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How to Find Public Records in Lee County in 2026
LeeIARecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Lee County, Iowa. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or law enforcement reports may find relevant record categories through official county and state resources. Available record types in Lee County include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax records
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be accessed through official court resources, the Lee County Clerk of Court, the County Recorder's Office, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by the Iowa Judicial Branch and other state agencies.
Online Access: Members of the public may search district court case information through the Iowa Courts Online case search portal, which provides access to case records filed in Lee County's district courts. Property records and assessor data are accessible through the Lee County Assessor's and Recorder's online portals. Registration is not required for basic case lookups through the Iowa Courts Online system.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Lee County Recorder's Office or the Clerk of Court to inspect records in person. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for viewing district court case documents. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo ID when requesting certified copies.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the applicable fee. Under Iowa Code § 22.4, government bodies are required to respond to public records requests promptly and without unnecessary delay.
Phone/Email:
- Lee County Recorder: (319) 372-3523
- Lee County Clerk of Court (Fort Madison): (319) 372-3523
- Lee County Clerk of Court (Keokuk): (319) 524-1440
Official request forms for Iowa court proceedings are available through the Iowa Judicial Branch court forms page.
What Are Public Records in Lee County?
Public records in Lee County are defined under Iowa Code § 22.1 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 maintained by specific offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Lee County Clerk of Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Lee County Recorder |
| Property assessments | Lee County Assessor |
| Birth, death, marriage, divorce records | Iowa HHS Vital Records / County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | Lee County Auditor |
| Property tax records | Lee County Treasurer |
| Voting and election records | Lee County Auditor |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Lee County Board of Supervisors |
| Budget and financial documents | Lee County Auditor |
| Law enforcement records | Lee County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Lee County Planning and Zoning |
Court records for Lee County fall under Judicial District 8. Members of the public may access case information through the Lee North District Court page maintained by the Iowa Judicial Branch.
Is Lee County an Open Records County?
Lee County fully complies with Iowa's open records law, which mandates broad public access to government records. Under Iowa Code § 22.2, every person has the right to examine and copy public records of a government body. The Iowa Public Records Law, commonly referred to as Chapter 22, establishes the legal framework governing access to records maintained by all county offices in Iowa, including those in Lee County.
As stated by the Iowa Attorney General's Office, "The public records law reflects a fundamental policy that the people of Iowa have a right to know what their government is doing." This principle applies to all records created or maintained by Lee County government bodies in the course of official business. County offices are required to make records available for inspection during regular business hours and may not require requestors to state a reason for their request in most circumstances. Lee County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lee County?
The fee structure for public records in Lee County is governed by Iowa Code § 22.3, which authorizes government bodies to charge fees for the actual cost of providing copies. Current standard fees applicable to Lee County records are as follows:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.10–$0.25 per page (varies by office) |
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| Certified vital record (birth/death/marriage) | $15.00 per certified copy |
| Iowa criminal history record check (DCI) | $15.00 per last name searched |
| Electronic record copies | Actual cost of duplication |
| Record inspection | No charge |
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation charges a flat fee for background checks. As noted on the criminal history record check information page, "The fee for an Iowa Criminal History Record Check through the DCI is $15 per last name. Each last name requested requires a separate form and payment."
Accepted payment methods at Lee County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in circumstances where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office.
Does Lee County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Lee County. Under Iowa's open records law, government bodies are required to permit members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to free inspection is distinct from the right to obtain copies, for which fees may apply.
The following resources provide free access to Lee County public records:
- Iowa Courts Online: Members of the public may search and view basic court case information at no cost through the Iowa Courts Online case search portal.
- Lee County Assessor's Office: Property assessment records and parcel data are available for free inspection online and in person.
- Lee County Recorder's Office: Members of the public may inspect recorded documents, including deeds and liens, at no charge during office hours.
- Lee County Auditor's Office: Voter registration data, election results, and meeting minutes are available for free public inspection.
- Iowa HHS Vital Records: Index information for vital records may be inspected; certified copies carry a fee. Information on how to request a certified vital record is available through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Who Can Request Public Records in Lee County?
Any person may request public records in Lee County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Iowa Code § 22.2 establishes that the right to examine and copy public records extends to "every person," and government bodies may not require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-restricted records.
Specific provisions applicable to requestors include:
- Residency: Non-residents of Iowa and Lee County retain full rights to request public records.
- Identification: Identification is not required for inspection of most public records; however, a government-issued photo ID is required when requesting certified copies of vital records, as specified by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship.
- Restricted record types: Certain records, including juvenile court records, sealed case files, and adoption records, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
What Records Are Confidential in Lee County?
Not all records maintained by Lee County government offices are subject to public disclosure. Iowa law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the open records requirements. The following record types are confidential or restricted under Iowa Code Chapter 22 and related statutes:
- Sealed court records and expunged case files
- Juvenile court records
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA and Iowa law)
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of government employees (with limited exceptions for salary and disciplinary actions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government bodies
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details
- Grand jury records
- Tax return information
As stated in Iowa Code § 22.7, "The following public records shall be kept confidential, unless otherwise ordered by a court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or by another person duly authorized to release such information." The statute enumerates more than 50 specific categories of confidential records. Government bodies in Lee County apply a balancing test in cases where the public interest in disclosure may outweigh the interest in confidentiality, consistent with guidance issued by the Iowa Attorney General's Office.
Lee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Lee County Recorder
25 North 7th Street, Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-3523
Lee County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Lee County Clerk of Court – Fort Madison (Lee North)
25 North 7th Street, Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-3523
Lee North District Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Lee County Clerk of Court – Keokuk (Lee South)
25 North 6th Street, Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-1440
Iowa Judicial Branch
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Lee County Auditor
25 North 7th Street, Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-3523
Lee County Auditor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services – Vital Records
321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-4944
Iowa HHS Vital Records
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
215 East 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 725-6066
Iowa DCI Criminal History Records