What are Black Hawk County Public Records?
Black Hawk County public records are documents created by government agencies in the county and are open to the public. Generally, record custodians respond to public record requests within 20 days and will make copies of the record sought available unless restricted by law or court order. Most exemptions are intended to protect confidential information.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Hence, record availability and results may vary.
Black Hawk County Crime Statistics
According to information from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR), the Black Hawk County 2019 crime report showed 143 index crimes, including 20 violent and 123 property crimes. Violent crimes comprised solely of 20 aggravated assaults; there were no robberies, rapes, or murders in the reported year. However, property crimes in the 2019 report include 58 burglaries, 48 larceny thefts, 17 motor-vehicle thefts, and one arson. Analysis showed that crime in Black Hawk County decreased by 17% since the UCR published the 2017 crime report highlighting 172 crimes.
Are Black Hawk County Criminal Records Public?
Per the Iowa Open Records Law, Black Hawk County criminal records are open to the public. Interested persons may visit the Sheriff's Office to perform a Criminal History Background Check. However, the criminal record available at the Sheriff's Office is limited to arrests made by local agencies.
Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office
Attention: Open Records Request
225 East 6th Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
Phone: (319) 291-2587
Email: bsnook@BHCSO.org
Statewide criminal records are generally accessible through the central repository maintained by the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Interested parties can only obtain criminal records from the unit by mail, fax, or in person. The DCI charges $15 per last name check for getting a criminal record in Iowa. Interested requesters should complete the Criminal History Request Form and send it by fax or mail to:
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Support Operations Bureau 1st Floor
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Fax: (515) 725-6080
Phone: (515) 725-6066
How to Obtain Black Hawk County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Police reports and arrest records are under the care of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office provides different methods for accessing various police reports. For instance, interested parties can find warrants online, but police reports are obtainable by emailing or contacting the Open Records Liaison Office at (319) 291-2587.
Furthermore, the Sheriff's Office allows walk-in requests during its business hours. Requesters must prepare a detailed request letter describing the record sought to facilitate a search. Important details that must appear on a typical request letter include:
- The arrestee's name.
- The date and address of the incident or arrest.
- The names of the officer involved.
Inquiries may be made to:
Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office
Attention: Open Records Request
225 E 6th Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
Generally, each arresting agency in Black Hawk County also provides access to arrest records and police reports according to their geographical jurisdiction. Interested persons can contact any of the police departments below to access them:
Cedar Falls Police Department
220 Clay Street
Cedar Falls, IA
Dunkerton Police Department
200 Tower Street
Dunkerton, IA
Evansdale Police Department
911 North Evans Road
Waterloo, IA
Gilbertville Police Department
14th Avenue
Gilbertville, IA
Hudson Police Department
525 Jefferson Street
Hudson, IA
La Porte City Police Department
East Main Street
La Porte, IA
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Black Hawk County
Information on registered sex offenders living in Black Hawk County is available to the public on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. Searchers with selected information about a sex offender can use the Basic Search option, which supports a name or address search. Next, the Advanced Search feature helps requesters narrow their search using details like height, color, gender, race, and proximity. Interested parties can also find sex offenders in the county with the help of other search options like Map Search, Online Search, Telephone Search, and Vehicle Search.
How to Find Black Hawk County Inmate Records
Interested persons can search the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office's online database for information on currently incarcerated persons. The database contains a list of inmates currently booked into the county jail. Available information on the inmate list includes:
- The offender's full name.
- Charges.
- Booking date/time.
- Bond information.
- Other physical details of the offender.
Individuals searching Black Hawk County inmate records can search or scroll through the list to find inmates booked into the county jail.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Black Hawk County Jail?
The Black Hawk County jail is open for visitation from Monday to Friday except on holidays. Visitors should schedule their local visits 24 hours before arriving at the lobby of the county jail. Scheduling a visit is possible through call, email, or fax sent to the Jail Services Division.
Black Hawk County Jail
225 East 6th Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
Phone: (319) 291-2587
Fax: (319) 291-2569
Email: nneff@bhcso.org
Intending visitors may also set up the video visitation option, which can be scheduled. However, video visitations are not free of charge like local visits. It is vital to comply with the rules and regulations of the county jail. The jail administrator has the right to revoke the visiting privileges of individuals who ignore the county jail rules.
Black Hawk County Court Records
Black Hawk County court records contain detailed complaints, signed affidavits, court proceedings, and oath-taking activities. The Black Hawk County Clerk of Court is the designated custodian for court records. The Black Hawk County court system comprises 1 District Court split into a juvenile court division, a probate court division, a small claims division, a civil court division, and a criminal court division.
Locations of Courts in Black Hawk County
The address and contact information of the Black Hawk county court is as follows:
Black Hawk County District Court
316 East 5th Street
P.O. Box 9500
Waterloo, IA 50704
Phone: (319) 833-3331
Fax: (319) 833-3251
Are Black Hawk County Court Records Public?
Court documents are considered public records in Black Hawk County and other parts of Iowa. As a result, county residents and other interested parties have the right to inspect and receive copies of court documents or the materials contained therein. Nevertheless, certain documents are private and not open to the public. Examples of these confidential records are:
- Classified juvenile delinquency proceedings.
- Proceedings involving parental rights dissolution.
- Court records of suspended judgment.
- Details of sealed dissolution records
- Sealed records containing domestic abuse.
- Documents of pre-sentence investigations.
- Court records involving pretrial detention due to mental illness or drug dependency.
How to Obtain Black Hawk County Civil Court Case Records
In Black Hawk County, the District Court Clerk is responsible for preserving and keeping civil court documents. Requesters can submit written requests to the record custodian to obtain civil court records. It is important to include details like the plaintiff/defendants' names, court case numbers, and filing dates in the written request. This will help the District Court Clerk find requested documents easily. Enclose the written requests together with the appropriate search fee required by the Court Clerk and submit them in person or via email to:
Black Hawk County Clerk of Court
316 East 5th Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
Phone: (319) 833-3331
Fax: (319) 833-3251
Email: blackhawk.county.clerk@iowacourts.gov
Civil court records are also available through the Iowa Court Online Search, a statewide repository maintained by the Iowa Judiciary. Record seekers can find free public court records by using Case Search. The free platform, which contains limited information, is available to requesters who can provide basic details of the civil court case, case ID, or citation number. Interested parties seeking a comprehensive and updated record must pay a subscription fee of $25 to use the Advanced Search.
How to Obtain Black Hawk County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Black Hawk County are available at the District Clerk's Office. The Court Clerk grants requesters who submit detailed written applications access criminal court records.
The applicant's request letter should include details like the offender's name, presiding judge's name, and court case number. Furthermore, a requester must attach a check or money order for the copying fees charged by the record custodian. Address inquiries should be sent to the office of the county clerk of court.
The Iowa Judiciary provides online access to Black Hawk criminal court records through its Iowa Court Online Search. Interested parties can use the free search or paid Advanced Search. The free platform contains limited information, while the paid version, which costs $25.00, is more comprehensive.
What are Black Hawk County Vital Records?
Black Hawk vital records contain recorded life events of county residents. Black Hawk County vital records include birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates. Generally, the County Clerk maintains divorce records while marriage, death, and birth certificates are obtainable at the County Recorder's Office. The Bureau of Health Statistics, a division of the Iowa Department of Public Health, offers access to only certified copies of vital records in the state. Note that publicly available vital records at the recorder's office are limited. Only record holders or relatives of record-holders can obtain certified copies of vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Black Hawk County Divorce Records
Black Hawk County divorce records are available from the District Court Clerk's Office. Interested parties can get these documents in person or by mail. Eligible applicants (divorced couples or authorized representatives) need to present enough necessary details to the court Clerk. Examples of essential information that may facilitate the search include case numbers, names of divorcees, and dates when the divorce decree was passed.
Generally, most district court Clerks in Iowa charge $20 for a copy of a divorce certificate. However, requesters should call the Clerk of court to find out the specific amount and payment methods. Applicants must also submit copies of their state-issued identification, driver's licenses, passports, or utility bills. Send a written request with the relevant information, together with the relevant papers and costs, to the county clerk of court's office.
Where and How to Get Public Black Hawk County Marriage Records
Black Hawk County marriage records are available at the county recorder's office or Bureau of Health Statistics. Requesters should complete the vital record request form or send written requests to the recorder's department for marriage records created from 1954 to date.
For older marriage records created before 1954, record seekers can send the application form to the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics. A copy of the marriage record costs $15. Each submission must include the applicant's state-issued ID and payment via money order, check, or cash. Once complete with the necessary items, send marriage requests to:
Black Hawk County Recorder
316 East 5th Street
Room 208
Waterloo, IA 50703
Phone: (319) 833-3012
Email: recorder@blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov
Available hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Operational hours: From Monday to Friday between 7:00 am and 4:30 pm except on state-observed holidays.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Black Hawk County
Marriage records in Black Hawk County and other locations in Iowa are available to all individuals. As such, there are no confidential marriage records in the county.
Where and How to Find Black Hawk County Birth Records
Eligible persons can obtain Black Hawk County birth records at the county recorder's office or Bureau of Health Statistics. While the county recorder provides access to birth records between 1880-1920 and after 1942, the Bureau of Health Statistics offers birth records between 1921 and 1941.
Providing details of the birth records required is necessary to help record custodians retrieve documents with ease. Eligible applicants should clearly describe the required records in their request letters. Alternatively, requesters can complete essential details in the vital record request forms. Note that each request must include a copy of the applicant's state-issued ID and a search fee of $15, as stated on the request form. Requests may be sent via mail or in-person to the county recorder's office or the Iowa department of public health.
Where and How to Find Black Hawk County Death Records
In Black Hawk, the county recorder and the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics serve as the record custodians for death records. The deceased's relatives and legal representatives can obtain Black Hawk death records by submitting a detailed request letter to the record custodians. Conversely, requesters can use the vital records request form to fill out necessary details to facilitate the search. All applications must include the request fee, $15, and a copy of the applicant's valid photo ID. Mail or submit death records requests in person to the county recorder's office or the department of public health.
