Salt Lake City Background Check Records
A Salt Lake City background check draws on records from several sources: the Salt Lake City Police Department, the Salt Lake County Sheriff, the Third District Court, and the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. Salt Lake City is the state capital and Utah's largest city, with roughly 200,000 residents. Public records covering arrests, court cases, and criminal history are available through official channels. This guide explains where to search, what records exist, and how to submit a background check request in Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City Quick Facts
Salt Lake City Police Department Records
The Salt Lake City Police Department holds police reports, arrest records, and incident logs tied to crimes within city limits. The Records Unit is located at the Public Safety Building, 475 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. In-person requests are accepted at the Service Desk in the building lobby Monday through Friday, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. Bring valid photo identification before visiting.
The department accepts these forms of ID: a US Driver's License, US ID Card, US Passport, US Visa, US Permanent Residence Card, US Employment Authorization Card, US Concealed Weapon Permit, or US Military ID. A Driver Privilege Card is not accepted on its own. If you present one, you must also bring two other forms from separate categories, such as a birth certificate, a utility bill, or a bank statement. This policy keeps record releases secure.
If you are the subject of a record, either as an arrestee or a victim, you may be entitled to additional information not available to the general public. Protected records include files tied to open or active investigations. Contact the Records Unit to ask what is available in your specific case.
The Salt Lake City Police GRAMA records request page provides forms and submission instructions online. The image below shows the SLCPD records access information available to the public.
Requests submitted online or by mail follow the same 10-business-day GRAMA timeline as in-person submissions.
How to Get a Background Check in Salt Lake City
Two main paths exist for obtaining a background check tied to Salt Lake City. The first is a statewide criminal history search through the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. The second is a local records request submitted directly to the Salt Lake City Police Department or Salt Lake County Sheriff.
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) maintains a centralized database of criminal history records across the state. Utah residents can request their own record under the Right of Access provision. As of July 2025, the fee for a personal criminal history search is $20. Requests can be submitted in person at BCI's office at 4315 S 2700 W, Suite 1300, Taylorsville, UT 84129, or by mail. BCI is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (801) 965-4445 with questions.
For details on the criminal records process, visit the BCI Criminal Records page. The legal framework for background check searches is found at Utah Code Section 53-10-108.
Note: A personal Right of Access search at BCI shows your own criminal history; third-party searches have different rules under state law.
Court Records for Salt Lake City Residents
Criminal cases in Salt Lake City are filed at the Third District Court. The court handles felonies and serious misdemeanors. Case records include charging documents, hearing dates, verdicts, and sentencing orders. These records are public under Utah law unless sealed by court order.
Utah Courts runs two online tools for searching case records. MyCourtCase allows free name-based searches of court filings statewide. XChange provides a more detailed subscription-based search with access to document images. Both tools pull from the same court database maintained by the Utah Courts system.
Under Utah Code Section 63G-2-103, a public record is any record that is not classified as private, controlled, or protected. Any person may request a public record. Most finalized court case files meet this definition.
Note: Juvenile records and sealed adult records do not appear in public searches regardless of the tool used.
Salt Lake County Sheriff and Inmate Search
The Salt Lake County Sheriff serves the broader Salt Lake County area and maintains records that supplement Salt Lake City police files. The Sheriff's office manages the county jail, inmate rosters, booking records, and the Statewide Warrant file (SWW).
Visit the Salt Lake County Sheriff's website to search the inmate lookup tool. The tool shows current inmates, booking dates, charges, and release status. The Salt Lake County Sheriff also holds warrant information for individuals wanted on outstanding orders across the county. Warrant data in the SWW is accessible to law enforcement statewide.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff image below illustrates the agency's public-facing records and background check resources.
For arrest records outside Salt Lake City proper, the Sheriff's office handles GRAMA requests for unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Criminal History Records and Background Check Details
A criminal history record in Utah typically contains arrest dates, charges filed, court case numbers, dispositions, and any sentences imposed. BCI compiles records from law enforcement agencies across the state into one central file. Local police records may contain additional incident detail not captured at the state level.
Salt Lake City has one of the most active criminal justice systems in Utah simply because it is the most populated city. Records going back many decades are on file. Older cases may require a written request and a longer processing window. More recent records are often available through MyCourtCase or XChange within days of filing.
When searching criminal history, keep in mind that records reflect charges at the time of entry. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and expunged records may not appear or may be marked accordingly. Always check the final case disposition before drawing conclusions from a background check result.
GRAMA Records Requests in Salt Lake City
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) governs public records requests across all state and local agencies, including Salt Lake City departments. Under GRAMA, agencies have 10 business days to provide the record, deny the request, or notify the requester that more time is needed due to extraordinary circumstances.
To request records from the Salt Lake City government, submit a written request identifying the records you need. Include your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records. You can submit in person, by mail, or through the Utah GRAMA Portal. The portal allows online submission to state and local agencies and tracks your request status.
Common public records available through GRAMA include police incident reports, arrest logs, booking records, and government correspondence. Records tied to open investigations are protected and will not be released until the investigation closes.
Fees vary by agency. Many basic records are free. Charges may apply for staff time spent locating and preparing large record sets.
Expungement of Salt Lake City Criminal Records
Utah law allows qualifying individuals to petition for expungement of criminal records through a process governed by Utah Code Title 77, Chapter 40a. Expungement removes the record from public view and, in most cases, from standard background check results.
Waiting periods under state law depend on the offense type. DUI convictions require a 10-year wait. Felony convictions require 7 years. Class A misdemeanors require 5 years. Class B misdemeanors require 4 years. Class C misdemeanors and infractions require 3 years. These periods run from the date of conviction or release, whichever is later.
The process starts at BCI. You must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility before filing a petition with the court. As of the current fee schedule, each Certificate of Eligibility costs $65 per offense. Visit the BCI Expungements page for forms and current instructions. Once the court grants expungement, records are sealed and generally do not appear in public background check searches.
Salt Lake County Background Check Records
Salt Lake County maintains court and law enforcement records that cover Salt Lake City and surrounding communities. The Third District Court handles major criminal cases for the entire county. Salt Lake County Sheriff records include jail rosters, booking histories, and warrant data. A county-level background check search broadens results beyond city limits alone.
Nearby Utah Cities
Search background check records for other cities near Salt Lake City.