What are Cedar Rapids Public Records?
Cedar Rapids public records include all documents, tapes, records, or other information that may have been created, stored, used, or shared by a government body or any government agency. Records may be restricted for a host of reasons some of which are:
- Personal information of students
- Hospital and medical records
- Trade secrets
- Criminal identification files.
Cedar Rapids Crime Statistics
The Cedar Rapids Police Department provides crime statistics yearly of crimes that occurred within the city. In 2020, front the first of up until November 30, the city has recorded ten murders, 14 sexual offenses (including rape), 90 robberies, and 271 incidences of aggravated assault. There were 26 incidents of arson, 734 burglaries, 514 motor vehicle thefts, and 1,024 general theft incidents.
Are Cedar Rapids Criminal Records Public?
Most Cedar Rapids criminal records are classified as public records and may be accessed by any member of the public. Members of the public may access information on court convictions, incarcerations, or arrests within the city. However, certain records such as juvenile arrest and crime information may be restricted.
How to Obtain Cedar Rapids Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Cedar Rapids Police Department grants the public access to its records in line with the Open Records Law. members of the public may access arrest records and other police reports by submitting a records request. Requesters may submit a completed records request form alongside the required fee in person or by mail to:
Cedar Rapids Police Department
505 1st Street Southwest
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Interested persons may also access the daily arrest reports created by the police department which give the public access to information on an arrested person such as the date and time of arrest, case number, location of arrest, and charge.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Cedar Rapids?
Information on sex offenders in Cedar Rapids may be obtained by taking a completed Request for Registry Information form to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Alternatively, an interested party may search for an offender on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. Searches may be filtered using:
- Normal search - Users may provide the first and last name as well as the postal code and may search aliases using this field
- Advanced search - In addition to the name and aliases, users may include the city, state, county, postal code, and personal features such as eye color, height, hair color, etc.
- Map search - Search using a street address, city, postal code, or range
- Email search - Search using an email address, nickname, or online identifiers
- Telephone search - search using a phone number
- Vehicle search - search by providing a plate number.
How to Find Cedar Rapids Inmate Records?
Inmates in Cedar Rapids may be found using the inmate search tool provided by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Interested persons may also obtain information on inmates by contacting the Linn County Sheriff’s Office on (319) 892-6300 or visiting the office at:
53 3rd Avenue Bridge
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Some cities have local jails managed by the police department. Other cities have their jails managed by the local county sheriff’s office.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Cedar Rapids Jail?
Inmates in the Linn County Correctional Facility are entitled to two 30 minute visits per week. Only two visitors are allowed at any given time and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, adult immediate family member, legal guardian, or physical custodian. Subject to the two visit provisions, inmates may be visited on any day of the week between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Court Records
As part of the Iowa Judicial Branch, the Linn County District Court is the sixth judicial district in the state. The court sits in Cedar Rapids and holds general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil matters. Members of the public may access criminal, civil and probate records from the District Court.
Location of Courts
Linn County District Court
Linn County Courthouse
51 3rd Avenue Bridge
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-5488
Linn County Juvenile Court
211 8th Avenue Southwest
2nd Floor
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: (319) 398-3545
Are Cedar Rapids Court Records Public?
Most Cedar Rapids court records are available to the public. Iowa law grants any resident of the state the right to request public records and this includes court records. Certain records may, however, be restricted in compliance with federal or state law provisions and the court may also seal some records or classify certain types of records under the court rules. As an example, Juvenile court records are not open to all members of the public.
Can You Look Up Cedar Rapids Case Records Online?
The Iowa Judicial Branch provides online access to case records which includes the Linn County District Court records. Interested persons may search case records using one of the following:
- Name Search - Search using a firm or an individual’s first name, last name, or aliases.
- Case ID search - Search using the ID number of the case
- Citation number search - Users may search using the case citation number
How to Obtain Cedar Rapids Criminal Court Case Records
The Cedar Rapids District Court maintains records and provides copies to the public where requested. The Linn County Clerk maintains a record of all the court cases across civil, criminal, probate, and other jurisdictions of the court. Cedar Rapids court civil case records may be obtained in person by visiting the courthouse or by sending in a request by post to the County Clerk at:
Linn County Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1468
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-5488
Interested parties may also contact the particular division whose case records are sought.
- Criminal & Traffic Division: (319) 398-3411, extension 1132 or extension 1162
How to Obtain Cedar Rapids Civil Court Case Records
To obtain a Cedar Rapids civil court case record interested persons are advised to contact the Linn County Clerk. A call may be made to the civil division of the clerk's office at (319) 398-3411, extension 1212. Interested parties may choose to visit the courthouse instead at
51 3rd Avenue Bridge
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-5488
Alternatively, an interested person may send in a written request to the County Clerk. This request must identify the case required sufficiently enough for the record to be found. Such a request should be sent to
Linn County Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1468
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-5488
What are Cedar Rapids Vital Records?
Cedar Rapids vital records are records of important life events within the city maintained by government entities. Vital records provide details on life events such as marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Vital records in Iowa are not public records, anyone who wants to obtain a record must have an entitlement as defined by the Iowa Department of Health. Persons that are entitled may obtain vital records from the Iowa Department of Health (IDPH) or the Linn County Recorder’s office.
Where and How to Obtain Cedar Rapids Divorce Records?
Interested persons may obtain a copy of a divorce decree or a divorce certificate. The divorce decree is a court document that provides information on the court’s final judgment, specifics of the settlement, and other related decisions of the court. An interested party may visit the Linn County Clerk of Court’s office on weekdays between 7 30 a.m. and 4 30 p.m. to obtain Cedar Rapids divorce records. A written request may also be sent to the Clerk of Court’s office providing information on the names of the parties to the divorce, date of the divorce, and other useful information relating to the divorce. Send the written request to:
Linn County Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1468
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-5488
Where and How to Get Public Cedar Rapids Marriage Records?
Marriage records in Cedar Rapids may be obtained from the Iowa Department of Public Health or the Linn County Recorder’s Office. Not every member of the public is eligible to request and receive marriage records in Cedar Rapids. To receive a marriage request the requester must demonstrate entitlement and must be one of the following:
- The parties to the marriage
- Siblings of either party
- Parents of either party
- Grandparents of either party
- Children of either party
- Grandchildren
- Legal Representatives
- Guardian
Note that these parties must provide proof of their relationship to the registrants to obtain the record.
A marriage certificate may be obtained from the IDPH by sending in a request through the post, by phone, or in person.
Requests by the phone should be placed by calling this toll free number (866) 809-0290 on weekdays between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Alternatively, parties may complete a record request form and send or bring it in alongside a valid payment of $15 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
Records of marriages that occurred from 1956 till date may also be obtained from the Linn County Recorder’s Office. Applicants may send a completed and notarized application form alongside a government-issued ID card and the required fee of $15 to:
Linn County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
P.O. Box 1406
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
Requesters may place the completed and notarized request form in a dropbox at:
Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center
935 2nd St SW,
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Note that the form should be placed in an envelope marked “Recorder’s Office”.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Cedar Rapids?
Although not all members of the public can access Marriage records in Cedar Rapids, the city does not have confidential marriage records. Persons who are entitled to the records and can prove their entitlement can have access to marriage records when they desire.
Where and How to Find Cedar Rapids Birth Records?
To access Cedar Rapids birth records, the interested person must prove entitlement to the record being sought. Only the following persons are entitled to receive birth records:
- The registrant (if up to 18 years unless evidence of being an emancipated minor can be presented)
- Children
- Legal Parents
- Grandparents
- Grandchildren
- Siblings
- Legal Representative
- Guardian
A birth certificate may be obtained from the IDPH by sending in a request through the post, by phone, or in person.
To make a request over the phone, call (866) 809-0290. Calls are free but can only be made on weekdays between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. eligible persons may instead choose to complete a record request form and send or bring it in with a valid payment of $15 to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Birth records from 1880 to 1920 and from 1942 till date may be obtained from the Linn County Recorder’s Office. Persons applying to the county recorder must send a completed and notarized application form alongside a government-issued ID card and the required fee of $15 to:
Linn County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
P.O. Box 1406
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
If the requester can make it to the county office, the completed and notarized request form should be placed in an envelope marked “Recorder’s Office” dropped at:
Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center
935 2nd Street Southwest
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Where and How to Find Cedar Rapids Death Records?
To have access to Cedar Rapids Death records the requester must be entitled under the law. Only certain categories of people may access Cedar Rapids death records. They include the registrant ( who must be at least 18 years old unless an emancipated minor ), children of the registrant, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, legal Representatives, and guardians. Eligible persons may obtain death records from the IDPH or the Linn County Recorder.
A death certificate may be obtained from the IDPH by sending in a request through the post, by phone, or in person.
Requests by phone may only be made on weekdays between 6 00 a.m and 7 00 p.m by calling (866) 809-0290.
A death record request form may be completed and sent alongside a valid payment of $15 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
If the parties desire to request in person, the request form above may be taken to the address of the Department of Public Health.
Records of deaths for all years except 1921 to 1942 may be accessed from the Linn County Recorder’s Office. Applicants may send a completed and notarized application form alongside a government-issued ID card and the required fee of $15 to:
Linn County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
P.O. Box 1406
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
Requesters may place the completed and notarized request form in an envelope marked “Recorder’s Office” and place the envelope in a dropbox at:
Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center
935 2nd Street Southwest
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
