How to Search Iowa Court Records (Start Here)

Iowa court records are filed with the Clerk of District Court. The District Court (unified) handles trial-level cases. Iowa offers a statewide court search through Iowa Courts Online, which covers most case types across all counties courts.

What this page covers: Iowa state court case records — criminal, civil, family, and probate filings. What it does not cover: Federal court cases (those are on PACER) or sealed/juvenile records.

Where to start: Use Iowa Courts Online for online case search. If you need documents beyond docket information, contact the Clerk of District Court in the specific county where the case was filed.

Common mistake: Iowa Courts Online covers state courts only. Federal cases filed in Iowa (bankruptcy, federal criminal, federal civil) require PACER — a separate federal system.

Population
3,241,488
Households
1,310,300
Median Income
$71,433
Median Home Value
$181,600

Court Records Databases

3 official Iowa court records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Court Records

Iowa Courts Online Electronic Docket Record Search
Official Free
You cannot pay court costs and fees using Advanced Case Search. Click Here to make a payment · You must register and pay a fee to subscribe to Iowa Courts Online to have access to Advanced Case Search
🌐 www.iowacourts.state.ia.us
District Court | Iowa Judicial Branch
Official Free
The district court has general jurisdiction of civil, criminal, juvenile, and probate matters in the state . It is where parties start their lawsuits, prosecutors file criminal charges, trials take place, lawyers offer evidence, witnesses testify, juries deliberate, and judges enter judgments.
🌐 www.iowacourts.gov
Iowa Courts | Iowa Judicial Branch
Official Free
All cases begin in district court. However, sometimes a party who disagrees with a district court decision will ask a higher court, known as an appellate court, to review the decision. This process is called an appeal. In Iowa, all appeals are filed with the supreme court .
🌐 www.iowacourts.gov

Iowa Counties

99 Iowa counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Polk Linn Scott Johnson Black Hawk Woodbury Dubuque Story Dallas Adair Adams Allamakee Appanoose Audubon

Frequently Asked Questions

Iowa's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.

Iowa's court system is headed by the Iowa Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the District Court (8 districts). Many Iowa courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.

The Iowa Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.

The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.

Iowa vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Bureau of Vital Records) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.

Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.

The Iowa sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.

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