Iowa public records refer to any documents or information that are considered to be public property and are available to the general public for viewing and accessing. This can include a wide range of documents and information, including court records, government documents, financial records, and more.
In the state of Iowa, there are several laws and regulations in place that govern the release of public records. The most important of these is the Iowa Open Records Act, which was enacted in 1967. This law establishes the right of any person to access and inspect public records, with certain exceptions. The Act also requires that public agencies respond to requests for records in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost.
One of the key provisions of the Iowa Open Records Act is that it applies to all state and local government agencies, including schools, cities, counties, and state agencies. This means that any information held by these agencies is considered to be a public record and must be made available to the public upon request.
Are birth records public in Iowa?
Iowa birth records are confidential for the first 75 years. After 75 years, the records become public and anyone can access them.
How can I order a copy of a birth certificate in Iowa?
If you are the person named on the birth certificate or you are an immediate family member, you can request a certified copy of the birth record from the Iowa Department of Public Health's Office of Vital Records. You can also request a copy if you are a legal representative of the person named on the birth record or if you have a court order. You can order the certificate online via VitalChek, in person, or by mailing a completed form, photo ID and payment to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075
Are marriage records public in Iowa?
Iowa marriage records are not available to the public until 75 years has passed from the date of marriage. Only people named on the certificate and certain other authorized parties have access to them before the 75 years has passed.
How can I obtain marriage records in Iowa?
You can obtain certified Iowa marriage records online via VitalChek, in person at the State Vital Records Office, by mailing the State Vital Records Office, or by contacting the county clerk in the county where the marriage took place. The address of the State Vital Records Office is:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075
Are divorce records public in Iowa?
Iowa divorce records become publicly available after 75 years. Prior to that only immediate relatives and other specific parties can access them.
How do I obtain divorce records in Iowa?
Iowa divorce records are available at the county clerk’s office in the county where the divorce was finalized. You can typically request a certified copy of a divorce record in person, by mail, or online at the court.
Are death records public in Iowa?
Iowa death records are not available to the public until 50 years from the date the death occurred.
How can I obtain death records in Iowa?
Iowa death records are available online through VitalChek (a third party authorized by the state). You can also mail a completed form to or visit in person the State Vital Records Office:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075
Are criminal records public in Iowa?
Iowa criminal records are public and are available to anyone.
How can I check for a criminal record in Iowa?
The Iowa Department of Public Safety offers criminal history searches through its Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). You can search online as the DCI website. There is a fee associated with this service. You can also request a DCI search via email, mail, or fax.
How can I obtain court records in Iowa?
Court records in Iowa are public records and are available to anyone who requests them. You can request a copy of a court record from the county where the case took place. You can also request a copy from the Iowa Judicial Branch's State Court Administration office.
How can I access property records in Iowa?
You can request a copy of a property record from the county assessor's office where the property is located.