Iowa Criminal Records

According to recent crime surveys, Iowa has a violent crime rate of about 2.87 per 1,000 Iowans, with a total crime rate of approximately 16.18 per 1,000. Iowa criminal records are official documents detailing a person's history of interactions with the state's criminal justice system. These records generally include incident reports, arrest records, court filings, warrants, charges and indictments, case dispositions, sentencing information, jail records, and other documents that collectively provide a comprehensive criminal history for the person.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety, specifically its Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), is the state's central repository for criminal history record information and is responsible for compiling, managing, and disseminating this information to interested parties upon request. However, it should be noted that various governmental bodies are involved in creating and maintaining criminal records in Iowa, including local police departments, sheriff's offices, the state's district courts, and the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Are Criminal Records Public in Iowa?

Criminal records in Iowa are generally considered public information under the Iowa Public Records Law (Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code). This means that these records can typically be examined and copied by any interested member of the public. However, certain types of records/criminal information, such as juvenile records (unless the juvenile was tried as an adult), mental health records, records related to active/ongoing investigations, and expunged records, remain confidential and are exempt from public disclosure.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Iowa?

Interested parties may access official copies of criminal records in Iowa by requesting a criminal history record check from the Iowa Department of Public Safety's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Requests may be submitted to the DCI via a fillable online form or by sending a properly completed hard copy Criminal History Record Check Billing Form to the division via email or fax to (515) 725-6080. The completed form may also be submitted in person or via mail to the DCI at:

Be aware that these record checks are name-based; as such, you must provide the full name and exact date of birth of the record's subject. There is a $15 fee per name checked, and requests are typically processed within 2 - 5 business days. Note that the DCI does not typically notarize criminal records, but may do so on request (individuals who wish to obtain a notarized copy must indicate this on the request form).

You can reach out to the Division of Criminal Investigation at (515) 725-6066 or via email for more information or inquiries concerning obtaining official Iowa criminal records.

How To Search Iowa Arrest Records?

Arrest records in Iowa are primarily generated by local police departments and county sheriff's offices (note that state-level law enforcement agencies like the Iowa State Patrol also create records for arrests made by their officers). An Iowa arrest record typically contains key details about the arrest incident and the person taken into custody, such as:

• The name, age, and sex of the arrestee
• The arrestee's physical descriptors, like their height, eye and hair color, and distinctive markings
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The offense(s) that resulted in the arrest
• A brief description of the arrest
• The arresting agency and the arresting officer
• Booking information, including bond/bail details, where applicable

Law enforcement agencies in Iowa typically maintain their own arrest records; as such, interested parties who wish to access arrest records in the state may do so by contacting the specific agency that made the arrest. This will typically involve submitting an official request for a record, either in person, via mail, or online (if the agency provides this option). Some Iowa counties also offer online access to recent arrest logs, booking information, or searchable databases for accessing (usually limited) arrest information for their respective jurisdictions.

You may also access certain arrest information in Iowa by requesting a criminal history record check from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation - this option provides access to statewide records, but may not be as comprehensive as records accessed directly from the arresting agency.

How To Search Iowa Warrants?

A warrant in Iowa is a court order issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement officials to take specific actions. The most commonly issued warrants in Iowa include:

• Arrest Warrants: These warrants authorize law enforcement to detain a person and take them into custody based on probable cause that they have committed a crime.
• Search Warrants: These warrants authorize law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence related to a crime and to seize any such evidence found. Search warrants are also issued based on probable cause.
• Bench Warrants: These warrants direct law enforcement to apprehend individuals who have failed to appear in court or comply with a court order.

Warrants in Iowa generally remain valid until they are executed or recalled by the issuing court. However, per Iowa Code Section 808.8, search warrants must be executed within 10 days of being issued, otherwise, the warrant becomes void.

You may access information on active warrants in Iowa by contacting the local law enforcement agency or the clerk of the district court in the county where the warrant was issued. Some counties also offer searchable databases that may be used to access warrant information (for their respective jurisdictions) online. Be aware that access to certain warrant information may be restricted (usually to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations).

Can I Obtain an Iowa Criminal History Record of Another Person?

You may obtain a copy of another person's Iowa criminal history record by requesting a criminal history record check from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Requests may be submitted using a fillable online form or by sending a completed hard copy of the Criminal History Record Check Billing Form to the DCI via any of the following methods:

• Email
• Fax to (515) 725-6080
• In person or mail-in to

These searches are name-based, so you must provide the person's full name and exact date of birth at a minimum. The record's subject is not required to sign a release authorization; however, you will not be provided details on arrests older than 18 months that do not have a final disposition and completed deferred judgments without this authorization.

Criminal history record checks cost $15 per name checked and are typically processed within 2 - 5 business days. For more details, contact the Division of Criminal Investigation at (515) 725-6066.

How To Expunge or Seal Iowa Criminal Records

In Iowa, criminal records may be expunged - this process typically removes the records from public view. It should be noted that most expunged records are still retained, meaning that even though the record is no longer accessible to the general public, it will still remain available to certain criminal justice agencies. The complete deletion of expunged records is usually limited to juvenile records.

The expungement process is primarily governed by Chapter 901C of the Iowa Code; however, several other statutes also provide legal frameworks for expungements in the state. Per state law, deferred judgments, acquitted or dismissed charges, as well as certain misdemeanors, are generally eligible for expungements. However, certain offenses, such as sexual offenses, violent crimes, involuntary manslaughter, and OWI (operating while under the influence) convictions, are deemed ineligible for the process and typically cannot be expunged.

Expungement is usually automatic for deferred judgments after the probation is completed. For other cases, a formal petition is required. This usually involves taking the following steps:

• Determine Eligibility: Confirm if the record qualifies for expungement under state law and meets any other applicable eligibility criteria. For instance, convictions may only be expunged after a stipulated waiting period has elapsed (usually eight years). Likewise, individuals who wish to get an expungement must not have any pending criminal charges (at the time of seeking the expungement).
• File a Petition: Apply to expunge the court where the case was handled. Necessary forms may be obtained from the court clerk's office; the Iowa Judicial Branch provides access to expungement application forms via their official website. Note that you will typically have to attach a copy of your official criminal record (obtained from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation) to your application and also send a copy of the application to the county attorney, allowing them to file an objection.
• Court Review: The court will review the application and any objections filed. Depending on the circumstances, a hearing may be scheduled before a decision is reached. If the petition is approved, the court will order the records to be expunged.

It is recommended to get legal advice before commencing the expungement process.

What Are the Limitations to Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Iowa?

Several laws limit the discriminatory use of criminal records in employment, licensing, and housing in Iowa. One of these laws is the Fair Chance Act, which prevents federal agencies and contractors operating in Iowa from requesting an applicant's criminal history until they have extended a conditional job offer (several municipalities have also enacted similar "ban-the-box" laws for their respective jurisdictions). Another is the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which mandates that employers, landlords, and licensing agencies obtain written consent before running third-party background checks and requires them to inform applicants if a negative decision is made based on their criminal history.

In addition, Iowa generally adheres to federal fair employment and housing guidelines, which prohibit blanket denials based on criminal records. Instead, employers and landlords are encouraged to conduct individualized assessments and consider the nature and severity of the person's offenses and/or convictions before making decisions. The state also places similar restrictions on professional licensing boards, preventing them from automatically denying licenses based on a criminal record unless the conviction directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the profession. The licensing board also typically has to consider factors such as the nature and seriousness of the crime, the time elapsed since the conviction, and evidence of rehabilitation when deciding on applicants.

Can I Access Iowa Criminal Records for Free Online?

While many third-party websites advertise free access to Iowa criminal records, the information they provide is often inaccurate or outdated. To get accurate, up-to-date, and generally reliable criminal record information in Iowa, it is advisable to contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) or utilize reliable resources, like the Iowa Courts Online platform and IowaPublicRecords.us.