Lee County Court Records Search

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    Lee County, Iowa sits along the Mississippi River in the southeastern corner of the state and is home to two county seats — Fort Madison in the north and Keokuk in the south — a geographical arrangement that shapes nearly every aspect of how residents access local court records. Whether you are tracing a civil judgment, confirming a criminal case outcome, researching a family law matter, or settling an estate, the county’s dual-courthouse structure means that knowing which office holds the relevant records is the critical first step.

    Court records in Iowa are defined under Iowa Court Rules Chapter 20 as all documents and materials filed in connection with a legal action — including motions, exhibits, transcripts, judgments, and docket sheets. Administrative materials generated by the court for internal purposes are treated separately and are not part of the case file.

    Residents looking to locate Lee County court cases can start their research through the Iowa Judicial Branch, which maintains both a public docket search system and county-specific court information. The Iowa Courts Online Search portal provides electronic docket access for cases across the state, including Lee County. For documents beyond basic docket entries, requests must be directed to the Clerk of Court at the appropriate courthouse.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Lee County?

    Lee County is served by the Iowa Eighth Judicial District. The district operates two court locations, each with its own Clerk of Court office. Which courthouse holds the record you need depends on where the case was filed — generally governed by where the defendant resides or the 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

    To look up a case, you have three primary options:

    1. Online via Iowa Courts Online — Visit the Iowa Courts Online Search and search by party name, case number, or other identifiers. The tool returns docket-level information at no cost and is available around the clock. It does not, however, provide downloadable court documents.
    2. In Person at the Courthouse — Both locations maintain public access terminals where visitors can search case records. Staff can assist with locating filings, though complex research may involve fees for staff time and photocopying (copies are charged at $0.50 per page).
    3. By Mail or Email — Written requests can be submitted to the Clerk of Court at either location. Include the party names, approximate filing date, case type, and case number if known to help facilitate the search.

    The Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) allows registered users who are parties to a case to access filed documents online with a secure login. Registration is free, but document access is limited to authorized parties in most case types.

    Outstanding fines and fees can be paid around the clock through the Iowa Courts Online Payment System.

    Are Court Records Public in Lee County?

    The general rule in Iowa is that court records are presumed open. Iowa Code Chapter 22 — the Iowa Open Records Act — establishes that every person has the right to examine and copy a public record, and government agencies, including courts, must provide access upon request. Requests for records are ordinarily processed within 10 business days, though agencies may invoke a good-faith delay of up to 20 calendar days when it is necessary to assess whether a record is confidential, as permitted by Iowa Code § 22.8(4).

    Certain categories of records are exempt from public inspection by statute or court order. The following types of records are restricted in Lee County:

    • Juvenile records — Protected under Iowa Code § 232.147; generally not available to the public
    • Adoption records — Sealed under Iowa Code §§ 600.16 and 600.16A
    • Mental health proceedings — Filed under seal in most circumstances
    • Pre-sentence investigation reports — Restricted under Iowa Code § 901.4
    • Grand jury materials — Confidential by default
    • Expunged or sealed records — Not accessible following a court order under Iowa Code § 901C.1
    • Records containing sensitive personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and unredacted birth dates are routinely redacted from public filings under Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16
    • Records subject to privilege — Attorney-client communications, medical records filed under privilege protections

    All other filings — including civil complaints, criminal charging documents, motions, and judgments — are presumptively public and accessible through the Clerk of Court or the Iowa Courts Online portal.

    Lee County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Lee County range from simple misdemeanors handled at the district associate judge level to serious felonies presided over by district court judges. The Clerk of Court at both locations maintains the official case records for criminal proceedings.

    Searching Criminal Court Cases

    The Iowa Courts Online Search includes criminal case dockets and provides details such as charges filed, hearing dates, and case dispositions. For certified copies of criminal judgments or plea agreements, contact either Clerk’s office directly.

    Criminal History Background Checks

    For a formal statewide criminal history check, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) processes name-based requests under Iowa Code Chapter 692. Key details:

    • Fee: $15.00 per last name searched
    • Submission: Online, by mail, or by fax using the DCI request form
    • Consent: Not required to search another person’s record, but the level of detail returned may vary based on authorization

    Sheriff’s Office Records

    For arrest reports and incident records at the local level, 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.

    Public records requests from the Sheriff’s Office must be submitted using the department’s request form, returned either by mail or email. The first 30 minutes of staff processing time is provided at no charge; time beyond that threshold is billed at an hourly rate. Paper copies, discs, or flash drives incur additional charges. If records can be transmitted electronically, the physical media fee is waived. Payment in full is required before records are released.

    Lee County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases filed in Lee County’s District Court cover a broad spectrum: contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disagreements, landlord-tenant matters, and small claims. The Clerk of Court at each courthouse maintains civil case files.

    Common Civil Filing Fees (Iowa District Court)

    Case TypeFiling FeeIowa 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—

    Parties who cannot afford filing fees at the outset may submit a written Application to Defer Costs to the Clerk; a judge will then decide whether to postpone the obligation. Iowa Interactive Court Forms are available at no charge to help self-represented litigants prepare this and other common filings.

    Searching Civil Case Records

    • Use Iowa Courts Online for docket summaries
    • Request copies in person at 701 Avenue F (Fort Madison) or 25 N 7th Street (Keokuk)
    • Registered case parties may access filed documents through EDMS

    Lee County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Lee County — including divorces (dissolutions of marriage), child custody and visitation disputes, child support modifications, domestic abuse protective orders, and paternity actions — are heard within the Iowa Eighth Judicial District. The Clerk of Court at either location handles family case filings.

    Divorce and Dissolution Records

    Dissolution of marriage proceedings are public record in Iowa, though any exhibits or attachments containing sensitive financial information may be partially redacted. To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree:

    1. Contact the Clerk of Court at the courthouse where the case was filed
    2. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the final decree
    3. Pay the $50 certification fee per document (§ 602.8105(2)(b)) plus $0.50 per page for copies
    4. Alternatively, locate the docket entry through Iowa Courts Online and note the case number before contacting the Clerk

    The standard filing fee for a dissolution of marriage in Iowa is $285, which covers the petition and docketing of the final decree under Iowa Code § 602.8105(1)(b). Modifications to an existing dissolution decree or other domestic relations actions (other than dissolution) carry a filing fee of $130.

    Marriage Licenses

    Marriage licenses are issued by the Lee County Recorder’s Office, not the courts. The Recorder maintains two offices:

    • Main Office: 933 Avenue H, P.O. Box 190, Fort Madison, IA 52627 | Phone: (319) 376-1070 | Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–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.–noon and 1:00–4:30 p.m. (call ahead to verify service availability)

    Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Recorder to entitled persons (the individuals named on the record, immediate family members, or their legal representatives) who present valid photo identification. The fee is $15.00 per certified copy.

    Birth, Death, and Vital Records

    Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Lee County are also maintained by the Lee County Recorder, which has served as the county registrar for vital records since July 1997. Requests require a notarized application, a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and the $15.00 fee per certified copy. The state-level Iowa Department of Health and Human Services holds records for events outside the Recorder’s date ranges or in circumstances requiring a statewide search.

    Juvenile and Adoption Records

    Juvenile court proceedings and adoption records are shielded under Iowa Code § 232.147 and §§ 600.16 and 600.16A respectively. These records are not accessible to the general public. Parties with a legal interest in sealed or confidential records may petition the court directly; eligibility requirements and procedures vary by case type.

    Lee County Probate Court Records

    Probate proceedings in Iowa — including the administration of decedent estates, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust proceedings — are handled within the Iowa District Court system rather than a separate probate court. Lee County’s District Court at both the Fort Madison and Keokuk locations processes probate matters under the supervision of Iowa Eighth Judicial District judges.

    What Probate Records Cover

    • Wills filed for admission to probate
    • Inventories and appraisements of estate assets
    • Orders appointing personal representatives or administrators
    • Final accounting and decree of distribution
    • Petitions for guardianship or conservatorship of adults or minors
    • Annual guardianship/conservatorship reports required under Iowa Code Chapter 633A

    How to Access Probate Records

    Probate case docket information — case number, party names, filing dates, and hearing schedules — can be retrieved through the Iowa Courts Online Search at no cost. For actual filed documents such as inventories, accountings, or a copy of a will, contact the Clerk of Court at the applicable courthouse, supplying the case number and decedent’s name. Copy fees apply at the standard rate of $0.50 per page, and certified copies of probate documents carry the $50 certification fee.

    Guardianship and conservatorship records may contain sensitive medical or financial evaluations that are filed under seal. These restricted portions are not available for public inspection, though the docket entries themselves typically remain accessible.

    Historical Probate Records

    Historical Lee County probate filings dating back to the nineteenth century are partially indexed and available through genealogical repositories. FamilySearch maintains a catalog of Lee County probate records from 1838 through 1950, which can be a useful starting point for genealogical research when electronic court records are not available.

    Property and Land Records

    While property records are not court records in the traditional sense, they frequently intersect with civil and probate proceedings. The Lee County Recorder’s Office is the primary repository for deeds, mortgages, liens, surveys, and land contracts. Records can be searched online through the Iowa Land Records portal, which provides public access to recorded instruments by name or parcel. Additional property-related records — including assessed valuations, tax history, and ownership transfers — are maintained by the Lee County Assessor and Lee County Auditor, both accessible through the Lee County official website.