Lotus Appellate Law
Utah Rules of Appellate Procedure: Filing Deadlines & Procedural Timeline
Appellate deadlines in Utah are unforgiving. Miss the 30-day window to file your notice of appeal and the court loses jurisdiction.
This filing deadline timeline compiles every deadline and procedural requirement across all phases of a Utah appeal.
URAP Filing Deadlines
Fixed deadline — specific day count required
No fixed deadline — rule applies but timing is discretionary, event-triggered, or “timely”
Filter by phase
Filter by rule number
Perfecting the Appeal
30 days
Notice of appeal — standard civil or criminalJurisdictional
Must file with the clerk of the trial court within 30 days after entry of the judgment or order appealed from. If judgment entered on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, entry date is deemed the next business day.
10 days
Notice of appeal — forcible entry or unlawful detainerJurisdictional
In statutory forcible entry or unlawful detainer actions, notice of appeal must be filed within 10 days after entry of the judgment or order.
21 days
Notice of appeal — order denying anti-SLAPP motion to dismissJurisdictional
When an order denies (in whole or part) a motion to dismiss under Utah Code § 78B-25-103, notice of appeal must be filed within 21 days after entry of the order.
14 days
Cross-appeal or additional notice of appeal
Any other party may file a notice of appeal within 14 days after the first notice of appeal was filed, or within the time otherwise prescribed by Rule 4(a) and (b), whichever period last expires.
Tolled
Appeal clock tolled by post-judgment motions (Rules 50(b), 52(b), 59, 60(b), 73)Procedural
If a party timely files a motion for JMOL (Rule 50(b)), to amend findings (Rule 52(b)), for new trial or to alter/amend judgment (Rule 59), for Rule 60(b) relief within 28 days of judgment, or for attorney fees (Rule 73), the time for all parties to appeal runs from entry of the dispositive order on that motion — not the original judgment.
Pre-expiration only
Extension of time to appeal — pre-expiration motionGood Cause
Trial court may extend time for good cause if motion filed before the original period expires. Extension cannot exceed 30 days beyond the prescribed time or 14 days beyond the date of the order granting extension, whichever is later.
Within 30 days after expiration
Extension of time to appeal — post-expiration motion
Trial court may extend for good cause or excusable neglect if motion filed not later than 30 days after expiration of the original period. Extension capped at 30 days beyond prescribed time or 14 days from order, whichever is later.
1 year
Motion to reinstate appeal period — civil (no notice of judgment)
Party must file motion within one year from entry of judgment. Requires showing: lack of actual notice of judgment, reasonable diligence in monitoring proceedings, and failure of responsible party to promptly serve the signed judgment. If granted, notice of appeal due within 30 days of the reinstatement order.
No deadline
Content requirements for notice of appealProcedural
Notice of appeal must: be filed with the clerk of the trial court; specify parties taking the appeal; designate the judgment or order appealed from; designate the court from which and to which the appeal is taken; and be served on all other parties. No fixed deadline beyond those set in Rule 4.
21 days
Petition for permission to appeal interlocutory order
Must be filed and served on all other parties within 21 days after entry of the trial court’s interlocutory order. If order entered on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, entry date is deemed next business day.
14 days
Response to interlocutory appeal petition (if requested by court)
No response received unless requested by court. If requested, any other party may oppose or concur within 14 days after the order requesting a response. No reply permitted unless also requested. Petition and response submitted without oral argument unless otherwise ordered.
Record & Docketing
21 days
Docketing statementDismissal Risk
Appellant, cross-appellant, or petitioner must file docketing statement with appellate court clerk and serve on all parties within 21 days after notice of appeal, cross-appeal, or petition for review is filed. Failure may result in dismissal (civil) or contempt/sanctions (criminal).
No deadline
Content of docketing statement — civil, criminal, and administrative casesProcedural
Docketing statement must include: nature of proceeding; relevant dates for timeliness/jurisdiction; statement of at least one substantial issue for appeal; concise summary of facts; reference to related appeals. For administrative cases, must also attach the final order and any rehearing application. No separate deadline — must be filed within the Rule 9(b) 21-day window.
14 days
Order transcript(s) — standard appeal
Within 14 days after filing the notice of appeal, appellant must order transcripts online at utcourts.gov (or file a certificate that no transcript is needed) and serve designation of parts to be transcribed on appellee.
30 days
Order transcript(s) — indigent appellant with right to counsel
Where an indigent appellant has a statutory or constitutional right to counsel, the transcript order deadline extends to 30 days from the notice of appeal.
14 days
Appellee cross-designation of additional transcript portions
If appellant does not order the entire transcript, appellee may cross-designate additional portions within 14 days after appellant serves the designation or certificate.
14 days
Objection to proposed supplemental or modified record
After service of proposed changes to the record, any party has 14 days to serve objections to the proposed changes.
10 days
Motion for simplified appeal process (Court of Appeals)
An appellant may move for the simplified appeal process within 10 days after the docketing statement is filed or the case is transferred to the Court of Appeals, whichever is later. Eligible for well-settled-law cases including unlawful detainer, sentence-only criminal appeals, and workforce appeals.
14 days
Response to motion for summary disposition or dismissal for lack of jurisdiction
Any response to a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction must be filed within 14 days from the date of service of the motion.
Briefing
40 days
Appellant’s principal briefDismissal Risk
Must file and serve within 40 days after notice from the appellate court clerk under Rule 13. If a motion for summary disposition or remand for IAC is filed after the Rule 13 notice, appellant’s brief is due within 30 days from denial of that motion. Failure allows appellee to move for dismissal of the appeal.
30 days
Appellee’s principal brief
Must file and serve within 30 days after service of appellant’s principal brief. Failure allows appellant to move that appellee not be heard at oral argument.
30 days
Reply brief (appellant or cross-appellant)
If a reply brief is filed, it must be filed and served within 30 days after the appellee’s principal brief. Exception: if oral argument is scheduled fewer than 35 days after appellee’s brief, reply must be filed at least 5 days before oral argument.
7 days
Paper copies of brief after e-filing
If brief was e-filed or filed by email, required paper copies must be delivered to the clerk no more than 7 days after electronic filing. Supreme Court requires 8 copies; Court of Appeals requires 6 copies (one with original signature).
Up to 60 days
Stipulated extension of brief deadline
Parties may file one or more notices of stipulation extending brief deadlines without a court order. Total stipulated extensions for any one brief may not exceed 60 days. Notice must be filed before expiration of the period being extended. Automatically effective without court order.
Before deadline expires
Motion to extend time — good cause requiredCourt Order
Court may extend time for good cause on motion. Motion must be filed before expiration of the time sought to be extended (though court may permit late action). Motion must state: specific good cause; prior extensions granted; current expiration date; length requested and new due date; and other parties’ positions. Cannot extend jurisdictional deadlines listed in Rule 2.
14 days
Amicus curiae brief — after principal brief of party supported
Amicus brief must be filed within 14 days after the principal brief of the party being supported is filed (merits review in Supreme Court or Court of Appeals). Amicus must notify all counsel of record at least 7 days before the brief’s due date.
14 days
Amicus curiae brief — when certiorari petition is pending
When a petition for writ of certiorari is pending in the Supreme Court, amicus brief must be filed within 14 days after the petition is filed.
7 days
Amicus curiae brief — neutral (supports neither party)
An amicus curiae not supporting either party must file its brief no later than 7 days after the appellant’s or petitioner’s principal brief is filed.
14 days
Objection to amicus curiae motion for leave to file
A party may oppose a motion for leave to file an amicus brief by filing an objection within 14 days after the motion is served. Objection may not exceed 1,500 words.
No deadline
Amicus curiae — who may file without consent or leaveProcedural
The following may file without consent or leave: guardian ad litem; State of Utah or its agencies through the AG; any other state or territory by its AG; and the United States through the DOJ. All others must have party consent or court leave. Amicus may not file in support of a petition for rehearing.
+3 days
Mail service extension — added to any triggered response period
Whenever a party is required or permitted to act within a prescribed period after service of a document and that document is served by mail, 3 days are added to the prescribed period.
Motions Practice
No deadline
Content requirements for appellate motionsProcedural
Unless another form is prescribed, motions must be filed with proof of service on all parties and must contain: (1) specific and clear statement of relief sought; (2) particular statement of factual grounds; (3) discussion of points and authorities in support (except for time extension motions); and (4) affidavits/declarations and documents where appropriate.
14 days
Response to appellate motion
Any party may file a response within 14 days after the motion is served. Court may shorten or extend this time for good cause. Court may dispense with responses for procedural orders not substantially affecting rights of the parties.
5 days
Reply to response on appellate motion
Moving party may file a reply limited to new matters raised in the response. Reply must be filed no later than 5 days after the response is served. Court may rule on the motion without awaiting a reply.
7 days
Request for review of single judge’s denial of extraordinary relief petition
If a single judge or justice denies an extraordinary relief petition, a party may file a specific request for full appellate court review within 7 days of notice of disposition. No additional argument or briefing may be included with the request.
14 days
Request for oral argument participation — amicus curiae
An amicus curiae may file a letter requesting permission to participate in oral argument within 14 days after the notice of oral argument. Such requests are not favored.
150 days
Tolled appeal — dismissal for failure to prosecute
If appeal is tolled by a Rule 4(b) or 4(c) motion, court may dismiss for failure to prosecute if: (A) the post-judgment motion has not been submitted to the trial court for decision within 150 days of filing, or (B) a proposed final judgment has not been submitted within 150 days of the announcement of judgment. Dismissal is without prejudice to filing a timely notice of appeal after entry of a final order.
Administrative Agency Review
30 days
Petition for review of administrative orderJurisdictional
Must file petition for review with appellate court clerk within the time prescribed by statute, or if no statutory time is prescribed, within 30 days after the date of the written decision or order. Agency must file the record within 21 days of the appellate court’s request.
14 days
Additional or cross-petition for administrative review
Any other party may file a petition for review within 14 days after the first petition was filed, or within the time otherwise prescribed by Rule 14(a), whichever period last expires.
40 days
Motion to intervene in administrative appeal
Any person seeking to intervene must file a motion with the appellate court clerk within 40 days of the date on which the petition for review is filed. Motion must concisely state the movant’s interest and grounds for intervention.
No deadline
Content requirements for administrative review petitionProcedural
Petition must specify the parties seeking review, designate the respondent(s), and identify the order or decision (or part thereof) to be reviewed. The agency must be named as respondent. The State of Utah is a respondent if required by statute even if not designated. Two or more persons may file a joint petition if joinder is practicable.
Certiorari to the Supreme Court
30 days
Petition for writ of certiorariJurisdictional
Must file with Supreme Court clerk within 30 days after the Court of Appeals’ final decision is issued — not from the remittitur date. Clerk will reject untimely petitions without exception. If a Rule 35(a) petition for rehearing was timely filed, the cert clock runs from denial of rehearing or subsequent rehearing decision.
30 days
Cross-petition for writ of certiorari
Must file within the time in Rule 48(a) or (c), OR within 30 days of the filing of the original petition. Cross-petitions timely only under the 30-day-after-original-petition window will not be granted unless the original petition is also granted.
30 days max
Extension of time for certiorari — pre-expiration request
Before the prescribed period expires, Supreme Court will grant a request to extend time for certiorari, not to exceed 30 days past the prescribed time.
Within 30 days after expiration
Extension of time for certiorari — post-expiration motion
Within 30 days after prescribed period expires, party may file motion for extension on showing of good cause or excusable neglect. No extension may exceed 30 days past prescribed time or 14 days from order, whichever is later. Only one extension granted.
30 days
Response to certiorari petition (if requested by court)
No response received unless requested by court. If requested, any party may file response within 30 days after the order requesting a response. Response may not exceed 20 pages.
7 days
Reply to certiorari response
Petitioner may file reply to arguments first raised in the response within 7 days after the response is served. Reply may not exceed 5 pages. Distribution to court ordinarily will not be delayed for the reply unless response includes a new request for relief.
No deadline
Content requirements for certiorari petitionProcedural
All contentions supporting a certiorari petition must be set forth in the body of the petition — no separate brief may be filed in support. Petition may not exceed 20 pages (excluding certain addenda). If petition is granted, petitioner will be notified of the brief due date for merits briefing.
Post-Decision & Remittitur
14 days
Petition for rehearingNon-Extendable
Must file within 14 days after the court issues its opinion, memorandum decision, per curiam decision, or order resolving the appeal on the merits. Untimely petitions and consecutive petitions will be rejected by the clerk without exception.
14 days
Response to petition for rehearing (if requested by court)
No response received unless requested by court. If requested, response must be filed within 14 days after the order requesting it. Petition will not be granted without a requested response. Petition and response may not exceed 15 pages each.
No deadline
Nonsubstantive or clerical error — letter to clerkPromptly
If a decision contains a nonsubstantive or clerical error, a party may promptly advise the appellate clerk by letter (copied to all parties) identifying the error and suggesting a correction. Response from other parties must also be made promptly. If the court determines the letter requests a substantive revision, it may construe it as a petition for rehearing if timely under Rule 35(a)(2).
15 days
Remittitur issues — Supreme Court
Supreme Court issues remittitur 15 days after judgment is entered. If a Rule 35(a) petition for rehearing is timely filed, remittitur issues 5 days after the order disposing of the petition.
5 days after cert denied
Remittitur issues — Court of Appeals (after certiorari denied)
Court of Appeals remittitur is automatically stayed if a cert petition is filed. If Supreme Court denies cert, remittitur issues 5 days after the denial order. If cert is granted, jurisdiction transfers to Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals closes its file and transfers the record.
14 days
Bill of costs — after remittitur filed with trial court
Party claiming costs must, within 14 days after remittitur is filed with trial court clerk, serve and file an itemized verified bill of costs with that clerk. Adverse party has 7 days to file notice of objection. If no objection filed timely, clerk awards costs as filed.
7 days
Objection to bill of costs
Adverse party may serve and file notice of objection to cost bill within 7 days of service. If timely objected, clerk holds a hearing, awards costs, and enters judgment. If no objection, clerk awards costs as filed.
7 days
Request for court review of clerk’s cost determination
Either party may request trial court (or appellate court) review of the clerk’s cost determination within 7 days of entry of the cost judgment.
14 days
Bill of costs — agency appeals and other proceedings
Within 14 days after the time to file a petition for rehearing expires, or within 14 days after an order denying rehearing, prevailing party may file itemized verified bill of costs with appellate clerk. Adverse party has 7 days to object.
No deadline
Costs — to whom allowed; general ruleProcedural
Costs are awarded only in civil cases. If appeal dismissed → costs to appellee. If affirmed → costs to appellee. If reversed → costs to appellant. If affirmed/reversed in part or vacated → costs as court orders. Court has discretion for or against the State of Utah.
Child Welfare Appeals (Title VIII — Expedited)
15 days
Notice of appeal — child welfare proceedingJurisdictional
Notice of appeal must be filed within 15 days of entry of the order appealed from. If order entered on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, entry date is deemed the next business day.
5 days
Cross-appeal — child welfare proceeding
Any other party may file a notice of appeal within 5 days after the first notice of appeal was filed, or within the time otherwise prescribed by Rule 52(a) and (b), whichever period last expires.
45 days
Motion to reinstate appeal period — termination of parental rights
Motion to reinstate 15-day appeal period must be filed within 45 days of entry of the order terminating parental rights or jurisdiction. Response by AG and GAL allowed within 14 days of service. If granted, notice of appeal due within 15 days of the reinstatement order.
No deadline
Tolling by post-judgment motions — child welfareProcedural
Same tolling rules as Rule 4(b): if a party timely files a motion for JMOL (Rule 50(b)), to amend findings (Rule 52(b) URCP), or for new trial/alter/amend judgment (Rule 59 URCP), the time for all parties to appeal runs from entry of the dispositive order. A pre-order notice of appeal is treated as filed on the day the order is entered.
4 days
Order transcript — child welfare appeal
Within 4 days after filing notice of appeal, appellant must order transcripts online. If no transcript is needed, appellant must file notice to that effect with the Court of Appeals clerk within the same 4-day window.
21 days
Appointment of appellate counsel — child welfare (indigent)
Appellate counsel must be appointed within 21 days from filing of the original notice of appeal for indigent petitioners in child welfare cases. Petition on appeal must be prepared by appellate counsel appointed under Rule 11-401 CJA.
15 days
Amended notice of appeal — counsel signature required
If counsel files notice of appeal without appellant’s signature and files a diligent-search certification, an amended notice adding appellant’s signature must be filed within 15 days of the original notice or the appeal is dismissed.
15 days
Appellant’s petition on appeal — child welfare
Must file petition on appeal with Court of Appeals clerk within 15 days from transmission of the record on appeal by the Court of Appeals to each party. Failure may result in dismissal. 5,000-word limit (excluding required attachments). Must include copy of order on appeal and rulings on post-judgment motions.
15 days
Appellee’s response to petition on appeal — child welfare
Any appellee (including Guardian ad Litem) may file response within 15 days after service of appellant’s petition on appeal. Response may not exceed 5,000 words.
2 judicial days
Judicial bypass appeal — memorandum in support (optional)Expedited
In judicial bypass appeals (minor seeking to bypass parental consent for abortion), a brief is not required. However, the minor may file a typewritten memorandum in support within 2 judicial days after filing the notice of appeal. Oral argument, if ordered, held within 3 judicial days of the notice. Decision entered immediately after argument or within 3 judicial days if no argument.
Extraordinary Relief (Rule 19)
No deadline
Petition for extraordinary relief — when availableProcedural
Available when no other plain, speedy, or adequate remedy exists. Petition must be filed with the appellate court clerk and served on all respondents. If no trial court action is pending, also serve all persons whose interests might be substantially affected. No fixed deadline — governed by the circumstances requiring relief.
30 days
Response to extraordinary relief petition (if requested by court)
No petition granted without court requesting a response. If requested, respondent may file response within 30 days of the court’s request or such other time as ordered. Petition and response may not exceed 20 pages or 7,000 words.
14 days
Reply to extraordinary relief response
Petitioner may file reply within 14 days after service of the response. Reply must be limited to facts and arguments raised in the response. May not exceed 10 pages or 3,500 words.
4 days
Petition to dissolve or amend court-initiated extraordinary writ
If the appellate court issues an extraordinary writ on its own motion, named respondents and substantially affected persons may petition to dissolve or amend the writ within 4 days of issuance. Petition must include concise statement of reasons for dissolving or amending.
7 days after notice
Request for review of single judge’s frivolous-denial of extraordinary reliefProcedural
A single judge or justice may deny a petition if it is frivolous or fails to materially comply with Rule 19 or Rule 65B URCP. That denial may be reviewed by the full appellate court upon a specific request filed within 7 days of notice of disposition. No additional argument or briefing may be included.
Legal Disclaimer: The filing deadlines and procedural rules compiled on this page are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. While Lotus Appellate Law strives to keep this reference current, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information presented here. Court rules are amended periodically and without notice. Always verify deadlines and procedural requirements directly against the official Utah Rules of Appellate Procedure at utcourts.gov before relying on any information on this page. Missing a filing deadline can have serious and irreversible consequences. If you have questions about a specific matter, consult a licensed Utah attorney.