How to Search Des Moines County Records (Start Here)
Iowa uses the County Assessor (City Assessor in some cities) for property assessments — not a separate Assessor.
- Court records: Clerk of District Court. Use Iowa Courts Online for online case search.
- Deeds and liens: County Recorder.
- Property values: County Assessor (City Assessor in some cities).
- Tax bills: County Treasurer.
- Marriage licenses: County Registrar.
Limited online access. Most records require a phone call or in-person visit.
Use the databases below based on the type of record you are searching.
Jail & Inmate Records
Des Moines Most Wanted
Visit →Jail & Inmate Records
Official Free
The police department of Des Moines, Iowa provides this listing of most wanted persons, with information including name, photo, DOB.
Property & Tax Records
Des Moines County Property - Treasurer
Visit →Property & Tax Records
Official Free
Search the Des Moines County, Iowa Treasurer's property database by parcel number or name for property record information and pay property taxes..
Des Moines County Recorded Documents
Visit →Property & Tax Records
Official Free
Des Moines County deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded real estate documents from Iowa Land Records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles court records in Des Moines County? ▼
Go to the Clerk of District Court for court records in Des Moines County. For online case lookups, use Iowa Courts Online — it covers Iowa District Court (unified) cases statewide.
Who handles property records in Des Moines County? ▼
For deeds, mortgages, and liens, go to the County Recorder. For property values and assessment data, go to the County Assessor (City Assessor in some cities). For tax bills and payments, go to the County Treasurer.
How do I get birth, death, or marriage records in Des Moines County? ▼
Marriage licenses in Des Moines County are issued by the County Registrar. Birth and death certificates are available from County Recorder (local) / IDPH (state). Divorce records come from the court that granted the decree.
Are Des Moines County records available online? ▼
Online access in Des Moines County is limited. We list 3 databases here. For most other records, you will need to contact the county offices directly by phone or in person.
Does Des Moines County have a County Assessor? ▼
No. In Iowa, the County Assessor (City Assessor in some cities) handles property assessments. There is no separate Assessor office. For recorded documents like deeds and mortgages, go to the County Recorder — that is a different office.
Is there a statewide search that covers Des Moines County? ▼
For court records, yes — Iowa Courts Online covers Des Moines County. For property and land records, you still need the County Recorder in Des Moines County directly.
Search Iowa by Record Type
Last reviewed: