What is a background check?
A background check is an investigation into an individual’s criminal record, employment history, driving record, education, finances, or other aspects of their personal history.
Background checks are often performed by an organization or company in order to screen a subject before a significant financial or legal agreement. However, individuals regularly perform background checks on themselves to make sure that the public information on them matches their personal records.
For more general information on background checks, consult our Background Checks FAQS page.
How do I run a criminal background check in Utah?
Utah does not have an online search tool for criminal history information, unlike many states.
However, there are two ways residents of the state can obtain a copy of their Utah criminal history record: in person or through the mail. There are no official means of requesting copies of other individuals’ criminal history information in the state.
How to obtain a copy of your Utah criminal history record in person
In order to get a copy of your Utah criminal history in person, if one exists, visit the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification at:
3888 West 5400 South
Taylorsville, Utah 84129
Phone number: 801-965-4445
Fax number: 801-965-4749
Bring a valid government picture ID and be prepared to pay a $15 fee with cash, VISA or Mastercard, personal check, cashier’s check, or money order. When you arrive, request a copy of your Utah criminal history and the process should go quickly. Office hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday.
How to obtain your Utah criminal history through the mail
Live far away from Salt Lake City? You can also get a copy of your Utah criminal history through the mail by following these simple steps:
- Fill out and print the Utah Criminal History Record Application.
- Enclose a copy of a valid government photo ID and a payment of $15 by money order, check, cashier’s check, or credit card, which you can use by putting your card number on the form.
- Mail the form, enclosed copy of your ID, and payment to:
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 West 5400 South
Taylorsville, Utah 84129
Alternatively, you can email the form to [email protected]. The email must be encrypted, and the criminal history record cannot be sent to you by email.
What can I do if my Utah criminal history record has incomplete or inaccurate information?
Those with inaccurate or incomplete information on a Utah arrest record or criminal history document may submit an official challenge to the State of Utah, Department of Safety, Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). The application to challenge requires a $15 fee.
Complete these steps to submit the challenge:
- Fill out the top part of the Application to Challenge Criminal History Records form. Read and sign the application.
- Bring your application and a valid government-issued photo ID to a law enforcement agency office such as a local police department or county sheriff’s office in order to get your fingerprints taken on an official FD-258 Applicant 10 print card. You may also have your fingerprints taken at the Bureau of Criminal Identification office (address listed below)
- Attach a copy of your criminal history record with the information you’d like to challenge highlighted.
- Attach any supporting documentation that serves as proof to support your challenge.
- Prepare a $15 payment by check, credit card (by writing out your credit card number on the form), or money order. Cash is only accepted if the form is delivered in person.
- Mail or deliver in person the challenge, along with the criminal history record, photo ID copy, fingerprint card, and supporting documents, to:
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 West 5400 South
Taylorsville, Utah 84129
If the challenge is documented to the BCI’s satisfaction, they will amend your Utah criminal history. If you have any questions, contact the BCI at 801-965-4445.
How do I search Utah court records?
The Utah Courts host a fee-based subscription service called XChange that the public can use to search district court and justice court records. The repository includes domestic, criminal, and civil case records.
XChange initially costs $25 to set up an account, and the monthly subscription fee is $30. Once a subscriber performs 200 searches in a month, every additional search for that month is $0.10.
Individuals may subscribe to XChange by completing an XChange Subscription Agreement (Word copy) and emailing it to [email protected].
Utah has other online options for viewing different types of records. They include
Some Utah court records are not available to the public, including:
- Petitions for divorce
- Sealed records such as adoption records
- Juvenile court records
- Restraining order requests
- Records containing trade secrets
Where can I find Utah driving records online?
Utah driving records (also known as a motor vehicle record, or MVR) are available online through Utah.gov.
To make a request, you’ll need the following:
- A Utah driver’s license
- A credit or debit card
- Your social security number
Click here to request a downloadable copy of your driving record.
How do I look up Utah vital records such as birth certificates and marriage licenses?
Vital records are records of important life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that are kept by government agencies and accessible upon request.
Vital records are not public records that can be viewed by anyone, but the subject(s) of the record and authorized family members can view them in-person or order copies through a number of means. Additionally, one or more vital records may be required to complete a background check.
The Utah Department of Health, Vital Records and Statistics enlists the services of the third-party vendor Vital Chek to enable individuals to order copies of vital records online. The government-endorsed service offers vital records from 50 U.S. states and territories.
Available vital records include:
- birth certificates
- death certificates
- marriage records
- divorce records
Click here to place an order with Vital Chek.
Utah vital records can also be ordered online from the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics. For more information, contact Vital Records and Statistics at 801-538-6105.
How do I search for a person’s sex offender status in Utah?
According to state law, those convicted of sex-related crimes, kidnapping, or certain crimes against minors must register in the Utah Sex Offender & Kidnap Registry. Currently, there are around 7,000 offenders in the registry.
The Utah Department of Corrections makes the Utah Sex Offender & Kidnap Registry available to the general public in the interest of public safety and the exchange of information.
Individuals can perform the following searches:
- Area search
- Name search
- City search
- Non-compliant offenders search
How do I perform a credit history background check in Utah?
Performing a credit check in Utah follows the same process as in other states. A federal law known as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants every American one free annual credit report each from the three main U.S. credit bureaus:
In order to obtain your free credit report from one of these three bureaus, you must provide the following information:
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social security number
