Iowa Arrest Records

Is Iowa an Open Arrest Records State?

Iowa is considered an open arrest records state pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code, commonly known as the Iowa Open Records Law. This statutory framework establishes that arrest records maintained by government agencies are generally accessible to the public. The Iowa Open Records Law operates under the fundamental principle that government transparency is essential to a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to monitor the activities of public officials and agencies.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), operating under the Iowa Department of Public Safety, serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state. Under Iowa Code § 692.17, the DCI maintains records of arrests, including the nature of charges, dates of arrests, and the disposition of cases. These records are considered public information unless specifically exempted by statute.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain limitations exist. Iowa Code § 22.7 enumerates specific categories of records that may be kept confidential, including ongoing investigative reports, certain juvenile records, and personal information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy if disclosed. Additionally, pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 661-82.3, arrest information over 18 months old without a disposition is not provided in standard background checks.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Iowa maintain arrest records at the local level, while the DCI compiles these records at the state level. The Iowa Courts Online system, administered by the Iowa Judicial Branch, provides an additional resource for accessing information about criminal cases that result from arrests.

How to Look Up Iowa Arrest Records in 2025

The State of Iowa provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. As of 2025, these records can be obtained through both electronic and in-person methods, in accordance with Iowa Code § 22.3, which requires governmental bodies to provide reasonable access to public records.

To obtain Iowa arrest records, individuals may utilize the following official channels:

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI): The DCI provides criminal history record checks for a fee of $15 per name searched. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person.

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
215 E 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 725-6066
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Iowa Courts Online: The Iowa Judicial Branch maintains a searchable database of court records, including criminal cases resulting from arrests. Basic searches are available at no cost, while more detailed information may require payment of statutory fees.
County Sheriff's Offices and Local Police Departments: These agencies maintain records of arrests within their jurisdictions. Contact information for specific agencies can be found through the Iowa Department of Public Safety website.
Iowa Department of Corrections: For individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to supervision by the corrections system, the Iowa Offender Search provides public information pursuant to Iowa Code § 904.601(1).

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth. Additional identifiers such as social security numbers may expedite the search process but are not always required.

Contents of an Iowa Arrest Record

Iowa arrest records contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Iowa Code § 690.2 and related administrative rules. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement agencies following an alleged violation of law.

Standard components of an Iowa arrest record include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and other identifying characteristics.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name of arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer; and statutory authority for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific Iowa Code violations alleged; classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies; and preliminary charge information.
Booking Information: Fingerprints, photographs (mugshots), and unique identifying numbers assigned by law enforcement agencies.
Case Disposition: Information regarding the resolution of charges, which may include dismissal, acquittal, conviction, sentencing details, or other outcomes.
Custody Status: Whether the individual was released on bail, held in pretrial detention, or released on their own recognizance.

Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 661-82.2, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including social security numbers, information related to confidential informants, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are generally confidential under Iowa Code § 232.147, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.

Understanding the Iowa Open Records Act

The Iowa Open Records Act, codified in Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code, establishes the framework for public access to government records, including arrest records. This legislation, formally titled the "Examination of Public Records" law but commonly referred to as the Open Records Act, embodies the state's commitment to governmental transparency and accountability.

Under Iowa Code § 22.2(1), "Every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record and to publish or otherwise disseminate a public record or the information contained in a public record." This statutory provision creates a presumption of openness for government records, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings.

Key provisions of the Iowa Open Records Act include:

Definition of Public Records: Iowa Code § 22.1(3) broadly defines public records to include "all records, documents, tape, or other information, stored or preserved in any medium," that are created, maintained, or kept by a government body.
Timeframe for Response: Government bodies must provide access to public records during customary office hours and within a reasonable timeframe. While the law does not specify a precise deadline, agencies are expected to respond promptly to requests.
Reasonable Fees: Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.3, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and supervising the examination of records, but these fees cannot exceed the actual cost of providing the service.
Exemptions: Iowa Code § 22.7 enumerates specific categories of records that may be kept confidential, including certain investigative reports, personal information in personnel records, and records that would give advantage to competitors if released.

The Iowa Public Information Board, established under Iowa Code § 23.3, serves as a resource for citizens and government officials regarding compliance with the Open Records Act. This board has authority to issue advisory opinions, provide training, and resolve disputes related to access to public records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Iowa

Iowa law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement refers to the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access or, in some cases, destroyed entirely. This process is governed primarily by Iowa Code § 901C.2 and related statutes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of arrest records in Iowa include:

Dismissals: Cases where charges were dismissed with prejudice, or dismissed without prejudice and the statute of limitations has expired.
Acquittals: Cases where the defendant was found not guilty of all charges.
Deferred Judgments: After successful completion of probation and payment of all financial obligations, certain deferred judgments may be eligible for expungement.
Waiting Periods: For most eligible cases, a minimum waiting period of 180 days from the date of dismissal or acquittal is required before expungement can be granted.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court where the case was heard. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 901C.2(1)(a), the petition must include:

The date of arrest
The county where the arrest occurred
The case number and criminal charges
The agency that arrested the defendant
The name of the court where the case was heard

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing. If the court determines that the statutory requirements have been met, it will issue an order of expungement. This order directs all agencies with records related to the arrest to remove those records from public access.

It is important to note that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for legitimate law enforcement purposes, and certain professional licensing boards may also retain access to expunged records under specific circumstances.

How to Find Local Arrests in Iowa?

Members of the public seeking information about local arrests in Iowa have several authorized channels through which such information may be obtained. Access to this information is governed by the Iowa Open Records Act, which establishes the public's right to examine government records while balancing privacy concerns and law enforcement needs.

Local arrest information may be accessed through the following official sources:

County Sheriff's Offices: Each of Iowa's 99 counties maintains a sheriff's office that records arrests within its jurisdiction. Many sheriff's offices maintain websites with current arrest information, outstanding warrants, and inmate rosters.

Example: Polk County Sheriff's Office
1985 NE 51st Place
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 286-3800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Municipal Police Departments: City police departments maintain records of arrests within city limits. Larger departments often provide online access to recent arrest information.

Example: Des Moines Police Department
25 East 1st Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 283-4811
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Iowa Courts Online: The Iowa Judicial Branch maintains a searchable database of court records, including criminal cases resulting from arrests. This system provides case information for all 99 counties.
Local Media Sources: Many local newspapers and television stations report on significant arrests and maintain searchable archives of crime reports.

When requesting arrest information in person, individuals should be prepared to complete a formal records request form and provide identification. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.3, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records or supervising their examination.

For ongoing monitoring of arrest activity, several sheriff's offices and police departments offer subscription services that provide email or text notifications about arrests or other law enforcement activities in specified areas. These services typically require registration and may involve nominal fees.

The Iowa Department of Corrections also maintains the Iowa Offender Search database, which provides information about individuals who have been processed through the corrections system following conviction.