Story County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Story County?
Public records in Story County are defined according to Iowa Code Chapter 22, also 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."
The Story County government maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court documents maintained by the Story County Clerk of Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers recorded by the Story County Recorder's Office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses maintained by the Recorder's Office
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the Story County Auditor's Office in accordance with § 331.511-512 of the Code of Iowa
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the County Auditor
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Official proceedings of the Board of Supervisors and other county boards and commissions
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, revenues, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
Each record type is maintained by specific county departments, with the Recorder's Office, Clerk of Court, and Auditor's Office serving as the primary custodians of many public records.
Is Story County an Open Records County?
Story County fully complies with the Iowa Open Records Law as codified in Iowa Code Chapter 22. Under § 22.2(1) of this statute, "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 establishes a presumption of openness for government records in Iowa, with specific exemptions enumerated in § 22.7. Story County adheres to these statutory provisions and maintains transparency in its governmental operations.
Key provisions of the Iowa Open Records Law applicable to Story County include:
- Government bodies may not require requestors to provide identification or reasons for requesting records
- Records must be provided promptly, usually within 10-20 business days
- Reasonable fees may be charged for copying and staff time
- Certain records are confidential by law and exempt from disclosure
Story County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with these requirements, including designated record custodians within each department and established procedures for responding to public records requests. The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online records portal, which provides public access to many commonly requested documents.
How to Find Public Records in Story County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Story County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
-
Online Access: Many records are available through the county's Records Search portal, which provides 24/7 access to frequently requested documents.
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records:
- For property records: Visit the Story County Recorder's Office
- For court records: Visit the Clerk of Court
- For tax and election records: Visit the Auditor's Office
-
Written Requests: Submit a written request to the relevant department specifying the records sought. While not required by law, written requests help ensure accuracy.
-
Electronic Requests: Many departments accept email requests for public records. Contact information for each department is available on the county website.
For court records specifically, the Iowa Courts Online Search system provides access to case information. More detailed court documents may require an in-person visit to the courthouse.
Property records can be searched through the Story County Recorder's database, which includes deeds, mortgages, and other land records.
Vital records such as birth and death certificates require specific application forms available through the Recorder's Vital Records division.
When requesting records, it is advisable to be as specific as possible about the information sought to facilitate prompt processing of the request.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Story County?
Story County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 22.3 of the Iowa Code, which permits charging the "actual costs of providing the public record." Current standard fees include:
- Photocopies: $0.50 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
- Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
- Electronic Records: $0.50 per page for scanned documents; no charge for records already in electronic format
- Staff Time: For requests requiring extensive research or compilation, fees may be assessed at the hourly rate of the employee fulfilling the request (typically after the first 30 minutes)
Specific record types have statutorily established fees:
- Vital Records: $20.00 for each certified copy of birth, death, or marriage certificate
- Real Estate Recordings: $7.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page
- Court Records: $0.50 per page for copies; additional fees for certified court documents
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and credit/debit cards (in most offices). Some online services may require credit card payment.
Fee waivers may be available in cases of financial hardship or when the request serves a public interest, though such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the record custodian.
All fees are subject to change based on county policy and state law revisions. Requestors are advised to confirm current fees with the specific department prior to submitting extensive requests.
Does Story County Have Free Public Records?
Story County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with Iowa Code § 22.2, which states that "every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record." While copying fees may apply, the examination of records in person is available at no cost during regular business hours.
The following free public record resources are available:
- In-Person Inspection: All non-confidential public records may be viewed free of charge at the appropriate county office
- Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by Story County:
The Story County Recorder's Office provides free public access terminals for searching recorded documents, though printing fees apply. Similarly, the Clerk of Court offers public access terminals for searching court records at no cost.
For researchers and individuals with limited requests, these free resources often provide sufficient access without incurring fees. More extensive or specialized requests may still be subject to the fee schedule outlined in the previous section.
Who Can Request Public Records in Story County?
Under Iowa Code § 22.2, "every person" has the right to examine public records, regardless of citizenship or residency status. Story County adheres to this statutory provision and does not impose residency requirements for public records access.
Key eligibility considerations include:
- Identification: While requestors are not legally required to provide identification for most records, certain sensitive documents (such as vital records) may require proof of identity or relationship to the subject of the record
- Purpose: Iowa law does not require requestors to state a reason or purpose for seeking public records, and Story County officials cannot deny a request based on the intended use of the information
- Age Restrictions: There are no specific age restrictions for requesting public records, though minors may face practical limitations in certain circumstances
For requests involving one's own records, the same general rules apply, though additional verification may be required to protect privacy. For example, requesting one's own birth certificate requires proper identification.
Special considerations apply when requesting records about other individuals:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates) have restrictions based on relationship to the subject
- Medical records are protected under HIPAA and generally not available without authorization
- Personnel records have specific limitations under § 22.7(11) of the Iowa Code
Government agencies, businesses, and organizations have the same rights as individuals to request public records under Iowa law.
What Records Are Confidential in Story County?
While Iowa law establishes a presumption of openness for government records, § 22.7 of the Iowa Code identifies numerous categories of records that are considered confidential and exempt from public disclosure. Story County maintains the following types of confidential records:
- Personal Information: Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifiers are redacted from public records
- Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and § 22.7(2)
- Juvenile Court Records: Generally confidential under § 232.147, with limited exceptions
- Child Abuse Information: Protected under § 235A.15
- Law Enforcement Investigative Reports: Confidential while investigation is active under § 22.7(5)
- Personnel Records: Employee personal information, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions are confidential under § 22.7(11)
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy documents between county officials and legal counsel
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Security Procedures: Information related to security measures, emergency response plans, and infrastructure vulnerabilities
- Sealed Court Records: Records ordered sealed by a judge
- Adoption Records: Confidential under Iowa law with specific access provisions
- Mental Health Commitment Proceedings: Protected under § 229.24
When a record contains both public and confidential information, Story County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the document when possible. This process follows the "balancing test" established in Iowa case law, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and statutory protections.
Confidentiality determinations are made by the record custodian based on applicable laws and regulations. Requestors who believe records have been improperly withheld may seek review through the Iowa Public Information Board or judicial proceedings.
Story County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Story County Recorder's Office
900 6th Street
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-7230
Story County Recorder's Office
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
The Story County Recorder's Office serves as the official repository for vital records, real estate documents, and other important public records. Services provided include:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other real estate documents
- Issuance of marriage licenses
- Certified copies of birth and death certificates (if event occurred in Story County)
- Military discharge recordings
- Passport application processing (by appointment only)
For vital records requests, the office recommends calling ahead to confirm availability and requirements. Proper identification is required for vital records requests, and specific application forms must be completed.
The Recorder's Office maintains public access terminals for searching recorded documents during regular business hours. Staff members are available to assist with research questions and document location.
Lookup Public Records in Story County
Recorder & Vital Records information
Story County Records Search portal
Courts & Clerk of Court information