Muscatine County Arrest, Court, and Public Records
Muscatine County public records are government generated documents open to the public. These public records can come in the form of documents, audio and audio-visual recordings. According to Chapter 22 of the Iowa code, the public entities in the custody of these records are mandated to make the records open to requesters. Record custodians are required to respond to requests within 20 days. Requesters may be declined access to records exempted from the Open Records Law. Examples of these records include confidential financial reports, estate evaluations, medical reports, and reports of ongoing investigations.
Muscatine County Crime Statistics
Muscatine County crime statistics are published by the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) and FBI. According to the statistics, Muscatine County law enforcement agencies reported three robberies, 355 assaults, 28 motor vehicle thefts, 101 burglaries, four arsons, and 295 larcenies in 2021. The same report also revealed that the county's crime rate dropped by 12% between 2020 and 2021.
Are Muscatine County Criminal Records Public?
Record seekers can visit the state archives maintained by the Criminal History Record Dissemination Unit of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for its criminal records. The repository entertains on-site visits, fax, and mail requests. Bear in mind that the unit will charge $15 for its last name background check for Iowa criminal record. Requesters can mail or fax the completed Criminal History Request Form to this address:
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Support Operations Bureau 1st Floor
215 E 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Fax: (515) 725-6080
Phone: (515) 725-6066
How to Obtain Muscatine County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Muscatine County Sheriff is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. As such, requesters can obtain or seek access to police reports or arrest records by contacting the department at:
Muscatine County Sheriff's Office
3600 Park Avenue West
Muscatine, IA 52761
Phone: (563) 264-0188
Fax: (563) 263-2476
Email: quinn.riess@muscatinecountyiowa.gov
The county sheriff also publishes its annual reports accessible via its official website. Alternatively, requesters can visit other Muscatine County police stations to access their arrest records and police reports. Keep in mind that these departments have distinctive methods for accessing these records, and concerned individuals can visit the nearest police departments in the following:
Muscatine Police Department
312 East 5th Street
Muscatine, IA
West Liberty Police Department
409 North Calhoun Street
West Liberty, IA
Wilton Police Department
104 East 4th Street
Wilton, IA
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Muscatine County
In Muscatine County, sex offenders must register with the county sheriff's department. The sheriff is responsible for submitting the sex offenders' information to the state's Sex Offender Registry. Parties with minimal knowledge about certain sex offenders can use the Basic Search option on the sex offender registry. The Advanced Search option supplies searchers with specifics on color, sex, and race on their offender search results. Users can also find details on the proximity of the search result concerning their current location. Furthermore, visitors can utilize other look-up tools, namely Online Search, Vehicle Search, Map Search, and Telephone Search, to locate Muscatine County sex offenders.
How to Find Muscatine County Inmate Records
The Muscatine County Sheriff does not have an online database for accessing inmate records. As such, requesters may need to contact the county sheriff or jail administrator to find inmates booked into the county jail.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Muscatine County Jail?
Individuals accused of minor crimes or suspects still undergoing trial in Muscatine County are booked into the Muscatine County Jail, managed by the county sheriff. Intending visitors like inmates’ relatives are allowed to visit the local jail from Monday to Friday between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm except on holidays. Generally, it is advisable to call the jail administrator on (563) 262-4190 or look up the Jail Division webpage to find the visiting hours.
Muscatine County Court Records
Muscatine County court records comprise information on court hearings, transcripts, notarized affidavits, and other activities in the local district court. The court structure in Muscatine County and the rest of Iowa consists of one district county with exclusive jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases in the county. Several divisions exist within the district court to handle more minor issues. Examples of these court divisions are:
- Juvenile court division
- Small claims division
- probate court division
The Muscatine County clerk of court is the official record custodian who generates and keeps court records. It also entertains requests for court records.
Locations of Courts in Muscatine County
Muscatine County District Court
401 East 3rd Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
Phone: (563) 263-6511
Fax: (563) 264-3622
Are Muscatine County Court Records Public?
Yes, Muscatine County court records are considered public records similar to other counties in Iowa. Therefore, the general members have privileges to see and copy court records and materials. However, the following court records are private and exclusive to the public.
- Rulings concerning termination of parental rights.
- Sealed divorce records
- Orders concerning termination of parental rights
- Court hearings on juvenile delinquencies
- Suspended judgment records in the courts.
- Sealed records on domestic violence.
- Pre-sentence investigation documents.
- Court records involving active investigations on non-convicted criminal cases
How to Obtain Muscatine County Civil Court Case Records
Muscatine County civil court records are obtainable at the district court clerk’s office. Although there is no online form to fill, interested persons can submit written requests to access civil court files. A well-detailed request, which will help the court clerk locate files easily, should contain the case number, names of respondents/claimants, or names of their representatives. Requesters should also include the necessary search fee for obtaining civil court records. Afterwards, send request letters by mail or in-person to:
Muscatine County Clerk of Court
401 East 3rd Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
Phone: (563) 263-6511
Fax: (563) 264-3622
Email: maria.laslo@iowacourts.gov
Alternatively, record seekers can locate civil records at The Iowa Court Online Search, operated by the Iowa Judiciary. The Case Search platform is open to requesters with basic information on the court case, citation number, and case ID. The Case Search can be used to locate free public court records with limited information, whereas the Advanced Search requires a $25 monthly charge for a complete and up-to-date record.
How to Obtain Muscatine County Criminal Court Records
In Muscatine County, the district court clerk is responsible for creating, maintaining, and disseminating criminal court records to record seekers. Interested persons can obtain these records by writing request letters describing the full details of criminal court records required. Include the search fee for obtaining the records. Then, send requests by mail or submit in person to the court clerk's office.
An alternative way of obtaining criminal court records in Muscatine county is to look up the Iowa Court Online Search. Interested persons can use the Case Search to find free criminal court records with limited information. For comprehensive criminal records, requesters may use the Advanced Search platform which requires a $25 monthly subscription.
What are Muscatine County Vital Records?
Vital records in Muscatine County are government-issued documents chronicling life events of county residents. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records are examples of Muscatine County vital records which are all available at the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics. The County Recorder's Office provides access to marriage, birth, and death records for eligible persons. Divorce records are obtainable at the district court clerk office. Generally, recent and certified vital records are only available to record holders, their relatives, and legal representatives. However, anyone may access old vital records at the designated record custodian’s office.
Where and How to Obtain Muscatine County Divorce Records
Requesters can access Muscatine County divorce records by visiting the District Court Clerk Office. Divorce records in Muscatine are obtainable by sending mail requests or submitting the request in person. It is critical for eligible applicants (divorced couples or authorized representatives) to provide the court clerk with the necessary information to gain full access to the records. Information like the names of divorced parties, case numbers, presiding judge, and date of dissolution should be included in the request to aid the search. All written requests with the fees, appropriate information and papers and fees, should be submitted to the court clerk’s office.
Applicants must provide copies of state/federal issued IDs, like driver's licenses and passports. In Iowa, most district court clerks charge $20 for each duplicate of a divorce certificate. Nonetheless, requesters are recommended to contact the court clerk to find out the exact cost and payable means.
Where and How to Get Public Muscatine County Marriage Records
The county recorder and the Bureau of Health Statistics are official record custodians for Muscatine County marriage records. Requesters qualified to obtain marriage records (the record holder(s), their relatives, and attorneys) should submit written requests with a good description of the marriage record needed. Otherwise, they can fill the vital records request form provided by the Bureau of Health Statistics. Each request must be accompanied by a state-issued identification and payment as required in the form. Certified copies cost $15, while uncertified copies cost $5 per copy.
To obtain marriage records from 1838 to 1920 or from 1942 to the present, eligible applicants should send their requests to:
Muscatine County Recorder
414 E. Third Street
Suite 103
Muscatine, IA 52761
Phone: (563) 263-7741
Email: recorder@muscatinecountyiowa.gov
Available hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
To obtain certified copies of marriage records from 1921 to 1941, requesters should send their applications 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
The office is open from Monday to Friday from 7:00 am - 4:30 pm except on state-observed holidays
Where and How to Obtain Confidential Marriage Records in Muscatine County
Since Muscatine County marriage records are open to residents. There's no such thing as confidential marriage records in the county.
Where and How to Find Muscatine County Birth Records
Requesters can obtain birth records in Muscatine County by mailing or visiting the county recorder's office or the Bureau of Health Statistics. Both official record custodians provide certified copies of Muscatine County birth records according to the year. For instance, the county recorder has birth records from 1880-1920 and 1942 to the present while the Bureau of Health Statistics maintains records from 1921 to 1941.
Requesters should fill the vital records request form with the subject’s name, date of birth, and location. It is also important to state the purpose of the request as well as relationship with the subject. This is to verify if requesters are eligible (record holder, their legal representatives and their relatives) to receive the birth records required. After filing the form, requesters should include a copy of valid ID and the fee stated on the request form. Keep in mind that each copy of a certified document costs $15, while uncertified copies cost $5 each. Afterwards, send requests to the county recorders office or the vital statistics office of the department of public health
Where and How to Find Muscatine County Death Records
Record seekers can obtain Muscatine death records at the county recorder's office or the Bureau of Health Statistics. The records are obtainable by completing the vital records request form or writing a detailed request letter. In the letter, requesters should endeavor to include the deceased’s name, date of death, location, purpose of request, and relationship with the record holder. The details will help record custodians determine if the applicant is eligible and also assist in finding the documents easily. Afterwards, enclose a copy of valid photo ID and search fee of $15. The recorder's office accepts only cash payment while the state department accepts money orders, checks, and cash. Send requests to any of the addresses below depending on the year the record was created.
