Iowa Public Records

In Iowa, DUS, OWI, and PAULA are three different alcohol-related Iowa Code violations. OWI (Operating While Intoxicated, Iowa Code §321J.2) is the equivalent of DUI/DWI — driving with BAC ≥0.08, while impaired by drugs/alcohol, or with any controlled substance present; penalties scale with offense number. DUS (Driving Under Suspension, Iowa Code §321.218) is driving on a suspended license, often resulting from a prior OWI; it's a serious misdemeanor with fines and possible jail. PAULA (Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age, Iowa Code §123.47) is the under-21 minor-in-possession offense — a simple misdemeanor with a $200 fine for the first offense. PAULA does not require driving. Sources: Iowa Code §321J (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/), Iowa DOT (https://iowadot.gov/).

Property records in Cedar Rapids, IA (Linn County) are kept by the Linn County Recorder at 935 Second Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319-892-5420), with online searches at https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/121/Recorder. The Linn County Assessor at https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/126/Assessor and Cedar Rapids City Assessor at https://www.cedar-rapids.org/ provide ownership, parcel, and assessed-value data. Iowa Open Records Law (Iowa Code §22) makes deeds and assessment records public. Recording fees are $7 first page, $5 each additional; certified copies typically $5. Sources: Linn County Recorder (https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/121/Recorder), Cedar Rapids (https://www.cedar-rapids.org/).

To look up a divorce in Iowa, use Iowa Courts Online Search at https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ECourts/. Free name and case-number search returns divorce cases (filed as 'Domestic Relations') in all 99 counties. Cases are public unless sealed; certified copies of decrees cost $20 at the Clerk of District Court where the case was heard. The Iowa Department of Public Health Vital Records at https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/vital-records also issues divorce certificates (one-line proof) for $15, covering 1906-present. Iowa Open Records Law (Iowa Code §22) governs disclosure. Sources: Iowa Courts Online (https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/), Iowa HHS Vital Records (https://hhs.iowa.gov/).

To find arrest records in Iowa, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Records at https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions-iowa-department-public-safety/iowa-division-criminal-investigation/criminal-history-record-check-information provides name-based statewide criminal history for $15 by mail (Form DCI-77). The Iowa Department of Corrections Offender Search at https://doc-search.iowa.gov/ shows current and former state-prison inmates. County sheriffs post current jail rosters (e.g., Polk County at https://polkcountyiowa.gov/sheriff/, Linn County at https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/Sheriff). Court charges tied to arrests are at https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ECourts/. Iowa Open Records Law (Iowa Code §22) governs disclosure. Sources: Iowa DCI (https://dps.iowa.gov/), Iowa DOC (https://doc.iowa.gov/).

To find your court time and date in Iowa, use the Iowa Courts Online Search at https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ECourts/. Free name and case-number search returns scheduled hearings, filings, and court date in all 99 counties. The Iowa Judicial Branch directory is at https://www.iowacourts.gov/. The clerk of court at the county where your case is filed can also confirm your court date by phone. Iowa Open Records Law (Iowa Code §22) governs disclosure. Note: Hearings can be rescheduled — always confirm the day before with the clerk. Sources: Iowa Courts Online (https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/), Iowa Judicial Branch (https://www.iowacourts.gov/).

To run a background check in Iowa, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Records at https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions-iowa-department-public-safety/iowa-division-criminal-investigation/criminal-history-record-check-information provides name-based statewide criminal history for $15 by mail (Form DCI-77). Fingerprint-based checks for licensure go through state-approved channelers. The Iowa Courts Online Search at https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ECourts/ is free for court records. Iowa Open Records Law (Iowa Code §22) makes adult criminal history public. Employment use must follow the FCRA and Iowa Code §80B.13 (which restricts certain juvenile records). Sources: Iowa DCI (https://dps.iowa.gov/), Iowa Courts (https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/).