Marshall County Court Records Search
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Marshall County, Iowa operates a unified District Court system through which all civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters are adjudicated. Court records produced by these proceedings document everything from the initial filing of a complaint through to final judgment and appeal, and serve as the authoritative public record of legal activity in the county. Under Chapter 20 of the Iowa Court Rules, a court record includes any item generated by courts to document activity in an action or proceeding — encompassing complaints, pleadings, orders, subpoenas, dockets, calendars, and more, in both physical and electronic formats.
Residents and non-residents alike have the right to access most Marshall County court records. Iowa makes court information available through several channels: in-person at the Marshall County Courthouse clerk’s office, via public access terminals at the courthouse, and online through the state judiciary’s case search system. IowaCourts.us can help users orient themselves within Iowa’s court structure and locate publicly available case information. The sections below outline exactly how to find, request, and obtain specific categories of records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Marshall County?
Marshall County is part of Iowa’s Judicial District 2, and all court records are maintained by the Clerk of the District Court.
Marshall County District Court — Clerk of Court
Address: 17 East Main Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: (641) 754-1603
Fax: (641) 754-1600
Email: countyclerk.marshall@iowacourts.gov
The courthouse itself is located at 1 East Main Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158, and houses the main courtrooms and public access terminals.
Online Case Search
The Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search provides statewide online access to case docket information, searchable by party name, docket number, or other criteria. This tool allows the public to view case status, hearing schedules, and docket entries free of charge. However, it does not allow downloading or printing of case documents — document viewing requires either a courthouse public access terminal or account-based access through the Iowa Courts eFile system.
Case Parties and Document Access
Case parties have a distinct advantage in that they can log into the Iowa Courts eFile system to review, file, and download documents in their own active cases. Members of the general public who need physical copies of filed documents must either visit the courthouse in person or submit a written request to the Clerk’s office.
Juvenile Court Office
Juvenile matters are handled separately from the main District Court clerk. The Juvenile Court Office in Marshall County is located at:
26 South 1st Avenue, Suite 205, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: (641) 753-3481
Are Court Records Public in Marshall County?
The Iowa Open Records Act (Iowa Code Chapter 22) establishes the foundational right of public access to government records in Iowa, including court records. Any person — regardless of Iowa residency or citizenship — may inspect and obtain copies of court records maintained by the Marshall County District Court, subject to the specific exceptions described below.
Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16 and Chapter 20 elaborate on access rights and confidentiality requirements for electronic court records. Under these rules, court files and documents are classified as either public or confidential, and only authorized parties may access the latter.
Records open to public inspection typically include:
- Civil case filings, orders, and judgments
- Criminal case dockets, indictments, and sentencing records
- Divorce and dissolution decrees
- Probate petitions and estate administration records
- Small claims case filings and outcomes
- Marriage records (certified copies restricted by eligibility; uncertified copies available to all)
Records restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile delinquency and Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) records — confidential under Iowa law, with remote access expressly excluded under Iowa Court Rule 16
- Grand jury transcripts and deliberations
- Medical records attached to court filings
- Expunged criminal records
- Personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar sensitive identifiers, which are treated as protected information and redacted from public-facing documents
The Iowa Judicial Branch maintains a guide to protecting personal information in court filings that identifies categories of protected information and explains when redaction is required.
Marshall County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Marshall County — from misdemeanors through felonies — are heard in the Marshall County District Court. The Clerk of Court at 17 East Main Street maintains the official case files for all criminal proceedings.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case docket information can be searched online through the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search by entering the defendant’s name or case number. For certified copies of criminal filings, judgments, or sentencing orders, contact the Clerk of Court directly at (641) 754-1603. Fees may apply for copies.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records and incident reports for Marshall County fall under the custody of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, which maintains a Records Division that compiles and disseminates information from all criminal documents generated by the office, including arrests, traffic accidents, property damage and theft reports, and missing person cases.
Marshall County Sheriff’s Office — Records Division
Address: 2369 Jessup Avenue, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: (641) 754-6380
Fax: (641) 754-6369
To obtain a copy of a sheriff’s office report, submit a written request along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a $5.00 fee to the Records Division at the address above. Accident reports can also be obtained online through the Sheriff’s Crash Report Portal.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For comprehensive criminal history background checks covering all of Iowa, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) processes formal requests. The fee is $15 per last name searched, and each last name requires a separate request form and payment. This is distinct from a court case search and returns a broader criminal history record maintained by the state.
Marshall County Civil Court Records
All civil matters in Marshall County are filed with and adjudicated by the Marshall County District Court. This includes contract disputes, tort claims, evictions, debt collection, and other non-criminal disputes between parties.
Small Claims
Small claims actions in Iowa are governed by Iowa Code Chapter 631 and are heard within the District Court’s small claims docket. Under Iowa law, the small claims jurisdictional limit is $6,500 for actions commenced on or after July 1, 2018. Filing fees for small claims cases are set statewide at $95. This docket provides an expedited, less formal process for individuals and small businesses to resolve lower-dollar disputes without necessarily requiring legal representation.
Searching and Requesting Civil Records
Civil case dockets are searchable through the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search. To obtain copies of filed documents, contact the District Court Clerk at (641) 754-1603 or visit in person. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow viewing of case documents at no charge.
Civil Process Service
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Civil Division handles service of civil process documents throughout the county, including garnishments, summonses, complaints, subpoenas, and writs. Advance fees are required for all civil papers served. For fee information, contact the civil office directly at (641) 754-6380 before submitting documents.
Property Records
The Marshall County Recorder’s Office — operated jointly with the Auditor’s office — maintains real estate records including deeds, mortgages, plats, surveys, tax liens, easements, and contracts. The Recorder’s office is located at 1 East Main Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158, and can be reached at (641) 754-6323. Recording fees are $5.00 per page plus a $2.00 per transaction surcharge; deeds require an additional auditor’s transfer fee of $5.00 per parcel. Several property search tools are available on the Marshall County government website, including the Beacon property search and the wEdge recorded document search.
Marshall County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Marshall County — including divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, and domestic abuse matters — are heard by the Marshall County District Court. The Clerk of Court at 17 East Main Street maintains all case files.
Divorce Records
Divorce and dissolution records are generally public under Iowa law. They can be searched online through the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search and accessed in person at the courthouse’s public terminals. To request certified or plain copies, contact the District Court Clerk directly. Have the names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and the case number available when making a request. Per-page copy fees apply.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and marriage records are maintained by the Marshall County Recorder’s Office. Certified copies of marriage records from 1954 forward are available regardless of the county where the marriage occurred; records from 1953 and before can only be obtained from the county of the event or from the state Bureau of Health Statistics.
Access to certified copies is restricted to entitled persons under Rule 641, Chapter 95 of Iowa’s Administrative Code: the spouses named on the record, their immediate family members (parents, grandparents, children, siblings, grandchildren), and their legal guardians or representatives. Anyone else may obtain an uncertified copy stamped “Not for Legal Purposes”.
Fee Schedule — Vital Records (Marshall County Recorder):
| Record Type | Certified Copy | Uncertified Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage certificate | $15.00 | $5.00 |
| Birth certificate | $15.00 | $5.00 |
| Death certificate | $15.00 | $5.00 |
Note: A fee increase to $20.00 for certified copies is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
Requesting Vital Records by Mail
Mail requests for certified copies require all of the following:
- A completed Application for an Iowa Vital Record, legibly filled out
- A copy of the applicant’s current government-issued photo ID
- Payment of $15.00 per certified copy by check or money order payable to Marshall County Recorder
- Applicant’s signature notarized before a Notary Public
Mail to: Marshall County Recorder, 1 East Main Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158
In-person requests are accepted during normal working hours at the same address. Debit and credit card payments are accepted in the office only, with an additional service fee applied.
Birth Records — Special Limitations
The Recorder does not hold all birth records. Specifically, it does not maintain single-parent births prior to 1986, adoptions prior to 1986, records sealed by court order, or vital records from 1921 to 1941. For records outside the Recorder’s holdings, contact the Iowa Department of Vital Records through the Bureau of Health Statistics, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, located at Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075. The bureau can be reached by phone at (515) 281-4944, or records can be ordered through VitalChek at (866) 809-0290.
Marshall County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Marshall County — including estate administration, will contests, guardianships, and conservatorships — are handled by the Marshall County District Court. Iowa does not maintain a separate probate court; instead, these proceedings fall within the District Court’s general jurisdiction.
Types of Probate Proceedings
- Administration of decedents’ estates (testate and intestate)
- Probating and filing of wills
- Will contests
- Appointment of guardians for minors or incapacitated adults
- Establishment of conservatorships to manage the financial affairs of protected persons
- Guardianship and conservatorship mediation
Searching Probate Records
Probate case dockets are accessible through the Iowa Courts Electronic Docket Record Search by searching the decedent’s or ward’s name. Public case documents may be viewed on the courthouse’s public access terminal during regular business hours. For certified copies of probate orders, inventories, or final decrees, contact the Clerk of Court:
Marshall County District Court — Clerk of Court
Address: 17 East Main Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: (641) 754-1603
Email: countyclerk.marshall@iowacourts.gov
Bring the decedent’s or ward’s full name, the approximate year the case was opened, and the case number if available. Copy fees will apply for certified documents. The Iowa Bar Association publishes general guidance on guardianships and conservatorships for parties unfamiliar with the process, which can help individuals understand what filings to look for when researching these proceedings.