West Valley City Criminal History Records
West Valley City is the second largest city in Utah, with about 140,000 residents. It sits directly west of Salt Lake City and is one of the most diverse communities in the state. Criminal history records for West Valley City come from the West Valley City Police Department, the Third District Court, and the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. This page covers how to search criminal history in West Valley City, how to reach each records source, and what tools are available to the public at no cost.
West Valley City Quick Facts
West Valley City Police Criminal History Records
The West Valley City Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city. The Records Division is located at 3575 S Market St, West Valley City, UT 84119. The department handles all police records requests, including incident reports, arrest records, and related documents. For general inquiries, the department's main line is 801-840-4000.
Records requests are filed through the GRAMA process. West Valley City provides an online portal for submitting police records requests, along with a downloadable GRAMA-Police form available through the department's online form center. The form requires your name, mailing address, daytime phone, email, and a clear description of the record you are requesting. Online reporting is also available for non-emergency incidents, and an interactive crime map is publicly accessible on the department's website.
The city's records request page at wvc-ut.gov/1204/Request-a-Police-Record is where you start for police reports, incident records, photo or audio recordings, and VISA clearance or background check requests. The page also links to expungement information, a fee schedule, and printable forms. Standard GRAMA fees apply, and costs over $50 may require prepayment. Regular police reports typically run in the $5 to $10 range.
The West Valley City Police records request page lists all options for obtaining police records, including online submission and PDF forms.
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, most government records are public. The agency must respond to a GRAMA request within 10 business days. For media requests, an expedited response of five business days may apply. If a record is withheld, the city must explain the reason in writing, and you have the right to appeal.
Note: The Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake also serves some West Valley City areas. If your request involves an incident handled by UPD rather than the West Valley City Police, contact unifiedpoliceut.gov/records-request at (385) 468-9755.
How to Find West Valley City Criminal History
Finding criminal history in West Valley City means knowing which source to use. Police reports come from the West Valley City Police Department or, in some cases, the Unified Police Department. Court records come from the Third District Court. A full statewide background check comes from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. Each of these sources holds different information.
For court records, the Utah Courts MyCase portal is a free starting point. You can search by name or case number without creating an account. Basic case information -- party names, case type, filing dates, and current status -- is publicly available. MyCase covers all Utah courts, including the Third District Court, which handles West Jordan and West Valley City cases along with all other Salt Lake County cases. For full document access, the XChange system is available for $30 per month. Attorneys and researchers who need ongoing access typically subscribe to XChange.
Active warrants can be checked for free at any time. The Utah Statewide Warrant Search covers warrants from all Utah courts, including the Third District Court in West Valley City cases. The database is updated on a regular basis and is the fastest free option available.
For individuals in Utah state custody or on supervision, the Utah Department of Corrections Offender Search is free and publicly accessible. It provides basic information on people currently in the state corrections system, including those whose cases originated in West Valley City.
West Valley City Court Records and the Third District
All criminal cases from West Valley City are filed in the Third District Court, which serves all of Salt Lake County. The main courthouse is at 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114, phone (801) 238-7300. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. When a criminal case is filed, it becomes part of the public court record unless later sealed or expunged.
You can visit the courthouse in person to access case files. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and help with obtaining copies. Bring valid photo ID. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Certified copies of court documents carry their own fee schedule, so call (801) 238-7300 in advance to find out what to bring and what fees apply. If you only need basic case status information, MyCase provides that online without any visit or charge.
Note: The Third District Court handles felony and class A misdemeanor cases from West Valley City. The court also administers expungements for Salt Lake County residents, including those in West Valley City seeking to seal older criminal records.
Statewide Criminal History Through Utah BCI
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification maintains the statewide criminal history database for all Utah jurisdictions, including West Valley City. BCI is the right source when you need a complete background check rather than a single police report or a single court case record. The BCI office in Taylorsville is geographically close to West Valley City.
BCI is located at 4315 South 2700 West, Suite 1300, Taylorsville, UT 84129. Phone: (801) 965-4445. The BCI website is at bci.utah.gov. As of July 2025, all three search types cost $20 each: a name and date of birth search, a fingerprint-based search, and a check of your own record. You can request records in person, by mail, or online.
Fingerprint-based searches are more precise than name searches. A name search may return records for multiple people with similar names. A fingerprint search ties results to one specific individual. For situations where accuracy is critical, the fingerprint option is the better choice. BCI can take fingerprints at the Taylorsville office, or you can use an approved Livescan provider.
The Utah Criminal Identification Act, Title 53 Chapter 10, governs how BCI collects, stores, and releases criminal records. This law also defines who may access records and under what circumstances. Reviewing this statute is helpful if you have questions about what is included in the BCI database and who can legally request it.
Expungement for West Valley City Residents
Utah law allows eligible residents to expunge qualifying criminal records. Once expunged, the record is sealed from public view. Utah's Clean Slate program, launched in February 2022, provides automatic expungement for certain low-level offenses without the person having to file a petition. Some West Valley City residents may already have records sealed under this program.
For offenses that require a petition, you file with the Third District Court. The Utah Courts guide at utcourts.gov/howto/expunge walks through every step. The petition filing fee is $135. After the court grants expungement, you must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from BCI for $65. Both steps are required to complete the expungement.
Not every offense qualifies. Capital felonies, first-degree felonies, and most sex offenses cannot be expunged. Other offenses carry waiting periods. A Class B or C misdemeanor requires a three-year waiting period. Felony waiting periods are longer and vary by offense level. The courts website includes a full eligibility chart. Review it carefully before you start. Filing before the waiting period ends results in a denial.
Note: Once a record is expunged, most members of the public cannot access it. Certain government agencies and licensing boards may still view expunged records in specific circumstances authorized by law.
Warrant Records in West Valley City
Active warrants from the Third District Court, including those issued in West Valley City cases, appear in the free Utah Statewide Warrant Search at secure.utah.gov/warrants. The database is updated regularly. You can search by name at any time without charge.
Warrants do not expire. They remain active until a judge recalls them or until the person resolves the matter in court. If you find an active warrant related to a name you are researching, contact an attorney before taking further steps. You can also reach the West Valley City Police Department at 801-840-4000 for general information on warrants tied to open cases.
GRAMA and Public Records in West Valley City
GRAMA gives every person the right to request public records from West Valley City agencies. You do not need to be a city resident, and you do not need to state a reason for your request. The city must respond within 10 business days. If a record is withheld, the agency must provide a written explanation and inform you of your right to appeal.
West Valley City handles police GRAMA requests through the Records Division at 3575 S Market St and through the online records portal. For non-police city records, requests go to the City Recorder's Office. The GRAMA statute at Utah Code § 63G-2 sets out the full framework of rights and procedures for public records access across all Utah government agencies, including West Valley City.
Public records in West Valley City include most police reports, court filings, and government correspondence. Protected records include active investigation files, juvenile records, and certain victim information. Controlled records require a court order. Knowing these categories before you submit a request helps you plan what to expect and how long the process may take.
You can appeal a denial. The appeal goes first to the agency head. If still denied, you can escalate to the State Records Committee. The process is open to any member of the public. Legal representation is not required to file an appeal.
Note: Records involving juvenile offenders are sealed by default under Utah law. They are not accessible through a standard GRAMA request and require a court order to access in most circumstances.
Salt Lake County Criminal History Resources
West Valley City is part of Salt Lake County. All criminal cases from the city go through the Third District Court, which serves the entire county. For county-wide criminal history resources, sheriff records, and additional background check tools, visit the Salt Lake County criminal history page.
Nearby Cities with Criminal History Resources
Cities near West Valley City share the same Third District Court and many of the same state criminal history resources. Select a city below for local information.