Iowa Court Records
Iowa Court Records
Iowa court records have been kept since 1827. Many Iowa residents' names are listed in civil court records, where information exists about divorce, estate settlements, property and other disputes. These courts also handled criminal matters. Court order books and case files may list a person's age, residence, occupation, and family relationships. Sometimes friends and neighbors gave depositions as witnesses to events that occurred.
Major Iowa courts that kept records of genealogical value were as follows:1851-1868 County courts These county–wide courts had jurisdiction over lesser civil and criminal matters, such as probates, marriage licenses, and liquor permits. In 1868 the circuit court took over the duties from the county court.
You can obtain copies of court records by contacting the appropriate clerk’s office.
1868-1887 Circuit courts These county–wide courts had jurisdiction over juvenile, criminal, and civil cases. From about 1869 to 1887 this court handled probate cases. Circuit courts were abolished in 1887 and their jurisdiction was given to district courts.
1836-present District courts These courts have district–wide jurisdiction over probate, criminal, and civil cases. The records include chancery, trespass, debt, and assault cases.
1900's Municipal courts These courts have city–wide jurisdiction, concurrent with district courts, over misdemeanors and minor civil matters.
1839-present Justice of the peace courts These courts have district–wide jurisdiction over minor misdemeanors, search warrants, and town or city ordinance violations.
1838-present Supreme Court This is Iowa’s highest court, and is also a court of appeals.
Check out the following website to read about and share experiences from courthouse research.
http://www.bcpl.net/%7Edmg/courthouse.htm#Iowa
"The Goodman Clearinghouse:
Experiences In Researching in Court Houses"
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