Iowa Court Locations and Records

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Family cases in Iowa are heard in the District Court. Iowa's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases. Iowa's 99 counties are grouped into 8 judicial districts.

The clerk's office is a different thing from the court itself. The clerk accepts filings, keeps the record, and collects fees, while judges and hearings belong to the court. For a filing question, the clerk is the right first call. The official Iowa directory and case record search are below.

Official Iowa court locators

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Iowa court directory by county (Iowa judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/court-directory

Iowa Courts Online Search (Iowa courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as free and the system is organized statewide. https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/

Iowa state courts website (Iowa judicial branch): The official home of the Iowa court system, with statewide rules, news, and links to every court. https://www.iowacourts.gov

Iowa eFile (EDMS) (Iowa Judicial Branch): Iowa requires nearly everyone, including people without lawyers, to file through the statewide eFile system, and that includes divorce and custody cases. If e-filing is a real hardship you can ask the court in writing to excuse you. https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile/

Iowa court self-help resources (Iowa courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Iowa family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself

Iowa Courts Online Search: Free account to search. Financial affidavits, minors' information, and sealed records (juvenile, adoption) are not public. https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/

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Official link data for Iowa was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Which court hears family cases in Iowa?

Family cases in Iowa are heard in the District Court. Iowa's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases. Iowa's 99 counties are grouped into 8 judicial districts.

Can I look up an existing Iowa case online?

Iowa Courts Online Search is the official search. Free account to search. Financial affidavits, minors' information, and sealed records (juvenile, adoption) are not public.

Is the clerk the same as the court?

No. The clerk of court accepts filings, keeps records, and collects fees. Judges and hearings belong to the court itself. For filing questions, start with the clerk's office.