Boone County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Boone County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Boone County, Iowa, may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as BooneCountyRecords.us. Criminal records maintained by county and state agencies may include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, conviction histories, sentencing data, and active warrant information. The scope and completeness of any record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and whether the record has been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted under Iowa law.
Records accessible through official channels may include:
- Arrest and booking records maintained by the Boone County Sheriff's Office
- District court case filings, including charges, pleas, and dispositions
- Conviction histories and sentencing records
- Active and historical warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Inmate and jail roster information
- State-level criminal history compiled by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
The following five methods describe how members of the public may access these records through official resources.
1. County Court Records
The Boone County District Court, part of Iowa's Second Judicial District, maintains case files for all criminal proceedings filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect non-restricted court records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. Requestors should bring the subject's full legal name and, where available, a date of birth or case number. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for self-service case lookups.
Boone County District Court – Clerk of Court
201 State Street
Boone, IA 50036
Phone: (515) 433-0561
Boone District Court – Iowa Judicial Branch
2. Sheriff's Office
The Boone County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and the current inmate roster for the county jail. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office at the Law Enforcement Center. The Boone County Sheriff's Office processes requests in accordance with Iowa's open records statutes, and fees may apply for copies of documents.
Boone County Sheriff's Office
1019 West Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
Boone, IA 50036
Phone: (515) 433-0520
Boone County Sheriff – Official Website
3. Online Court Search
The Iowa Judicial Branch provides an online case search portal through which members of the public may search district court records statewide, including Boone County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns case status, filing dates, charge descriptions, and disposition information for non-sealed cases. Juvenile records and sealed matters do not appear in online search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), a division of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for fingerprint-based checks, a completed fingerprint card. Processing times and fees vary by request type. Name-based checks are available for a fee; fingerprint-based checks provide a more definitive result.
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-6066
Criminal History Record Check Information – Iowa DPS
5. Written and Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Boone County Clerk of Court or the Sheriff's Office by mail. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Iowa Code § 22.8, agencies are required to respond to public records requests in a reasonable time. Mailing address for court records: Clerk of Court, 201 State Street, Boone, IA 50036.
What Is Boone County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Boone County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. Under Iowa law, criminal records are created at multiple points in the justice process—from the moment of arrest through final disposition, including sentencing, probation, and any subsequent modifications.
The distinction between record types is legally significant. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody; it does not constitute evidence of guilt or a conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, whether through a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or jury or bench verdict. Felony records in Iowa involve offenses classified as Class A through Class D felonies under Iowa Code § 902.9, while misdemeanor records cover serious, aggravated, and simple misdemeanors. Active warrant records reflect outstanding judicial orders for an individual's arrest and remain accessible to the public until executed or recalled.
Juvenile records occupy a distinct legal category. Under Iowa law, records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are treated as confidential and are not subject to the same public access rules that govern adult criminal records. The Boone County District Court maintains a separate Juvenile Court Office at 201 State Street, Boone, IA 50036, reachable at (515) 433-0567.
Multiple agencies maintain distinct portions of a criminal record. The Boone County Sheriff's Office holds arrest and jail records. The District Court Clerk maintains case files, charging documents, plea agreements, trial records, and sentencing orders. The Iowa DCI's criminal history repository aggregates statewide conviction data. Local municipal police departments may hold incident and arrest reports for offenses occurring within their jurisdictions.
As the Iowa Department of Public Safety notes, "Criminal History Record Checks come from the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) which is part of the Department of Public Safety. The Iowa Criminal History Record contains information on felony and serious misdemeanor arrests and dispositions."
Are Criminal Records Public In Boone County
Criminal records in Boone County are public records under Iowa law. The Iowa Open Records Act, codified at Iowa Code Chapter 22, establishes that government records are presumptively open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing orders, and booking information maintained by the Sheriff's Office are accessible to any member of the public upon request.
Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure. These include:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are confidential under Iowa Code § 232.147
- Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order
- Ongoing criminal investigation files where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records incorporated into presentence reports
The Iowa Attorney General's Office has affirmed that "the right to examine and copy public records is a fundamental right of Iowa citizens," and that agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding records. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI or federal courts operate under separate federal access rules and are not subject to Iowa's open records statutes.
How To Find Criminal Records in Boone County Online
Official County Resources
The Boone County Sheriff's inmate roster provides a current listing of individuals held at the county jail, including booking information and charges. This roster is updated regularly and is accessible without registration. The Iowa Judicial Branch's online case search portal allows users to search Boone County District Court records by party name or case number, returning case status, charge descriptions, and disposition data for non-restricted matters.
State-Level Resources
The Iowa Judicial Branch's statewide case search covers all district courts, including Boone County. The Iowa DCI's criminal history background check portal provides access to the state's central criminal history repository for formal background check submissions.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results and eliminate name-match ambiguity
- Cross-reference results across the court portal, Sheriff's roster, and DCI repository
- Note that online records reflect data as of the most recent system update; real-time accuracy is not guaranteed
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in any public online search
Limitations
Online databases do not contain the complete historical record for all cases. Records predating electronic filing systems may exist only in paper form at the courthouse. Online access does not substitute for a certified official background check for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings.
Can You Search Boone County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Iowa Code § 22.2 mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records free of charge. The Boone County District Court and Sheriff's Office permit in-person inspection of non-restricted records at no cost. Copying fees apply to reproductions of documents.
2. Free Online Databases: The Iowa Judicial Branch's online case search is available at no charge for basic name and case number searches. The Boone County Sheriff's inmate roster is freely accessible online without registration or fees.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Arrest and booking logs maintained by the Boone County Sheriff's Office are public records subject to inspection at no cost during regular business hours.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document | $1.00–$2.00 per page (varies) |
| Official state criminal history (name-based) | $15.00 (Iowa DCI) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $45.00+ (Iowa DCI) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Under Iowa Code § 22.3, agencies may charge fees for the actual cost of providing copies but may not charge for the time spent locating records for inspection. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Boone County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A complete criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), photograph or mugshot where available, last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting agency; booking number; charges filed at the time of arrest; bail or bond conditions; and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records maintained by the Boone County District Court include the case number, filing date, jurisdiction, the specific charges and applicable Iowa Code sections (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (incarceration length, fines, restitution, probation conditions), any appeals filed, and current probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
Records may also include active or recalled warrants, protective or no-contact orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or OWI adjudications, and pending charges not yet resolved.
NOT Included
- Juvenile adjudication records (confidential under Iowa law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Criminal records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed pretrial diversion programs where charges were dismissed
- Federal criminal history maintained solely by the FBI
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a challenge to the originating agency. The Iowa DCI provides a formal process for disputing inaccurate criminal history information through its criminal history record check information portal.
How Long Does Boone County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Iowa's records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Iowa State Archives and the State Records Commission, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. Court records in Iowa are subject to retention schedules approved by the Iowa Supreme Court, which mandate permanent retention for felony conviction case files.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by both the District Court and the Iowa DCI repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court files; the DCI retains serious misdemeanor records indefinitely
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by the Sheriff's Office for a minimum period; may be subject to expungement under Iowa Code § 901C.1
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Court files are retained permanently and reflect the dismissal or acquittal as the disposition
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines are governed by Iowa Code § 232.150
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution and for the applicable post-disposition period
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files permanently per Iowa Supreme Court retention rules. The Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to county retention schedules, which may differ from court retention periods. The Iowa DCI retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Expungement
Under Iowa Code § 901C.1, certain individuals who were arrested but not convicted may petition the court for expungement of their criminal record. Eligibility requirements include the passage of a specified waiting period and the absence of pending charges. Upon expungement, the record is removed from public access; however, law enforcement agencies may retain access to expunged records for official purposes. Even where a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless a court order specifically directs their removal.
Federal Records
Criminal history maintained by the FBI in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) operates under federal retention rules and is not subject to Iowa expungement orders. Federal records are maintained separately and are accessible only to authorized law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under Iowa law. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act may report convictions without a time limit, though many employers apply a practical review window of seven to ten years. Professional licensing boards in Iowa may require disclosure of the complete conviction history regardless of the age of the offense.