What are Benton County Public Records?
Iowa state open public records law gives the right to every individual to view and request a copy of any public document produced, acquired, filed, or maintained by a governmental entity. The act defines public records as papers, tapes, and other data held by state government organizations. Another important category of public records defined by the Iowa state public records act is all records about the investment of public money investment policies, instructions, trading orders, and contracts. whether in possession of the public body in charge of the funds or any private third party. However, there are a few exceptions to the law on access to public records. Unless otherwise directed by a court, the legal custodian of the records, or any person properly authorized to reveal such information, the following public records are to be kept confidential:
- Personal information on a present, prospective or former student held by any educational institution
- Hospital records, medical records, and professional counselor records of a patient's or former patient's condition, diagnosis, care, or therapy, including outpatient records.
- Trade secrets that are legally recognized and guarded as such.
- Records that are related to litigation or a claim made by or against a public authority, and which represent and constitute the work product of an attorney.
- Government reports that, if made public, would benefit rivals while serving no useful purpose
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Benton County Crime Statistics
The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program created by the Iowa department of public safety is Benton county’s main source for crime and arrest information. According to the data 2021 obtained Benton county had 60 burglaries a 1400% increase from the previous year (2020) of only 4 burglaries, drug, and narcotic crimes rose to 91, a 600% increase from the reported 12 previous years (2020), larceny data shows 89 a 400% increase from the previous year (2020) of 16. Assault crimes recorded was 119 which also had a 400% increase in 2021 when compared to 23 for the year 2020, fraud crime count also rose from 4 in 2020 to 18 in 2021. Motor vehicle theft recorded in Benton county was 24 which showed an alarming increase from 0 cases recorded in 2020.
Other crime count statistics for 2021 in Benton county are counterfeiting 16, sexual assault 18, and destruction 51.
Are Benton County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, Benton county criminal records are made available on request to inquiries as long as the criminal request form has been signed and authorized by the subject of the request, especially when done as background checks for employment or licensing purposes. Requests must be made through the Iowa criminal dissemination unit of the Iowa division of criminal investigation(DCI). Benton county criminal records requests can be made through the mail, fax, in-person, or Email
For all requests made by mail, email, and fax, requestors must download both the billing forms and request forms, and the request form should be filled with the subjects' personal information like the first name, last name, and social security number. The billing form would require requestors to indicate the method of payment. The DCI charges $15 per copy for a Benton county criminal history record check. The completed forms must be sent to
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Support Operations Bureau 1st Floor
215 E 7th St
Des Moines IA 50319
Fax: (515) 725-6080
The email request should be sent to: dcirecordchecks@dps.state.ia.us. Requests made by persons who are the subject of the request are handled on the spot and produce immediate results as per the Code of Iowa, Chapter 692.2(1). Request done in person for someone else would undergo normal processing, in person, requestors are required to provide a valid ID as part of the process.
How to Obtain Benton County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Interested persons may obtain Benton county arrest records and police reports from the Benton County Sheriff’s Department. Residents seeking these records should contact the department with record details, including the names of involved persons, incident description, incident date, the names of officers in charge, and other known specifics. Interested persons should note that the department may request copy fees from persons looking to obtain physical copies. Record seekers should submit requests for Benton county arrest records and police reports to:
Benton County Sheriff's Office
113 E. 3rd St.
Vinton, IA 52349,
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Benton County
The Iowa sex offender registry is the official database that contains information on sex offenders living in Benton county. According to Iowa Code Chapter 692A, offenders must register with the Benton County Sheriff's Office and give all required information. To find publicly available information from the sex offenders registry, inquirers can make requests by phone call or by paying a visit in-person to the Benton County sheriff's office, located at
113 E. 3rd St.
Vinton, IA 52349
Requestors are required to submit personal information of the individual in question during the information request process such as:
- Social Security Number
- Address
- Internet Identifier
- Telephone Number
- Date of Birth
Suppose the individual in question is registered with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry as of the date and time of the inquiry, In that case, requestors may also request a computer printout indicating information about the offender. The printout will include the individual's name, address, and physical descriptors including scars, marks, and tattoos. The process is free of charge regardless of the number of requests made.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Benton County Jail?
Benton County jail visitations are by appointment only on visiting days. To make an appointment call the county jail line:(319) 472-2337. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours before the visit. At the Benton County Jail, inmates are required to fill out a Visitor Registration form, Only those who are accepted on this form will be permitted to visit. Before entering, each authorized visitor must display a valid ID. All guests must be at least 18 years old. Minors cannot enter without their parents or a legal guardian by their side.
Inquiries can be sent by mail to the Benton county jail located at:
113 East 3rd Street,
Vinton, IA 52349
Benton County Court Records
Benton county court system is made up of two courts, the district court, and the juvenile court. Benton County is part of Judicial District 6 in the Iowa Courts system. The district (trial) court is where the majority of cases begin, and there is one in each county in Iowa. District courts in the state have extensive jurisdiction over civil, criminal, and probate cases. It is where lawsuits are initiated by parties, criminal charges are brought, trials are held, evidence is presented by attorneys, witnesses are called to the stand, jurors deliberate, and decisions are made by judges.
The Benton county juvenile court on the other hand is a specialist court with jurisdiction over some cases concerning children's lives. The most typical of these situations are:
- Most Children in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases involve abused, neglected, or abandoned children, and they occasionally result in the termination of parental rights.
- Cases of delinquency involving behaviors that, if done by an adult, would be regarded as crimes.
The Benton county courthouse is located at
Courthouse
111 E. 4th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
Are Benton County Court Records Public?
Benton county court records are public records.Iowa state law on examination of public records,lists information provided to the court and held by public defendants as public records except stated as confidential by the courts.
Benton county court records can be accessed online by using the iowa online search database the advanced case search option on the database webpage enables interested members of the public to look up benton county court records for a monthly fee of $25.Queriies can be done using any information on the case or the appellate docket number
How to Obtain Benton County Civil Court Case Records
The Benton clerk's office processes all paperwork that enters and leaves the District Court. This covers civil, family law, criminal law, probate, traffic, and small claims. The clerk and staff are State of Iowa employees, and the office is a component of the State of Iowa Judicial Branch. According to Chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules, electronic filing is required in all instances of request. Additionally, the Clerk's office manages the jury summons and processes payments for penalties, court fees, child support, etc. Request can be made by contacting the Benton county court clerk's office located at
111 East 4th Street #4
Vinton, IA 52349
Phone: (319) 472-2766
Fax: (319) 472-2747
How to Obtain Benton County Criminal Court Records
Benton county criminal court records can be requested from the office of the Benton district court county by contacting
111 East 4th Street #4
Vinton, IA 52349
Phone: (319) 472-2766
Fax: (319) 472-2747
What are Benton County Vital Records?
Details of life events that take place in the county are recorded in Benton County's vital records. These contain information on births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. Benton county's vital records are documents created by the government that serves as proof that certain important events happened.
The public cannot access the state's vital records database. However, under Iowa Code Section 22, birth, marriage, and death records that are under the Benton county recorder's office control are subject to a right of inspection on request by eligible individuals. The person listed on the vital records document, as well as their spouse, children, legal parents, grandparents, and grandchildren, are considered entitled parties.
Where and How to Obtain Benton County Divorce Records
A formal record of a divorce, such as a divorce decree or divorce certificate, attests to the dissolution of a marriage. While a divorce certificate is a less comprehensive divorce record that summarizes the key details of the divorce. Legal records about a couple's divorce in Benton County, Iowa, are known as Benton County Divorce Records. They consist of a divorce certificate, any records made throughout the divorce process, and the divorce papers the couple files with the Benton County Court.
Where and How to Get Public Benton County Marriage Records
The Benton County Recorder's Office keeps track of marriage records and issues marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage records. According to the legislation, Benton County registrars are not permitted to keep records of marriages that took place between 1921 and 1941. interested individuals can access these records from the Iowa Department of Public Health in Des Moines, which is located at
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building
1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Benton county marriage records can be applied for in-person by visiting the Benton county recorder's office, online, or by mail. A Payment of $15 is required for each certified copy requested. Fees are payable in U.S. funds by check or money order. Cash is accepted in person only.
Where and How to Find Benton County Birth Records.
The entire names of both parents, the child's name, gender, birth date, and place are all included in a birth record, which is an official account of the birth. Benton County birth records are available at the Benton county recorder’s office. The Benton county recorder’s office has birth records from1880 from the present. However, county registers are not authorized by Iowa state law to record single-parent birth before 1995.
Official Benton county birth records can be applied for in any Iowa department of health branch. The application can be made in person, by telephone, or by posting an application through the mail service. All completed applications must be notarized and include a photocopy of the applicant's current driver's license or other forms of government-issued picture identification when requesting a Benton county-certified birth record via mail. A fee of $15 should be made out to the Benton county recorder's office for the birth records and mailed to
111 East 4th
St., Vinton, IA,
52349.
Where and How to Find Benton County Death Records
A death certificate is an official government document that states the person’s cause, location, and time of death. Individuals eligible to apply for Benton county records include; The person listed on the record, as well as that person's spouse, children, legal parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and a legal representative. Benton county death records can be applied for through the Benton county recorders office or the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Records can be obtained by completing the request form and submitting it either in person or through a postal service. Only cash or money orders are permitted for in-person requests to the Benton county registrar (County Recorder), and money orders are only permitted for mail-in requests. All applications must be accompanied by a legitimate, recently issued government picture ID (or a legible photocopy if mailing an application), and all applicants must adequately establish their eligibility. personal inquiries can be made by visiting the county office at
Benton County
111 E 4th St, 1st Fl
Courthouse
Vinton, IA 52349
