Estate Planning for Salt Lake County, Utah Property Owners
For most Salt Lake County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Salt Lake County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the District Court. The two tools that keep a Salt Lake County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Skipping this planning step means the District Court decides who receives the property: a simple Utah probate takes 4+ months and opens with $375 in court filing fees.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Salt Lake County
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Salt Lake County property automatically at death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorderduring the owner’s lifetime and can be revoked any time.
Before recording, a Utah transfer on death deed needs notary acknowledgment. The deed must be recorded before the owner's death to take effect.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Salt Lake County are recorded with the County Recorder at 2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600, Salt Lake City, UT 84190. Phone: 385-468-8145. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Recording costs $40 flat, regardless of page count. Page count, cover sheets, and any local transfer-tax add-ons under Utah law can change the final amount, so confirm the total with the County Recorder before submitting.
Salt Lake County accepts e-recording. E-recording required per Utah Code 17-71-402(2)(a) (formerly 17-21-18.5(4)) effective January 1, 2022.
Largest county in Utah by population. Located in the Salt Lake County Government Center.
At $40, Salt Lake County's base recording fee is among the lowest in Utah, where county base fees range from $40 to $45.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Salt Lake County
Address
2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600Salt Lake City, UT 84190
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
E-recording
Available
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $40 |
$40 per document. The $5 surcharge added by H.B. 38 (2026) under Utah Code 17-71-407(3)(b) reaches only counties of the second through sixth class; Salt Lake County is a county of the first class (Utah Code 17-60-104(2)(a)), and Utah County publicly declined the increase. Flat fee per document — Utah has NO per-page recording fee, regardless of page count. If an instrument contains more than 10 descriptions, $2 for each additional description (Utah Code 17-71-407(3)(a)(ii)(B)). A county recorder may not charge more than one recording fee per instrument, regardless of multiple descriptive titles or attachments (17-71-407(6)). Utah imposes no state or local real estate transfer tax.
Utah Code 17-71-407(3)(a)(i) (formerly 17-21-18.5)
Largest county in Utah by population. Located in the Salt Lake County Government Center.
Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
A Living Trust Covers More Than One Deed
A transfer-on-death deed moves a single property. A revocable living trust holds the home, bank and investment accounts, and other assets together, so the whole estate skips the District Court — not just the house. For a Salt Lake County family with more than one major asset, the trust is usually the cleaner plan.
Create a Revocable Trust in 15 minutes
Legal Sources
- Utah Code 17-71-407(3)(a)(i) (formerly 17-21-18.5)
Data sourced from Utah statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deeds and other real property documents for Salt Lake County are recorded with the County Recorder at 2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600, Salt Lake City, UT 84190. Call 385-468-8145 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Salt Lake County costs $40 flat, regardless of page count. Page count, required cover sheets, and any local transfer tax can change the final total.
Salt Lake County accepts electronic recording. E-recording required per Utah Code 17-71-402(2)(a) (formerly 17-21-18.5(4)) effective January 1, 2022. Paper recording by mail or in person is also accepted.
The County Recorder is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Reach the office at 385-468-8145. Confirm whether walk-in or mail-in recording is preferred before you go.
Yes. Deeds recorded in Utah must be signed in front of a notary before the County Recorder will accept them. A transfer-on-death deed follows the same execution rules — see the Salt Lake County signing requirements.
A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed names a beneficiary who receives the property automatically when the owner dies, without probate. The deed is recorded with the County Recorderduring the owner’s lifetime. Start one with the Utah TOD deed form.
Utah Estate Planning Attorneys
Find estate planning attorneys serving Salt Lake County by practice area.
Utah Estate Planning Articles
Estate planning articles for Utah.
