Boone County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Boone County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through BooneCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Boone County, Iowa maintains a broad range of official records across multiple county departments, and this page provides guidance on how those records may be located, requested, and reviewed. Depending on the record type, individuals may find property documents, court filings, vital records, tax assessments, and other government-generated materials. Access to specific records may vary based on applicable exemptions under Iowa law.

Records in Boone County may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals, and online government portals.

Online Access:

The Boone County government portal provides access to county department pages, property tax payment tools, and links to relevant offices.
The Recorder's Office maintains real estate documents and provides retrieval tools for recorded instruments.
The Iowa Courts Online system allows members of the public to search court records statewide, including cases filed in Boone County District Court.
Iowa Land Records, accessible through the real estate documents and recording fees page, provides online access to recorded real estate instruments.
No registration is required to conduct basic searches through Iowa Courts Online or the Iowa Land Records portal.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Boone County Recorder's Office or the Boone County Courthouse to inspect records in person. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating documents. Requestors should bring identifying information relevant to the record sought, such as a parcel number, case number, or full legal name.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requestor'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 public records requests promptly and without unnecessary delay.

Phone/Email:

Boone County Recorder: 515-433-0561
Boone County District Court Clerk: 515-433-0561 / boone.county.clerk@iowacourts.gov

What Are Public Records in Boone County?

Public records in Boone 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 in connection with the transaction of public business. Under Iowa Code § 22.1, a "public record" includes any document, communication, or other data compiled, maintained, or received by a government body. The following record types are currently maintained by Boone County departments:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Boone County District Court
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements maintained by the Recorder's Office
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records maintained by the Recorder's Office and Iowa Department of Public Health
Business records — trade name registrations and related filings maintained by the Recorder's Office
Tax records — property tax and assessment records maintained by the County Treasurer and Assessor
Voting and election records — maintained by the County Auditor
Meeting minutes and agendas — county board of supervisors and other public bodies, available through the county government portal
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the County Auditor
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Boone County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Boone County an Open Records County?

Boone County follows Iowa's open records law, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. Under Iowa Code Chapter 22, known as the Iowa Open Records Act, all government records are presumed open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Iowa Attorney General's Office has stated that "the policy of this state is that records of government bodies shall be public records and that all persons shall have access to such records." This principle applies to all county-level government bodies in Iowa, including those in Boone County.

The Iowa Open Records Act does not require requestors to provide a reason for seeking records, and no special status or residency is required to submit a request. County departments are obligated to make records available for inspection during regular business hours and to provide copies upon request, subject to applicable fees. Boone County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance; the county operates in full compliance with state sunshine law requirements as established under Chapter 22.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Boone County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Iowa law permits government bodies to charge fees that do not exceed the actual cost of providing the records.

Fee Type	Amount
Standard copy (per page)	$0.10 – $0.25 (varies by office)
Certified copy of recorded document	$5.00 per document (Recorder's Office)
Real estate document recording	Varies; see recording fee schedule
Electronic copies	May be provided at no charge or at cost of reproduction
Inspection of records	No charge for in-person inspection

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and credit or debit card, though accepted methods may vary by department. Under Iowa Code § 22.3, fees for copies may not exceed the actual cost of providing the service. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly codified under Iowa law, but individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.

Does Boone County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Boone County. Iowa law requires that government bodies permit members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources currently provide free access to certain records:

The Iowa Courts Online search portal allows free searching of court case information statewide, including Boone County District Court cases.
The Iowa Land Records website, accessible through the Boone County Recorder's Office page, provides free online access to recorded real estate documents.
The Boone County government website provides free access to meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other public documents posted online.
In-person inspection at the Recorder's Office and County Courthouse is available at no charge during business hours.

Who Can Request Public Records in Boone County?

Any person may request public records in Boone County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Iowa's open records law does not restrict access to Iowa residents, and non-residents retain the same rights to inspect and copy public records as residents of the state. The Iowa Open Records Act does not require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request when seeking access to standard public records.

Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records, though identification may be required in specific circumstances, such as when requesting records that contain personal information about the requestor. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject of the record. Certain sensitive record categories, including juvenile court records and sealed court files, are subject to additional access restrictions regardless of who is making the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Boone County?

Not all government records in Boone County are open to public inspection. Iowa Code Chapter 22 and related statutes identify numerous categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted under Iowa law:

Sealed court records — records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile court records — protected under Iowa Code Chapter 232 and accessible only to authorized parties
Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement investigative files that, if disclosed, would jeopardize an active investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records
Medical and health records — protected under HIPAA and Iowa law
Adoption records — sealed under Iowa law except to parties with a legal right of access
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Personnel records — employee performance evaluations and certain personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government bodies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

Iowa Code § 22.7 enumerates specific categories of confidential records and provides the statutory basis for withholding documents that fall within those categories. Government bodies applying exemptions are expected to balance the public interest in disclosure against the specific harm that disclosure would cause.

Boone County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Office Name: Boone County Recorder's Office

Physical Address:
201 State Street
Boone, IA 50036

Phone: 515-433-0561
Website: Boone County Recorder's Office

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

As the Iowa Recorder's Association notes, "The Recorder's office maintains all official real estate documents and provides retrieval and reproduction of these records for the public and businesses."

Additional Offices:

Boone County District Court – Clerk of Court
201 State Street
Boone, IA 50036
Phone: 515-433-0561
Boone County District Court

Boone County Juvenile Court Office
201 State Street
Boone, IA 50036
Phone: 515-433-0567

Boone County Government – General Inquiries
201 State Street
Boone, IA 50036
Boone County, Iowa – County Government