Court records in Des Moines County, Iowa, can be searched through several channels. DesMoinesCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through the Iowa Judicial Branch website, visit the Clerk of Court office at the Des Moines County Courthouse, or use a public access terminal located in the courthouse. Each option provides different levels of detail depending on the case type and record availability.
Des Moines Court System & Jurisdictions
Des Moines County is part of Judicial District 8 in the Iowa court system. All trial-level matters are handled by the Iowa District Court, which sits in the Des Moines County Courthouse in Burlington. Iowa does not operate separate county-level courts — the District Court covers every case type, organized into divisions.
District Court Divisions & Case Types
- Criminal Division — Felonies, aggravated misdemeanors, serious misdemeanors, and simple misdemeanors prosecuted in the county.
- Civil Division — Lawsuits involving claims above the small claims threshold, contract disputes, personal injury, and equity matters.
- Small Claims — Civil disputes where the amount in controversy is $6,500 or less. These are heard by magistrates and follow simplified procedures.
- Family Law — Divorce (dissolution of marriage), child custody, child support, paternity, protective orders, and adoptions. Self-represented litigants can find forms and guidance on the Iowa Judicial Branch divorce page.
- Probate — Estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters.
- Juvenile — Delinquency, child-in-need-of-assistance (CINA), and termination-of-parental-rights proceedings. Most juvenile records are confidential under Iowa law.
- Traffic & Scheduled Violations — Moving violations, parking citations, and other scheduled offenses. Fines for many traffic tickets can be paid online through Iowa.gov.
Magistrates within the District Court handle small claims, simple misdemeanors, search warrant applications, and initial appearances. District associate judges hear certain misdemeanors, civil cases under specified dollar amounts, and preliminary hearings. District judges preside over felonies, major civil litigation, family law trials, and appeals from magistrate decisions.
Courthouse Location
For the most current contact details and judge assignments, visit the Iowa Judicial Branch page for Des Moines County.
Des Moines Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars in Iowa are managed through the Iowa Judicial Branch's electronic system. To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's scheduled hearings in Des Moines County:
- Go to the Iowa Judicial Branch website.
- Use the online case search tool (Iowa Courts Online) to look up a specific case by case number, party name, or attorney name.
- Once you locate a case, scheduled hearing dates and courtroom assignments are typically displayed within the case detail.
You can also check the court calendar by:
- Calling the Clerk of Court at (319) 753-8272 to ask about upcoming hearings in a specific case.
- Visiting the courthouse — daily dockets are often posted near courtroom entrances or available at the clerk's counter.
- Using a public access terminal at the Des Moines County Courthouse, where you can search the Iowa Electronic Court Record System (EDMS) at no charge, as outlined in Chapter 16 of the Iowa Rules of Electronic Procedure.
Hearing schedules can change on short notice. If you are a party to a case or need to appear, confirm the date and time directly with the clerk's office beforehand.
How to Get a Copy of a Des Moines Court Document
The Clerk of Court for Des Moines County is the custodian of all court records filed in the county. You can obtain copies through three channels:
Online
Iowa Courts Online allows registered users to view and print many court documents electronically. Attorneys and parties to a case may have broader access. The general public can view case indexes and some documents, though certain filings — sealed records, juvenile cases, and confidential family law documents — are restricted. Electronic filing and access rules are governed by Iowa Rules of Electronic Procedure, Chapter 16.
In Person
- Visit the Clerk of Court office at the Des Moines County Courthouse during business hours.
- Provide the case number or enough identifying information (party names, approximate filing date) for staff to locate the file.
- Request either a certified or uncertified copy. Certified copies bear the court seal and clerk's signature — these are typically needed for legal proceedings, employment verification, or filing in another jurisdiction.
- Pay the applicable fee at the counter.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk of Court that includes:
- Full case number (if known)
- Names of the parties involved
- Description of the specific document(s) you need
- Whether you need certified or uncertified copies
- A check or money order for the estimated fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Records That May Be Restricted
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption records
- Records sealed by court order
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Certain domestic abuse and protective order filings
If you are unsure whether a record is publicly accessible, ask the clerk before submitting payment.
Des Moines Court Records Fees & Payment
Court record fees in Iowa are set by statute (Iowa Code Chapter 602, Article 8). The following schedule reflects standard fees established under Iowa law. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Court, as fees may be updated by legislative action or court order.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified), per page | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certification |
| Court record search (per name or case) | $6.00 |
| Certified copy of a judgment or decree | $2.00 certification + per-page copy fees |
| Filing a foreign judgment | Varies — contact clerk |
| Exemplified copies (triple-sealed) | Additional certification fees apply |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, or money order payable to the Des Moines County Clerk of Court. Some clerk offices accept credit or debit cards — confirm by calling ahead.
- By mail: Check or money order only.
- Online: Certain county fees can be paid through the Des Moines County online payment portal. Court fines and traffic tickets may also be payable through Iowa.gov's online payment system.
Fees for criminal background checks are handled separately through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, not the Clerk of Court. If you need a statewide criminal history record check rather than a single-case court record, contact DCI directly.