Don't guess which court to use. Follow this order:
- Criminal cases: Filed by the government — felonies and misdemeanors. Search the criminal court databases below.
- Civil cases: Filed by private parties — lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury. Search civil court databases below.
- Family court: Divorce, custody, child support, adoption. Usually a separate division.
- Appellate cases: Appeals from trial courts. Search the state appeals court database.
Every source on this page is verified by SearchSystems.net — est. 1997.
Use the databases below to search Iowa court records.
Search Iowa by Record Type
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Iowa court records? ▼
Start with the strategy box at the top of this page. It tells you exactly which Iowa court systems to search. Court records are maintained separately by each court — there is no single search that covers everything.
Is there a single database for all Iowa court records? ▼
No. There is no single database for all Iowa court records. Criminal, civil, family, and appellate cases are maintained by different courts. Use the databases listed on this page.
What is the difference between criminal and civil court records in Iowa? ▼
Criminal cases are filed by the government (felonies, misdemeanors). Civil cases are filed by private parties (lawsuits, contract disputes, landlord-tenant). They are usually in different court systems and searched separately.
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