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Iowa Public Records

Searching for public records isn’t always easy. While the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives every United State citizen access to public documents, each state usually has its own rules.

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

What does the Iowa public records law say?

The Iowa Open Records Law consists of a series of laws designed to guarantee that the general public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels. This law includes all forms of government agencies except confidential documents.

The state has created the Iowa Public Information Board to enforce the public records law. This group, which comprises media representatives and government officials, can issue rulings and suggest that a person be removed from a position for not following the law.

Iowa’s public records law gives state officials 20 days to respond to a request. If a request is denied, there is an appeals process. A complaint can be filed with the Iowa Public Information Board or a district court.

If denied a request, a person can request a rehearing by an agency or an appeal to the Iowa Public Information Board.

If the information contains confidential data, an agency may redact those parts or separate them. If the entire file is classified as confidential, an agency is not required to produce the requested record.

To learn more about Iowa Code, visit Iowa.gov.

How can a person access public records in Iowa?

Public records access in Iowa varies. In some cases, a person must submit a public records request. In other cases, the documents are available online to anyone.

If a request is required, it can be sent via mail, email, or phone 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 about the document you’re requesting
  • A time frame that you’d like to receive the materials by
  • Document delivery method, email or mail

Iowa Criminal Records

In Iowa, criminal records are most commonly requested by employers who want to run a background check on a potential employee.

What’s on a criminal record?

A criminal record provides a detailed report of a person’s interactions with law enforcement. These records are culled from various sources and include arrest records, convictions, and incarcerations within the state’s nine prisons.

More specifically, a criminal record or a background check will provide the following information:

Arrest records typically feature details of the alleged crime as well as:

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

Where can I find Iowa criminal records?

The Iowa Department of Public Safety provides criminal records for the state. Through its Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa DPS makes records available to the public in the form of a criminal background report.

You can submit criminal history record requests by mail or fax.

You will need to contact the Iowa Department of Public Safety to obtain the necessary forms.

215 E 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-725-6066
www.dps.state.ia.us.

Iowa Inmate Records

The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) maintains public inmate records.

You will make public inmate records request to the Department of Corrections.

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

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

What’s on an inmate record?

The information listed on inmate records varies from state to state; in Iowa, the records usually contain personal data and specific details about a person’s incarceration.

Public access to inmate records can provide the following information when accessed:

  • Name
  • Birth Date
  • Gender
  • A mug shot
  • Inmate location
  • Inmate registration number
  • Jail transfer information
  • Custody status

Where can I find Iowa inmate records?

The Iowa Department of Public Safety website contains information and links to help gather information on an inmate.

Iowa parole records are also available through the Iowa Board of Parole website.

The public can use an offender search to obtain information on paroled inmates through the site. All offenders are searchable either by name or designated offender number.

Iowa 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 Iowa court record?

In the majority of cases, Iowa court records are quite large and come with several varying documents. Most people find these documents the most helpful:

  • Court minutes
  • Case files
  • Dockets
  • Orders of the court
  • Judgment documentation
  • Jury records and files
  • Witness documentation

Where can I find Iowa court records?

In Iowa, court records must be requested by the Clerk of Court. The clerk will likely ask for a written request if the request is complicated. If the request is relatively simple, the request can be placed over the phone.

The request should be directed to the correct department. For district court cases, speak with the clerk in the county where the case was heard. For cases heard in appellate courts, speak with the Clerk of Iowa Supreme Court.

For administrative records, speak with the State Court Administrator.

The records custodian in the state office will provide requesters with estimated fees before the requested records are produced or copied. Costs incurred during the response to a request may be required before receipt of requested documents. Paper copies of records are based on a per-page charge, with postage fees on actual mailing costs.

Iowa vital records

The Iowa Department of Public Health maintains vital records statewide.

Iowa Vital Records includes:

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

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

Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

Phone number: 515-281-7689

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

The Application for Iowa Vital Records requires specific information to obtain the document.

  • First, middle, and last name of the person on the birth certificate
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Full name of both parents

Where can I find an Iowa birth certificate?

You can access a birth record online using VitalCheck or by completing the Application for an Iowa Vital Record and submitting it by mail.

The cost of an Iowa birth certificate is $15 per certified copy.

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

The Application for Iowa Vital Records requires specific information to obtain the document.

  • First, middle, and last name of the person on the death certificate
  • Date of birth
  • Date of death
  • Place of death

Where can I find an Iowa death record?

You can access a birth record online using VitalCheck or by completing the Application for an Iowa Vital Record and submitting it by mail.

The cost of an Iowa death certificate is $15 per certified copy.

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

The Application for Iowa Vital Records requires specific information to obtain the document.

  • First, middle, and last names of both spouses
  • Date of marriage

Where can I find an existing Iowa marriage record?

You can access a marriage record online using VitalCheck or by completing the Application for an Iowa Vital Record and submitting it by mail.

The cost of an Iowa marriage certificate is $15.

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

Iowa divorce records are maintained on a county level by the clerk of that particular court in the judicial branch.

Where can I find an Iowa divorce record?

You will need to contact your local County Clerk’s Office to request Iowa divorce records. Each office has different forms and fees.

You can find a complete list of City Clerks.

Example – Iowa County
Iowa County County Clerk’s website
901 Court Avenue
P.O. Box 266
Marengo, IA  52301

Phone number: 319-642-3914
Fax: 319-642-5240

Iowa Property Records

Your local County Auditor maintains the public property records and voter registration records in your jurisdiction.

You can find a complete list of County Auditor Offices.

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

Every County Auditor will have different forms and fees.

Example – Mills County
Mills County Auditor forms
418 Sharp Street
Glenwood, IA 51534

Where can I find an Iowa property record?

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

FAQs

Can a request be submitted by non-residents of Iowa?

The Iowa Public Records laws state that you can access a public record regardless of where you live.

Is there a records custodian in Iowa?

In Iowa, the records custodian is the government office that initially generated the requested records. A government body must determine who the designated lawful custodian will be and post that information to the public.

What public records exemptions exist in Iowa? 

No state government agency is exempt from the law, but there are more than 50 exemptions in the Iowa Public Records Law. Confidential records in Iowa are exempt from requests.

Exemptions include medical reports pertaining to personal information, student financial records, trade secrets, prison riot procedural processes, certain financial information, and prospective real estate transactions or appraisals.

The majority of exemptions prevent the disclosure of confidential information or agencies that need the information to remain private to execute their jobs efficiently. Police investigative reports and Iowa government personnel records are also restricted in Iowa.

How long does that state have to respond?

The language is rather vague in the state of Iowa, but it is loosely defined as not exceeding 20 calendar days and normally should not exceed 10 business days. There is no set expiration date by which a request is considered denied.

Is there an appeals process in place?

You have 30 days after a denial is issued to file for an appeal in District Court.

Requesters have 60 days to file a complaint through the Iowa Public Information Board.

What fees are associated with requesting public records?

Iowa fee practices are also vague, with reproduction fees charged at a ‘reasonable’ amount, with each agency applying its own procedures and fees.

  • Updated April 28, 2022
  • States

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