Utah Code » Title 76, Chapter 8 — Offenses Against the Administration of Government; part 76-8-5 — Falsification in Official Matters
Utah Code

Utah Code § 76-8-504 (2026)

Making a written false statement

✓ laws through the 2026 General Session (checked Sept. 2026)
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Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-8-101, and 76-8-501 apply to this section.
An actor commits making a written false statement if:
the actor makes a statement that the actor does not believe to be true on or under a form bearing a notification authorized by law to the effect that a false statement made therein is punishable; or
with intent to deceive a public servant in the performance of the public servant's official function, the actor:
makes a written false statement that the actor does not believe to be true;
knowingly creates a false impression in a written application for a pecuniary or other benefit by omitting information necessary to prevent a statement in the application from being misleading;
submits or invites reliance on a writing that the actor knows to be lacking in authenticity; or
submits or invites reliance on a sample, specimen, map, boundary mark, or other object that the actor knows to be false.
Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor.
A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if the false statement is on a financial declaration described in Section 77-38b-204.
An actor does not violate this section if the actor retracted the false statement before it became manifest that the falsity of the statement had been or would be exposed.
It is not a defense to prosecution under this section that, if applicable, an oath or affirmation was administered or taken in an irregular manner.

Amended by Chapter 96, 2024 General Session

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: State v. Geukgeuzian, 2002 UT App 130, 54 P.3d 640.
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State v. Geukgeuzian, 2002 UT App 130, 54 P.3d 640. · cites it 36× “*642 OPINION JACKSON, Presiding Judge: ¶ 1 Defendant appeals his convictions for Tampering with witness, a third degree felony, under Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-508 (1) (Supp.2001), and making a Written false statement, a class B misdemeanor, under Utah Code Ann.”
State v. Jensen, 2004 UT App 467, 105 P.3d 951. · cites it 11× “3 However, Jensen argues that because section 76-6-503 proscribes the same conduct as section 76-8-504(1), 4 prohibiting written false statements, and section 76-8-511, 5 *956 prohibiting the falsification of government records, the trial court erred by not sentencing him under…”
State v. Geukgeuzian, 2004 UT 16, 86 P.3d 742. · cites it 2× “His proposed instruction concluded with the following: If you find the evidence has failed to prove any one or more of these essential elements to your satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt, then it would be your duty to find the defendant not guilty of TAMPERING WITH A…”
State v. Barlow, 771 P.2d 662 (Utah Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 2× “§ 41-6-46 (1988) (the “traffic case”) and for filing a written false statement, a Class B misdemeanor, in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-504 (2)(a) (1978) (the “false statement case”).”
Blackwell, No. 2:25-cv-00689 (D. Utah Feb. 12, 2026). · cites it 2× “§ 1503 called 6-year-old "terror"; evidence; (obstruction) manipulated child to "talk dehumanized into camera" disabled child Added false weight to prosecution; Filed false reports despite Anne Trout z h e e r r o s t e a m te a m il e c n o t) n tact (per Nov 2023 Utah Code §…”
State v. York, 2018 UT App 90, 427 P.3d 371. “§ 76-8-504; making a false statement in a preliminary hearing, id.”
Utah Code § 76-8-504(1): 1 case
State v. Jensen, 2004 UT App 467, 105 P.3d 951. “3 However, Jensen argues that because section 76-6-503 proscribes the same conduct as section 76-8-504(1), 4 prohibiting written false statements, and section 76-8-511, 5 *956 prohibiting the falsification of government records, the trial court erred by not sentencing him under…”
Utah Code § 76-8-504(2): 1 case
State v. Geukgeuzian, 2004 UT 16, 86 P.3d 742. “His proposed instruction concluded with the following: If you find the evidence has failed to prove any one or more of these essential elements to your satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt, then it would be your duty to find the defendant not guilty of TAMPERING WITH A…”
Utah Code § 76-8-504(2)(a): 1 case
State v. Geukgeuzian, 2002 UT App 130, 54 P.3d 640. “*642 OPINION JACKSON, Presiding Judge: ¶ 1 Defendant appeals his convictions for Tampering with witness, a third degree felony, under Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-508 (1) (Supp.2001), and making a Written false statement, a class B misdemeanor, under Utah Code Ann.”
Utah Code § 76-8-504(2)(c): 1 case
State v. Geukgeuzian, 2002 UT App 130, 54 P.3d 640. “*642 OPINION JACKSON, Presiding Judge: ¶ 1 Defendant appeals his convictions for Tampering with witness, a third degree felony, under Utah Code Ann. § 76-8-508 (1) (Supp.2001), and making a Written false statement, a class B misdemeanor, under Utah Code Ann.”
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