What are Sioux City Public Records?
Under the Open Records Law, Sioux City public records include records that belong to government agencies that use these records to conduct official business. Government bodies must respond to these requests and provide copies, charging reasonable fees where necessary. However, the Open Records Law allows government bodies to restrict access to records that contain the following:
- Personal information on a prospective, current, or former student
- Disciplinary information
- Job performance records
- Trade secrets
- Attorney work products
- Some investigative reports
- Police investigatory records
Sioux City Crime Statistics
The Sioux City Police Department publishes annual reports that include statistics of crimes committed in the city. Figures published for 2020 show a total of 3,453 recorded crimes, including 12 arsons, 262 aggravated assault incidents, 618 burglaries, 4 homicides, and 45 sex offenses. Other reported crimes include 85 robberies, 289 motor vehicle thefts, and 2,138 reported larceny cases.
Compared to 2019, Sioux City experienced a reduction in crime. The 2019 report includes 22 arson cases, 252 aggravated assaults, 579 burglaries, 2 homicides, 2,372 larceny cases, 258 motor vehicle thefts, 53 robberies, and 40 sex offenses. Totaling 3,578 reported crimes, the 2020 figures show a 3.5% reduction in crime.
Are Sioux City Criminal Records Public?
Not all Sioux City criminal records are public. The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) maintains all criminal records in the state and issues copies to interested persons. However, the DCI restricts public access to Sioux City criminal records older than 18 months if there is no disposition for the offenses. While residents may obtain complete personal criminal history information, a third party cannot receive an unredacted record without presenting a signed release from the subject of the record.
Persons seeking Sioux City criminal records may send mail requests by completing the Criminal History Request form and the Criminal History Billing form. For multiple requests, only one billing form is needed. Requesters may pay using checks or money orders made out to the "Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation." Card payments are also accepted for cards from Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Completed forms should be submitted by mail or in person to the:
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Support Operations Bureau 1st Floor
215 E 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-6080
Fax: (515) 725-6080
How to Obtain Sioux City Police Reports and Arrest Records
Individuals may obtain copies of Sioux City arrest records and police records from the customer service window of the Records Section at the Sioux City Police Department's Records Headquarters. The Records Section issues copies to interested requestors 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, at $10 per incident report. Record seekers must provide an exact name, social security number, and birth date of the person named on the record. Requests for incident reports are processed at the:
Sioux City Police Department
601 Douglas Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6440
Fax: (712) 279-6148
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Sioux City
The Division of Criminal Investigation maintains the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, which contains information on all of the state's sex offenders. Persons seeking Sioux City sex offender records may find records by conducting a simple, advanced, map, email, or telephone search. Depending on details available to the requestor, the search platform requires the provision of last and first names, gender, race, approximate age, and physical descriptors. Users may also provide a street address, postal code, email address, nickname, online identifier, or phone number. Among other details, the search result page displays each inmate's birth date, age, address, tier level, and photographs.
How to Find Sioux City Inmate Records
Sioux City inmates are housed at the Woodbury County Jail. Persons seeking Sioux City inmate records may use the provided jail search to view a list of inmates at the facility. Requestors can search through the list by providing the inmate's name, charge, and booking date range. Available information on inmate records includes booking date and time, physical description, age, charge information, court date, and bond amount.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Sioux City Jail?
The Woodbury County Jail offers video visitation to inmates' family and friends. Visits on Mondays through Fridays take place from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm. Check-in times for both sessions are from 9:45 am to 10:25 am and 12:00 pm to 2:40 pm, respectively. There is an extra visitation session on Wednesday evenings from 5:45 pm to 7:45 pm, with check-in from 5:30 pm to 7:10 pm.
Individuals may not visit within 90 days of an arrest for a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or one year for a felony. However, persons arrested for simple misdemeanors may visit the jail on the day following the arrest. For visitation details and other information, interested persons may contact the:
Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center
407 7th Street
Sioux City. IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6040 (Jail)
Court Records
The City of Sioux City sits the Woodbury County District Court, which has general jurisdiction over most city cases. Hearings are held at the:
Woodbury County District Court
Woodbury County Courthouse
620 Douglas Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6611
Are Sioux City Court Records Public?
Sioux City court records are public records. Under Iowa law, the Woodbury County District Court Clerk must provide copies of non-confidential court records to requestors. Interested persons may make requests in writing or visit the Clerk's Office to make verbal requests. Requestors may also be required to pay varying fees before obtaining copies of desired records.
Can You Look up a Sioux City Court Case Online?
Records seekers may gain online access to Sioux City court records through the Iowa Courts Online Search. Using the Trial Court option, requestors may conduct a name, case ID, or citation number search. Available details include:
- A case summary
- Disposition status and date
- Charge class and details
- Offense information
How to Obtain Sioux City Civil Court Case Records
The Woodbury County Clerk of Courts provides public access to civil court case records. Residents may contact the Clerk of Courts and provide known record details, such as names, dates, charges, and other specifics. Note that copy fees may be applicable. To request copies of non-confidential Sioux City civil court records, records seekers must contact the Clerk of Courts using the following details:
Clerk of Courts
Woodbury County Courthouse
620 Douglas Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6611
How to Obtain Sioux City Criminal Court Case Records
Sioux City criminal court records are obtainable from the Woodbury County Clerk of Courts. Access to these records requires providing the Clerk's Office with the parties' names, charge and offense details, court disposition, and other known details. The Clerk's Office may charge varying fees depending on the volume of requested records. Required information should be submitted at the address below:
Woodbury County Courthouse
620 Douglas Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6611
Vital Records
Sioux City vital records are official documents that contain recorded information on life events in the city. Vital records are created by government bodies and include records of marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Sioux City vital records are requestable from the Woodbury County District Court, the Woodbury County Recorder's Office, and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Most vital records are considered public information at the county level. Vital record requests to the IDPH are restricted to the persons named on the records and their immediate family members.
Where and How to Obtain Sioux City Divorce Records
Sioux City divorce records are obtainable from the Woodbury County Clerk of Courts. Records are available to requestors who provide detailed information such as the full names of both divorced parties, the divorce date, details of the final judgment, and any other details available to the requestor. Costs associated with Sioux City divorce decrees may vary depending on the volume of requested records. Interested persons may provide required information to the:
Clerk of Courts
Woodbury County Courthouse
620 Douglas Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6611
Where and How to Get Public Sioux City Marriage Records
The Woodbury County Recorder's Office maintains and issues copies of Sioux City marriage records. Public Sioux City marriage records are uncertified copies and are available to all interested requestors only in person. Each uncertified copy costs 50 cents. Residents may pay by checks or money orders made out to the "Woodbury County Recorder." The Recorder's Office also accepts payments by cash, debit cards, or credit cards. However, note that extra fees may apply to card payments. To obtain an uncertified Sioux City marriage certificate, interested parties should visit the:
Woodbury County Recorder
620 Douglas Street
Room 106
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6626 (Vital Records)
Where and How to Get Confidential Sioux City Marriage Records
Certified Sioux City marriage records are available at the Woodbury County Recorder's Office. Access to certified copies is restricted to persons that have a tangible interest in the record. Eligible requestors include:
- One of the married parties
- A parent, sibling, spouse, grandparent, or child of either married party
Eligible persons may request certified Sioux City marriage certificates by mail or in person. Mail requestors must complete the vital record certificate application with both parties' full names, date and place of event, and the full names of both parties' parents. The requestor must sign the form and have the signature notarized. Each record costs $15, payable by check or money order made out to the "Woodbury County Recorder." The request should contain a completed application, payment, and a current government-issued photo ID. Eligible persons may mail requests to the:
Woodbury County Recorder
620 Douglas Street
Room 106
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6626 (Vital Records)
The Recorder's Office also entertains in-person requests for certified records. Requestors may visit the above address from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays, except public holidays. In-person requestors must visit with valid government-issued ID and pay with cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks, or money orders.
Where and How to Find Sioux City Birth Records
Members of the general public may obtain copies of Sioux City birth records from the Woodbury County Recorder's Office. However, the Recorder's Office restricts certified copies to the following persons:
- The individual named on the record
- An immediate family member, such as a parent, grandparent, sibling, child, or spouse
Requests for certified Sioux City birth certificates are possible by mail or in person. Uncertified copies are only obtainable through in-person requests. Individuals requesting certified records by mail should complete a vital record certificate application with the subject's full name, birth date, and parents' full names. Each record costs $15 and is payable by money orders or checks to the "Woodbury County Recorder."
Eligible persons may also request in person by providing the required information at the Recorder's Office. Persons requesting certified records must submit valid government-issued photo ID with their requests. Payments for in-person requests are allowed via checks, money orders, cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Note that additional fees are applicable for card payments. Requests are processed at the:
Woodbury County Recorder
620 Douglas Street
Room 106
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6626 (Vital Records)
Where and How to Find Sioux City Death Records
The Woodbury County Recorder's Office issues certified and uncertified copies of Sioux City death records. Access to certified copies is restricted to immediate family members of the decedent, including children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and a spouse. Eligible persons may send mail requests or visit the Recorder-Clerk's Office in person. Uncertified copies are only requestable in person.
To obtain a certified Sioux City death certificate by mail, record seekers must complete the vital record certificate application and sign the application before a notary public. Payment is accepted via check or money order made out to the "Woodbury County Recorder." Each request sent to the Recorder's Office must contain a completed application, payment, and a current government-issued ID. Interested persons send requests or visit the:
Woodbury County Recorder
620 Douglas Street
Room 106
Sioux City, IA 51101
Phone: (712) 279-6626 (Vital Records)
