Marshall County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Marshall County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government activities, property ownership, court proceedings, and vital events in Marshall County, Iowa, may access a range of records through official county and state channels. The site MarshallIARecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist residents in locating record sources. Marshall County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law. Users may find property records, court filings, voter registration data, and other government documents, though completeness and currency of records vary by source and record category.
Records in Marshall County may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online government portals.
Online Access:
- The Iowa Courts Online case search tool provides access to civil, criminal, probate, and small claims case information statewide, including Marshall County District Court records.
- The Marshall County Assessor's office maintains property assessment data accessible through the county's online portal.
- Voter registration and election-related records are available through the Marshall County Elections office website.
- Some records require no registration; others, particularly those involving sealed or restricted documents, require in-person verification.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Marshall County Courthouse at 1 East Main Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158. The County Recorder, County Clerk of Court, and County Auditor all maintain offices within or adjacent to the courthouse complex. Requestors should identify the specific record type and the appropriate custodial office before visiting. Staff at each office can direct requestors to the correct department and provide the necessary request forms.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the specific custodial office by name, addressed to 1 East Main Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158. Requests must include a description of the record sought, the requestor's name and return address, and any identifying information relevant to the record (such as a case number, parcel number, or date range). Under Iowa Code § 22.8, government bodies are required to respond to records requests promptly and without unnecessary delay.
Phone/Email:
- Marshall County Recorder: (641) 754-6370
- Marshall County Clerk of Court: (641) 754-6373
- Marshall County Auditor: (641) 754-6376
What Are Public Records in Marshall County?
Public records in Marshall County are defined under Iowa Code Chapter 22, the Iowa Open Records Act, as all records, documents, tape recordings, or other information stored or preserved in any medium that are made, received, or maintained by a government body in connection with the transaction of public business. The following record types are available through the appropriate county offices:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law): Maintained by the Marshall County Clerk of District Court
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, easements): Maintained by the Marshall County Recorder
- Property assessments: Maintained by the Marshall County Assessor
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): Birth and death certificates are issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health; marriage and dissolution records are filed with the Clerk of District Court
- Business records (trade names, assumed names): Filed with the Iowa Secretary of State and, in some cases, the County Recorder
- Tax records: Maintained by the Marshall County Treasurer
- Voting and election records: Maintained by the Marshall County Auditor and accessible through the county elections portal
- Meeting minutes and agendas: Published by the Marshall County Board of Supervisors
- Budget and financial documents: Available through the Marshall County Auditor's office
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports): Available through the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
- Land use and zoning records: Maintained by Marshall County Planning and Zoning
The Marshall County Courthouse, which has served as the seat of county government in Marshalltown, houses several of these custodial offices and serves as the primary location for in-person records access.
Is Marshall County an Open Records County?
Marshall County operates in full compliance with Iowa's statewide open records framework. Under Iowa Code § 22.2, every person has the right to examine and copy public records of a government body. The Iowa Open Records Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that all government records are public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As the Iowa Attorney General's office has stated, "The purpose of the open records law is to open the doors of government to public scrutiny and to prevent government from secreting its decision-making activities from public oversight." This principle applies to all county-level government bodies in Iowa, including Marshall County's Board of Supervisors, Recorder, Auditor, Treasurer, Sheriff, and Clerk of Court.
Iowa's open records law does not require requestors to provide a reason for seeking records, and no special status or residency is required to submit a request. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access; state law governs all such requests uniformly.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Marshall County?
The fee structure for public records in Marshall County is governed by Iowa Code § 22.3, which authorizes government bodies to charge fees for the actual cost of providing records, including the cost of copying and, where applicable, the cost of staff time spent on research exceeding a reasonable threshold.
Current standard fees applicable to Marshall County records include:
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (standard size) | $0.10–$0.25 per page |
| Certified copies of court records | $10.00 per document (set by Iowa court rules) |
| Certified copies of vital records (marriage/dissolution) | $10.00 per certified copy |
| Property record copies | Varies by document length |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of duplication |
Inspection of records at a public counter is available at no charge in most cases. Fees for certified copies of birth and death certificates are set by the Iowa Department of Public Health and are currently $15.00 per copy. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records sought in connection with certain legal proceedings, at the discretion of the custodial office.
Does Marshall County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Marshall County government offices during regular business hours. Iowa law requires that government bodies permit members of the public to examine records without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to Marshall County records:
- Iowa Courts Online offers free case search functionality for District Court records, including Marshall County civil and criminal case information.
- The Marshall County Assessor's online portal provides free access to property assessment data, parcel maps, and ownership history.
- The Marshall County Elections website provides free access to voter registration lookup tools, election results, and candidate filing information.
- The Marshall County Board of Supervisors publishes meeting agendas and minutes at no cost on the county's official website.
- Public access terminals are available at the Marshall County Courthouse for on-site inspection of court records and recorded documents without charge.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review records in person at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Marshall County?
Any person may request public records in Marshall County. Under Iowa's open records framework, there is no residency requirement, and requestors are not required to state a purpose or provide identification to inspect most public records. This right extends equally to Iowa residents, non-residents, businesses, journalists, researchers, and legal representatives.
Certain record types carry additional access requirements:
- Vital records (birth, death): Access to certified copies is restricted to the subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to Iowa Code governing vital statistics.
- Juvenile court records: Access is restricted by statute and requires a court order in most circumstances.
- Criminal history records: Detailed background check information is available through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which may require a formal application and applicable fees.
- Personnel records: Access to government employee personnel files is subject to specific exemptions under Iowa law.
Requestors seeking their own records are subject to the same general process as any other requestor, though identity verification may be required for records containing sensitive personal information.
What Records Are Confidential in Marshall County?
Iowa Code Chapter 22 and related statutes identify specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. The following records are confidential and not subject to routine public inspection in Marshall County:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and child welfare case files
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data embedded in otherwise public documents
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA and Iowa law
- Adoption records (sealed by court order)
- Child protective services records
- Government employee personnel records, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
Iowa Code § 22.7 enumerates more than 70 specific categories of confidential records, providing the primary statutory basis for withholding documents from public disclosure. When a government body withholds a record, it is required to identify the specific exemption relied upon. Iowa courts apply a balancing test in certain circumstances to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests protected by the exemption.
Marshall County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Marshall County Recorder
1 East Main Street, Room 6
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
(641) 754-6370
Marshall County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Marshall County Clerk of District Court
17 East Main Street
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
(641) 754-6373
Iowa Judicial Branch – Marshall County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Marshall County Auditor
1 East Main Street
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
(641) 754-6376
Marshall County Auditor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Marshall County Assessor
1 East Main Street
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
(641) 754-6305
Marshall County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
2369 Jessup Avenue
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
(641) 754-6380
Marshall County Sheriff
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (administrative); dispatch available 24 hours
As the Iowa Judicial Branch notes regarding the county's judicial history, "the citizens of Marshall (now Marshalltown) wanted the county seat to be moved there, so they built a courthouse of their own," reflecting the longstanding civic commitment to accessible local government that continues to guide public records administration in the county today.