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Polk County Property Records

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Polk County Property Search

Polk County Property Records are legal documents that contain information about any property and its ownership in the county. Some of these records include property descriptions, deeds, mortgages, surveys, and tax assessments. Residents interested in obtaining these property records in the county must visit the office of the Polk County Recorder or the Office of the County Auditor.

A Polk County Property Search offers members of the public a means to find specific property records within the county. Property searches provide inquirers details on the owner of a property including information about property type, current liens or encumbrances, zoning laws, and historical value in Polk County, Iowa.

The County Recorder is in charge of maintaining all Polk County Public Records related to real estate. County records dating back to 1957 are available in the online database. However, the official records department also responds to requests made in person, by telephone, or electronically, by fax. Below is the address of the County Recorder's office.

Office of the Polk County Recorder
Polk County Administration Building
111 Court Avenue
Suite 250
Des Moines, IA 50309-2251
Fax: (515) 323-5393
Email: recorder@polkcountyiowa.gov

Are Polk County Property Records Public?

Yes. As outlined in Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code, Polk County Property Records are examples of public records and are accessible to the public. The Iowa FIOA Statutes state that interested persons can view, search, and request copies of these records from the County Recorder's office. However, some information may be restricted from public view and is only available to the courthouse for specific purposes.

The following are examples of public records that are confidential unless the court or authorized agents state otherwise:

  • Records that represent and constitute the work product of an attorney, which are related to claims made by or against a public body.
  • Trade information, which is recognized and protected under the law.
  • A crisis intervention report regarding a person experiencing a mental health crisis, substance-related disorder crisis, or housing crisis.
  • Reports to governmental agencies that may be of an advantage to competitors and serve no public purpose.
  • Personal information in records regarding a prospective student created, collected, or maintained by or for an educational institution maintaining such records.
  • Hospital or medical records containing the condition, diagnosis, treatment, or care of a patient.

What Does Polk County Property Records Contain?

Polk County Property Records contain comprehensive information about a specific property in the county. These records provide details about the property's ownership, transfer of ownership, legal description, and historical value. Each record typically includes the following:

  • The full names of the property owners
  • The due date of property sale or transfer
  • The purchasing value of the property
  • A legal description of the property, including size and boundaries.

The information in a property record is useful to various individuals, including government officials, potential buyers, lenders, and researchers. Certain information can help interested persons understand the financial responsibilities that come with owning a property. For example, a huge outstanding lien is not a wise investment decision for individuals looking to buy a property for personal use.

Polk County Property Records may also include information about the structures or changes on the land. This may include the property's lifespan, the square footage, and the number of rooms in the property. It can be useful for new buyers in search of a specific type of property and persons interested in knowing the details of a property.

Where to Perform a Polk County Property Lookup

To conduct a Polk County Property Lookup, county residents may visit the County Auditior's Office. However, note that all property information maintained in the County Auditor's Office is for tax purposes only.

Requesters may perform these searches in person, online, or via mail. Online resources are provided on the website for interested persons to send a written request to the office. The requester will be required to provide the following information to begin a search:

  • Property owner's full name
  • Residential address
  • Property ID number.

Office of the County Auditor
Administration Building 111 Court Avenue, Room 230
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 286-3080
Fax: (515) 286-3608
Email: auditor@polkcountyiowa.gov.

How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Polk County

To find the owner of a property in Polk County, visit the County Property Assessor's website. Requestors can perform a property search using information such as the owner's name, the property's address, and any liens or taxes owed on the property. Another way to perform a property owner search in the county is to visit the County Recorder's office. The information can be found on the property's ownership history and any legal documents related to the property.

To make copies or certifications of each property record will cost $5 per page. Individuals can also search for the property on the Polk County Assessor's website. The requester must provide information on the property's ownership details, street address, legal plat number, and parcel/district number.

How to Find Polk County Property Records Online

Members of the public can perform Polk County Property Record Search online through the County Auditor's website. The County Auditor keeps real estate records by tracking all ownership transfers that affect taxation. Another way to obtain property records in Polk County online is to search property records on the County Recorder's website. Indexed records are available from 1992 to date.

Property records are also available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Using these third-party sites is straightforward, but because the sites are not government-affiliated, the information contained in each record may vary. Typically, requesters will provide certain information to obtain property records on these sites including the property owner's details and location.

How to Find Property Owner by Address for Free

Members of the public can find the owner by address for free through the Polk County Property Assessor's website. Requesters can perform a property search using information such as the property owner's name and address.

Polk County Property Tax Lookup

To obtain property tax information in Polk County, visit the website of the office of the Polk County Treasurer. However, some of the records may only be accessible for viewing by visiting the county office in person. The County Treasurer is responsible for the following:

  • Collection of taxes for real estate property, mobile homes, utilities, credits, buildings on leased land, and county special assessments
  • Conducting the annual tax sale for the collection of delinquent taxes
  • Administering the Iowa Property Tax Credit Program.

Requesters can make property tax payments [online]([http://Tax divisions for more details on their hours. Vehicle (515) 286-3030 Property Tax (515) 286-3060 Fax: (515) 323-5202 treasurer.treas@polkcountyiowa.gov](mailto:http://Tax divisions for more details on their hours. Vehicle (515) 286-3030 Property Tax (515) 286-3060 Fax: (515) 323-5202 treasurer.treas@polkcountyiowa.gov)), by phone, or by mail. Contact the Treasurer's office using the information below:

Office of the Country Treasurer
Polk County Administration Building
111 Court Avenue
Room 154
Des Moines, IA 50309
Property Tax Division: (515) 286-3060
Fax: (515) 323-5202
Email: treasurer.treas@polkcountyiowa.gov

How to Find Polk County Property Appraiser

The Iowa Real Estate Appraiser Board agency provides a list of Appraisers interested in providing accurate property assessment services in the state. To find information on the assessment of properties, interested must submit a request to the County Assessor's office. A written request may be filed with the Board of Review which consists of various members familiar with local market conditions and trends. Furthermore, an individual may petition the Property Assessment Appeal Board in case of any concerns with the Board of Review's decision. Any dissatisfaction with a Property Assessment Appeal Board decision is further appealed to the District Court.

Polk County Property Assessor

In Polk County, real properties such as residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural-related properties are revalued every two years. The effective date of the assessment is January 1st of the current year. The assessor determines the value of a new property depending on the level of completion since January 1st.

The Polk County Property Assessor is in control of various administrative duties in Polk County. However, the main responsibility of the office is to assess all real property within the county. Contact the office of the Country Assessor using the information below:

Polk County Assessor Office
111 Court Avenue
Room 195
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 286-3014
Fax: (515) 286-3386
Email: polkweb@assess.co.polk.ia.us