Salt Lake City Death Index
The Salt Lake City death index covers death records for Utah's capital and largest city. Salt Lake City vital records go back to 1895, nearly a decade before the state began its official registration system. Today, the death index spans from 1905 to the present. Salt Lake County Health and the Utah Office of Vital Records both provide certified copies. You can search the Salt Lake City death index in person, by mail, or online through the SILVER ordering portal. This guide explains every method and what you need to get started.
Salt Lake City Quick Facts
What the Salt Lake City Death Index Contains
The Salt Lake City death index holds records from 1905 forward. Each entry typically includes the full name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, age, birthdate, parents' names, spouse's name, occupation, cause of death, and place of burial. Older records may have fewer fields depending on what was collected at the time. Records created before 1905 exist as well. Salt Lake City began its local vital statistics system in 1895, which means some early death records predate the state system by nine years. Those older records are held at the Utah State Archives.
The lead agency for the statewide death index is the Utah Office of Vital Records, part of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The Salt Lake County Health Department also holds records and can issue certified copies for deaths that occurred anywhere in Utah. Under Utah Code 26B-8-125, death certificates are restricted for 50 years. After that point, they become public records and anyone can request a copy without proving a relationship. For records within the 50-year window, only immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a documented need can obtain certified copies.
The Salt Lake City death index is one of the most complete in the state. As the capital city and a major population center, Salt Lake City has a long and well-documented record-keeping history. Early death records from 1848 exist at the archives for genealogical research. These early entries were created by local authorities before state registration began.
Note: The Utah State Archives holds death records older than 50 years and provides free online access to many historical index entries through their database.
How to Search Salt Lake City Death Records
Searching the Salt Lake City death index starts with knowing where to look. There are several options depending on how old the record is and what you need it for. For recent records, the Salt Lake County Health Department and the Utah Office of Vital Records are your primary sources. For older historical records, the Utah State Archives and genealogy websites like FamilySearch offer free index searches.
Online searching is the fastest option. The SILVER system, operated by the Utah Office of Vital Records, allows you to order certified death certificates 24 hours a day. You will need to create an account, provide the decedent's name and date of death, and submit proof of your identity and relationship if the record is less than 50 years old. The Utah Office of Vital Records website has full instructions for using SILVER. For genealogy searches, FamilySearch has digitized many Utah death certificates from 1904 through the mid-20th century and offers free access.
In-person searches at Salt Lake County Health are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can look up records by name and date. Same-day service is available if you visit in person with the right documents. The Utah State Archives also allows in-person and remote searches for older records. Records more than 50 years old can be requested by anyone.
The Salt Lake County vital records order page lists all three office locations and provides guidance on what to bring. You can also order by mail by sending a completed request form, a copy of your photo ID, proof of relationship (if needed), and payment by check or money order made payable to Salt Lake County Health. Include "ATTN: VITAL RECORDS" on the envelope.
Salt Lake County Vital Records Offices
Salt Lake County Health operates three locations where you can request death records in person. All three offices serve the same records, covering all Utah deaths from 1905 to the present. You do not have to visit the office closest to where the death occurred. Any office can provide a certified copy of any Utah death certificate.
The Salt Lake Public Health Center is located at 610 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. The phone number is (385) 468-4230. This is the most central office for Salt Lake City residents. The South Redwood Public Health Center is at 7971 South 1825 West, West Jordan, UT 84088, phone (385) 468-5312. The Ellis R. Shipp Public Health Center serves West Valley City at 4535 South 5600 West, West Valley City, UT 84120, phone (385) 468-3712. All three offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Salt Lake County order page has maps and directions for each location. In-person payment options include cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard. Mail orders accept check or money order only.
The Salt Lake County offices can provide certified copies of death records for any death registered in Utah since 1905, not just those that occurred in Salt Lake City. This is useful for families searching records of relatives who lived elsewhere in the state.Note: The Utah Office of Vital Records at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84114 does not have a public counter. Use local county health offices or mail-in and online options to order from the state office.
Salt Lake City Death Index Ordering Resources
The Salt Lake County Health Department vital records ordering page provides a complete guide to obtaining certified copies of death records in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah.
The ordering page lists office locations, fees, required documents, and payment options for requesting Salt Lake City death index records in person or by mail.
Getting a Death Certificate in Salt Lake City
A certified death certificate in Salt Lake City costs $30 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $10. These fees apply at the Salt Lake County Health offices and at the Utah Office of Vital Records. The same fee structure applies statewide under Utah Code 26B-8-125.
To request a certified copy, you must provide the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the place of death. If the record is less than 50 years old, you must also show valid government-issued photo ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Acceptable proof of relationship includes a birth certificate showing your connection, a marriage certificate, adoption papers, or a legal document showing guardianship or power of attorney.
You can also order through VitalChek, which is an authorized third-party ordering service for Utah death certificates. VitalChek charges an additional service fee on top of the state certificate fee. Processing times vary but are generally faster than mail orders. Mail orders sent to the Utah Office of Vital Records at PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012 take longer. For the fastest results, visit a Salt Lake County Health office in person.
Note: Fees for the state system are set by statute and do not change based on the purpose of the request or the age of the record.
Historical Death Records in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has one of the oldest death record collections in Utah. The city started its vital statistics system in 1895, nearly a decade before the state began formal registration in 1905. The city was included in the national Death Registration Area from 1905 onward. Early death records from as far back as 1848 exist for Salt Lake City and are available through the Utah State Archives.
These historical records are especially valuable for genealogical research. They document families who arrived with early pioneer settlers and remained in Salt Lake City for generations. The older records often include information on cause of death, occupation, and parents' names that can help researchers trace family lines across multiple generations. The Utah State Archives holds death records more than 50 years old and provides online access to index information. Many of these records have been digitized.
FamilySearch has also indexed many Utah death certificates, including those for Salt Lake City, from 1904 through the mid-20th century. These are searchable by name, date, and county at no cost. Some records include scanned images of the original certificates. The FamilySearch collection at Utah Death Certificates on FamilySearch is a good starting point for genealogists researching Salt Lake City death records.
The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is another useful tool for Salt Lake City deaths after 1962. The SSDI does not include all deaths but covers many individuals who received Social Security benefits. Cross-referencing the SSDI with state death records can help confirm identities and dates.
Who Can Access Salt Lake City Death Records
Access to the Salt Lake City death index depends on how old the record is. Under Utah law, death records become public records 50 years after the date of death. Before that point, access is restricted to a defined group of authorized requesters.
Authorized requesters for restricted Salt Lake City death records include the deceased's spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, legal guardians, and personal legal representatives such as attorneys acting on behalf of the estate. Each requester must show valid government-issued photo ID and proof of relationship. The type of proof required depends on your relationship. A child requesting a parent's record must show their own birth certificate listing the deceased as parent. A spouse must show a marriage certificate.
Government agencies, law enforcement, and courts can also access restricted records for official purposes. Medical researchers and others with a documented legal need may apply to the Office of Vital Records for access under specific provisions of Utah Code 63G-2, which governs the Government Records Access and Management Act. GRAMA provides the legal framework for all public records requests in Utah, including death records.
For records older than 50 years, no proof of relationship is required. Any person can submit a request and receive a certified copy or index information. Genealogists, historians, and the general public all have equal access to records past the 50-year threshold.
Note: Informational copies, which are not legally certified, may be available to a broader group of requesters but are not accepted by courts or government agencies in place of certified copies.
Salt Lake County Death Records
Salt Lake City sits within Salt Lake County. The county health department processes death records for all of Salt Lake City and surrounding communities. For full details on Salt Lake County death records, office locations, fees, and related resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Utah Cities
Residents of nearby Utah cities can find death records through their local health departments. Select a city below to learn more about that area's death index and vital records.