Utah Code Jud. Admin. 4-403

As amended through October 28, 2024

Rule 4-403 - Electronic signature and signature stamp use

Intent:

To establish a uniform procedure for the use of judges' and commissioners' electronic signatures and signature stamps.

Applicability:

This rule shall apply to all trial courts of record and not of record.

Statement of the Rule:

(1) A clerk may, with the prior approval of the judge or commissioner, use an electronic signature or signature stamp in lieu of obtaining the judge's or commissioner's signature on the following:

(1)(A) bail bonds from approved bondsmen;

(1)(B) bench warrants;

(1)(C) civil orders for dismissal when submitted by the plaintiff in uncontested cases or when stipulated by both parties in contested cases;

(1)(D) civil orders for dismissal pursuant to Rule 4-103, URCP 3 and URCP 4(b);

(1)(E) orders to show cause and orders to appear/attend under URCP 7A(c)(4) and URCP 7B(c)(4);

(1)(F) orders to take into custody;

(1)(G) summons;

(1)(H) supplemental procedure orders;

(1)(I) orders setting dates for hearing and for notice;

(1)(J) orders on motions requesting the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) to release information concerning a debtor, where neither DWS nor the debtor opposes the motion;

(1)(K) orders for transportation of a person in custody to a court hearing, including writs of habeas corpus ad prosequendum and testificandum;

(1)(L) orders appointing a court visitor; and

(2) When a clerk is authorized to use a judge's or commissioner's electronic signature or signature stamp as provided in paragraph (1), the clerk shall sign his or her name on the document directly beneath the electronic signature or stamped imprint of the judge's or commissioner's signature.

(3) The electronic signature of a judge may be automatically affixed to the following documents without the need for specific direction from the assigned judge when issued using a form approved by the Judicial Council;

(3)(A) a domestic relations injunction issued under URCP 109;

(3)(B) an automatic expungement order issued under Utah Code; and

(3)(C) automated orders related to deferred traffic prosecution cases under Utah Code § 77-2-4.2.

(4) All other documents requiring the judge's or commissioner's signature shall be personally signed by the judge or commissioner, unless the judge or commissioner, on a document by document basis, authorizes the clerk to use the judge's or commissioner's electronic signature or signature stamp in lieu of the judge's or commissioner's signature. On such documents, the clerk shall indicate in writing that the electronic signature or signature stamp was used at the direction of the judge or commissioner and shall sign his or her name directly beneath the electronic signature or stamped imprint of the judge's or commissioner's signature.

Utah Code Jud. Admin. 4-403

Amended effective 11/1/2013;3/14/2014; 5/15/2015; amended October 23, 2018, effective 11/1/2018; amended January 26, 2019, effective 5/1/2019; amended effective 1/1/2020; amended January 25, 2021, effective 5/1/2021; amended effective 5/24/2021; amended effective 10/1/2022.