Death Index Records in Daggett County
Daggett County is the least populated county in Utah, situated in the northeastern corner of the state near the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. The Daggett County death index covers records from 1905 onward, with access available through the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics, FamilySearch for historical records, and the Utah State Archives for older documents. Manila is the county seat. This page explains how to search and obtain Daggett County death records through each available channel.
Daggett County Quick Facts
What Daggett County Death Index Records Include
Daggett County death records follow the standard Utah death certificate format. Each certificate lists the legal name of the deceased, date and location of death, certified cause of death, age and birthplace, occupation, and the names of surviving family members. The attending physician or medical examiner certifies the medical information. Because Daggett County is the least populated county in Utah, the total volume of records is smaller than in other counties, but each record carries the same legal weight and detail.
FamilySearch includes Daggett County in the Utah Death Certificates collection, which covers 1904 to 1964. This free collection at FamilySearch is indexed by name and searchable online. Many records link to scanned images of the original certificates. For a small and rural county like Daggett, FamilySearch is often the most practical starting point for historical research because the volume of records is manageable and the collection is well indexed.
Death registers covering 1847 to 1966 include Daggett County entries at the Utah State Archives. These older registers can supplement the FamilySearch collection and may contain deaths that were not captured in the formal certificate system. Pre-1905 records are especially important for Daggett County because the small population means some early deaths may have gone unregistered until compliance improved around 1917.
Note: Because of Daggett County's very small population, some records before 1917 may have gaps where deaths were not reported to state registrars in a timely manner.
How to Search the Daggett County Death Index
Searching Daggett County death records starts with identifying the approximate year of death and the full name of the deceased. For records from 1905 to 1964, FamilySearch provides the most accessible free index. Search by name and county to locate Daggett County entries. The collection is free and does not require an account for basic searching.
For recent records, use the Utah SILVER system or VitalChek to place an online order for a certified copy. Both platforms accept requests for Daggett County deaths. The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics processes all orders and can answer questions about what records are available at (801) 538-6105.
VitalChek accepts online orders for Daggett County death certificates and processes them through the Utah vital records system.
For pre-1905 records and those more than 50 years old, the Utah State Archives is the primary source. Their online catalog lets you search available collections before requesting copies. Records in the Archives that are more than 50 years old are available to the public at no charge. The VitalRec.com Utah counties page also lists specific resources organized by county and is a useful reference when you are not sure where to start for Daggett County.
Daggett County Death Certificate Office
Vital records for Daggett County are maintained by the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Daggett County does not have its own separate local health department for vital records. All certified death certificate requests for Daggett County deaths go through the state office at 288 N 1460 W, PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012. The phone number is (801) 538-6105, and the office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visit vitalrecords.utah.gov for full ordering information.
The Eighth District Court covers Daggett County and handles court-ordered access to records in unusual circumstances. For standard death certificate requests, however, the Utah Office of Vital Records is the correct office to contact. Court involvement is not required for routine requests that meet the standard eligibility requirements.
Because Daggett County is remote and lightly populated, in-person visits to any local office are not practical for most requesters. Online ordering through SILVER or VitalChek and mail-in requests to the Salt Lake City state office are the most convenient options for most people researching Daggett County deaths.
Note: Calling the Utah Office of Vital Records at (801) 538-6105 before mailing your request is a good way to confirm current processing times and required documents for Daggett County records.
Getting Daggett County Death Certificates
A certified copy of a Daggett County death certificate costs $30 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $10. These are the standard Utah vital records fees. All fees apply whether you order online, by mail, or in person at the state office in Salt Lake City.
Online ordering is the most practical choice for Daggett County given the county's remote location. Use the Utah SILVER system or VitalChek to submit your order. You will need basic information about the deceased, including full name, approximate date of death, and your relationship to the deceased if requesting a restricted record.
Mail requests should be sent to the Utah Office of Vital Records at 288 N 1460 W, PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012. Include a completed application form, a clear copy of your government-issued photo ID, and any required proof of relationship. The application form is available on the vitalrecords.utah.gov website. Processing time for mail requests varies and is generally longer than for online orders.
Restricted Daggett County death records, meaning those less than 50 years old, are available only to immediate family members under Utah Code 26B-8-125. Qualifying relationships are the surviving spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild of the deceased. Valid photo ID plus documentary proof of the qualifying relationship must accompany every restricted records request.
Historical Death Records in Daggett County
The Utah State Archives holds older Daggett County death records and statewide collections that are free to access for records more than 50 years old.
Daggett County's historical death records reflect the county's sparse settlement history. The region around Manila and Flaming Gorge was home to ranching families, trappers, and later to workers connected to the Flaming Gorge Dam project. Early death records, when they exist, often document deaths from accidents, harsh weather, and infectious disease. The FamilySearch Utah Death Certificates collection at FamilySearch covers Daggett County deaths from 1904 to 1964 and is the most searchable historical source.
Death registers from 1847 to 1966 at the Utah State Archives may fill gaps not covered by the FamilySearch collection. For a county as small as Daggett, individual entries in these registers can be significant finds for family researchers. The Archives catalog is online at archives.utah.gov, and staff can help identify which collections are most likely to hold Daggett County entries.
Pre-1905 records for Daggett County are rare. The county was sparsely settled before statehood and had few formal government institutions in its earliest years. When searching for very early Daggett County deaths, expand your search to federal census mortality schedules, church records, and any surviving local registers that may be held by the county or by private historical societies in northeastern Utah.
Note: The CDC vital records page for Utah provides context on when Utah achieved full compliance with death registration requirements, which explains the pattern of gaps in Daggett County's earliest records.
Who Can Access Daggett County Death Records
Daggett County death records more than 50 years old are public. Any person may request them, and no family relationship is required. These records are available through the Utah Office of Vital Records, the Utah State Archives, and FamilySearch depending on the age and type of record you need.
Records less than 50 years old are restricted under Utah Code 26B-8-125. Access to these restricted Daggett County death records is limited to immediate family members who can demonstrate their relationship with documentation. Photo ID is required, along with a document that proves the qualifying relationship such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or similar official record.
The Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) at Utah Code 63G-2 is the broader framework for public records access in Utah. GRAMA applies to all government agencies including those that hold Daggett County death records. Under GRAMA, records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies, and the requester may appeal a denial through the State Records Committee.
Attorneys, estate executors, and authorized legal representatives may also access restricted Daggett County death records with proper authorization. If you are acting on behalf of an eligible family member, bring a signed authorization from that person along with their ID documentation. The Utah Office of Vital Records can advise you on what paperwork is needed for your specific situation.
The Social Security Administration POMS resource explains how death records are used in federal benefit determinations, which is relevant for families of Daggett County residents.
Cities in Daggett County
Daggett County is the least populated county in Utah. Manila is the county seat and the only incorporated municipality. Other communities in the county include Dutch John, which was built to house workers on the Flaming Gorge Dam. All death records for Daggett County residents are filed with the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics in Salt Lake City.
Nearby Counties
Daggett County borders Uintah County to the south and west, Rich County to the northwest, and Duchesne County to the southwest. Researchers working on deaths near county boundaries may need to check records in these neighboring counties as well.