About Tooele County
Tooele County is located in the north-central portion of Utah, approximately 30 miles west of Salt Lake City. The county seat is Tooele City, and the county encompasses approximately 7,286 square miles, making it one of Utah's larger counties by area. As of recent census estimates, Tooele County has a population of over 75,000 residents. The county is bordered by the Great Salt Lake to the north and includes portions of the Great Salt Lake Desert and the Stansbury Mountains. Major communities include Tooele, Grantsville, Stansbury Park, Wendover, and Stockton.
The county is home to significant federal installations including Dugway Proving Ground and the Tooele Army Depot. Historic landmarks include the Benson Grist Mill, the Donner-Reed Museum, and the historic downtown Tooele area. The county's economy has historically been based on mining, military installations, and agriculture, though residential development has increased substantially in recent decades as the county has become a bedroom community for Salt Lake City workers.
The Tooele County Recorder's office, located at 47 South Main Street in Tooele, maintains land records and documents. The Tooele County Clerk/Auditor, also at 47 South Main Street, handles vital records, business filings, and election administration. The Tooele County Assessor, situated at the same address in the county building complex, manages property tax assessments and maintains parcel data.
The Bonneville Salt Flats, partially in Tooele County near Wendover, attract international attention for land speed racing events.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Tooele County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It oversees the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is involved in various community programs and has specialized divisions such as a K-9 unit and a search and rescue team. The Sheriff's Office plays a crucial role in ensuring public safety and works closely with other local law enforcement agencies.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Tooele County is provided by the Tooele County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Tooele City Police Department, Grantsville City Police Department, and Wendover City Police Department serve their respective cities. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the county. Each department has jurisdiction within its city limits, while the Sheriff's Office covers the broader county area.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Tooele County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 47 South Main Street in Tooele, Utah 84074, provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of the county and operates the Tooele County Detention Center. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (435) 882-5600, and their website at www.tooeleco.org provides information on services and programs. Inmate lookup for the Tooele County Detention Center is available through the county website under the Sheriff's section, where citizens can search current inmates by name or booking number.
- Requests for arrest records can be submitted to the Sheriff's Office or individual police departments, typically requiring completion of a GRAMA request form.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in Utah and may be available through direct request to the detention center or the arresting agency.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and related documents.
- Citizens seeking records should specify the nature of the request, the time frame, and any known case or booking numbers to expedite processing.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Tooele County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Tooele County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records. Background checks in Utah can be conducted through the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, which provides statewide criminal history information. Tooele residents can access various records, including court dispositions and arrest reports, through these agencies.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Tooele County are maintained by the Tooele County Sheriff's Office. These records are available to the public under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. A typical arrest record includes the individual's personal information, charges, and the arresting agency. Requests for records may require a formal application and applicable fees.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Tooele County Detention Center is the primary jail facility in the county. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county. Inmate information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office, which provides an inmate lookup service. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, and visitors must adhere to scheduled times and security protocols. The bond and bail process in Utah allows for the release of inmates pending trial, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the detention center.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Tooele County are taken and retained by the Tooele County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. While some third-party websites may offer mugshot searches, the most reliable source is the official county website. Utah does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can request corrections if inaccuracies are found.
Courts & Case Records
Tooele County is served by the Third Judicial District Court, located at 74 South 100 East, Tooele, Utah 84074, phone (435) 833-8000. This court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $10,000, domestic relations, probate, and appeals from lower courts. The court is part of the Utah State Courts system, and case information can be searched online through the Utah Courts Public Case Search at www.utcourts.gov/xchange. Justice Courts in Tooele County handle misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims up to $15,000, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felonies.
- Online case searches are free, though certified copies of court documents require fees, typically $5 for the first page and 50 cents per additional page.
- In-person requests can be made at the clerk's office during business hours, Monday through Friday.
Tooele County Justice Court is located at 47 South Main Street, Tooele, and can be contacted at (435) 843-3340. Municipal courts operate in Tooele City, Grantsville, and Wendover for city ordinance violations and traffic citations issued within city limits. Court records in Utah are presumed to be public under the Utah Constitution Article I, Section 27, and Utah Code §78A-2-204, with certain exceptions for sealed cases, juvenile matters, and protective orders.
PACER is not used for state court records in Utah; the state maintains its own XChange portal for case access. The court also maintains adoption records, guardianship proceedings, and mental health commitments, though many of these records have restricted access to protect privacy.
Property & Public Records
The Tooele County Recorder's Office, located at 47 South Main Street, Room 220, Tooele, Utah 84074, phone (435) 843-3148, maintains all land and property records for the county. The office records deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, reconveyances, easements, liens (including mechanics liens and judgment liens), subdivision plats, and other documents affecting real property title. The Recorder's office website at www.tooeleco.org/recorder provides access to an online document search system where the public can search recorded documents by name, parcel number, or recording date.
- Viewing documents online may be free, while certified copies cost approximately $8 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested in person, by mail, or in some cases online.
- All requests must comply with Utah Code §17-21-18.5 regarding recorder fees and §59-2-102 regarding property tax record access.
The Tooele County Assessor's Office, located at 47 South Main Street, Room 130, phone (435) 843-3118, maintains property tax records, assessment values, and parcel information. The Assessor's office provides an online GIS parcel viewer and property search tool accessible through the county website, allowing users to search by address, parcel number, or owner name to view assessment values, tax amounts, property characteristics, and aerial imagery. Property tax payment and delinquency records are maintained by the Tooele County Treasurer's office at the same address.
The county has digitized most records dating back several decades, though very old records may require manual retrieval from archives.
Vital Records
Vital records for Tooele County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type. Birth and death certificates are primarily issued by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics, located at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116. Birth certificates cost $25 for a certified copy, and death certificates cost $20, with additional copies ordered at the same time costing less. Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks by mail or 3-5 business days for expedited service with an additional fee.
- Online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at https://www.vitalchek.com, though convenience fees apply.
- Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification, and the fee is approximately $50.
The Tooele County Clerk/Auditor's Office, located at 47 South Main Street, Room 318, Tooele, Utah 84074, phone (435) 843-3140, issues marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in the county. Utah has no waiting period, and the license is valid for 30 days. Divorce records (divorce decrees) are maintained by the Third District Court in Tooele at 74 South 100 East, not by the Clerk's office.
Applicants for vital records must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest as required by Utah Code §26-2-1 et seq. Birth certificates are restricted to the individual named (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or legal representatives. Historical vital records (over 100 years old for births, 50 years for deaths) may be available through the Utah State Archives.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Tooele County involves both county and state-level processes. The Tooele County Clerk/Auditor's Office at 47 South Main Street, Room 318, Tooele, Utah 84074, phone (435) 843-3140, handles fictitious business name registrations (DBAs) and certain county business licenses. DBA filings must be recorded with the County Clerk and published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county as required by Utah Code §42-2-6.
- The Tooele County Chamber of Commerce, website www.tooelechamber.com, provides resources for business owners and economic development information.
- Most county business license information is public record and can be requested under GRAMA.
For formal business entity registration—corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and nonprofits—businesses must file with the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. The Utah business entity search is available free online at https://secure.utah.gov/bes, where users can search by business name, registered agent, or entity number to find formation documents, registered agents, and active status. Professional licenses (contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, etc.) are issued by various state boards and divisions under the Utah Department of Commerce.
Sales tax licenses are obtained through the Utah State Tax Commission. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are handled by the Tooele County Building Department and Planning Department, both located at 47 South Main Street, phone (435) 843-3160. Individual municipalities within Tooele County (Tooele City, Grantsville, Wendover, etc.) require separate business licenses for businesses operating within city limits.
Liquor licenses are administered by the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Tooele County are administered by the Tooele County Clerk/Auditor's Office, located at 47 South Main Street, Room 318, Tooele, Utah 84074. The elections division can be reached at (435) 843-3140, and election information is available at www.tooeleco.org/clerk. Voter registration in Utah can be completed online at https://vote.utah.gov, by mail, or in person at the County Clerk's office. The registration deadline is 11 days before an election for online and by-mail registration, and Election Day for in-person registration at designated locations.
- Utah is a vote-by-mail state; all active registered voters automatically receive mail ballots approximately 21 days before each election.
- These records can be requested from the County Clerk under GRAMA.
- Tooele County provides transparency by posting unofficial election results online on election night and certified results after the canvass period.
- Citizens may request to observe ballot processing, counting, and canvassing activities by contacting the Clerk's office in advance.
Utah offers same-day voter registration at polling places and early voting sites with proof of residency. Voters can find their polling place, check registration status, and view sample ballots through the state's voter information portal at vote.utah.gov or by contacting the County Clerk. Ballots can be returned by mail (postmarked by the day before Election Day) or deposited in secure drop boxes located throughout the county.
In-person voting is available during early voting periods (typically two weeks before Election Day) and on Election Day at vote centers. Tooele County voter turnout in the November 2024 general election was approximately 68-72%, consistent with typical Utah presidential election turnout. The next major election is November 4, 2025 (municipal elections in odd-year cities), followed by November 3, 2026, featuring midterm elections for U.S.
House seats, potential U.S. Senate races, Utah state legislative seats, and county offices. Public election records include voter registration rolls (with some personal information redacted under Utah Code §63G-2-302), precinct-level election results, campaign finance disclosures filed with the Lieutenant Governor's Office, candidate declarations, and ballot initiatives.
The Utah Lieutenant Governor's Elections Office maintains statewide data at elections.utah.gov.
Economy & Demographics
Tooele County's economy is diverse, anchored by federal government installations, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and growing residential development. Major employers include the Tooele Army Depot, Dugway Proving Ground (a U.S. Army facility conducting chemical and biological defense testing), and the former Deseret Chemical Depot site. The county has long been associated with mining, particularly copper, gold, silver, and other minerals, with historic operations in communities like Stockton and Ophir. Kennecott Utah Copper and other mining companies maintain operations in the area.
- The median household income in Tooele County is estimated at approximately $75,000-$80,000, somewhat higher than the Utah state median, reflecting the prevalence of federal employment and commuter workers.
Manufacturing facilities include Clean Harbors Aragonite facility (hazardous waste treatment), US Magnesium (magnesium production from Great Salt Lake brines), and various warehousing and distribution centers. Agriculture remains important in areas like Grantsville and Rush Valley, with cattle ranching, hay production, and limited crop farming. Tourism contributes to the economy through attractions like the Bonneville Salt Flats, Stansbury Island, and outdoor recreation in the Stansbury and Oquirrh Mountains.
The Utah Motorsports Campus (formerly Miller Motorsports Park) near Grantsville hosts racing events and driving experiences. Residential growth has been substantial, particularly in Stansbury Park and east Tooele, driven by relatively affordable housing compared to the Wasatch Front. Unemployment in Tooele County typically tracks close to or slightly above the Utah state average.
Economic development initiatives focus on attracting light manufacturing, technology companies, and logistics operations, leveraging proximity to Interstate 80 and Salt Lake City International Airport.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online | Property: ✅ Free Search | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Office/VitalChek | Business: ✅ Online (State) | Elections: ✅ Online | Overall Score: 8/10 — Tooele County provides strong digital access to property, court, and election records through county and state portals, with most public records readily accessible online or by request.
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Cities & Towns in Tooele County
Explore public records for 8 cities and communities in Tooele County, Utah.
Nearby Counties
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