Iron County Criminal History Records
Iron County criminal history records are maintained through the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification and local court offices in Cedar City. Iron County sits in southwestern Utah with a population of around 65,000 people. The Fifth District Court handles criminal cases filed in Iron County. If you need to search criminal history records for someone in Iron County, most requests go through the state BCI rather than the local sheriff. This page covers where to look, how to request records, and what each office handles.
Iron County Quick Facts
Iron County Sheriff's Office Criminal Records
The Iron County Sheriff's Office is a constitutionally created office with duties set by the Utah legislature. Sheriff Kenneth Carpenter is the current elected sheriff, chosen by Iron County voters every four years. The sheriff serves as the chief law enforcement officer for the county. Deputies concentrate their work outside city limits, in areas where municipal officers do not have authority.
The Sheriff's Office is located at 2132 North Main St., Cedar City, UT 84721. You can reach them by phone at (435) 867-7500. The fax number is (435) 867-7539. For jail-related calls, contact the Iron County Jail at (435) 867-7555. The sheriff has countywide jurisdiction and is charged with keeping public peace and protecting the life and property of all Iron County citizens.
The Sheriff's Office website provides contact information and general law enforcement resources for Iron County. For criminal history record requests, however, you must contact the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification directly. The Iron County Sheriff's Office is not responsible for processing criminal history checks or background investigations. That responsibility belongs to the state BCI office.
The Iron County Sheriff's Office also posts recent jail bookings online. The recent bookings page lists Iron County jail entries for the past three days. Each entry shows the name, booking date, offenses, bond amounts, and bond type. Booking photos are included where available. Contact the Iron County Jail directly at (435) 867-7555 for official verification of any record you find there.
The bookings list is updated regularly and gives the public a current view of who has been brought into the Iron County Jail. It is not a substitute for an official criminal history report from BCI, but it is a useful starting point for recent activity in Iron County.
How to Search Iron County Criminal History
Searching Iron County criminal history records starts with knowing which office holds what you need. The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification is the main source for official criminal history reports in Iron County. The BCI keeps records on convictions, arrests, and other case outcomes from courts across Utah, including the Fifth District Court serving Iron County.
You can request a criminal history report from BCI in a few ways. You can visit the BCI office at 4315 South 2700 West Suite 1300, Taylorsville, UT 84129. You can also submit a request by mail. The BCI phone number is (801) 965-4445. As of July 2025, the fee to obtain your own record is $20. A name and date-of-birth search also costs $20. Fingerprint-based checks are $20 as well. Payment is made to the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification.
For court records tied to Iron County criminal cases, use the Utah Courts online systems. The Utah Court Case Search at MyCase lets you search by name or case number at no charge for basic information. The XChange subscription service at utcourts.gov/xchange gives you deeper access to court filings statewide for $30 per month. Both tools cover the Fifth District Court, which handles cases from Iron County.
Note: For official criminal history results used in legal matters, always request directly from BCI rather than relying on third-party databases, which may have outdated or incomplete data.
Court Records in Iron County
The Fifth District Court serves Iron County and is located in Cedar City. This court handles felony criminal cases, misdemeanors, civil matters, and family law. The court clerk maintains all case files and can provide certified copies of court records on request. For general information about court records in Iron County, visit utcourts.gov.
Iron County criminal history records connected to court proceedings may include charging documents, plea agreements, judgment entries, and sentencing orders. All of these become part of the public court file unless sealed by a judge. Sealed records are common in juvenile cases or cases involving expunged convictions. Iron County follows the same court record access rules as the rest of Utah under GRAMA and court rules.
You can access Iron County court records in person at the courthouse, online through MyCase, or through the XChange system. Certified copies require a visit to the clerk's office or a written request. There is a per-page copy fee set by the court. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting in person.
Iron County Background Checks and BCI
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification at the Utah Department of Public Safety is the only authorized source for official criminal history records in Iron County. Located at 4315 South 2700 West Suite 1300, Taylorsville, UT 84129, the BCI compiles records from law enforcement agencies and courts across Utah. This includes all cases from Iron County going back many years.
There are several types of requests BCI handles. Individuals can request their own record to review what is on file. Third-party requests require a signed release form from the subject. Employers and agencies that need fingerprint-based checks must follow a separate process. Under Utah Code Title 53, Chapter 10, the Criminal Identification Act sets out how these records are kept and who may access them. The law also governs what information is reportable and for how long.
Iron County crime statistics from 2018 show 1,155 index crimes were reported. The crime rate was 22.27 per 1,000 residents. Property crimes made up more than 80% of all offenses. That year saw 729 larceny cases, 175 burglaries, 92 motor vehicle thefts, and 6 arsons. Aggravated assault made up nearly 80% of all violent crimes reported in Iron County that year.
The BCI website at bci.utah.gov has request forms, fee schedules, and guidance on submitting applications. You can also call (801) 965-4445 for help with your Iron County criminal history request.
Warrant Records in Iron County
Outstanding warrants in Iron County are tracked by both the Sheriff's Office and the state BCI warrant database. You can search active warrants online through the state's warrant portal at secure.utah.gov/warrants. This tool is free and searches statewide records, including warrants issued by Iron County courts.
For warrant inquiries specific to Iron County, contact the Sheriff's Office at (435) 867-7500. The office is at 2132 North Main Street, Cedar City, UT 84721. Staff can help confirm whether a warrant is active in Iron County. Under Utah law, outstanding warrants remain in effect until they are executed by law enforcement or recalled by the issuing court. Anyone with an active warrant may be taken into custody at any time.
Note: Do not contact the Sheriff's Office about a warrant by phone if you are concerned about being arrested. Visit the court that issued the warrant or consult an attorney first.
Expungement in Iron County
Utah offers expungement for certain criminal convictions and arrest records, including those from Iron County. If a record is expunged, it is sealed from public view. That means it will not appear on most background checks. Expungement can apply to arrests that did not lead to conviction as well as some misdemeanor and felony convictions, depending on the offense and how much time has passed.
Utah launched the Clean Slate program in February 2022. This program allows for automatic expungement of some qualifying records without requiring a petition. For records that do not qualify for automatic expungement, you must file a petition through the court. The filing fee for an expungement petition is $135. You also need a certificate of eligibility from BCI, which costs $65. Information on the expungement process is available at utcourts.gov/howto/expunge.
Iron County residents who want to clear a record should start by getting their BCI criminal history report to see what is on file. From there, you can confirm whether you are eligible and which path to take. The Fifth District Court in Cedar City handles expungement petitions for Iron County cases.
GRAMA and Public Record Access
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, commonly called GRAMA, governs public access to most government records in Iron County. Under Utah Code Section 63G-2-201, most criminal history records held by government agencies are classified as either public or private depending on the type and status of the case. Arrest records are generally public. Records involving juveniles or sealed cases are not.
Government agencies in Iron County must respond to a GRAMA request within 10 business days. Fees for records obtained under GRAMA are set at $20 per hour for staff research time and $0.25 per page for copies. You can submit a GRAMA request to the Iron County Sheriff's Office or to the Fifth District Court clerk. Each agency handles requests for records it holds.
GRAMA does not give access to BCI criminal history reports. Those are controlled separately under the Criminal Identification Act. To get a BCI report on yourself or another person, you must use the BCI request process, not a GRAMA request.
Iron County Court Case Lookup
The Utah Courts website provides two tools for looking up Iron County criminal case records. The free MyCase search at casesearch.utcourts.gov lets anyone search by name or case number. Results show case status, hearing dates, and basic case details. It covers the Fifth District Court and the Iron County Justice Court.
The XChange subscription at utcourts.gov/xchange costs $30 per month and gives fuller access to documents and filings from all Utah courts. Attorneys, researchers, and others who need regular access to Iron County court records often find the subscription worthwhile.
The Utah Department of Corrections also maintains an offender search at corrections.utah.gov/offender-search. That tool lets you look up individuals who are or were in the state prison system, including people sentenced from Iron County courts.
Note: MyCase does not show all cases. Sealed records, juvenile records, and some older cases may not appear in the online search.
Cities in Iron County
Iron County includes several communities. Criminal history records for all Iron County residents are processed through the state BCI, regardless of which city or town you live in.
Cedar City is the county seat of Iron County and home to the Fifth District Court. Most criminal case filings for Iron County are handled in Cedar City.
Nearby Counties
Iron County shares borders with several other Utah counties. If you are not certain which county holds the records you need, check the city or area where the case was filed.