About Public Records in Iowa

• District Courts - 7 districts. These courts handle the following case types:
• Civil - tort, contract, real property rights, mental health, and estates.
• Criminal felony.
• Domestic relations.
• Juvenile.

• Magistrate Courts - These courts handle the following case types:
• Civil - tort, contract, real property rights to $10,000. Mental health, and estates.
• Misdemeanor, drunk driving.
• Trraffic and other violations.
• Juvenile.

Iowa real and personal property tax records are kept by the Assessors Office in each county.
 

Iowa deeds and general document recording are handled by the Land Records office in each county. Records kept include deeds, mortgage documents, easements, powers of attorney, and liens. Statewide access to electronic records is available.

Vital Records offices are located in each of the 169 towns in Iowa. The vital records registrar in each town is responsible for maintaining a registry of all births, marriages, civil unions, deaths and fetal deaths that occur within its town.
 
The Vital Records Office at the Iowa Department of Public Health maintains a statewide registry of all births, marriages, civil unions, deaths and fetal deaths which have occurred in CT since July 1, 1897.