Court records of Polk County, Iowa, are available through several channels. PolkIACourt.us allows you to find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the state's official online court system tools, directly at the Clerk of Court's office, and at public terminals in court buildings in Des Moines.
Polk Court System & Jurisdictions
Polk County is part of the 5th Judicial District of Iowa. Iowa does not have separate specialized courts at the county level — the single District Court handles all categories of cases. However, within this court, there is a clear division by types of proceedings.
- District Court (general jurisdiction) — criminal cases involving felonies, civil lawsuits over $6,500, equity cases (including foreclosure and injunctions), appeals from administrative agencies.
- Magistrate Division — simple misdemeanors, small claims up to $6,500, violations of city ordinances, some preliminary hearings in criminal cases.
- Juvenile Court — cases involving minors: delinquency, dependency, termination of parental rights.
- Probate — estate administration, establishment of guardianship and conservatorship, probate matters.
- Family Court — divorces, child support, child custody, protective orders.
Traffic violations are handled by the Magistrate Division if they are scheduled violations, or by the District Court if the violation is classified as a serious misdemeanor or criminal offense, such as OWI (Operating While Intoxicated). Knowing the correct division is important: it determines in which register to search for the case.
The court complex consists of two buildings with jury rooms. The historic Polk County Courthouse is located at the intersection of 5th and Mulberry Street, and the second building is nearby.
Polk Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be viewed through the Iowa Judicial Branch system. The state of Iowa uses the centralized Iowa Courts Online (ICIS) platform, where hearing calendars for all district courts, including Polk County, are published.
To find a specific hearing:
- Go to the Iowa Courts Online website.
- Select a search by party name or case number.
- In the results, open the case — future hearing dates are displayed in the case details.
If you need information about a specific judge or courtroom, call the Clerk of Court's office. Contact details for the District Court in Polk County are available on the 5th Judicial District page.
Note: the calendar may change due to rescheduled hearings. Public terminals in the courthouse also show the current schedule for the day.
How to Get a Copy of a Polk Court Document
The Clerk of Court's office in Polk County issues both certified and uncertified copies of court documents. A certified copy has the court's official seal and confirms authenticity — it is required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or immigration procedures. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Online. Through Iowa Courts Online, you can view basic case information (parties, dates, status) for free. To obtain full documents or certified copies, you need to contact the Clerk's office. Requests for public court records can be submitted through the Iowa Judicial Branch.
In-person. Visit the Clerk of Court's office at Polk County Courthouse:
By mail. Send a written request with the case number, party names, and document type to the above address. Include a check or money order for the fee payment.
Some records are restricted in access — including juvenile cases, sealed cases, and records closed by court order. Access rules for court records are governed by Chapter 20 Iowa Court Rules.
Polk Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Iowa are set at the state level according to Iowa Code Chapter 602.8105. Below are the main rates applicable in Polk County District Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified document copy | $20.00 for the first document |
| Each additional page of a certified copy | $1.00 |
| Uncertified copy | $1.00 per page |
| Record search by request | $6.00 |
| Exemplification | $20.00 |
Payment is accepted at the Clerk of Court's office in person — by cash, check, or money order payable to "Clerk of District Court." Some fees may be paid by credit or debit card; confirm when contacting. For mail requests, include a check or money order.
Note: the listed rates correspond to the general fee schedule of the state of Iowa. The court may charge additional fees for expedited processing or large volume copying. If you are unsure of the exact amount, call the Clerk's office before sending payment.