Dubuque County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Dubuque County?

Public records in Dubuque County are defined according to Iowa Code Chapter 22, commonly known as the Iowa Open Records Law. Pursuant to § 22.1, public records include "all records, documents, tape, or other information, stored or preserved in any medium, of or belonging to this state or any county, city, township, school corporation, political subdivision, nonprofit corporation other than a fair... or tax-supported district in this state, or any branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council, or committee of any of the foregoing."

Dubuque County maintains numerous categories of public records accessible to citizens:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Iowa Judicial Branch and can be accessed through the Dubuque County Courthouse.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are maintained by the Dubuque County Recorder's Office.
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses dating back to 1880 are available through the Dubuque County Recorder's Office and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by various county departments.
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records are maintained by the Dubuque County Treasurer and Assessor offices.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Dubuque County Elections Office.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and other governmental bodies are available through the Dubuque County website.
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial records, budgets, and expenditure reports are maintained by the Dubuque County Auditor's Office.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs and incident reports are available through the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office, subject to confidentiality restrictions.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning, zoning, and land use documents are maintained by the Dubuque County Zoning Department.

The primary portal for accessing many of these records is the Dubuque County official website, which provides links to various departments and their respective record holdings.

Is Dubuque County an Open Records County?

Dubuque County fully adheres to Iowa's open records laws as established in Iowa Code Chapter 22. Under § 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 establishes the fundamental right of public access to government records in Iowa, including those maintained by Dubuque County.

The county operates under the presumption of openness mandated by state law. As stated in § 22.8(3), "In actions brought under this section the district court shall take into account the policy of this chapter that free and open examination of public records is generally in the public interest even though such examination may cause inconvenience or embarrassment to public officials or others."

Dubuque County's compliance with state sunshine laws is overseen by the Iowa Public Information Board, which was established to provide an alternative means to secure compliance with the requirements of Chapters 21 and 22 of the Iowa Code.

The county has implemented policies to facilitate public access to records while maintaining compliance with statutory exemptions. These policies are designed to balance the public's right to information with privacy protections and governmental efficiency considerations as outlined in state law.

How to Find Public Records in Dubuque County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Dubuque County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the Dubuque County website, which provides direct access to various departmental records. Court records can be searched through the Iowa Courts Online Search system.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records:

Dubuque County Courthouse
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 589-4380
Dubuque County
Written Requests: Submit a written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Department-Specific Procedures:
- For vital records, contact the Dubuque County Recorder's Office
- For court records, contact the Clerk of Court at the Dubuque County Courthouse
- For property records, contact the Recorder's Office or Assessor's Office
- For election records, contact the Dubuque County Elections Office
State-Level Resources: Some records maintained at the state level can be accessed through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for vital records or the State Historical Society of Iowa for historical records.

When making requests, it is advisable to be as specific as possible about the records sought to facilitate prompt processing. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.3, custodians of records must provide reasonable assistance to persons seeking access to public records.

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

Dubuque County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Iowa Code § 22.3, which permits governmental bodies to charge the "actual costs of providing the public record." Current fee structures for various record types include:

General Document Fees:

Photocopies: $0.50 per page for standard letter/legal size
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
Electronic records: $0.50 per page for scanned documents

Specific Record Fees:

Birth certificates: $20.00 per certified copy
Death certificates: $20.00 per certified copy
Marriage licenses: $35.00 application fee; $20.00 per certified copy
Property records: $7.00 per document for recording; $5.00 per certified copy
Court records: $0.50 per page; additional fees may apply for certified copies

Research and Retrieval Fees:

Staff time for extensive searches: $25.00 per hour after the first 30 minutes (which are typically provided at no charge)
Computer services: Actual cost of computer time and supplies

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (where available). Some departments may charge a convenience fee for credit card transactions.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the request is determined to primarily benefit the general public, as permitted under Iowa Code § 22.3. Governmental bodies may also reduce or waive fees when doing so would be in the public interest.

Standard inspection of records in person during normal business hours is generally provided without charge, though fees for copies or certified documents still apply if requested.

Does Dubuque County Have Free Public Records?

Dubuque County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Iowa Code § 22.2, which states that "every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record." The following free record access options are available:

Free In-Person Inspection:

Members of the public may inspect public records at no cost during normal business hours at the appropriate county office
This right of free inspection applies to most non-confidential records maintained by the county
Advance notice may be required for voluminous records or those in storage

Free Online Resources:

The Dubuque County website provides free access to:
- County Board meeting agendas and minutes
- County ordinances and regulations
- Budget summaries and financial reports
- Property assessment information
- Election results and voter information
The Iowa Courts Online Search system provides free basic case information
The Dubuque County Elections website offers free access to voter and election information

Free Public Access Terminals:

Computer terminals are available at the Dubuque County Courthouse for searching court records
Public access computers at the Recorder's Office allow searching of land records and vital statistics indexes

While inspection is free, fees still apply for copies, certified documents, and extensive research as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, some specialized databases or comprehensive searches may incur costs as permitted under Iowa Code § 22.3.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dubuque County?

Under Iowa Code § 22.2, "every person" has the right to examine and copy public records. This broad eligibility extends to all individuals regardless of citizenship or residency status. Dubuque County adheres to these statutory provisions in processing public records requests.

Eligibility Requirements:

Requestors need not be Iowa residents or U.S. citizens
Requestors are not required to state the purpose or reason for their request for most records
Identification is generally not required for basic record requests, though it may be necessary for:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Records where identity verification is required by law
- Records where proof of relationship or interest may be required

Special Considerations:

Requests for one's own records: Identification is typically required to protect privacy
Requests for another person's records: Additional documentation may be required for certain confidential records, such as:
- Power of attorney
- Court order
- Proof of relationship (for vital records)
- Executor or administrator status (for deceased persons' records)

Business and Organization Requests:

Businesses, organizations, and media outlets have the same rights of access as individuals
Requests may be made on organizational letterhead or through authorized representatives

Non-Resident Rights:

Non-residents of Iowa have equal rights to access public records under Iowa Code § 22.2
No additional requirements or fees are imposed based on residency status

While the right to access is broadly granted, certain records may be subject to confidentiality restrictions as outlined in Iowa Code § 22.7, which lists specific categories of records that shall be kept confidential unless otherwise ordered.

What Records Are Confidential in Dubuque County?

Dubuque County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Iowa Code § 22.7, which enumerates specific categories of records that shall be kept confidential unless otherwise ordered. These exemptions include:

Court and Law Enforcement Records:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal history information
Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
Peace officers' investigative reports until cases are concluded
Criminal intelligence data and surveillance information
Victim information in certain cases

Personal and Private Information:

Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifiers
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state law
Substance abuse treatment records
Personal information in personnel files (with exceptions for certain basic employment details)
Student records protected under FERPA

Specialized Confidential Records:

Adoption records (access restricted by Iowa Code § 600.16)
Child abuse and dependent adult abuse information
Income tax returns and financial data submitted to government agencies
Trade secrets and proprietary business information
Attorney work product and attorney-client communications
Security procedures, emergency preparedness information, and infrastructure details

Partially Confidential Records:

Public employment applications (certain personal information redacted)
Library records showing individual borrowing history
Appraisals and negotiations for property acquisition prior to completion

The Iowa Public Information Board provides guidance on the application of these exemptions. In some cases, a balancing test may be applied where the public interest in disclosure is weighed against potential harm from release.

It is important to note that under Iowa Code § 22.8, a court may issue an injunction restraining the examination of specific public records if such examination would "clearly not be in the public interest" and would "substantially and irreparably injure any person or persons."

Dubuque County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Dubuque County Recorder's Office
720 Central Avenue, Room 102
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 589-4426
Dubuque County Recorder

Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Closed (County observed holidays)

The Dubuque County Recorder's Office serves as the custodian for vital records, land records, and various licenses. The office maintains:

Real estate documents (deeds, mortgages, liens)
Birth certificates (from 1880 to present)
Death certificates (from 1880 to present)
Marriage records (from 1880 to present)
Military discharge records
Hunting and fishing licenses
Boat, snowmobile, and ATV registrations
Trade name registrations

Services are available both in person and by mail. Certain records can also be accessed through the online portal available on the Recorder's Office website. For certified copies of vital records, proper identification is required in accordance with state regulations.