Lee County Court Records Search

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    Lee County sits in Iowa's southeastern corner along the Mississippi River and has an unusual feature: two county seats. Fort Madison handles the northern half of the county, while Keokuk covers the south. Each has its own courthouse and Clerk of Court office — so before you request any records, you'll need to figure out which location handled the case.

    All Lee County court records flow through the Iowa District Court system, which covers felony prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family law disputes, and estate matters alike. Under Iowa Court Rules Chapter 20, court records include every document filed as part of a legal action — motions, exhibits, transcripts, judgments, and docket entries. The court's own internal administrative materials don't count as part of the case file.

    A good place to start any search is the Iowa Judicial Branch website, where you'll find court directories, procedural guides, and a statewide docket search. The Iowa Courts Online Search portal gives free electronic access to case docket information across every Iowa county, Lee included. You can also check IowaCourts.us for additional court information statewide. When you need more than a docket summary, reach out to the Clerk of Court at the right Lee County courthouse.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Lee County?

    Lee County is part of the Iowa Eighth Judicial District and operates two separate courthouse locations. Which one holds your records depends on where the case was originally filed — typically determined by the defendant's address or where the relevant event occurred.

    Lee County District Court – North (Fort Madison)

    • Address: 701 Avenue F, Fort Madison, IA 52627
    • Phone: (319) 372-3523
    • Fax: (319) 372-2557
    • Email: countyclerk.northlee@iowacourts.gov

    Lee County District Court – South (Keokuk)

    • Address: 25 North 7th Street, Keokuk, IA 52632
    • Phone: (319) 524-2433
    • Email: countyclerk.southlee@iowacourts.gov

    You have three ways to search:

    1. Online — Head to the Iowa Courts Online Search and look up docket information by party name, case number, or other details. It's free and available 24/7. Just keep in mind it only shows docket-level summaries — you won't be able to download actual filed documents here.
    2. In person — Both courthouses have public access terminals where you can search records yourself during business hours. Staff are available to help you find filings, but copies cost $0.50 per page.
    3. By mail or email — Send a written request to the Clerk of Court at either location. Include the party names, approximate filing date, case type, and the case number if you have it. The more specifics you provide, the quicker the clerk can track down your records.

    If you're a party to an active case, the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) lets you view filed documents online after setting up a free secure login. Access is generally limited to authorized parties on the case.

    Need to pay an outstanding court fine or fee? The Iowa Courts Online Payment System handles payments at any time of day.

    Are Court Records Public in Lee County?

    In Iowa, the default rule is that court records are open to the public. Iowa Code Chapter 22 — the Iowa Open Records Act — gives everyone the right to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies, courts included. Most requests are processed within 10 business days, though Iowa Code § 22.8(4) allows a good-faith delay of up to 20 calendar days if the agency needs extra time to determine whether certain records are confidential.

    That said, Iowa law and court rules put certain records off-limits:

    • Juvenile records — Shielded from public view under Iowa Code § 232.147.
    • Adoption records — Sealed by law under Iowa Code §§ 600.16 and 600.16A.
    • Mental health proceedings — Typically filed under seal.
    • Pre-sentence investigation reports — Restricted under Iowa Code § 901.4.
    • Grand jury materials — Confidential by default.
    • Expunged or sealed records — Pulled from public access under court order per Iowa Code § 901C.1.
    • Records with sensitive personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and full birth dates are routinely redacted under Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16.
    • Privileged records — Attorney-client communications and medical records filed under privilege protections.

    Everything else — civil complaints, criminal charging documents, motions, orders, and judgments — is generally accessible through the Clerk of Court or the Iowa Courts Online portal.

    Lee County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Lee County span the full range, from simple misdemeanors decided by district associate judges to serious felonies tried before district court judges. Both the Fort Madison and Keokuk clerk's offices maintain the official criminal case files.

    Online Criminal Case Searches

    Criminal docket information is available through the Iowa Courts Online Search. You'll typically see the charges filed, hearing dates, and case disposition. If you need certified copies of a judgment, plea agreement, or sentencing order, contact either Clerk's office directly.

    Statewide Criminal History Checks

    For a formal background check, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) processes criminal history searches under Iowa Code Chapter 692:

    • Fee: $15.00 per last name searched
    • Submission methods: Online, by mail, or by fax using the DCI request form
    • Consent: You don't need the subject's permission to request a search, though the depth of information returned may vary depending on your authorization level

    Arrest and Incident Reports

    For local arrest records and incident reports, contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office:

    • Address: 2530 255th Street, Montrose, IA 52639
    • Phone: (319) 372-1152
    • Records request email: civil@leecountyiowa.gov
    • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    You'll need to submit the department's records request form by mail or email. The first 30 minutes of staff processing time is free. After that, expect an hourly charge. Paper copies, discs, and flash drives add to the cost, but if the records can be sent electronically, those media fees are waived. Payment must be made in full before the Sheriff's Office releases anything.

    Lee County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Lee County cover contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant matters, property disagreements, and small claims. The Clerk of Court at whichever courthouse the case was filed in maintains the file.

    Filing Fees for Common Civil Case Types

    Case Type

    Filing Fee

    Iowa Code Authority

    Civil Petition (non-dissolution)

    $215

    § 602.8105(1)(a)

    Small Claims (up to $6,500)

    $115

    § 631.6

    Statutory Lien Filing

    $80

    § 602.8105(2)(a)

    Lis Pendens

    $80

    § 602.8105(2)(g)

    Motion to Show Cause (civil)

    $80

    § 602.8105(1)(h)

    Jury Trial Fee

    $100

    § 625.8(1)

    Certified Copy (court document)

    $50

    § 602.8105(2)(b)

    Photocopies

    $0.50/page

    		 

    If you can't afford the filing fee, you can submit a written Application to Defer Costs to the Clerk. A judge will decide whether to waive or postpone the fee. Iowa Interactive Court Forms provides a free guided tool that helps self-represented litigants prepare this application and other standard court forms.

    Searching Civil Records

    • Check Iowa Courts Online for free docket summaries
    • Visit either courthouse — 701 Avenue F in Fort Madison or 25 North 7th Street in Keokuk — to request copies of specific documents
    • If you're registered through EDMS and are a party to the case, you can access filed documents online with your secure login

    Lee County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Lee County — including dissolutions of marriage (divorces), child custody disputes, child support modifications, domestic abuse protective orders, and paternity actions — go through the Iowa Eighth Judicial District. You can file family cases at either Clerk of Court office.

    Divorce and Dissolution Records

    Dissolution of marriage cases are generally public in Iowa, though financial exhibits or filings with sensitive personal information may be partially redacted. Here's how to get a certified copy of a divorce decree:

    1. Contact the Clerk of Court at the courthouse where the dissolution was filed.
    2. Provide both parties' full names and the approximate year the decree was entered.
    3. Pay the $50 certification fee (under Iowa Code § 602.8105(2)(b)), plus $0.50 per page for copies.
    4. You can also search for the docket entry on Iowa Courts Online first, write down the case number, and then call the Clerk for the certified document.

    Filing a new dissolution of marriage petition costs $285 under Iowa Code § 602.8105(1)(b) — that covers both the petition and the docketing of the final decree. Modifications to an existing decree or other domestic relations filings carry a $130 filing fee.

    Marriage Licenses

    Marriage licenses in Lee County are issued by the Lee County Recorder's Office, not the courts. The Recorder has two locations:

    • Fort Madison (Main Office): 933 Avenue H, P.O. Box 190, Fort Madison, IA 52627 — Phone: (319) 376-1070 — Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Keokuk Branch: 25 North 7th Street, Keokuk, IA 52632 — Phone: (319) 313-7257 — Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays only, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. (call ahead to confirm availability)

    Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $15.00 each. They're available to the individuals named on the record, immediate family members, or their legal representatives. Bring a valid photo ID.

    Birth, Death, and Vital Records

    The Lee County Recorder has served as the county registrar of vital records since July 1997. You can request birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Lee County from the Recorder's Office. You'll need a notarized application, a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and $15.00 per certified copy. If the event falls outside the Recorder's date range — or you need a statewide search — contact the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

    Juvenile and Adoption Records

    Juvenile court files are confidential under Iowa Code § 232.147, and adoption records are sealed under Iowa Code §§ 600.16 and 600.16A. The general public cannot access either category. If you believe you have a legal basis to view a sealed or confidential file, you may petition the court — but eligibility rules vary by case type.

    Lee County Probate Court Records

    Iowa doesn't have a separate probate court. Estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust proceedings all go through the Iowa District Court system. In Lee County, probate filings are handled at both the Fort Madison and Keokuk courthouses under Eighth Judicial District judges.

    What Probate Records Typically Include

    • Wills submitted for admission to probate
    • Inventories and appraisals of estate assets
    • Orders appointing personal representatives or administrators
    • Final accountings and decrees of distribution
    • Petitions for guardianship or conservatorship of adults or minors
    • Annual guardianship and conservatorship reports required under Iowa Code Chapter 633A

    How to Find and Request Probate Records

    You can pull up basic probate docket information — case numbers, party names, filing dates, and hearing schedules — for free through the Iowa Courts Online Search. For actual filed documents such as wills, inventories, or accounting reports, contact the Clerk of Court at the right courthouse. Have the case number and the decedent's name ready. Copies run $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $50 each.

    Be aware that some guardianship and conservatorship files include sealed medical or financial evaluations. Those sealed portions aren't open to public review, although docket entries for those cases generally remain visible.

    Historical Probate Records

    Lee County's probate records stretch back to the earliest years of Iowa statehood. FamilySearch hosts a catalog of Lee County probate records from 1838 through 1950 — a particularly useful resource for genealogical research when the electronic court system doesn't cover the time period you need.

    Property and Land Records

    Property records often intersect with civil and probate cases, even though they aren't technically court records. The Lee County Recorder's Office maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, surveys, and land contracts. You can search recorded instruments by name or parcel through the Iowa Land Records portal. For assessed valuations, tax history, and ownership information, both the Lee County Assessor and Lee County Auditor maintain searchable records through the Lee County official website.