services.
Free Public Search
Best for a quick check of a known property. Search by address or parcel number.
The address or parcel must be selected from the system’s auto-populated dropdown before the search will work.
Recorder Data Services
Best for deeper research including owner history, parcel-number history, legal descriptions, recorded documents, tract index, chain of title, subdivision maps and plat maps.
Interactive Parcel Map
Best for understanding parcel geography and tax-map relationships. Salt Lake County recently moved current tax-map data to a newer interactive Parcel Fabric mapping platform.
How to Use Salt Lake County Recorder Free Property Search
The free Public Search is the best first stop when you already know the physical property address or Salt Lake County parcel number.
Open the Recorder Public Search
Use Salt Lake County’s official Recorder search rather than a third-party property-record or people-search service.
Open Salt Lake County Recorder Public Search ↗
Read and Accept the Search Terms
The county warns that the information is provided for informational purposes, may be 24 hours old or older, and does not replace a title search when exact ownership or title status matters.
Enter the Address or Parcel Number
Begin typing the property’s address or parcel number. Do not simply type the text and press Enter.
Salt Lake County specifically requires you to select the matching result from the auto-populated dropdown list.
Open the Correct Property
Confirm that the displayed parcel and property address match your target before relying on the list of recorded documents.
Review the Recorded-Document List
Use the list to identify deeds, mortgages, trust deeds, releases, liens or other recorded instruments associated with the property.
Move to Data Services if You Need the Actual Image or History
The free search is designed as a quick lookup. For deeper document access, owner history, chain-of-title research or advanced historical records, use Recorder Data Services.
Why the Salt Lake County Property Search May Not Find Your Address
Dropdown Selection Matters
The free Recorder search requires the address or parcel number to be chosen from the suggested dropdown list. Typing a complete address without selecting the suggested match can prevent the search from continuing.
- Type the address gradually.
- Wait for the suggested results.
- Select the exact property.
- Try the parcel number if the address fails.
Property Watch Has Useful Address Tips
Salt Lake County’s Recorder gives specific address-search advice for its Property Watch tool that can also help when identifying the correct property.
- Include directional letters such as N, S, E or W after the house number where applicable.
- For some duplexes, try a house-number range such as 101-111.
- Continue typing because only the first suggestions may initially display.
- Use the physical property address shown on the tax notice rather than a different mailing address.
Salt Lake County Recorder Data Services: Free vs Paid Access
Recorder Data Services is more than a deed-image portal. Salt Lake County says it can provide owner-of-record information, parcel-number history, legal descriptions, recorded documents, tract-index data, chain-of-title information, recorded subdivision maps and plat maps.
| Access Option | Published Cost | Best For | Important Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Search | $0 | Quick list of recorded documents associated with a known property. | Address or parcel number required; less detail than full Data Services. |
| Small Data Package | $5 | Occasional research needing document images or deeper Recorder data. | Up to 150 data units; temporary access closes after units are used or after 24 hours. |
| 10,000 Data Units | $300 | More frequent professional or research use. | Requires a Data Services account. |
| 25,000 Data Units | $750 | Higher-volume record research. | Data purchases are intended for account-based use. |
| 50,000 Data Units | $1,500 | Professional high-volume access. | Confirm current package terms before purchasing. |
How to Research a Salt Lake County Property History
Find the Current Parcel Number
Start with the free Recorder search or county mapping tools. Save the parcel number because it is the key identifier connecting many Salt Lake County property systems.
Review Owner-of-Record Information
Confirm the current Recorder ownership record before moving backward through prior transactions.
Open Parcel Number History
Parcel numbers can change through subdivisions, combinations or mapping changes. Data Services includes parcel-number history that can help connect older documents to the current parcel.
Read the Legal Description
Use the legal description to verify that an older deed, trust deed or release actually affects the property you are researching. Street addresses are useful search clues but are not a replacement for legal descriptions.
Review Recorded Documents in Date Order
Look for conveyances, trust deeds, releases, assignments, liens and other documents that may change or affect the ownership record.
Use Chain-of-Title or Tract Tools When Necessary
Data Services includes chain-of-title and tract-index research features. These are more useful than a single-document lookup when you need historical context.
What Salt Lake County Recorder Property Records Tell You
| Record Field | What It Means | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Parcel / serial number | County identifier assigned to a piece of property. | Use it across Recorder, Assessor, mapping and property-tax systems. |
| Owner of record | Ownership reflected in Recorder property records. | Starting point for current ownership research. |
| Legal description | Legal land description associated with the parcel or recorded document. | Use it to match documents when addresses or parcel numbers have changed. |
| Entry number | Recorder identifier assigned to a recorded document. | Useful for ordering or locating a specific document again. |
| Recorded date | Date a document was officially recorded. | Helps reconstruct transaction chronology. |
| Document type | Deed, trust deed, release, lien, easement, plat or another filing type. | Explains the general purpose of a recorded instrument. |
| Subdivision / plat | Recorded mapping information related to subdivision lots or property layout. | Useful for lot, block and subdivision research. |
| Parcel-number history | Prior county parcel identifiers associated with the property. | Helps connect old records to a current parcel. |
Salt Lake County Interactive Parcel Map and Tax Maps
Salt Lake County’s GIS/Cadastral Department upgraded its mapping system to a newer Parcel Fabric platform. Current tax-map information now uses an interactive map rather than newly produced static plat-page maps.
Current Interactive Mapping
Use the newer interactive parcel-map platform when you need current parcel geometry, mapping context or tax-map information.
Historic Static Plat Maps
Salt Lake County says updates to static plat-page maps have been discontinued, but historical versions remain accessible through Recorder Data Services.
Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer vs Auditor
Salt Lake County’s major property-tax offices are located in the Government Center, but each office has a different responsibility.
| Your Question | Best Office | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the property according to recorded documents? | Recorder | Maintains official records of sales, purchases, transfers, mortgages and property changes. |
| I need a deed, trust deed, lien, release or legal description. | Recorder | Custodian of recorded property documents and legal-description records. |
| What is the property’s market value? | Assessor | Determines market value and manages assessment records. |
| How do I pay my property taxes? | Treasurer | Bills and collects annual property taxes. |
| Who handles my Notice of Valuation or tax-rate administration? | Auditor | Reviews financial records, participates in property-tax rate administration and sends yearly Notices of Valuation. |
| I need proof that title is clear. | Title company / qualified professional | The Recorder maintains public records but does not certify clear title. |
Salt Lake County Recorder Fees and Document Copies
Salt Lake County’s current Recorder page continues to list the flat recording-fee structure implemented after Utah HB247. The county also publishes specific copy, certification and Data Services charges.
| Service | Published Fee | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document recording | $40 | Flat fee for a recording, excluding plats. |
| Legal descriptions over 10 | $2 each | Additional charge for each legal description above the first ten. |
| Subdivision / condominium map | $50 per sheet + $2 per lot/unit | Separate map-recording schedule. |
| Recorded document copy | $2 per page | Printed or electronic-file copy. |
| Historical / vault document | $5 per page | Applies to records requiring vault-document service. |
| Ownership & description printout | $1 per page | Useful for parcel/ownership research. |
| Plat or GIS printout | $5 per page | Includes lined parcel plat, subdivision plat or GIS plat. |
| Certified copy | $5 + $2 per page | Certification charge plus page-copy fee. |
| 24-hour Data Services | $5 | Up to 150 data units for temporary access. |
How to Order a Salt Lake County Recorded Document or Certified Copy
Find the Document Reference
Use Public Search or Data Services to find as much identifying information as possible before ordering a copy.
Submit the Recorder Document Request
Salt Lake County requires all document-request fields except optional comments. Incomplete information can prevent the order from being processed.
If You Do Not Know the Document Book/Page
The Recorder asks you to provide the index/abstract book and page when available, the line on the page, party names, dates, document type and other identifying details.
Select Certified Only if You Need Certification
Salt Lake County charges $5 for certification plus $2 per document page. A normal research copy costs less.
Wait for the Ready Notice
The Recorder processes requests in the order received and emails the requester when the copy is ready. Processing time can vary with request volume.
Salt Lake County Property Watch: Free Recorded-Document Alerts
Property Watch is a free Recorder service for Salt Lake County property owners. It can send email alerts—and now text alerts—when a new recorded document is attached to a registered property.
What the Alert Includes
Salt Lake County says Property Watch notifications include the parcel number, recorded entry number, document type and recorded date.
This gives you a reference to investigate a filing you do not recognize.
What Property Watch Does Not Do
It does not block a document from being recorded and does not establish whether title is clear. Salt Lake County notes that some recorded documents may not be attached to a specific property for alert purposes.
Salt Lake County Recording Requirements: Practical Checks
The Recorder reviews submitted documents for statutory recording requirements but does not rewrite or correct the legal instrument for you.
Check Before Submitting
- Correct document type and required signatures.
- Complete acknowledgment/notarization where required.
- Complete legal description.
- Correct names and identifying references.
- Salt Lake County tax serial number for each affected parcel where applicable.
- Correct recording fee.
Tax Serial Number
Salt Lake County’s recording guidance says the tax serial number of each parcel affected by the instrument should appear on the document, although it is not considered part of the legal description.
Verify the correct parcel number before recording, especially when one legal description affects multiple parcels.
Salt Lake County Recorder Office Address, Phone & Hours
Salt Lake County Recorder’s Office
Recorder: Rashelle Hobbs
Address: 2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600, Salt Lake City, UT 84190
Phone: 385-468-8145
Email: RecorderQ@saltlakecounty.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., except holidays
The Recorder is located in the North Building of the Salt Lake County Government Center.
Open Directions ↗Official Salt Lake County Recorder Property Search Resources
Free Recorder Public Search
Quick property lookup by address or parcel number.
- Read and accept the Terms of Service.
- Enter the address or parcel number.
- Select the exact suggestion from the dropdown.
- Open the matching property.
- Review the quick recorded-document list.
Recorder Data Services
Advanced access for document images, owner history, parcel history, legal descriptions and chain-of-title research.
- Decide whether the free search is enough.
- For occasional deeper research, choose the $5 24-hour option.
- Use the parcel number or property address as your starting identifier.
- Review legal description, documents, parcel history and chain-of-title tools as needed.
- Order a formal copy if the online image is insufficient.
Recorder Requirements & Fees
Current county page for recording requirements, document fees, copy fees and Data Services pricing.
- Identify the type of document you plan to record.
- Review Utah/Salt Lake County recording requirements.
- Count legal descriptions if there are more than ten.
- Confirm the applicable $40 flat recording fee and any added charges.
- Contact the Recorder if your document is unusual.
Document & Certified Copy Request
Official request process for copies that you need from the Recorder.
- Find as much document-reference information as possible first.
- Complete all required fields.
- Select certification only if needed.
- Review your request before submitting because you are responsible for the submitted order fees.
- Wait for the Recorder’s email that the request is ready.
Property Watch
Free Recorder notification service for newly recorded property activity.
- Enter the physical property address.
- Select the exact address from the dropdown.
- Register your email and/or mobile number.
- Keep the registration active.
- If an unfamiliar alert arrives, use its entry number and document type to retrieve the actual filing.
Local Details That Make Recorder Research Easier
Know the Digital Cutoff
Current online searching reaches March 1, 1941. For earlier transactions, ask about the Recorder’s vault collection and ongoing digitization project.
Images Are Not Always Immediate
Salt Lake County says newly recorded document images are typically available by the next working day. A same-day recording may therefore appear before the image is ready.
Current Map ≠ Historical Map
Current tax-map data moved to the Parcel Fabric interactive system. Historical static plat maps remain useful through Data Services when researching older parcel configurations.
Avoid These Salt Lake County Recorder Search Mistakes
Do Not
- Type an address without selecting the dropdown result.
- Assume Recorder information is always real-time.
- Confuse Recorder ownership records with Assessor valuation records.
- Assume one downloaded deed proves clear title.
- Ignore parcel-number history when researching old documents.
- Pay for a Property Watch service without checking the county’s free option.
- Assume an older pre-1941 record does not exist because it is not online.
Better Workflow
- Start with the parcel number.
- Use the free search before buying Data Services access.
- Use legal descriptions for historical verification.
- Check parcel-number history for changed parcels.
- Review related mortgages, releases and liens.
- Order certification only if the receiving party requires it.
- Enroll in free Property Watch after confirming your parcel.
Choose the Correct Salt Lake County Next Step
| Your Situation | Best Next Step |
|---|---|
| You know the address or parcel number and only want a quick record check. | Use the free Recorder Public Search. |
| You need the actual deed image or deeper property history. | Use Recorder Data Services. |
| You need a certified recorded document. | Submit a Recorder Document Request and select certified copy. |
| You need assessed market value. | Use the Salt Lake County Assessor, not the Recorder. |
| You need to pay your property-tax bill. | Use the Salt Lake County Treasurer. |
| You need to know whether title is legally clear. | Use a qualified title company, title researcher or attorney rather than relying only on a Recorder search. |
| You want alerts for new recorded activity. | Enroll in Salt Lake County Property Watch for free. |
Salt Lake County Recorder Property Search FAQs
1. Is Salt Lake County Recorder property search free?
Salt Lake County offers a free Public Search that provides a quick list of recorded documents for a property. Deeper Data Services access, including broader digital-record research, has paid options such as the $5 temporary 24-hour package.
2. Can I search Salt Lake County Recorder records by address?
Yes. The free Public Search accepts a property address or parcel number. You must choose the correct property from the auto-populated dropdown list before the search will proceed.
3. Can I search Salt Lake County Recorder records by owner name?
The free search is centered on address or parcel-number searches. Recorder Data Services provides deeper property and ownership-history research. If you only know a person’s name, advanced Data Services or other county property tools may be more useful than the basic free search.
4. How far back do Salt Lake County Recorder online records go?
The Recorder currently states that online searches reach Book 262, Page 1, Entry Number 899028, recorded March 1, 1941. The office is digitizing older vault records with the goal of making the collection back to 1850 digitally searchable.
5. How soon is a newly recorded Salt Lake County document image available?
The Recorder says recorded document images are typically available by the next working day. A newly recorded entry may therefore appear before its image is available online.
6. How much does Salt Lake County charge to record a document?
The current Recorder fee schedule lists a $40 flat fee per recording, excluding plats. Legal descriptions above ten cost an additional $2 each. Subdivision and condominium maps use a separate per-sheet and per-lot or unit schedule.
7. How much is a Salt Lake County Recorder certified copy?
Salt Lake County currently lists certified copies at $5 for certification plus $2 per document page. Ordinary recorded-document copies are $2 per page.
8. What is Salt Lake County Property Watch?
Property Watch is a free Recorder notification service. Registered property owners can receive email or text alerts when new documents are recorded and attached to their property. Alerts include the parcel number, entry number, document type and recorded date.
9. Does the Salt Lake County Recorder determine property value or collect taxes?
No. The Recorder maintains official property transaction and ownership records. The Assessor determines market value, while the Treasurer bills and collects annual property taxes.
10. Does a Salt Lake County Recorder search prove that title is clear?
No. The Recorder provides public records but does not determine clear title. Salt Lake County explains that a title search is performed by a qualified title company or title researcher and reviews the recorded history for ownership, liens, easements and other title issues.
Independent Public-Records Guide
This website is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with Salt Lake County, the Salt Lake County Recorder, Assessor, Treasurer, Auditor or the State of Utah.
Recorder information may change, and online property data may not reflect the newest recording immediately. Verify legal descriptions, recording requirements, fees, certified-copy needs and transaction-specific requirements with the Salt Lake County Recorder before relying on them for an important transaction.
Public property-owner and recorded-document information should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
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