Linn County Court Records
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Linn County is Iowa's second-most populous county, anchored by the city of Cedar Rapids. The county falls within Iowa's Sixth Judicial District, and its sole trial court — the Linn County District Court — handles all civil, criminal, probate, juvenile, and family law matters originating within the county. The Clerk of Court, located in the Linn County Courthouse on Mays Island in Cedar Rapids, maintains all court records, including documentary exhibits, transcripts, dockets, pleadings, judgments, and every other filing generated during legal proceedings.
If you're looking for court case records in Iowa, you have several resources available: local clerk of court offices, public access computer terminals at courthouses, and online platforms maintained by the state judiciary. The Iowa Judicial Branch offers a free electronic docket search covering courts statewide, and IowaCourts.us may also help you identify publicly accessible court case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Linn County?
There are three main ways to search for court records in Linn County: online, in person at the courthouse, or by submitting a written request to the Clerk of Court.
Online Case Search
The Iowa Judicial Branch runs the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search system, which gives anyone free access to the electronic docket of all Iowa state courts. Search by last name, business name, case number, or citation number. You can also filter results by first name, county, case type, and party role. Results display case summaries, party names, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. Keep in mind that case documents cannot be downloaded or printed through this portal.
If you need expanded search capabilities — case type filtering, scheduling information, judgment or lien searches — the system offers an Advanced Case Search that requires registration and a subscription fee.
If you're a party directly involved in a pending case, the Iowa Courts eFile system lets you access filings, track case status, and receive electronic notifications. Registration is free and requires creating a secure login.
In-Person Access
The Linn County Courthouse has public access terminals where visitors can view court records during building hours. Staff at the Clerk of Court office can also help locate specific records.
Linn County Courthouse / Clerk of Court
Address: 51 Third Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Phone: (319) 398-3411
Fax: (319) 398-3469
Email: countyclerk.linn@iowacourts.gov
Courthouse Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM
Clerk's Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Division-Specific Phone Numbers
| Division | Extension |
|---|---|
| Civil Division | ext. 1212 |
| Criminal & Traffic Division | ext. 1132 or ext. 1162 |
| Juvenile Division | ext. 2163 |
| Accounting Division | ext. 1243 |
| Case Scheduling | (319) 398-3920 ext. 1320 or ext. 1321 |
Juvenile Court Office
A separate juvenile court office is located at:
Address: 211 8th Avenue SW, 2nd Floor, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: (319) 398-3545
Copy and Service Fees
| Service | Fee | Iowa Code |
|---|---|---|
| Copies | $0.50 per page | |
| Certification and seal of court document | $30.00 | 602.8105(2)(b) |
Fees may also apply for staff time used to respond to information requests. Confirm payment methods directly with the Clerk's office.
Are Court Records Public in Linn County?
Iowa law creates a strong presumption of public access to court records. The state's Open Records Act (Iowa Code Chapter 22) gives any person the right to examine and copy public records, including adjudicative records held by the judicial branch. Chapter 20 of the Iowa Court Rules defines a court record as the entirety of a court file and establishes that these records are generally open to the public.
That said, several categories of records are subject to confidentiality restrictions under Iowa statutes and court rules:
- Sensitive personal information — Dates of birth, names of minor children, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and individual taxpayer identification numbers must be protected from disclosure. The Iowa Judicial Branch provides guidance on protecting personal information in court filings.
- Juvenile court records — Confidential under Iowa Code 232.147 and accessible only to authorized parties.
- Adoption records — Sealed and unavailable to the general public.
- Expunged court records — No longer accessible once the expungement order is entered.
- Pre-sentence investigation reports — Restricted under Iowa Code 901.4.
- Grand jury transcripts — Confidential by statute.
- Unserved arrest warrants — Not available until the warrant has been served.
- Privileged communications — Records protected by attorney-client, physician-patient, spousal, or work-product privilege.
Iowa Code 22.7 lists additional categories of government records exempt from public disclosure that may apply in certain court contexts. When a record contains both public and confidential information, the confidential portions are redacted before the record is released.
Linn County Criminal Court Records
All criminal cases in Linn County — felonies, aggravated misdemeanors, serious misdemeanors, and simple misdemeanors alike — are heard by the Linn County District Court. Criminal court records include complaints, indictments, trial informations, arraignment documents, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and judgments.
Searching Criminal Court Records
- Use the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search to find criminal case summaries by name, case number, or citation number. Filter results by selecting Linn County and the criminal case type.
- Visit the Linn County Courthouse to use a public access terminal for more detailed information.
- Contact the Criminal & Traffic Division of the Clerk's office at (319) 398-3411, ext. 1132 or ext. 1162, or fax requests to (319) 363-3308.
Copies of criminal case documents cost $0.50 per page, and certification is $30.00 per document.
Arrest Records and Law Enforcement Resources
Arrest records are maintained by the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. The Linn County Sheriff's Office processes open records requests for criminal history checks and other arrest information. Submit requests using the Sheriff's Request for Information Form by email or mail. The applicable fee schedule is published on the Sheriff's website.
The Sheriff's Office also runs an inmate search portal showing current booking information for individuals held at the Linn County Correctional Center, including names, charges, and booking dates.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For records beyond Linn County, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) conducts name-based criminal history record checks. Each check costs $15.00 and requires the subject's first name, last name, and date of birth. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, by fax, or in person. Processing time varies — in-person requests with a government-issued photo ID may yield immediate results, while other methods generally take two to five business days.
A signed consent from the record subject is not required to obtain another person's criminal history in Iowa. However, without consent, certain information is withheld — specifically, arrests older than 18 months that lack a final disposition. Juvenile criminal information remains confidential regardless of consent.
Linn County Civil Court Records
The Linn County District Court's civil jurisdiction covers a broad range of noncriminal disputes: tort actions (personal injury, product liability), contract disputes, landlord-tenant matters (forcible entry and detainer), replevin, business litigation, and judicial review of administrative agency decisions.
Civil Filing Fees
Filing fees are set by the Iowa Legislature and collected by the Clerk of Court before any court action proceeds. The Iowa Judicial Branch civil court fees page publishes the current fee schedule:
| Filing Type | Fee | Iowa Code |
|---|---|---|
| Civil petition (general) | $195 | 602.8105(1)(a) |
| Dissolution of marriage | $265 | 602.8105(1)(b) |
| Other domestic relations actions (modification, annulment, separate maintenance) | $110 | 602.8105(1)(d) |
| Small claims (≤ $6,500) | $95 | 631.6 |
| Small claims appeal | $195 | 602.8105(1)(g) |
| Name change | $195 | 602.8105(1)(a) |
| Contempt motion (show cause) | $60 | 602.8105(1)(h) |
| Filing/docketing transcript of judgment | $60 | 602.8105(1)(i) |
| Jury trial fee | $100 | 625.8(1) |
In Linn County, which has a population exceeding 98,000, an additional $5.00 publication fee may be assessed on certain filings. If you can't afford the filing fees, you may submit an Application to Defer Costs to the court. The Iowa Judicial Branch offers a free interactive form to help prepare this application.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case information is searchable through the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search — select the civil case type and Linn County. For actual case documents, contact the Clerk of Court's Civil Division at (319) 398-3411, ext. 1212. Civil case fax requests go to (319) 896-2240. Copies cost $0.50 per page.
Case parties can access documents and track filings through the Iowa Courts eFile system, which is free to register and use.
Small Claims
Small claims actions in Linn County cover money judgments, replevin, and forcible entry and detainer actions involving $6,500 or less in damages. The filing fee is $95.00. The Iowa Judicial Branch small claims page provides instructions and forms for self-represented litigants.
Linn County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Linn County — including divorce (dissolution of marriage), annulment, separate maintenance, child custody, child support, spousal support, visitation, adoption, domestic violence protective orders, and civil no-contact orders — are all adjudicated by the Linn County District Court. The Clerk of Court maintains records from all of these proceedings.
Searching Family Court Records
Family case records can be located through the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search by entering a party's name or case number. Public access terminals at the courthouse also display family case information. That said, many family court records contain sensitive or confidential material — particularly those involving minor children, adoption proceedings, and domestic abuse protective orders. Access to the full case file may be restricted to the parties involved, their attorneys, or individuals authorized by law or court order.
Case parties can view filings, receive notifications, and access documents through the Iowa Courts eFile system. Reach the Clerk of Court at (319) 398-3411 for family law inquiries.
Dissolution of Marriage Records
Divorce case files are maintained by the Clerk's office. The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition in Iowa is $265.00 (Iowa Code 602.8105(1)(b)). To get copies, contact the Clerk's office by phone or visit in person at the Linn County Courthouse. You'll need at least the names of the parties and the approximate date of the dissolution.
Marriage Records
Marriage records in Linn County are maintained by the Linn County Recorder's office, not the Clerk of Court. Under Iowa Administrative Code Rule 641, Chapter 95, only entitled persons may obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. Entitled persons include the individual named on the record (if 18 or older), their spouse, parents, children, siblings (with proof of entitlement), grandparents, and legal guardians or representatives.
To request a certified copy, submit a completed and notarized Vital Record Application Form along with a copy of your government-issued ID and a $15.00 fee. That fee increases to $20.00 effective July 1, 2026. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Requests can be delivered in person, by mail, or placed in the white drop box at the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center.
Linn County Recorder Vital Records
Street Address: 935 2nd Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Mailing Address: Linn County Recorder, Attn: Vital Records, P.O. Box 1406, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-1406
Phone: (319) 892-5445
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM (arrive by 4:00 PM for same-day pickup)
All other persons may only obtain uncertified copies, which bear an overstamp such as "Not for Legal Purposes" or "For Genealogical Purposes Only".
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are also available from the Linn County Recorder's Vital Records office under the same entitlement requirements, application process, and $15.00 fee structure as marriage records (increasing to $20.00 on July 1, 2026). The Recorder maintains birth records from 1880–1920 and 1942–present, and death records for all years except 1921–1941. Birth records from 1921–1941, records of births to unwed mothers before July 1, 1988, and death records from 1921–1941 must be requested from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Linn County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Linn County — estate administration, will contests, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships — fall under the jurisdiction of the Linn County District Court. The filing fee for a probate petition (appointment of guardian or conservator) is $195.00 under Iowa Code 602.8105(1)(a).
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be found through the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search by entering a party's name or case number and selecting the probate case type. Public access terminals at the Linn County Courthouse also let you view probate docket entries.
Obtaining Copies of Probate Documents
To request copies of probate case documents — wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary, inventories, accountings, and guardianship or conservatorship orders — contact the Clerk of Court's Civil Division at (319) 398-3411, ext. 1212, or visit the Linn County Courthouse at 51 Third Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids. Copies are $0.50 per page, and certification of any document costs $30.00. Arrange payment directly with the Clerk's office.
Case parties involved in probate proceedings can use the Iowa Courts eFile system to access and track filings electronically. For questions about specific probate cases or procedures, email the Clerk's office at countyclerk.linn@iowacourts.gov. Fax requests for civil and probate matters can be sent to (319) 896-2240.