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Dubuque County, Iowa State Court Records

Dubuque County court records document everything that happened in a courtroom regarding a legal case. They are created the moment a person or an agency brings a matter to court and are finalized when the court enters the final judgment. Court records are broadly classified into civil and criminal categories, but they may be subdivided into categories such as family and probate records.

In Dubuque County, court records are primarily maintained by the Dubuque County Clerk of District Court. Although court records are entirely judicial records, they also sometimes play a part in the creation of other public records, such as property and vital records.

Are Dubuque County Court Records Public?

Yes, Dubuque County court records are public records. Access to court records is governed by the Iowa Public Records Act and court rules. The Public Records Act mandates that all government records in Iowa, including court records, be made available to the public for inspection. Under this Act, members of the public can request access to any case file maintained by a court in the state. This right of access is usually only denied when the court record requested is confidential by law.

The following are confidential court records in Iowa (Iowa Code § 22.7):

  • Juvenile delinquency records
  • Adult and juvenile mental health cases
  • Substance abuse civil commitments
  • Unexecuted search warrants
  • Sealed records

Additionally, the details below are also redacted from non-confidential court records before public disclosure.

  • Social security numbers
  • Dates of birth
  • Home addresses
  • Personal financial information
  • Driver's license numbers

Individuals can find more confidential information on the Iowa Judicial Branch Restricted Documents and Case Types document.

What Information is Available in Dubuque County Court Records?

A court record in Dubuque County contains the complete history of a case and may include the following details:

  • The case number, case type, case status, and filing date
  • The names of the parties and their attorneys
  • Documents filed during the proceeding
  • The docket
  • The case outcome

Dubuque County Court Records Search

Individuals can generally access Dubuque County court records online, in person, or by mail. Each method has its pros and cons, as can be seen below.

Online Access

The primary way to access case information online from a Dubuque County court is through the Iowa Electronic Docket Search portal. The portal offers basic search, advanced search, and paid search, depending on the user's needs. Users can search for a record using a name or case number.

The information found on the search portal is limited to docket information. Researchers generally cannot view or download the actual court documents through the search. Also, confidential cases are not registered on the database and will not show up in a search.

In-Person Access

Individuals who want to inspect the complete case file or obtain copies may visit the courthouse, specifically the Clerk of Court's Office, during business hours. The Clerk of Court's Office provides public terminals that members of the public can use to search for case information, while also having staff available to receive verbal or written requests. Office staff may ask requesters to write the request if the request is complex. Individuals who ask for copies of a record will be charged a fee.

Mail and Phone Requests

The Dubuque County Clerk of Court's Office also processes court record requests sent through the mail. Requesters opting for this option should write a letter clearly stating the record they are after, including the case number and the names of the parties involved, and the type of copy they need (plain or certified). A check or money order for the copy fees, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope, should be included in the mail package. Individuals may call the Clerk of Court's Office to determine how much the fees are before mailing in the request.

Fees for Court Records in Dubuque County

Under the Iowa Public Records Act, members of the public are entitled to free inspection of court records if they do not require copies and the record does not require extensive research. However, requesting copies will cost a fee. Below are the copy fees set by the state judiciary.

  • Plain copies: 50 cents per page
  • Certifying a record: $30 plus per page cost
  • Postage fees: The exact cost of mailing the record to the requester

The Clerk of Court's Office may also charge a fee for staff labor during the search of the record. To calculate the fee, the clerk takes into account the time it took to

  • Retrieve the record
  • Review the record for confidential information
  • Supervise the inspection and duplication of the record by the requester

Dubuque County Courthouse Locations

Iowa has a unified court system, administered through the District Court. Dubuque County belongs to Judicial District 1, which includes the District Court and the Juvenile Court. Below is the address of the county courthouse and the Juvenile Court office.

Dubuque County Courthouse

720 Central Avenue

Dubuque, IA 52001

Phone: (563) 589-4418

Fax: (563) 557-0614

Dubuque County Juvenile Court Office

350 West 6th Street

Dubuque, IA 52001

Phone: (563) 589-7831

Criminal Records Access in Dubuque County

Dubuque County criminal records have several custodians, including local law enforcement agencies (e.g., the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office), the Clerk of District Court, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS). Local enforcement agencies maintain agency-generated criminal records, such as arrest records; the Clerk of District Court maintains the criminal case file, while the Iowa DPS maintains official state criminal history records.

To access an arrest record, individuals may simply contact the arresting agency. However, to access the record of the proceeding that resulted from the arrest, researchers will need to visit the Clerk of Court's Office or send in a written request for the record through the mail.

Individuals interested in obtaining a criminal history record from the Iowa Department of Public Safety can submit a request by completing the online Criminal History Record Check Billing Form or downloading, completing, and mailing the paper version of the form to the office. A request can also be made in person at the DPS Office during business hours.

Dubuque County Probate Records

Probate records in Dubuque County are District Court records relating to the administration of an individual's estate after their passing and the appointment of guardians for incapacitated persons. Examples of probate records are wills, conservatorships, guardianships, trusts, and estate records.

Probate records are typically accessible to the public. Inquisitive persons may visit the Dubuque County courthouse to inspect the record on the public terminals or obtain a copy from the clerk's office. For docket information, individuals may search the Iowa Electronic Docket Search portal.

Dubuque County Family Court Records

Family court records are case files encompassing domestic relations matters, such as divorce, domestic abuse, alimony, and child support. Family court records are classified as public records; however, these records contain a lot of sensitive information and are typically subject to restrictions.

The docket of a family court record can be found online on the Iowa Electronic Docket Search. The full case file can be accessed in person at the Clerk of Court's Office at the Dubuque County courthouse. Plain copies or certified copies of the record can be obtained for a fee.

Federal Court Records in Dubuque County

Federal court records are in a different class from local Dubuque County court records. These records are held by federal courts and detail proceedings on cases involving federal law and the U.S. Constitution. Federal cases in Dubuque County are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa or the U.S Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa, depending on the case.

Individuals can search for federal court records using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records portal. There is a federal courthouse in Dubuque County; however, the courthouse is unstaffed unless there is a hearing, so members of the public may not be able to obtain a record in person at the court.

Dubuque County Court