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Idaho Public Records

Idaho became an open-to-public state back in 1990 when leaders drafted the Idaho Public Records Act. It gives citizens the right to access government records, and conduct public records searches.

All agencies are subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and there aren’t many exemptions.

Most states have some public records act on the books. However, each state’s law is a little different.

Idaho public records are maintained across several departments and they include:

• Criminal records
• Court records
• Inmate records
• Vital records

What does the Idaho public records law say?

The Idaho Public Records Law is one of the newer Sunshine Laws in the United States and comes with solid government transparency. Every public agency, municipality, and other government branch is subject to the law and must disclose documents about the public interest.

According to state law, transparency must be a priority, and agencies could face a penalty amounting to thousands of dollars for withholding public information. Typically, agencies are given a minimum of three days to grant a records request and a maximum of 10 days.

While all government agencies are subject to the law, Idaho does have exemptions.

The Idaho appeals process runs through the district appellate court. If a request is denied, the requester is given 180 days to appeal the decision. The court then takes another 28 days to hear the appeal, and if it gets rejected, the requester has another 42 days to appeal again.

The appeal fees in Idaho must not exceed the actual labor cost and are specifically worded for transparent enforcement.

For more information on the state’s law, visit Idaho.gov.

How can a person access a public record in Idaho?

Some public records are online; others require a more formal request. Public records access that requires a form can be mailed or emailed to the record-holding department.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places.

In general, a public records request should include:

• Your name
• Your contact information
• The name of the document
• Details of the document
• A time frame that you’d like to receive the materials by
• The delivery method of the documents, email or mail

The appeal fees in Idaho must not exceed the actual labor cost and are specifically worded for transparent enforcement.

Idaho criminal records

Criminal records, or criminal history, are used for a couple of specific purposes. Generally, they are used by potential employers and temporary employment agencies as part of the hiring process.

What’s on a criminal record?

A criminal record is a complete record of a person’s interactions with law enforcement agencies.

A criminal history doesn’t have traffic infractions or traffic tickets and sometimes won’t include misdemeanors.

• Aliases
• Date of arrest
• Arrest Records
• Charges
• Prosecution date
• Guilty Pleas
• Convictions
• Felony or misdemeanor charge

Where can a person find Idaho criminal records?

The Idaho State Police maintains public criminal records.

You will use the Fingerprinting and Background checks website to request the public criminal records you are searching for.

For fingerprint checks, you need to submit a complete set of ink-rolled fingerprints on the card, submission form, payment authorization form, and cash payment.

The processing fee is $20 for a fingerprint check and an additional $1 for processing plus a 3% transactional fee.

You can make payments through cash, credit, or debit card.

Idaho State Police
700 S Stratford Dr
Meridian, ID 83642
208-884-7000

Idaho inmate records

The Idaho Department of Corrections maintains public inmate records.

Idaho inmate records hold various documents related to personal and administrative details of a prisoner held in correctional and detention institutes across Idaho.

Public inmate records provide information similar to criminal records but also include imprisonment specifications.

What’s on an Idaho inmate record?

While there are some differences in how states list items on an inmate record, Idaho is standard with other states in the information it provides.

It will have some information about the person’s incarceration and some limited personal details. When someone accesses an inmate record, the record will show:

• The inmate’s name
• Gender
• Birth Date
• The housing location of the inmate
• Mug shot
• Inmate’s registration number
• Housing transfer information
• Custody status

Where can I find Idaho inmate records?

The Idaho Department of Corrections website provides access to an online database of prisoners imprisoned in Idaho.

The inmate database includes information about the offenders under the IDOC jurisdiction, and it also offers complete details of those on probation or parole.

You can also get information about the felonies the offender has committed.

Another resource is the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) website. Designed to give regular updates to victims on a criminal’s custody status, the website can provide helpful information for anyone looking to gather inmates’ details.

Idaho Department of Corrections
731 Shoup Ave W
Twin Falls, ID 83301
208-736-3080

Idaho court records

Court records hold details of criminal and civil trials held in the local, county, state, and federal courts.

However, the institution has the right to seal or expunge specific details on the record, especially if the victim or juvenile is at risk.

Court records are considered public records and can be accessed by the public.

What’s on an Idaho court record?

The information on court records can vary, but in Idaho, you can find the following information on court records:

• Personal and criminal details
• Details of the court cases
• Case files
• Dockets
• Court Orders
• Documents on judge rulings
• Witness documents and evidence
• Jury records and files

Where can I find Idaho court records?

You can search Idaho’s iCourt Porta to get court documents and information on a trial. You can search by case number or name and find files for the district courts up to the Idaho Supreme Court.

Members of the general public or media do not have to register on the site, but registration is required if you want extended access.

If you can’t find the record, you’re looking for it. You can also access Idaho Court Records by visiting any local agency regulating court proceedings and judgments, including courthouses and Idaho State Judiciary, to request the documents.

The contact person should be a court or county clerk or someone in the clerk’s office. Some courts may ask you to submit your request in writing. You may need to fill out a request form.

Idaho vital records

The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics maintains vital records statewide.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will be to who you submit a public vital records request.

Idaho Vital Records includes:

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Licenses
• Divorce Decrees
• Death Records

Public vital records requests will be different depending on the document you are requesting.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
450 W State St
Boise, ID 83702
208-334-5500

What information do I need to request an Idaho birth certificate?

The Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate form requires specific information to obtain the document.

• First, middle, and last name of the person on the certificate
• Date of birth
• The City of Birth
• The number of copies requested
• The full name of both parents

Where can I find an Idaho birth certificate?

You can request a birth record using the Idaho VitalCheck website, or by completing the Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate form and submitting it by mail.

The cost of a certified copy of a birth certificate in Idaho is $16.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Idaho?

You can search the Idaho death records as far back as 1911.

The Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate form requires specific information to obtain the document.

• First, middle, and last name of the person on the certificate
• Date of birth
• The City of Birth
• The number of copies requested
• The full name of both parents

Where can I find an Idaho death record?

You can request a death record using the Idaho VitalCheck website, or by completing the Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate form and submitting it by mail.

The cost of a certified copy of a death certificate in Idaho is $16.

What information do I need to request a marriage certificate in Idaho?

The Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate form requires specific information to obtain the document.

• First, middle, and last names of both spouses
• Date of the marriage
• The city the marriage took place
• The number of copies you’re requesting

Where can I find an existing Idaho marriage record?

You can request a marriage record using the Idaho VitalCheck website, or by completing the Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate form and submitting it by mail.

The cost of a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Idaho is $16.

What information do I need to request a divorce certificate in Idaho?

The Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate form requires specific information to obtain the document.

• First, middle, and last names of both spouses
• Date of the marriage
• The city the marriage took place
• The number of copies you’re requesting

Where can I find an Idaho divorce record?

You can request a divorce record using the Idaho VitalCheck website, or by completing the Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate form and submitting it by mail.

The cost of a certified copy of a divorce decree in Idaho is $16.

Idaho Property Records

Your local County Recorder’s Office maintains property records in your county.

You will need to contact the County Recorder’s Office to ask about the process to request public records and any associated fees.

What information do I need to request property records in Idaho?

Idaho public property request forms and processes are different between jurisdictions.

Example – Idaho County
Idaho County Public Record’s Request Form

Where can I find an Idaho property record?

You will submit your Idaho public property record request to the County Recorder’s office in the jurisdiction where the property records exist.

You will need to contact your County Assessor to inquire about the process and cost of requesting Idaho property records.

Example – Ada County Recorder’s Office
Ada County Recorder’s Office Public Records Request

FAQs

Can non-residents of Idaho submit a request?

The Idaho Public Information Act states that you can access a public record regardless of where you live.

Is there a records custodian in Idaho?

In the state of Idaho, each state department is responsible for maintaining and releasing records as requested.

What exemptions exist in Idaho?

None of the state agencies or branches are exempt from the public records law.

However, Idaho does have 92 exemptions. It includes individual medical and financial records, police records that could compromise public safety, investigative individuals, and trade secrets.

How long does Idaho have to respond to a public records request?

Typically, the state has to respond to a request within three days.

However, if a state agency requires additional time, it should send a written response within three days asking for more time.

The agency can request a 10-day extension.

Is there an appeal process in place in Idaho for a denied public records request?

Processing an appeal for access to public records is exclusively run by the appellate court in Idaho.

As a requester, you get 180 days to appeal a decision.

What fees are associated with requesting public records?

No agency can charge a fee more than the actual labor cost if the request is for more than 100 pages.

Furthermore, the copying fee shouldn’t exceed direct labor costs and the third party’s cost to copy the records. In addition, agencies can’t charge a requester if he has demonstrated that he can’t pay for the fee while the request is in the public interest.