What are Story County Public Records?
As per Iowa's Open Records Law, Story County public records are kept by government agencies, school corporations, departments, bureau, and commissions within the county. Public records include documents, tapes, papers, books, manuals, journals, maps, forms, microfilms, microfiche, designs, drawings, and any other means of storing and preserving records. Although the county grants access to its records, Iowa's Open Record Law restricts certain records from the public. Such records include:
- Student's personal records
- Hospital records
- Juvenile records
- Trade secrets
- Adoption records
- Law enforcement officers investigation reports
- Government reports and financial information where disclosure will give undue advantage to competitors
- Library records
- Examination for law enforcement officer recruitment
Story County Crime Statistics
The Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) publishes annual crime statistics for counties in Iowa. In the 2020 crime report, Story County recorded 3,567 crimes, including 1,122 larceny thefts, 504 assaults, 422 frauds, 344 drug-related offenses, 525 cases of destruction, 290 burglaries, 99 motor vehicle theft, 94 sexual assaults, 54 counterfeiting, 5 arsons, and 1 homicide.
The year-on-year change in the overall crime rate for Story County is 9.1%. According to the 2019 crime report, Story County recorded 1,270 larceny thefts, 586 assaults, 422 fraud, 582 drugs/narcotics, 472 destructions, 220 burglaries, 90 motor vehicle thefts, 104 sexual offenses, 122 counterfeiting, 3 arsons, and 2 homicides.
Are Story County Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records, commonly referred to as rap sheets, list the arrests and convictions of a person. In line with Iowa's Open records law, criminal records are public records available to anyone on request. Parties interested in accessing Story County criminal records can call the records department or visit the Sheriff's Office at the following address:
Story County Sheriff’s Office
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7462
Alternatively, interested parties can access Story County criminal records from the Division of Criminal Investigation. Parties can request criminal records by mail, fax, in person, or online.
How to Obtain Story County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Interested persons may obtain copies of publicly-available police reports and arrest records at the Story County Sheriff's Office. Generally, the requester must visit the Sheriff’s Office in person during business hours and provide the necessary details to facilitate a search. These include the names of the persons involved in the incident, the date, location, and time of the incident, as well as the names of the officers at the scene. Note that the record custodian charges administrative fees that cover the cost of reproducing the record sought.
Story County Sheriff’s Office
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7462
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Story County
Information on registered sex offenders in Story County is available on the Iowa Sex Offenders Registry (IASOR). Concerned persons can search this registry using the offender’s full name, email address, online nicks, house address, phone number, or even license plate number.
Alternatively, visit or write the Sheriff's Office to obtain information on registered sex offenders in Story County. The Sheriff's Office is open for these civil requests during business hours from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Story County Sheriff’s Office
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7462
How to Find Story County Inmate Records
Interested persons may obtain information about inmates by checking the inmate roster online. Alternatively, visit the Sheriff's Office in person during business hours to request an inmate’s records. Requesters must provide the inmate’s name, arrest date, or inmate identification number (if known) to facilitate the search.
Story County Sheriff’s Office
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7464
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Story County Jail?
Inmates’ families and friends have visitation rights and may visit an inmate on-site at the county jail or remotely via video visitation. On-site visitors must schedule visits at least 24 hours before the preferred time of visitation - the county jail visiting schedule is from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on Monday to Friday. On-site visits are 30 minutes long, and inmates get two on-site visitors weekly.
Story County Sheriff’s Office
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7464
Meanwhile, family and friends who intend to visit remotely may contact the Sheriff’s Office for instructions on setting up the visit. Remote visitation is from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM daily.
Irrespective of the preferred method of visitation, all visitors must adhere to the following rules:
- Possess valid identification, which must be a driver's license, a Federal ID, Military ID, State ID, or passport.
- The County jail does not approve three-way calling.
- Two adults can visit at a time, and two minor children of the inmate can accompany the adults.
- All visitors must wear appropriate clothes during visits (on-site and remote).
- A person under a protective order from an inmate or a person who threatens the jail's security cannot visit an inmate.
Story County Court Records
Story County court records are documents created during a court proceeding captured and preserved in court. It includes records of civil, divorce, criminal, and probate court cases adjudicated in the Story County District Court.
Justice Center
1315 South B Avenue
P.O. Box 408
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7410
Are Story County Court Records Public?
Yes. Court records are generally available upon request at the Clerk’s Office unless restricted by statute or court order. Restricted court records include sealed court records, adoption records, alcohol, and drug treatment records, juvenile records, crime victim personal information, and grand jury information. That said, persons who wish to obtain public court records must visit the Office of the Clerk of District Court during business hours from Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Clerk of District Court
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7410
How to Obtain Story County Civil Court Case Records
Parties interested in obtaining Story County civil court case records can contact the Office of the Clerk of District Court or use Iowa Courts Online Search. Either way, searchers must possess the individual's full name or business name, the case ID, or the citation number to facilitate the search. Note that visits to the Clerk’s Office must be in person during regular business hours.
Clerk of District Court
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7410
Alternatively, parties can access Story County civil court case records.
How to Obtain Story County Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of the District Court is the custodian of all criminal court records. Interested parties may obtain criminal court records at the Clerk’s Office in person during business hours or use Iowa Courts Online Search. Either way, the requester must provide the necessary details to facilitate a search, especially case numbers, and litigants’ names.
Clerk of District Court
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7410
What are Story County Vital Records?
Story County vital records are records of important life events kept by the county government. Story County vital records include birth, death, divorce, and marriage records. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) provides certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records, while record seekers can access divorce records at the Office of the Clerk of the District Court.
Where and How to Obtain Story County Divorce Records
In Iowa, eligible parties can assess divorce records at the District Court in the county that granted the divorce. The court issues a divorce decree, and it details the terms and conditions to formally and legally end a marriage. Parties interested in obtaining a divorce record from Story County can do so for a fee at the Office of the Clerk of the District Court from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Monday through Friday at the following address:
Clerk of District Court
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7410
Where and How to Get Public Story County Marriage Records
Story County issues marriage records to parties with a direct relationship to the record holder. Record seekers can be the record holder, the parents, grandparents, spouse, siblings, child, legal guardian, or legal representative of the record holder and above 18 years old. Eligible parties can request marriage records by mail, online, phone call, or in-person, and requesters must make the request in writing and pay the fees of $15.00 with a check or money order; in-person requesters may cash.
Interested parties must fill out and notarize the Application for an Iowa Vital Record form. Parties must include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope with the application. Record seekers can drop off or mail the completed application to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Public Health
Lucas State Office Building
1st Floor
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Alternatively, requesters can obtain marriage records from the Story County Recorder Office. Parties can send the completed application form, fees, photo ID, and self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Story County Recorder
900 6th Street
P.O. Box 55
Nevada, IA 50201-0055
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Story County
In Iowa, all marriages consummated in the state are public marriages. For this reason, confidential marriage records do not exist in Story County.
Where and How to Find Story County Birth Records
Story County birth records are available at the County Recorder’s Office and at the Bureau of Public Health. Both agencies have similar guidelines for requesting birth records in person, by mail, or online.
Generally, only the person named on the birth record and immediate family members may obtain birth records. All eligible third parties must provide proof of their relationship to the person named on the birth record. To obtain a birth record, fill out and notarize the Vital Record Application Form, attach a valid government-issued photo ID, a check or money order for fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send the application packet to:
Story County Recorder
900 6th Street
P.O. Box 55
Nevada, IA 50201-0055
Likewise, requesters may send the completed application form and other supporting documents to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Public Health
Lucas State Office Building
1st Floor
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Where and How to Find Story County Death Records
Persons requesting a death record in Story County must be 18 years or older and related to the deceased. A legal guardian or representative may also access Story County death records but must show proof of relationship to the decedent. Requesters can obtain a certified death record for $15.00 payable using a check or money order, and requesters can order the record online, by phone, mail, or in person. In-person requests are at the Recorder’s Office during regular business hours from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Mondays through Fridays.
Generally, persons looking to obtain a death record must fill out and notarize the Iowa Vital Record Application Form. Next, the requester must attach a money order or check for the search fee, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and an acceptable U.S government-issued ID. Submit or mail the application packet to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Public Health
Lucas State Office Building
1st Floor
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Alternatively, drop off the completed application at:
Story County Recorder
900 6th Street
P.O. Box 55
Nevada, IA 50201-0055
Record seekers must include one of the following acceptable government-issued photo IDs. The requester's ID must be valid and have the record seeker's signature.
- State photo ID
- Work Photo ID
- Driver’s License
- Current year school photo ID
- Passport or Visa
- Permanent residence card
- Military ID
- Employment authorization card
In the absence of a valid government-issued photo ID, a requester can provide at least two documents that contain their name and current address; such documents include:
- Rent or mortgage receipts
- Court documents
- Insurance policy
- Banking documents
- Utility bill
- Medicaid card
- Medical card
- Hospital bill
- Car title or registration
