Crime Numbers
The FBI Unified Crime Reporting (UCR) provides an annual report of crimes in the State of Iowa. These statistics are available to the general public. In 2016, Pottawattamie County recorded 65 violent crimes, 10 rapes, 2 robberies, 53 aggravated assaults, and 271 property crimes. The county also recorded 90 burglaries, 141 larceny thefts, 40 motor vehicle thefts, and 4 arsons.
How to Find Pottawatomie County Criminal Records
The Criminal History Record Dissemination Unit of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation carries out name-based criminal history record checks for counties in the state. The unit accepts fax, mail, online, and in-person requests. Requesters should complete the Criminal History Request form and the Criminal History Billing form. The Division of Criminal Investigation charges $15 for each name-based check. For far requests, send the two completed forms by fax to (515) 725-6080. For mail requests, send the completed forms to:
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Support Operations Bureau 1st Floor
215 E 7th St
Des Moines IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-6066
Fax: (515) 725-6080
How to Find Pottawatomie County Sex Offender Information
The Iowa Sex Offender Registry contains the names and contact information of registered sex offenders in all the counties of the state, including Pottawattamie County. This registry is accessible to the general public. It is possible to search for sex offenders by name, nickname, social media name, email, telephone, and vehicle plate number. Sex offenders can also be searched for based on geographical locations.
How do I Visit an Inmate in Pottawatomie County Jail
Pottawattamie County Jail is the major jail in Pottawattamie County. It is open to regular visitations from families and friends of inmates. Regular visitations are open from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m., and 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Regular visits last for a maximum of 30 minutes, and each inmate gets only two visits per week.
Pottawattamie County Jail also allows professional visits, which involves visitors from medical or legal bodies. This visit is allowed every day during any hour of the day. Pottawattamie County Jail maintains an inmate incarceration register that is accessible to the general public. It contains the names of inmates, charges, and when they were jailed. This is the address of the Pottawattamie County Jail
Pottawattamie County Jail
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office
1400 Big Lake Road
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 890-2200
Pottawattamie County has three police departments. They are the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Police Department and Carter Lake Police Department. These are their contact information:
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office
1400 Big Lake Road
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 890-2200
Council Bluffs Police Department
1 Ezra Jackson Way
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 328-4701
Carter Lake Police Department
950 E Locust St
Carter Lake, IA 51510
(712) 347-5920
How to Find Court records
Pottawattamie County has one District Court. The Clerk of the District Court maintains records of cases filed to the court. To request for a Pottawattamie District Court record, contact the court clerk at:
Clerk of Court
Pottawattamie County District Court
227 South 6th Street, P.O. Box 476
Council Bluffs, IA 51502
(712) 328-5604
Requesters can also search for court records on the Iowa Courts Online Search portal. This portal is a repository of court cases from all the counties in Iowa.
The Pottawattamie County Assessor's Office values and maintains records of all properties in the county. It has an online database where members of the public can search for property data. This database can be searched by name of the owner and address of the property. Requesters can also contact the Assessor's office on phone at (712) 328-5617 or visit its physical address:
Assessor's Office
Pottawattamie County
Courthouse, 2nd Floor
227 S. 6th St
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Open: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Where and How to Get Pottawatomie County Divorce Records
Pottawattamie County divorce records are obtainable at the District Court where the divorce was finalized. To obtain a Pottawattamie divorce record, contact the Clerk of the District Court by phone or in-person:
Clerk of Court
Pottawattamie County District Court
227 South 6th Street, P.O. Box 476
Council Bluffs, IA 51502
(712) 328-5604
Where and How to Get Pottawatomie County Marriage Records
The Pottawattamie County Recorder maintains marriage records that were contracted in the county from 1985 to date. However, the county does not have marriage records between 1921 and 1954.
It is possible to obtain copies of Pottawattamie County certified marriage certificates by mail or in person. The Pottawattamie County Recorder charges $15 for each certified copy of a marriage certificate. Payment of fees must be through money order, cashier's check, or credit card.
To apply for a Pottawattamie County marriage certificate by mail, complete the relevant fields in the Iowa Vital Record Application form. The application must contain a notarized signature. Mail the completed application, a copy of any acceptable photo ID, and the applicable fee to:
Pottawattamie County Recorder
227 S. 6th St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
For in-person requests, visit the Pottawattamie County Recorder office with a completed Iowa Vital Record Application form, an acceptable valid photo ID, and the applicable fee.
The Bureau of Vital Records, Iowa Department of Public Health maintains and issues marriage records of marriages that were contracted in the state, including marriages from 1921 to 1954. The Bureau of Vital Records charges $15 for each certified copy of a marriage certificate.
To make a mail request of a marriage certificate within this timeframe, send a completed Iowa Vital Record Application form, a copy of an acceptable photo ID, and the applicable fee to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Vital Records
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
For in-person requests, visit the Iowa Bureau of Vital Records with a completed Iowa Vital Record Application form, the applicable fee, and a copy of an acceptable photo ID.
Where and How to Get Pottawatomie County Birth Records
The Pottawattamie County Recorder maintains birth certificates of births that occurred in the County from July 1, 1880 to date. However, the county does not have birth records between 1921 and 1941. The county recorder also does not have birth records of single parents prior to January 1, 1990. Birth certificates in Iowa are confidential and can only be issued to the registrant, registrant's immediate family members, and registrant's attorney.
It is possible to obtain a certified copy of a Pottawattamie County certified birth certificate by mail or in person. The Pottawattamie County Recorder charges $15 for each certified copy of a birth certificate. Payment of fees must be through money order, cashier's check, or credit card.
To apply for a Pottawattamie County birth certificate by mail, complete the relevant fields in the Iowa Vital Record Application form. The application form must contain a notarized signature. Mail the written application form, a copy of an acceptable photo ID, and the applicable fee to:
Pottawattamie County Recorder
227 S. 6th St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
For in-person requests, visit the Pottawattamie County Recorder office with a completed Iowa Vital Record Application form, an acceptable photo ID, and the applicable fee.
The Iowa Bureau of Vital Records maintains and issues birth records of births that occurred in the state from 1980 to date, including births from 1921 to 1941 as well as birth records of single parents prior to January 1, 1990. The Bureau of Vital Records charges $15 for each certified copy of a birth certificate.
To make a mail request of a birth certificate within this timeframe, send a completed Iowa Vital Record Application form, a copy of an acceptable photo ID, and the applicable fee to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Vital Records
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
For in-person requests, visit the Iowa Bureau of Vital Records with a written application, the applicable fee, and a copy of a valid photo ID.
The Pottawattamie County Recorder maintains death certificates of deaths that occurred in the county from 1880 to date. However, the county does not have death records between 1921 and 1941. Death certificates in Iowa are confidential and can only be issued to the registrant, registrant's immediate family members, and registrant's attorney.
It is possible to obtain a certified copy of a Pottawattamie County certified death certificate by mail or in person. The Pottawattamie County Recorder charges $15 for each certified copy of a death certificate. Payment of fees must be through money order, cashier's check, or credit card.
To apply for a Pottawattamie County death certificate by mail, complete the relevant fields in the Iowa Vital Record Application form. The application must contain a notarized signature. Mail the completed application form, a copy of an acceptable photo ID, and the applicable fee to:
Pottawattamie County Recorder
227 S. 6th St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
For in-person requests, visit the Pottawattamie County Recorder office with a completed Iowa Vital Record Application form, an acceptable photo ID, and the appropriate fee.
The Iowa Bureau of Vital Records maintains and issues death records of deaths that occurred in the state from 1880 to date, including records between 1921 and 1941. The Bureau of Vital Records charges $15 for each certified copy of a death certificate.
To make a mail request of a death certificate within this timeframe, send a completed Iowa Vital Record Application form, a copy of an acceptable photo ID, and the applicable fee to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Vital Records
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
For in-person requests, visit the Iowa Bureau of Vital Records with a completed Iowa Vital Record Application form, the applicable fee, and a copy of a valid photo ID.
