About Iowa Public Records

Iowa public records are governed by Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code (Examination of Public Records / Open Records Law), which entitles every person to examine and copy public records during customary office hours, subject to the confidential-records list in Iowa Code § 22.7. County assessors and recorders hold property and deed data, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation handles statewide criminal history, and Iowa Courts Online publishes case dockets.

Iowa Public Records

Court Records

Protective Orders
Official Free
Search for protective orders in Iowa by case number and respondent name and county of issuance.
🌐 vinelink.com

Criminal Records

Child Support Payments
Official Free
Search this database of child support payments in Iowa by SSN & case number to access payment information.
🌐 iowa.gov
Criminal Histories | Official
Official Free
Go here for information from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation on how to do a complete official Iowa Criminal History request by mail or fax. Requires a waiver signature from the subject.
🌐 dps.state.ia.us
Inmates & Offenders
Official Free
Correctional facility, penitentiary, medical classification center, and judicial district inmate, offender, parolee, and probationer search from the Iowa Department of Corrections.
🌐 iowa.gov
Inmates & Offenders
Official Free
Correctional facility, penitentiary, medical classification center, and judicial district inmate, offender, parolee, and probationer search from the Iowa Department of Corrections.
🌐 doc-search.iowa.gov

Property Records

Liens
Official Free
Search for current Iowa tax liens filings in Iowa that have been submitted under the new RA9 rules.
🌐 sos.iowa.gov
Property | Treasurers
Official Free
Search the Iowa State County Treasurers Association by county and parcel number or name for property record information and pay property taxes online.
🌐 iowatreasurers.org

Vital Records

Story County Deaths | 1904-1916
Official Free
Search Story County death records by name. Gives date of death, gender, and death certificate number. Select Death Certificate Index (database only includes surnames A through I).
🌐 iagenweb.org
Rolfe Cemetery Records
Official Free
Browse the cemetery records from Rolfe. St. Margaret's Cemetery, Old Rolfe Cemetery, Clinton/Garfield Cemetery, and Plover/Powhatan Cemetery.
🌐 rolfeiowa.com

Business

Company Search
Official Free
Search Iowa Secretary of State records for Iowa business entities by name or business number. Included are corporations, nonprofits, assumed and fictitious names, LLCs, and LLPs.
🌐 sos.iowa.gov
Uniform Commercial Code
Official Free
Search Iowa Secretary of State UCC and federal tax lien records by individual name, business name, or filing number. Access to the certified database, searches, and document copies are all free.
🌐 sos.iowa.gov
Voters
Official Free
Check your voter registration status with this Iowa Secretary of State service.
🌐 sos.iowa.gov

Civic

Campaign Disclosure Sanctions and Actions
Official Free
The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board provides listings of campaign actions (administrative dissolutions, adjusting entries and remedial actions), sanctions (reprimands, admonishments and d...
🌐 iowa.gov
Jobs - Government
Official Free
Browse government job vacancies by general category. Gives job title, vacancy number, salary, location, minimum qualifications, closing date, job description, and application information.
🌐 iowa.gov
Legislation
Official Free
Search or browse for legislation (files, bills, resolutions, amendments, reports, etc.) by the Iowa state House or Senate (1995-Present). Gives full text, summary, sponsor, and history (dates, acti...
🌐 legis.iowa.gov
Lobbyist Directory
Official Free
Browse alphabetically by last name for registered lobbyists in Iowa. Provides name, address, and phone number.
🌐 legis.iowa.gov
Campaign Finance Disclosures
Official Free
The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board provides listings of reports from the executive branch (personal financial disclosure, lobbyist/client and session reception) and on campaign finance (state/local and state committee reports) in PDF format.
🌐 webapp.iecdb.iowa.gov

Other

Banking | Financial Service Licenses
Official Free
Search for Iowa licensed currency exchanges, debt management companies, delayed deposit companies, education providers, industrial loan companies, money services, mortgage brokers, and mortgage ban...
🌐 idob.state.ia.us
Contractors
Official Free
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) contractor license verification search.
🌐 iowa.gov
Insurance
Official Free
Use this Iowa Insurance Division site to research fraud investigation, company regulation, consumer information, insurance agents and companies.
🌐 iid.state.ia.us
Insurance Agents
Official Free
Use this Iowa Insurance Division service to search for licensed Iowa insurance agents.
🌐 naic.org
Kegs
Official Free
We're not sure what this is used for, but it is intriguing. Enter a keg registration number and it will tell you what store the keg was from.
🌐 iowaabd.com
Bill History
Official Free
Search or browse for files, resolutions (concurrent, joint, etc.), or conference committee reports by Iowa state House or Senate (1995-Present). Gives full text, summary, sponsor, and history (dat...
🌐 legis.iowa.gov
Code
Official Free
Provided by the Iowa General Assembly. Search this version of the Iowa Code by Chapter and/or Section. Gives full text and cross-referencing.
🌐 coolice.legis.state.ia.us
Codes
Official Free
Search past and present Iowa state codes by chapter & section or keyword. Gives full text and cross-referencing.
🌐 legis.iowa.gov
Crash Reports
Official Free
Use this Iowa State Patrol Department of Public Safety service to search for Iowa State Patrol Crash Reports by date, type, or county.
🌐 accidentreports.iowa.gov
Nurses
Official Free
Iowa Board of Nursing license verification and disciplinary document search.
🌐 eservices.iowa.gov
Jobs - Full Time & Part Time
Official Free
Choose "full time" or "part time" under "Availability" and search for Iowa jobs by title, location, or minimum education/experience. Gives title, location, minimum qualifications, salary, hours, contact/application, information, etc.
🌐 iowaworks.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in Iowa?

Iowa provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are Iowa public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in Iowa?

Iowa public records are governed by Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code (Examination of Public Records / Open Records Law), which entitles every person to examine and copy public records during customary office hours, subject to the confidential-records list in Iowa Code § 22.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most Iowa agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).