How to search Iowa court records
Iowa runs a single statewide case-lookup system, so one search — with the name spelled correctly — reaches courts across the entire state. There's no charge and no account required — results are visible to anyone who searches.
statewide free criminal data
Open the official Iowa portal →
What's actually there
Iowa Courts Online provides free statewide trial-court case search.
Other official lookups for Iowa
Federal cases filed in Iowa
State portals don't cover federal court. If the case you're looking for might be a federal criminal prosecution, civil suit, or bankruptcy, use CourtRecordsFree's live federal search — it queries CourtListener/RECAP directly and isn't limited to any one state.
Search tips
- Try both "Last, First" and "First Last" — courts index names inconsistently.
- Middle initials and suffixes (Jr., III) often matter for common names.
- A date of birth or case number is the only reliable way to confirm you found the right person.
- An arrest or charge shown in a docket is not a conviction — read the disposition.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to search Iowa court records online?
Yes. Iowa's statewide search is free to use, with no account or subscription required.
Does this include criminal records?
Yes. Iowa's portal includes criminal case records alongside civil cases, subject to the sealing and expungement rules described below.
Does one search cover the whole state?
Iowa runs one statewide system, so a single search covers the whole state.
Links move. If the Iowa portal link above is dead, tell us on the corrections page.