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Story County, Iowa Court Records

Story County court records are official documentation of civil and criminal proceedings within the Story County District Court. These documents encompass case records on civil disputes, criminal trials, probate adjudications, small claims, and family law.

In Story County, the Clerk of Court is the custodian of court records. Story County's court records often link with other public records. For instance, while a Story County arrest record is a law enforcement document, it may become the foundational component of a Story County criminal court record. Likewise, divorce and probate cases within the Story County District Court may reference vital records such as marriage and death certificates.

Are Story County Court Records Public?

Yes, Story County's court records are public. Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code (Iowa Open Records Law) presumes all official documentation generated by public agencies (including the Story County District Court) as public, subject to statutory exemptions or judicial restrictions. This legislation grants individuals the right to access Story County court records online or through the Story County Clerk of Court.

However, notwithstanding the broader access guaranteed by the Iowa Open Records Law, Section 22.7 of the Iowa Code balances government transparency and individuals' privacy rights. Consequently, a Story County court record is not publicly disclosable if it relates to:

  • A juvenile
  • Adoption
  • Mental health commitment
  • An expunged offense.

Furthermore, Iowa mandates the redaction of sensitive information, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account details
  • Victim identities.

What Information is Available in Story County Court Records?

Story County court records contain information publicly accessible under the Iowa Open Records Law. While the specific content of a Story County court record depends on the case type, these details include, but are not limited to:

  • Case numbers and filing dates
  • Names of the parties involved in the specific cases (plaintiffs, defendants, and attorneys)
  • Criminal complaints, charging documents, and affidavits
  • Civil petitions, answers, and counterclaims
  • Motions, legal briefs, and supporting affidavits
  • Bail/bond amounts and release conditions
  • Court rulings, orders, and final judgments.

Story County Court Records Search

The Iowa Judicial Branch provides several options for accessing Story County's court records. These documents are accessible online, in person, and through mail requests. Individuals seeking access to Story County court records may choose from the following routes.

Online access

Iowa operates a unified trial court system with the District Courts as the sole judiciary institution at the county level. Online access to official records is through the Iowa Courts Online Electronic Docket Records Search. Information seekers may use this search tool to look for case dockets generated by the Story County District Court. However, while users may look up summary information for free, access to official filings and full case documents requires registration through the Iowa Judicial Branch's eFile System or a paid subscriber account. Additionally, certain confidential records are not accessible online; they require in-person visits to the Story County Clerk of Court.

In-person access

For in-person access or certified copies of Story County's court records, visit the Story County Clerk of the District Court Office between 8.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays (excluding holidays) at the Story County Justice Center:

1315 South B Avenue,

Nevada,

IA 50201.

Inquirers may also use the Public Access Terminals at the Story County Courthouse lobby to access non-confidential court records for free.

Phone and mail requests

To inquire about Story County court records, call the Story County Clerk of District Court at (515) 382-7410. Mail-in requests for copies of Story County court records should be addressed to:

Story County Clerk of District Court

1315 South B Avenue,

Nevada,

IA 50201.

Mail requests for a Story County court record take 5 to 10 business days to process after payment. While the Clerk of Court Office accepts cash for in-person requests, payments for mail-in orders must be by check or money order payable to the Story County Clerk of District Court. Individuals who want to make payments by credit or debit card must make arrangements through Iowa online payment portals after coordinating with the Story County Clerk of the District Court Office.

In addition to payment, mail requests for copies of Story County's court records should include:

  • The full names of the involved parties.
  • Case number (if known).
  • The specific court record. For instance, the requester should indicate whether the request is for the complete docket, divorce decree, or final judgment.
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage.

Fees for Court Records in Story County

While Section 22.2 of the Iowa Code mandates the public right to view court records at no cost, Section 22.3 of the Iowa Code permits custodians of public records to charge reasonable fees for physical copies. These charges cover the labor and printing costs for physical copies of the documents.

The Story County Clerk of District Court charges $0.25 to $0.50 per page for uncertified copies of court records and between $30.00 for certification and seal. Additionally, staff actual labor charges apply if the search exceeds 30 minutes.

Story County Courthouse Locations

Iowa operates a unitary court system where the District Court is the sole county-level trial court. The Story County District Court handles all civil and criminal cases through several divisions that handle specific cases. These include the following divisions and case types:

Criminal Division

  • Felonies
  • Misdemeanors
  • Traffic cases

Civil Division

  • General civil cases
  • Small claims

Family/Domestic Relations Division

  • Family law cases

Juvenile Division

  • Delinquency cases
  • Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases
  • Adoption

Probate Division

  • Estate administration
  • Protective proceedings

Mental Health Commitment Division

  • Involuntary civil commitments.

To contact the Story County District Court, call or visit the Story County Courthouse at:

Story County Justice Center

1315 South B Avenue,

Nevada,

IA 50201

Phone: (515) 337-8300

Fax: (515) 382-7522

Email: countyclerk.story@iowacourts.gov.

Criminal Records Access in Story County

While criminal records are accessible at the local and state levels, the pathway is based on the document type. In Iowa, the agency responsible for official criminal history checks is the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) under the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DCI compiles arrest records and case dispositions from law enforcement agencies and courts across Iowa based on fingerprints and makes them available upon request. For a criminal history background check, fill out and submit the DCI online Criminal History Record Check Billing Form. Alternatively, submit the completed DCI Criminal History Record Check Billing Form by mail, through email, or in person to:

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation

Orange Pape State Office Building

215 E 7th Street,

Des Moines,

IA 50319

Phone: (515) 725-6066

Email: dcirecordchecks@dps.state.ia.us.

Unlike criminal history background checks, criminal case records are accessible online through the Iowa Courts Online Electronic Docket Records Search Portal. For Story County's criminal court records, interested parties may also contact the Story County Clerk of District Court directly at:

Story County Justice Center

1315 South B Avenue,

Nevada,

IA 50201

Phone: (515) 337-8300

Fax: (515) 382-7522

Email: countyclerk.story@iowacourts.gov.

Story County Family Court Records

In Story County, family law cases are overseen by the Story County District Court, and the Clerk of the District Court maintains the records. Story County family court records include, but are not limited to, case files on:

  • Divorce
  • Paternity
  • Child custody
  • Domestic abuse
  • Child support
  • Adoption.

Although Iowa classifies court records as public documents, access to family court records is based on case types and confidentiality laws. For instance, unauthorized individuals cannot access juvenile and adoption records. Likewise, while dockets, court orders for divorce, custody cases, and child support are public records, Iowa does not permit public disclosure of personal identifiers, such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, or identifying information of minors.

Public-facing Story County family court records are accessible through the Iowa Courts Online Electronic Docket Records Search Portal or Public Access Terminals at the Story County Justice Center. For full case files or certified copies of Story County family court records, contact the Story County Clerk of Court during office hours at:

Story County Justice Center

1315 South B Avenue,

Nevada,

IA 50201

Phone: (515) 337-8300

Fax: (515) 382-7522

Email: countyclerk.story@iowacourts.gov.

Note that access to physical copies of Story County court records incur fees; the Story County Clerk of Court Office charges $0.50 per page of document (call (515) 382-7410 for exact total fees and payment options). Additionally, a mail request for copies of Story County's court records should include:

  • The full names of the litigants
  • Approximate date/year of the court action or filing
  • The specific documents needed
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage
  • Payment for the copies and certification.

Federal Court Records in Story County

U.S. federal court records are official documents generated by federal courts during legal trials. These include documents from the United States District Courts, U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and specialized federal courts. Public access to federal court records is through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal.

The PACER portal provides access to dockets, pleadings and initial filings, motions and briefs, Judicial orders and opinions, transcripts, audio recordings, and bankruptcy records generated by federal courts, including those from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, which handles cases originating from Story County. For Story County's federal case records that are not available online, interested parties may contact the Clerk's Office of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa at:

U.S. District Courthouse

111 Locust Street,

Des Moines,

IA 50309

Phone: (515) 284-6248

Fax: (515) 284-6418.

Story County Court