Searching Union County: what to expect
Union County publishes some records directly — a single local source below — and leans on state systems for the rest. You don't need a county-level docket here — Iowa courts are searchable statewide, mapped on our Iowa court records page. The standout local source is unioncountyiowa.gov, covering local vital-records requests. One gap: recorded documents aren't published by the county itself. Use the Iowa recorded documents page for those.
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by SearchSystems Editorial Team — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Union County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Iowa state publishers on the review date. 5 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Union County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Union County, Iowa — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
11,955
Population
Census estimate
4,979
Households
Census estimate
$56,495
Median income
Annual household
$113,800
Median home value
Census ACS
Creston
County seat
In Iowa
Criminal records
see state portal
Court records
2 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
2 sources
Vital records
2 sources
Voter records
2 sources
Professional licenses
1 source
Recorded documents
1 source
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Union County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Union County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | Iowa Courts Online Search - Select Action Union County Courthouse | Iowa Judicial Branch |
| Criminal records | |
| Wants & warrants | IOWA System (Iowa On-line Warrants & Articles) | Iowa Department of Public S |
| Vital records | Vital Records – Union County, Iowa Vital Records | State Historical Society of Iowa |
| Voter records | General Election Information – Union County, Iowa Iowa Voter Info | U.S. Election Assistance Commission |
| Professional licenses | Find a Record or License | Department of Inspections, Appeal… |
| Recorded documents | Real Estate - Union County Recorder |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Union County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Union County Records
2026
Union County official government portal active
The official Union County government website at www.unioncountyiowa.org continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Union County court records portal verified
State court system links for Union County verified against the Iowa judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Union County property records online
Union County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Iowa, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step Union County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Union County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Union County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Iowa statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Iowa state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Union County Records
MYTH"Union County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Union County are held by the Iowa state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Union County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have Union County data."
FACTOnly the official Iowa state repository has verified, current Union County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Union County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Union County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.unioncountyiowa.org — Official Union County government website
- www.iowacourts.state.ia.us — Court records — official source
- unioncountyiowa.gov — Vital records — official source
- www.eac.gov — Voter records — official source
- dial.iowa.gov — Licenses — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Union County & Iowa Records
For records not specific to Union County, use Iowa's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Iowa statewide record systems:
- Iowa Court Records →
- Iowa Criminal Records →
- Iowa Property Records →
- Iowa Vital Records →
- Iowa Voter Records →
- Iowa Wants & Warrants →
- Iowa Licenses →
- Iowa Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Iowa statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
Skip the directory — step-by-step Iowa guides that use these databases:
About Union County, Iowa
Union County is located in southwest Iowa. The county seat is Creston (official site: http://www.unioncountyiowa.org/).
- Population: 11,955
- Households: 4,979
- Median household income: $56,495
- Median home value: $113,800
- Below poverty line: 11.9%
- Land area: 423.6 sq mi
- Population density: 28.2 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 1
- NCES schools indexed: 6
Iowa Courts Online Search - Select Action
Official Free
Iowa Courts Online Search - Select Action · This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them
Union County Courthouse | Iowa Judicial Branch
Official Free
Case records from the Iowa courts serving Union County surface through this system. If a link breaks, the office homepage at iowacourts.gov carries the new path.
Vital Records – Union County, Iowa
Official Free
Application for certified copy of Union County Birth, Marriage, & Death record
Vital Records | State Historical Society of Iowa
Official Free
For certified copies of birth, death and marriage records or more recent birth, death, and marriage records contact Iowa HHS Vital Records. Divorce vital record statistics less than 75 years old are only available at Iowa HHS Vital Records.
Union County Recorder – Union County, Iowa
Official Free
As of July 1997, the Recorder’s office is the County Registrar of Vital Records and has the responsibility of issuing Marriage Licenses, registering Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates and issuing certified copies of Vital Records.
Interment Listing | Newton, IA - Official Website
Official Free
The City of Newton Union and Memorial Park Cemeteries interment listings are provided at no cost below. The City of Newton makes every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in these documents. However, no guarantees are made to the accuracy of these records.
General Election Information – Union County, Iowa
Official Free
City/School Candidate Information · Union County Auditor Commissioner of Elections
Iowa Voter Info | U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Official Free
Iowa State Election Office Website Register to Vote @media (max-width:47.938em) {.respTbl ta
🌐 eac.gov
Elections – Union County, Iowa
Official Free
Property assessment records for Union County, Iowa. Tax amounts and payment status typically link from the same record. Researchers use these records to trace ownership when deed indexes are thin.
Fayette County Treasurer's
Official Free
Property assessment records for Union County, Iowa. Tax amounts and payment status typically link from the same record. Building sketches and photos ride along with many property cards.
Find a Record or License | Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
Official Free
Search State of Iowa online services to verify professional licensure, and search inspection and survey records.
Iowa License Lookup
Official Free
Iowa Professional Licensing — official statewide license verification via the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing.
Real Estate - Union County Recorder
Official Free
For recorded documents prior to 1979 (DEEDS ONLY!), use the “Historical Auditor and Recorder Books” tab. These records go back to 1856 for land deeds and 1866 for town lot deeds. You can search the indexes or search a specific book and page.
Katie Carlton Union County Recorder | Iowa Land Records
Official Free
Katie Carlton Union County Recorder · 8711 Windsor Parkway #2 Johnston, IA 50131
SEC.gov | Accessing EDGAR Data
Business, Voter & Other
.gov
The SEC's guide to pulling EDGAR data in bulk — indexes, APIs, and daily feeds for researchers who need more than the search box.
IOWA System (Iowa On-line Warrants & Articles) | Iowa Department of Public Safety
Official Free
The IOWA Criminal Justice Information Network provides a wide variety of information to police, sheriff's, state, and federal criminal justice agencies in Iowa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Union County?
Union County court cases are searchable through the Union County Courthouse | Iowa Judicial Branch portal: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/educational-resources-and-services/iowa-courts-history/iowa-county-courthouse-history/union-county-courthouse. Iowa also operates a state-level case lookup through the Iowa Courts Online system. For federal matters, see PACER.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in Iowa?
In Iowa, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by Iowa law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
Can I find out if someone is divorced in Iowa?
Yes. Search the court case index for the person's name in the county where they lived. Most Iowa counties offer free online case-search portals. The state vital records office also issues divorce verifications for a fee.
Does a county sheriff have to honor ICE detainers?
No federal law forces a county to honor an ICE detainer. Multiple federal courts have ruled that detainers are non-binding requests. Some counties honor every detainer, others honor none, and many honor them only when ICE provides a judicial warrant. Policy is set at the county or sheriff level.