What are Iowa City Public Records?
Under the Iowa Open Records Law, any document or material, either in hard or soft copy, that has been prepared, possessed, or retained for use by any public body or its agencies is to be classified as a public record. In some instances, some records may be expressly restricted by state and federal laws or the court. Some examples of restricted records include vital statistics records and juvenile records. Certain portions of a public record may also be restricted or redacted from public view if it includes:
- Preliminary drafts or notes
- Medical records
- Records containing adoption proceedings
- Private personal information that violates personal privacy
- Information related to an ongoing law enforcement investigation
- Confidential information
- Records about trial preparation
- Records concerning probation and parole records
- Taxpayer information
Iowa City Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provides access to crime data for Iowa City. Crime within the city includes violent crimes and property crimes. Since 1995, the FBI has maintained country-wide crime statistics through a uniform crime reporting system. This system is based on reports gathered from law enforcement agencies within the counties, states, cities, and universities. In 2019, Iowa City recorded 1 murder, 40 rape cases, and 101 aggravated assault cases. There were also 25 cases of robbery. Overall, Iowa City recorded a total of 167 violent crime incidents. The city also recorded 314 cases of burglary, 867 larcenies, 2 cases of arson, and 71 motor vehicle thefts. There were a total of 1252 property crimes within the same period. In comparison to the year 2018, Iowa City experienced a 9.9% increase in violent crimes and an 18.5% decrease in property crimes.
Are Iowa City Criminal Records Public?
Not all criminal records in Iowa City are public documents. Under the Open Records Law, some records may be restricted by law. Public criminal records do not also include juvenile records. The Iowa City Police Department provides information regarding criminal records within the city. Visitors can make a request at the Records Unit of the department.
How to Obtain Iowa City Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Iowa City Police Department keeps records of arrests in Iowa City and interested persons can conduct searches and obtain copies. Interested persons can visit the office between 7 00 a.m. and 5 00 p.m. at:
Iowa City Police Department
410 E. Washington Street,
Iowa City
Phone: (319) 356-5275
County-wide, the Johnson County Sheriff's Department also maintains records of arrests including those of Iowa City. Members of the public can access and obtain arrest records by paying a visit to the department between office hours at:
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 2540
511 S Capitol Street
Iowa City, IA 52244
Phone; (319) 356-6020 ext 3
Fax: (319) 356-6017
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Iowa City
Iowa’s Department of Public Safety keeps a record of sex offenders within the state including those of Iowa City. The Department provides public access to sex offender information through its Iowa Sex Offender Registry platform in accordance with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry Act. Searches may be carried out by providing the first or last name of the offender. Under the Act, felony sex offenders must be registered and law enforcement must inform the public of the presence of a sex offender in a community. Sex offender information is also provided by the Iowa City Police Department who maintains a sex offender list. Members of the public can obtain sex offender information by paying a visit to the department.
How to Find Iowa City Inmate Records
Inmate records for Iowa City are maintained by Johnson County Sheriff Department. Members of the public can access these records by contacting the department. Some of the information required for the search include;
- Name of inmate
- Arrest date
- Pin Number
- City of Detention
Members of the public can also obtain inmate information by calling (319) 356-6020 and providing the first and last name of a suspected inmate. A search for an inmate may also be conducted by visiting any of the Johnson County jail where the inmate is incarcerated.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Iowa City Jail?
Visitors to the Johnson County jail should note that inmates' visitation times are determined by the last name of the inmate. Guests must also provide a valid government-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license. Visitors who arrive at the county jail without a valid I.D risk being denied entry.
Visiting times
1:00 p.m.-3.00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Visiting days;
Monday: Names A-L
Tuesday: Names M-Z
Wednesday: Names A-L
Thursday: Names M-Z
Friday: Names A-L
Sunday: Names M-Z
Applicants who submit fraudulent details may lose their visiting privileges when visiting the jail at:
Johnson County Jail
511 S Capitol St
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 356-6020 ext. 5
(319) 339-6121
Court Records
The Iowa Judicial Branch is in charge of all the courts within the state. Iowa City is served by Johnson County. Johnson County has one district court that serves different criminal, civil, family, and juvenile cases. Records of the court include dockets, transcripts, case files, etc. Johnson County houses the 6th Judicial District Court:
Location of Courts
Johnson County District Court
417 South Clinton Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Phone: (319) 356-6060
Are Iowa City Court Records Public?
Iowa City court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Johnson County District Court. Members of the public can access and obtain copies of court records. Some exceptions may apply to juvenile records and other similar records restricted by statute or courts. The courthouse within Johnson County has a public service counter which the members of the public may access for inquiries on any of the records housed within that court.
How to Obtain Iowa City Civil Court Case Records
The Johnson County District Clerk office keeps court records of civil cases within the county. The public can inspect and obtain copies of Iowa City’s civil court records either in person or by mail. Visitors can visit the office at:
Clerk of Court
417 South Clinton Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Phone: (319) 356-6060
The Iowa Judicial Branch also keeps records of all courts within the State of Iowa. Under the Iowa Open Records Law, all records kept by state and local agencies are open to the public except they fall within legal exceptions. Visitors can search and obtain copies of court record through the Iowa Courts Online Search platform or by visiting the office at
Iowa Judicial Branch Building,
1111 E Court Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50319,
Phone: (515) 348-4700
How to Obtain Iowa City Criminal Court Records
Records of criminal cases in Iowa City can be obtained from the Office of the Johnson County District Clerk. Members of the public can inspect and obtain copies of Iowa City’s criminal court records by mail or in person. Members of the public can visit the clerk’s office at:
Clerk of Court
417 South Clinton Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Phone: (319) 356-6060
The Iowa Judicial Branch also maintains state-wide criminal court records. The public can access criminal court records on the Iowa Courts Search Platform. Records can also be obtained by paying a visit to the office:
Iowa Judicial Branch Building,
1111 E Court Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50319,
Phone: (515) 348-4700
What are Iowa City Vital Records?
Iowa City's vital records are records of significant life events such as births, deaths, and marriages. Unlike other government records, vital records are not public records. Only eligible individuals can access them. Eligible persons are individuals whose names are on the record, or a close relative of such persons. Requesters must provide information about the name of the person(s) on the record including the date and place of the event.
Where and How to Obtain Iowa City Divorce Records
Iowa City’s divorce records are kept by the Clerk of the Johnson County District Court. Interested eligible persons can inspect and obtain copies of divorce records. Eligible persons may request divorce records in person on weekdays during business hours at:
Clerk of Court
417 South Clinton Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Phone: (319) 356-6060
Eligible persons listed below may also be required to provide further proof of eligibility.
- Parties to the divorce
- Parents
- Stepparents
- Children
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- Grandchildren and great-grandchildren
- In-laws
- Aunts, nieces, uncles, and nephews
- Legal representatives of any of the above
- Creditors
- Employers
- Insurance companies
Visitors must provide necessary information such as the name of the parties involved and the date of the event. They will also be required to provide a valid means of identification. If the requester is a close relative, there may be a need to submit proof of relationship.
Where and How to Obtain Public Iowa City Marriage Records
Certified copies for Iowa City marriage records may be obtained only by eligible persons. Eligible persons include:
- The couple
- Parents
- Siblings
- Grandparents and great grandparents
- Ex-spouses
- Stepparents
- Grandchildren and children
- Inlaws
- Aunts, uncles, and cousins
- Legal representatives of any of the above
- Paralegals
- Consular officers
- Probate researchers
- Creditors
- Anybody who can demonstrate a tangible interest
Certified marriage records for Iowa City may be obtained from the Office of Johnson County Recorder. Eligible persons can request copies of Iowa City’s marriage records by mail for a fee of $15. Mail requests can be made by completing a Marriage Record Application Form. Completed forms should be notarized and delivered alongside a photo ID to:
Johnson County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
913 S Dubuque St
Iowa City, IA 52240-4273
Requests can also be made over the phone by calling (866) 809-0290
The Iowa Department of Public Health is responsible for keeping records of marriages within the state. Eligible persons can request marriage records by mail. Requests can also be made over the phone for a fee by calling (866) 809-0290 Mail-in requests can also be made by completing a request form and delivering the same to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
An application should be accompanied by a payment of $15 and a valid photo ID.
Where and How to Obtain Confidential Marriage Records in Iowa City
All Iowa City marriage records are restricted under law and require only eligible persons to have a right to obtain the record before access can be given.
Where and How to Find Iowa City Birth Records
To obtain Iowa City's birth certificate requesters must be either
- The registrant
- Parents of the registrant
- Siblings of the registrant
- Spouse
- Adult children
- Stepparents
- Grandparents or great-grandparents
- Legal guardian
- A legal representative of any of the above
Copies of Iowa City’s birth records are available for purchase for a fee of $15 at the Johnson County Recorder Office. Requesters can obtain copies of births in Iowa City by calling (866) 809-0290 Copies of birth records can also be obtained by mail requests. Mail requests can be made by completing a request form which should be delivered to:
Johnson County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
913 S Dubuque St
Iowa City, IA 52240-4273
Alternatively, the Iowa Department of Public Health also keeps state-wide records of marriages within the state, including those of Iowa City. Eligible persons can request marriage records either online or through the mail. Requests can also be made over the phone for a fee by calling (866) 809-0290 Mail-in requests can also be made by completing a request form and accompanying it with a fee of $15 and a Photo ID same to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Where and How to Find Iowa City Death Records
Certified copies of Iowa City death records are available only to persons eligible under the law. These people include
- An ex-spouse
- Current spouse
- Parent
- Stepparent
- Children
- Grandparents
- Inlaws, uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces
- Siblings or half-siblings
- Opposing counsel
- Gynecologists
- Probate researchers
- Creditors
- Insurance companies
- Beneficiaries
- Funeral directors
Eligible persons may be required to provide evidence of proof of eligibility or direct interest. Qualified persons can order a certificate for a fee at the Office of Johnson County Recorder. Requests can be made by mail or by calling (866) 809-0290 Mail-in requests can be done by completing an application form accompanied by a fee of $15 and delivered to:
Johnson County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
913 S Dubuque St
Iowa City, IA 52240-4273
Iowa Department of Public Health also keeps state-wide records of death within the state, including those of Iowa City. Copies of Iowa City’s death records can be obtained over the phone by calling (866) 809-0290 Requests can also be made by mail or online. Mail
in requests should be made by completing a request form and accompanying it with a fee of $15 and a Photo ID same to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
