Clinton County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Clinton County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through ClintonIARecords.us as well as through official county and state government channels. Clinton County, Iowa maintains a range of government-generated documents that are accessible to the public under Iowa's open records framework. The records available through official sources may include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records such as birth and death certificates
Law enforcement records and incident reports
Tax assessment and property tax records
Voting and election records
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Business licenses and permits

Records may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and online government portals.

Online Access:

Real estate documents are available through the Iowa Land Records portal, the official statewide website sponsored by elected county officials
Court case information is accessible through the Iowa Judicial Branch's online case search system
The Clinton County Recorder's office provides online access to recorded documents

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Clinton County Recorder's Office or the Clinton County District Court Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. The Recorder's Office is located at 612 N. 2nd Street, Clinton, IA 52732. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail. Requests must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Iowa Code § 22.4, government bodies are required to respond to records requests promptly.

Phone/Email:

Clinton County Recorder: (563) 244-0568
Clinton County District Court Clerk: (563) 244-0506

What Are Public Records in Clinton County?

Public records in Clinton County are defined under Iowa law as all records, documents, tape recordings, or other information stored or preserved in any medium that are made, maintained, or kept by a government body. Under Iowa Code § 22.1, a "public record" includes any document in the custody of a government body, regardless of physical form or characteristics.

The following record types are currently maintained by various Clinton County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Clinton County District Court Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Clinton County Recorder
Birth and death certificates	Clinton County Recorder
Marriage and divorce records	Clinton County Recorder / District Court
Property tax and assessment records	Clinton County Assessor / Treasurer
Business licenses and permits	Clinton County Auditor
Voting and election records	Clinton County Auditor
Board meeting minutes and agendas	Clinton County Auditor
Law enforcement records	Clinton County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Clinton County Planning & Zoning

The Clinton County Recorder's Office maintains official records of documents affecting real estate in order to protect innocent third parties in real estate transactions. The Clinton County District Court serves as the repository for all court-related records within the county.

Is Clinton County an Open Records County?

Clinton County follows Iowa's statewide open records law, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under Iowa Code § 22.2, every person has the right to examine and copy public records. Iowa's open records law, commonly referred to as the Iowa Open Records Act, applies to all government bodies within the state, including county offices, boards, and commissions.

The Iowa Attorney General's Office has stated that "the public policy of the state of Iowa is that governmental bodies exist to serve the people and that the records of governmental bodies are public records." This principle governs how Clinton County offices respond to records requests.

Iowa's Sunshine Law further requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, and that records of those meetings be preserved and made available. Clinton County offices are required to comply with these provisions and may not deny access to public records except where a specific statutory exemption applies.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clinton County?

The current fee structure for public records in Clinton County is governed by Iowa law and individual office fee schedules. Under Iowa Code § 22.3, government bodies may charge fees for the actual cost of providing copies of public records.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Fee Type	Amount
Standard paper copies	$0.10–$0.25 per page (varies by office)
Certified copies of recorded documents	$5.00 for the first page; $1.00 each additional page
Certified birth certificate	$15.00 per copy
Certified death certificate	$15.00 per copy
Certified marriage certificate	$15.00 per copy
Electronic document copies	Varies by record type
Record search fee	No charge for inspection; copying fees apply

Accepted payment methods at the Recorder's Office include cash, check, and credit card. Fees may vary depending on the office maintaining the record and the format requested. Inspection of public records at a public counter is available at no charge. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under Iowa law, though individual offices may exercise discretion in limited circumstances.

Does Clinton County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Clinton County government offices during regular business hours. Iowa law requires that members of the public be permitted to inspect public records without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

Iowa Land Records portal: Members of the public may search and view recorded real estate documents through the land records management system maintained by the Clinton County Recorder at no cost
Iowa Courts Online: The Iowa Judicial Branch provides free online access to court case information through its public case search tool
In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at the Clinton County Recorder's Office, the District Court Clerk's Office, and other county offices without charge

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person or online through official portals carries no fee, obtaining certified or paper copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Clinton County?

Any person may request public records in Clinton County. Iowa's open records law does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Members of the public are not required to be Iowa residents to submit a records request, and requesters are not required to provide a reason for their request in most circumstances.

Specific provisions include:

Identification: Requesters are not required to provide identification to inspect public records, though identification may be required for certain vital records requests
Purpose: No statement of purpose is required for standard public records requests
Residency: Non-residents retain the same rights of access as Iowa residents under current law
Vital records: Certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates are subject to access restrictions; only eligible individuals (the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized representatives) may obtain certified copies of birth records and other vital documents
Court records: Certain court records may require a showing of legitimate interest or a court order for access

Individuals requesting their own records follow the same process as any other requester, though additional verification may be required for sensitive personal records.

What Records Are Confidential in Clinton County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Iowa law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from the open records requirement. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted under Iowa Code Chapter 22 and related statutes:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available to the public
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Iowa law
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations may be withheld; the Clinton County Sheriff's Office follows applicable state exemptions when responding to records requests
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
Medical records: Protected under both Iowa law and federal HIPAA provisions
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Iowa Department of Health and Human Services regulations
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure with limited exceptions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety

As the Iowa Attorney General's Office has noted, "the exceptions to the open records law are to be construed narrowly," meaning that government bodies may not withhold records unless a specific statutory exemption clearly applies.

Clinton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Office Name: Clinton County Recorder's Office

Physical Address: 612 N. 2nd Street Clinton, IA 52732

Phone: (563) 244-0568 Website: Clinton County Recorder's Office

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on federal and state holidays

Additional Offices:

Clinton County District Court Clerk 612 N. 2nd Street Clinton, IA 52732 (563) 244-0506 Clinton County District Court

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Clinton County Sheriff's Office 612 N. 2nd Street Clinton, IA 52732 (563) 244-5520 Clinton County Sheriff's Office

Office Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week (administrative records requests handled during regular business hours)

Clinton County Auditor's Office 612 N. 2nd Street Clinton, IA 52732 (563) 244-0535