Woodbury County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Woodbury County?

Public records in Woodbury County are official documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public under Iowa law. According to the Iowa Open Records Law, also known as Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code, public records are defined as "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."

Woodbury County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Woodbury County District Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale data
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from County Board of Supervisors meetings and other county boards and commissions
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Woodbury County Recorder's Office maintains vital records, real estate documents, and military discharge records. The Land and Records Management division is responsible for recording and maintaining official records of documents. Court records are maintained by the Woodbury County Clerk of Court, while election records are managed by the Woodbury County Elections Office.

Is Woodbury County an Open Records County?

Woodbury County fully complies with the Iowa Open Records Law (Iowa Code Chapter 22), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Iowa Code § 22.2, "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."

The law presumes that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. Woodbury County adheres to these principles by maintaining accessible public records and providing reasonable access to these materials during regular business hours.

According to Iowa Code § 22.3, "The lawful custodian shall not require the physical presence of a person requesting or receiving a copy of a public record and shall fulfill requests for copies of public records received in writing, by telephone, or by electronic means."

Woodbury County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with state transparency requirements. The county maintains various online portals to facilitate public access to records, though some records may still require in-person requests or formal written applications depending on their nature and the maintaining department.

How to Find Public Records in Woodbury County in 2026

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

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:
- Property records can be searched through the Woodbury County Recorder's real estate portal
- Court records are accessible via the Iowa Courts Online Search
- Election information is available through the Woodbury County Elections website
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For vital records and property documents, visit the Woodbury County Recorder's Office
- For court records, visit the Clerk of District Court
- For tax records, visit the Woodbury County Treasurer's Office
Written Requests: Submit a formal written request to the department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Specific description of records sought
- Requestor's contact information
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
Telephone Requests: Some records may be requested by telephone, though this method is typically limited to simpler requests.

For records not available online, requestors should contact the specific department that maintains the desired information. Under current Iowa law, agencies must respond to records requests within a reasonable timeframe, though there is no specific deadline mandated by statute.

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

Woodbury County charges fees for public records in accordance with Iowa Code § 22.3, which permits agencies to charge "the actual cost of providing the service." Current standard fees include:

Photocopies: $0.50 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
Birth Certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $20.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Death Certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $20.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Marriage Licenses: $35.00 application fee, $20.00 for certified copies
Real Estate Recording Fees: $7.00 per page for standard documents
Electronic Records: Fees vary based on the format and size of the electronic file

Payment methods accepted by most Woodbury County offices include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)

The county may waive fees if the request is deemed to be in the public interest or if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship. For extensive research or large document requests, additional fees may apply based on staff time required to fulfill the request. Requestors are advised to inquire about specific fees when making their request.

Does Woodbury County Have Free Public Records?

Woodbury County provides free public inspection of most records during regular business hours, as required by Iowa Code § 22.2. While copying fees may apply, viewing records in person is typically available at no cost.

The following records are currently available for free access:

Online Property Information: Basic property ownership and assessment information through the county assessor's website
County Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Available on the Woodbury County website
Voter Registration Verification: Basic voter registration status information
Court Docket Information: Basic case information through the Iowa Courts Online portal
County Budget Documents: Published financial reports and budgets on the county website

The Woodbury County Recorder's Office provides public computer terminals for searching recorded documents at no charge, though printing fees apply. Similarly, the Clerk of Court offers public access terminals for viewing court records without a fee, though obtaining copies incurs standard charges.

For extensive research projects, members of the public may use the resources available at the Sioux City Public Library, which maintains historical archives of local government records and newspapers that may contain public record information.

Who Can Request Public Records in Woodbury County?

Under Iowa Code § 22.2, "Every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record." This broad language establishes that any individual, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Woodbury County government offices.

Key points regarding eligibility to request records include:

No Residency Requirement: Non-Iowa residents have the same rights to access public records as Iowa residents
No Purpose Statement Required: Requestors generally do not need to explain why they want the records
Identification Requirements: Some records may require identification to verify eligibility, particularly for:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates)
- Records with restricted access components
- Records that may contain confidential information

For certain records, such as vital records, only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies:

Birth certificates: The person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives
Death certificates: Immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a demonstrated legal interest
Marriage records: The parties to the marriage or their authorized representatives

Government agencies, law enforcement entities, and authorized researchers may have expanded access to certain records that might otherwise be restricted from general public access. All requestors must comply with applicable laws and county policies regarding the proper use of obtained records.

What Records Are Confidential in Woodbury County?

While Iowa law presumes government records are open to the public, Iowa Code § 22.7 identifies numerous categories of records that are considered confidential and exempt from public disclosure. In Woodbury County, the following record types are generally not available for public inspection:

Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information
Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Juvenile Court Records: Most records involving minors in the court system
Child Abuse and Dependent Adult Abuse Records: Reports and investigations
Ongoing Law Enforcement Investigations: Active investigation materials that could compromise proceedings
Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy documents
Trade Secrets and Proprietary Business Information: Confidential commercial data submitted to government agencies
Security-Related Records: Building plans, emergency response protocols, security procedures
Sealed Court Records: Cases ordered sealed by judicial action
Adoption Records: Sealed under Iowa law except through court order
Mental Health Commitment Proceedings: Records of involuntary commitments
Library Patron Records: Information about individual library usage

The confidentiality of these records is maintained to protect individual privacy, ensure public safety, and comply with state and federal laws. In some cases, redacted versions of confidential records may be available, with sensitive information removed.

When a record contains both public and confidential information, county officials will typically redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. Requestors seeking access to confidential records may need to obtain a court order or demonstrate a specific legal right to access the information.

Woodbury County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Woodbury County Recorder's Office
620 Douglas Street, Room 102
Sioux City, IA 51101
(712) 279-6609
Woodbury County Recorder

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of real estate documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Birth and death certificates
Military discharge records (DD214)
Passport application processing
Boat, snowmobile, and ATV registrations
Hunting and fishing licenses

The Recorder's Office maintains records dating back to the mid-1800s, including historical land records and vital statistics. Staff members are available during business hours to assist with research and provide guidance on accessing public records maintained by the office.