Summit County Death Records
Summit County death records are maintained by the Summit County Health Department in Coalville, Utah. The Summit County death index includes certified death certificates, historical genealogy records, and state-registered vital records going back to 1905. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person. Access rules follow Utah state law, which makes records more than 50 years old available to the public and restricts newer records to immediate family members. This guide covers what records exist, how to request them, what they cost, and where to search the Summit County death index.
Summit County Quick Facts
What Summit County Death Index Records Contain
Summit County death certificates contain identifying details about each person who died in the county. A typical record shows the full name of the deceased, date and place of death, cause of death, age at death, and the name of the reporting physician or coroner. Most certificates also list the deceased person's birthdate, birthplace, occupation, and the names of their parents. Records from the mid-twentieth century onward often include the name of a surviving spouse, race, and marital status at the time of death.
The FamilySearch statewide collection includes Summit County deaths from 1904 through 1964, plus a separate collection for 1965 and 1966. These records are indexed and searchable by name through FamilySearch. The collection holds over 260,000 death certificate images and includes details such as cause of death, gender, race, and marital status. Military death certificates from World War II and the Korean War are also part of this dataset. Records can be browsed by county, city, and year, which is useful when you know where but not exactly when a person died.
Note: Records prior to 1905 are held by the Utah State Archives rather than the health department. Contact the archives for very early Summit County records.
How to Search Summit County Death Records
The Summit County Health Department is the main source for recent death records. The office processes in-person requests on Monday through Thursday before 4:30 PM. In-person visits require an appointment, so call ahead before going to the office. You will need a valid government-issued photo ID and, for records less than 50 years old, documentation proving your relationship to the deceased. The office is located at the Summit County Courthouse, P.O. Box 128, Coalville, UT 84017, and can be reached by phone at (435) 336-4451.
Online ordering is available through the Utah SILVER system. This method typically takes longer than in-person requests but lets you submit your application from anywhere. VitalChek is the state's authorized third-party ordering service and can be used for Summit County death certificates through VitalChek's Utah portal. Mail requests are also accepted with a completed application form and copies of required documents.
For historical records, the Utah State Archives provides free access to death records more than 50 years old, including images of original certificates. FamilySearch offers a free searchable index of statewide records from 1904 to 1966, including Summit County. Both resources can be accessed online without a visit to any office.
Summit County Health Department - Vital Records
The Summit County Health Department partners with the Utah Department of Vital Records to issue certified death certificates for events that occurred in Summit County. The office handles new requests, amended certificates, and notary services. It also processes certificate amendments when errors need to be corrected after a death record has been filed.
The image below shows the Summit County Health Department's vital records page, where you can find current hours, appointment requirements, and acceptable forms of ID and proof of relationship.
Summit County Health Department vital records page for death certificate ordering
The Summit County Health Department's vital records page lists what you need to bring, how to make an appointment, and what proof of relationship is acceptable for each type of family connection.
Acceptable proof of relationship varies by your connection to the deceased. Parents are shown on the deceased's birth certificate. Siblings need a document showing a common parent. Grandparents require a chain of birth certificates connecting the generations. Children use their own birth certificate showing the deceased as a parent. If a name change occurred, a marriage certificate may also be required. The office may ask for additional ID at its discretion.
Getting Certified Summit County Death Certificates
Certified Summit County death certificates cost $30 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. These are the standard statewide fees charged by the Summit County Health Department. Payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card depending on the ordering method. For mail requests, check or money order is preferred. Online orders accept credit and debit cards through the SILVER system.
A certified copy carries the raised seal of the issuing office and is accepted for legal purposes such as probate, insurance claims, real estate transfers, and name changes. Plain copies or photocopies are not considered certified and will not be accepted by most agencies. Order as many certified copies as you think you will need at the same time to take advantage of the lower $10 additional-copy fee.
Under Utah Code 26B-8-125, only immediate family members may request certified copies of records less than 50 years old. Eligible relatives include the spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent of the deceased. Legal guardians and authorized legal representatives with written permission may also make requests on behalf of eligible family members. A valid photo ID is required for all requests.
Historical Summit County Death Index Records
Summit County was established in 1854, making it one of the older counties in Utah. Historical death records from before 1905 are held by the Utah State Archives rather than the health department. These early records can include church records, county registers, and other pre-registration documents that predate the statewide vital records system. The state archives provides free online access to historical records that fall outside the restricted 50-year window.
The FamilySearch collection covers Summit County deaths from 1904 through 1966 and is searchable at no cost. Over 260,000 death certificate images are indexed statewide, with Summit County records accessible by name, year, and location. Each entry typically lists name, date and place of death, age, gender, race, and cause of death. Some records also show parents' birthplaces and the name of an attending physician. This makes FamilySearch a valuable tool for genealogy research into Summit County family history.
Who Can Access Summit County Death Records
Summit County death records follow Utah's 50-year access rule. Records more than 50 years old are public documents. Any person may request them without proving a family connection. Records less than 50 years old are restricted to immediate family members and their authorized representatives.
Eligible immediate family members under Utah Code 26B-8-125 include the surviving spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent of the deceased. Each must present a valid photo ID along with documentation proving the relationship. The type of proof required depends on the relationship. A child must show a birth certificate listing the deceased as a parent. A spouse must show a marriage certificate. A sibling must show documents proving a shared parent.
Public records access in Utah is also governed by the Government Records Access and Management Act, Utah Code 63G-2. GRAMA provides the framework for requesting public records and appealing denials. Death records more than 50 years old are classified as public under GRAMA. Anyone whose request is denied has the right to appeal through the process set out in that statute.
Note: The Summit County Health Department reserves the right to request additional identification beyond the standard requirements if circumstances warrant further verification.
Nearby Counties
Summit County borders several other Utah counties. If the person you are researching lived near a county line, check neighboring county death indexes as well. Records for adjacent areas may hold family connections worth exploring.