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Utah’s criminal records are technically public, but it is more difficult to access them than it is in most other states. It is relatively easy for someone to access their own Utah records, but accessing someone else’s can be a complex process. Read on to learn more about criminal records in Utah.
Basic Info About Utah Criminal Records
Utah only allows the record holder themselves to obtain a criminal record (with some exceptions for companies performing authorized background checks). Though many public records in Utah, such as driving records, can be obtained online, criminal records cannot. Utah criminal records can only be obtained via mail or in person.
Utah criminal records include a wide variety of information, such as:
- Full legal name
- Any aliases
- Date of birth
- Current address
- Past addresses
- Fingerprints
- Photograph
- All convictions
- All acquittals
- All charges
- All warrants
- All dropped charges
- Appearance (weight, height, eye color, hair color)
A Utah criminal record will not include federal cases, even if the case was tried at a federal court in Utah.
How Utah Criminal Records are Used
Criminal records are used in largely the same manner across the country, including in Utah. The most common use for a Utah criminal record is examining it as part of a background check. Background checks are often carried out by prospective employers (or their vendors) when someone applies for a position with their company. Background checks involving criminal records may also take place when someone applies for a restricted license. Firearms licenses, law licenses, and medical licenses all require criminal records checks. A license application that requires a background check must include a consent form in which the applicant authorizes a criminal records check.
Of course, Utah criminal records can also be accessed by law enforcement at any time without permission. However, even law enforcement officers can only access someone’s records when they have proper legal justification for doing so.
Accessing Another Person’s Utah Criminal Record
As previously mentioned, Utah does not allow a private citizen to request another citizen’s criminal record. Utah has some of the most restrictive public records laws in the country. Most states do allow someone with authorization from the record holder and a valid reason to access another person’s criminal record, but this is not currently the case in Utah.
Requesting a Utah Criminal Record
Utah criminal records can be requested in person or via mail. If you wish to request your Utah record in person, you must do so at the Salt Lake City office of the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). BCI’s address is:
Salt Lake City, Utah 84129
The fee is $15, which can be paid via check, cash, money order, cashier’s check, credit card, or debit card.
If you wish to request your Utah criminal record via mail, you have to fill out the Criminal History Record Application and mail it to the address above. You must also submit the fee