South Salt Lake Death Records
The South Salt Lake death index covers vital records for residents of this Salt Lake County city. Death records from 1905 to the present are maintained by Salt Lake County Health and the Utah Office of Vital Records. South Salt Lake sits directly south of Salt Lake City and is served by the same county health offices. This guide explains how to search South Salt Lake death records, what information each record contains, what certified copies cost, who can access restricted records, and where to find historical death data for genealogical research.
South Salt Lake Quick Facts
South Salt Lake Death Index Records
The South Salt Lake death index is part of the Salt Lake County vital records system. Records from 1905 forward are maintained at the state level by the Utah Office of Vital Records and locally by Salt Lake County Health. Each entry in the death index typically includes the full legal name of the deceased, date and place of death, age, date of birth, parents' names, spouse's name, occupation, cause of death, and burial location. The level of detail in each record depends on when it was created. Earlier entries from the first decades of state registration may be less complete than records from more recent years.
South Salt Lake was incorporated in 1938 and grew from a mix of residential and industrial development along State Street and Interstate 15. The city's history reflects the broader growth of the Salt Lake Valley in the mid-twentieth century. Death records from the incorporation period onward document the communities and families that shaped the city. Records predating the 1905 state registration system, if they exist for this area, may be found through the Utah State Archives or local historical collections.
Under Utah Code 26B-8-125, death records are restricted for 50 years after the date of death. Authorized requesters for restricted records include close family members and legal representatives. After 50 years, records become public and any person may request a certified copy. The Utah State Archives holds older records and provides free online index access for historical entries.
Search South Salt Lake Death Records
Finding South Salt Lake death records depends on the age of the record and your access needs. For deaths within the last 50 years, Salt Lake County Health is the primary source. The main office, the Salt Lake Public Health Center, is at 610 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, phone (385) 468-4230. For records older than 50 years, the Utah State Archives and FamilySearch are strong free options. FamilySearch has indexed Salt Lake County death records from 1904 through the mid-twentieth century, searchable by name, date, and county at no charge.
Online ordering through the SILVER system at the Utah Office of Vital Records is available around the clock. You will need the full name of the deceased and an approximate date of death. For restricted records, upload your government-issued photo ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Older public records require only the basic request information.
In-person requests at Salt Lake County Health are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. South Salt Lake residents are close to the main Salt Lake Public Health Center, making in-person visits practical. Same-day service is standard when all required documents are in hand. Mail requests should include a completed form, a photocopy of your photo ID, relationship proof if needed, and payment by check or money order. VitalChek also processes online orders for Utah death certificates and adds a service fee above the state certificate cost.
Salt Lake County Health Department
Salt Lake County Health operates the vital records program for South Salt Lake and all of Salt Lake County. Three office locations serve the county: the Salt Lake Public Health Center at 610 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (385) 468-4230; South Redwood Public Health Center at 7971 S 1825 W, West Jordan (385) 468-5312; and Ellis R. Shipp Public Health Center at 4535 S 5600 W, West Valley City (385) 468-3712. All three offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Each can process certified death certificate requests for any Utah death since 1905, regardless of which county the death occurred in.
The fee for a certified death certificate is $30 for the first copy. Additional copies in the same order are $10 each. The fee is fixed by state statute and does not vary based on the purpose of the request or the age of the record. In-person payments include cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard. Mail orders accept check or money order only. Online orders through SILVER and VitalChek use a credit card.
The closest office for most South Salt Lake residents is the Salt Lake Public Health Center at 610 S 200 E. The office is centrally located and accessible by public transit. Coming during off-peak hours tends to reduce wait times for in-person service.
Note: The Utah Office of Vital Records at PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012, phone (801) 538-6105, handles mail and online requests but has no public walk-in counter. County offices handle all in-person needs.
South Salt Lake Death Index via VitalChek
South Salt Lake residents can order certified death certificates online through VitalChek, an authorized third-party ordering service for Utah vital records.
VitalChek accepts major credit cards and processes orders 24 hours a day. A service fee is added to the state's $30 certificate cost. Online ordering is a practical option for South Salt Lake residents who prefer to avoid a trip to the county health office.
Getting South Salt Lake Death Certificates
Certified death certificates for South Salt Lake residents cost $30 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy in the same order. These fees apply at all three Salt Lake County Health offices and the Utah Office of Vital Records. Online services may charge additional processing fees.
To request a copy, provide the full legal name of the deceased and the date of death. For records less than 50 years old, also provide valid government-issued photo ID and proof of your relationship. Accepted proof types include birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption documents, and legal papers showing guardianship or power of attorney. For records more than 50 years old, no relationship proof is required, and any person may submit a request.
Mail requests should include a completed request form, a photocopy of your photo ID, relationship proof if required, and payment by check or money order. Send to Salt Lake County Health at 610 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, or to the Utah Office of Vital Records at PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012. Online orders through SILVER at the Utah OVR website or through VitalChek are processed faster than most mail requests.
Historical Death Records in South Salt Lake
South Salt Lake was incorporated in 1938, giving it a recorded city history of less than 90 years. Before incorporation, the area was part of unincorporated Salt Lake County. Death records from that earlier period are registered under the broader Salt Lake County designation. Researchers should search by family name rather than city name when looking at records from the early twentieth century, as "South Salt Lake" may not appear as a place of death in older entries.
FamilySearch has indexed Salt Lake County death records from 1904 through the mid-twentieth century. These records are free to search and often include digital images of original certificates. The collection is a strong starting point for genealogical research into South Salt Lake families from the early 1900s. For deaths after the mid-twentieth century that have passed the 50-year mark, the Utah State Archives holds records and provides free online index access.
The Social Security Death Index covers many South Salt Lake deaths from 1962 forward and is freely searchable on genealogy websites. It can confirm identities and approximate dates when state records are incomplete or when the exact date of death is not known. Cemetery records for South Salt Lake and surrounding areas are indexed on Find A Grave and BillionGraves. These sources add burial dates, locations, and family connections that supplement the formal death index.
Utah State Archives for South Salt Lake Death Records
The Utah State Archives holds older South Salt Lake death records past the 50-year public access threshold and provides free online index searching for historical Salt Lake County vital records.
The Archives online search tool is free. Digitized images of original certificates are available for many entries. In-person research at the Salt Lake City facility is also available for researchers who need access to a broader range of historical documents alongside the formal death index.
Death Record Access in South Salt Lake
Access to South Salt Lake death records follows Utah state law. Records less than 50 years old are restricted under Utah Code 26B-8-125. Authorized requesters include the spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, legal guardians, and legal representatives of the deceased. Each must present valid photo ID and proof of their specific relationship.
Records older than 50 years are public records. No relationship proof is required. Any person may request a certified copy by any method, whether in person, by mail, or online. This broad access covers genealogists, journalists, historians, and the general public equally. Each year, more records cross the 50-year threshold and move from restricted to public access.
Government agencies, courts, and law enforcement can access restricted records for official purposes under Utah Code 63G-2. GRAMA establishes the legal framework for all public records requests in Utah, including vital records. Medical researchers and others with a documented legal need may apply to the Office of Vital Records for limited access under GRAMA provisions. The Office reviews applications individually and may grant or deny access based on the stated purpose and applicable statute.
Salt Lake County Death Records
South Salt Lake is part of Salt Lake County. Salt Lake County Health processes death records for South Salt Lake and all other communities in the county. For full details on Salt Lake County death records, office locations, and resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Utah Cities
Other Salt Lake County cities use the same county health offices for death records. Select a city below to learn about death records in that area.