About Beaver County
Beaver County is located in southwestern Utah, positioned along Interstate 15 between the Tushar Mountains to the east and the Mineral Mountains to the west. The county seat is Beaver, a historic community established in 1856 that serves as the governmental and commercial hub for the county's approximately 7,000 residents. Covering 2,592 square miles, Beaver County encompasses diverse terrain ranging from high alpine forests to desert valleys, with elevations varying from 5,000 to over 12,000 feet.
- Major geographic features include the Tushar Mountains, which contain Delano Peak (the second-highest point in Utah at 12,169 feet), and portions of the Fishlake National Forest.
The county is home to significant historical landmarks including Fort Cameron, built in 1872, and numerous pioneer-era buildings in downtown Beaver that reflect the region's Mormon settlement history. The Beaver County Recorder's office is located at 105 East Center Street in Beaver, Utah 84713, maintaining land records and official documents. The Beaver County Clerk/Auditor operates from the same courthouse complex, handling vital records, business licenses, and election administration.
The Beaver County Assessor's office, also housed in the county courthouse at 105 East Center Street, manages property tax assessments and maintains tax rolls for all real and personal property within the county. The economy historically centered on agriculture, ranching, and mining, though tourism and recreation have grown significantly with access to nearby national forests and the Paiute ATV Trail system. Beaver County's strategic location along the I-15 corridor connecting Salt Lake City to Las Vegas positions it as an important waypoint for travelers and commerce.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Beaver County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. It is responsible for patrolling the unincorporated areas, managing the county jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The office is committed to ensuring public safety and provides various community programs such as crime prevention initiatives and educational outreach. The Sheriff's Office also has specialized divisions that handle investigations, narcotics enforcement, and search and rescue operations, reflecting its comprehensive approach to law enforcement in the county.
Police Departments
In addition to the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the county is supported by municipal police departments in cities like Beaver and Milford. The Beaver City Police Department and the Milford City Police Department handle law enforcement within their respective city limits, focusing on community policing and local crime prevention. These agencies coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring a unified approach to public safety across the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Beaver County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 2430 South 525 West in Beaver, Utah 84713, provides primary law enforcement services throughout the unincorporated areas of the county and operates the Beaver County Jail. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (435) 438-2862 and maintains a website at www.beaver.utah.gov/sheriff where citizens can find information about services, crime prevention programs, and public safety announcements.
- Current inmate rosters may be available through the Sheriff's Office upon request.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written GRAMA request to the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, specifying the individual's name and date of birth if known.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records and may be released upon request, though the Sheriff's Office may charge copying fees as permitted under GRAMA.
- Processing times for records requests typically range from three to ten business days depending on the complexity of the request.
The Beaver County Jail, located at the same address as the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates for both pre-trial detention and sentenced misdemeanor offenders. Inmate lookup information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at (435) 438-2862 or by visiting the facility during normal business hours. Municipal law enforcement within Beaver County includes the Beaver City Police Department, which serves the incorporated limits of the county seat.
Smaller communities such as Milford and Minersville rely primarily on county sheriff patrols and Utah Highway Patrol for law enforcement services. Arrest records and booking information are considered public records under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), codified in Utah Code §63G-2-201 et seq. No tribal police agencies operate within Beaver County, and special jurisdiction falls to federal agencies for crimes occurring on national forest lands, with the U.S.
Forest Service Law Enforcement coordinating with county authorities as needed.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Beaver County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Beaver County Sheriff's Office maintains these records, providing information for background checks and legal proceedings. Residents can request criminal records through the Sheriff's Office or the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, which offers statewide background checks.
- The Utah Bureau of Investigation provides additional resources for Beaver residents, including access to statewide criminal databases and support for investigations involving multiple jurisdictions.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Beaver County are maintained by the Beaver County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, often requiring a formal request under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), Utah's public records law. Arrest records typically include the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting officer's details, providing a comprehensive overview of the incident.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Beaver County Jail, located in Beaver, serves as the detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Inmate lookup is available through the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled visiting hours and regulations that visitors must adhere to.
- The bond and bail process follows Utah state guidelines, allowing for the release of inmates through cash bail or bond services, with information available through the Sheriff's Office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Beaver County are taken and retained by the Beaver County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office, either online or by request. Utah does not have specific mugshot removal laws, meaning that once a mugshot is part of the public record, it remains accessible unless expunged through legal proceedings. Residents seeking mugshots can inquire directly with the Sheriff's Office for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Courts & Case Records
Beaver County is served by the Sixth District Court, which handles all district-level matters including felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $10,000, divorce and family law matters, probate, and appeals from lower courts. The Sixth District Courthouse is located at 105 East Center Street, Beaver, Utah 84713, and can be reached at (435) 438-6463.
- Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the clerk's office for a fee of $5.00 for certification plus copying costs of $0.25 per page for standard documents.
- Online access through XChange is free for basic case lookup, though PACER-style fees may apply for bulk downloads or extensive document retrieval.
- The court clerk's office accepts requests in person, by mail, or by phone during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding court holidays.
Court records and case information can be searched through Utah's statewide XChange case search portal at www.utcourts.gov/xchange, which provides free public access to case dockets, party information, and case status for both civil and criminal matters. The Beaver Justice Court, located at 85 North Main Street, Beaver, Utah 84713, phone (435) 438-2866, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims matters up to $15,000, and serves as the magistrate court for initial appearances in felony cases. Justice Court records are also accessible through the XChange system.
Municipal courts operate independently in Beaver City to adjudicate city ordinance violations and traffic offenses occurring within city limits. Public access to court records in Utah is governed by Rule 4-202 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration and Utah Code §78A-2-301, which establish that court records are presumptively public unless specifically classified as private, protected, or sealed by statute or court order.
Property & Public Records
The Beaver County Recorder's office, located at 105 East Center Street, Beaver, Utah 84713, phone (435) 438-6463, maintains all official land records for the county including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, easements, plat maps, subdivision documents, and other instruments affecting real property titles. The Recorder's office operates under the authority of Utah Code §17-21-1 et seq., which mandates the recording and indexing of real property documents.
- Images of recorded documents are available online for most records recorded after 1990, with older documents requiring in-person research or special requests.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $10.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
- The Assessor provides a free online parcel search tool accessible through the county website that displays property tax information, ownership history, aerial photography, and basic GIS mapping.
Records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description, with documents dating back to the county's formation in 1856 available for research. The county maintains a free online property search tool accessible through the county website at www.beaver.utah.gov, allowing users to search recorded documents by party name, document type, book and page number, or entry number. The Beaver County Assessor's office, also located at 105 East Center Street, phone (435) 438-6463, maintains property tax records including ownership information, assessed values, property characteristics, and tax payment history.
The County Treasurer's office, housed in the same building, collects property taxes and maintains tax sale records. A comprehensive GIS parcel viewer is available at www.beaver.utah.gov/gis, offering detailed mapping, property boundaries, zoning overlays, flood zones, and aerial imagery. Walk-in customers are welcomed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and staff can assist with property research and record retrieval.
Vital Records
Vital records for Beaver County, Utah, are maintained by both the Beaver County Clerk's office and the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Birth certificates for births occurring in Beaver County can be requested from the Beaver County Clerk/Auditor at 105 East Center Street, Beaver, Utah 84713, phone (435) 438-6463, or from the Utah Office of Vital Records, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116, phone (801) 538-6105. The fee for a certified birth certificate is $20.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Death certificates can be obtained from the same offices at the same fee structure, with death records restricted for 50 years to immediate family members and legal representatives.
- The marriage license fee is $50.00, and there is no waiting period or blood test required in Utah.
- Marriage certificates can be requested after the ceremony for $20.00 for a certified copy.
- Divorce records are maintained by the Sixth District Court clerk, not the County Clerk, and must be requested from the court at 105 East Center Street, Beaver, Utah 84713.
- Online ordering of vital records is available through the VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com, though additional processing fees of $8.50 to $15.00 apply for expedited handling and credit card convenience fees.
Birth records are restricted for 100 years under Utah Code §26-2-22 and can only be released to the registrant (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives with proper identification. Processing times for vital records requests typically range from one to two weeks for mail requests, while walk-in requests at the county clerk's office may be processed same-day or within 24 hours if records are readily available. Marriage licenses must be obtained in person from the Beaver County Clerk's office, with both applicants present and presenting valid government-issued photo identification.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Beaver County involves multiple jurisdictions depending on the type and scope of the business. The Beaver County Clerk/Auditor's office at 105 East Center Street, Beaver, Utah 84713, phone (435) 438-6463, handles Doing Business As (DBA) filings and fictitious name registrations for businesses operating in unincorporated areas of the county. DBA registration fees are approximately $25.00 and must be renewed periodically.
- Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use applications are processed through the Beaver County Planning and Zoning Department, located at 105 East Center Street, phone (435) 438-6463.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, part of the Utah Department of Commerce, maintains the official state business registry. The free online business entity search is available at https://secure.utah.gov/bes/, where users can search by business name, registered agent, or principal officer to verify business status, view articles of incorporation or organization, and access annual report information. Most municipalities within Beaver County, including Beaver City and Milford, require separate city business licenses for businesses operating within city limits, which can be obtained from the respective city recorder offices.
Sales tax licenses are administered by the Utah State Tax Commission and can be applied for online at https://tap.utah.gov/. Professional and occupational licenses for trades such as contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, and healthcare providers are issued by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) at https://dopl.utah.gov/. The Beaver County Economic Development office works to attract and retain businesses, offering information about available properties, demographics, and incentive programs.
The Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce, accessible online at www.beaverareachamber.com, provides business networking, promotion, and advocacy services for local businesses and can be contacted for information about operating a business in the region.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Beaver County are administered by the Beaver County Clerk/Auditor, who serves as the County Clerk and Election Officer. The elections office is located at 105 East Center Street, Beaver, Utah 84713, and can be reached at (435) 438-6463. Election information and voter resources are available through the county website at www.beaver.utah.gov and through the Utah Lieutenant Governor's election portal at https://vote.utah.gov/.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots at https://votesearch.utah.gov/ by entering their name and date of birth.
- Military and overseas voters can request ballots through the Federal Voting Assistance Program portal and receive ballots electronically.
Voter registration in Beaver County can be completed online at https://vote.utah.gov/, in person at the County Clerk's office, or by mail using a voter registration form available from the clerk or downloadable from the state elections website. Utah law requires voters to register or update their registration no later than 11 days before an election, though same-day voter registration is available at early voting locations and on Election Day with valid proof of residency. Beaver County typically operates several polling places on Election Day, with exact locations published on the county clerk's website and the state voter information portal approximately 30 days before each election.
Early voting is available at the Beaver County Courthouse beginning 14 days before Election Day during expanded hours to accommodate working voters. All active registered voters in Utah automatically receive mail-in ballots for each election, which can be returned by mail (postmarked by the day before Election Day), deposited in official ballot drop boxes located throughout the county, or delivered in person to the County Clerk's office. Ballot drop box locations in Beaver County typically include the county courthouse and other municipal buildings, with exact locations and hours posted on the elections website.
Election records that are public under Utah Code §20A-1-102 and GRAMA include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance disclosures filed by candidates and political action committees, candidate declaration of candidacy forms, and precinct-level election results. Beaver County voter turnout in the November 2024 general election was approximately 75-82%, consistent with Utah's historically high voter participation rates, particularly in presidential election years. The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races for Utah's congressional districts, potential U.S. Senate races depending on the election cycle, Utah state legislative seats, county offices, and various local municipal positions and ballot measures. Absentee ballots are automatically mailed to all active registered voters, but voters who need replacement ballots can request them through the County Clerk's office by phone, email, or in person up until the day before Election Day.
Citizens can request election-related public records including detailed precinct results, voter history reports (showing which elections individuals voted in, but not how they voted), and campaign finance reports by submitting GRAMA requests to the County Clerk. Transparency in Beaver County elections is strong, with unofficial election results posted on election night and certified results published within the statutory canvass period, typically 14 days after each election.
Economy & Demographics
Beaver County's economy has traditionally been anchored by agriculture, ranching, and natural resource extraction, with these sectors continuing to play important roles alongside growing tourism and service industries. The county's agricultural base includes cattle ranching, hay production, and limited crop farming suited to the high desert climate and mountain valleys.
- Census data, the median household income in Beaver County is approximately $52,000 to $58,000, somewhat below the Utah state median but reflecting the rural character and lower cost of living in the area.
- Elk Meadows Ski Resort (also known as Elk Meadows Ski and Summer Resort) on the Tushar Mountains provides seasonal employment and attracts winter sports visitors.
Historically, mining contributed significantly to the local economy, with operations extracting gold, silver, copper, and other minerals from the Tushar and Mineral Mountains, though mining activity has diminished from historic peaks. According to U.S. Major employers include Beaver County government and school district, retail and service businesses along the I-15 corridor serving travelers, and agricultural operations.
The recreation and tourism sector has expanded significantly with the popularity of the Paiute ATV Trail system, which attracts thousands of off-highway vehicle enthusiasts annually and generates substantial lodging, dining, and retail revenue. The county benefits economically from its location along Interstate 15, the primary transportation corridor between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, with truck stops, restaurants, and lodging facilities serving highway travelers. Unemployment rates in Beaver County typically track slightly higher than state averages, ranging from 3.5% to 5.5% depending on seasonal factors, with higher employment during summer tourism and winter recreation seasons.
Economic development initiatives focus on leveraging outdoor recreation assets, improving broadband infrastructure to support remote work and small business growth, and maintaining the agricultural heritage that defines much of the county's character. No major corporate headquarters or large manufacturing facilities operate in the county, reflecting the predominance of small businesses and family-owned operations that characterize rural Utah economies.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online (XChange) | Property: ✅ Free Search Online | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person Request | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail | Business: ✅ Online (State Portal) | Elections: ✅ Online | Overall Score: 7/10 — Beaver County provides good online access to property, court, and election records, though jail rosters and vital records require direct contact or in-person requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for someone recently arrested in Beaver County, Utah?
Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Beaver County, Utah?
How do I get a criminal background check in Beaver County, Utah?
How can I look up sex offenders in Beaver County, Utah?
How do I register to vote in Beaver County, Utah?
How do I look up property records in Beaver County, Utah?
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Beaver County, Utah?
How do I find business license records in Beaver County, Utah?
Cities & Towns in Beaver County
Explore public records for 4 cities and communities in Beaver County, Utah.
Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border Beaver County.