Linn County, Iowa court records are available through several channels. LinnIACourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official resources of the state's judicial branch, the clerk of court's office in the Linn County courthouse, and through public terminals located directly in the courthouse.
Linn Court System & Jurisdictions
Linn County is part of the 6th Judicial District of Iowa. All county-level cases are handled by the District Court, which is the only court of general jurisdiction at the first instance in the Iowa system.
The District Court deals with a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Criminal Cases — from felonies to simple misdemeanors. The County Attorney's Criminal Division divides charges into three levels: felony, indictable misdemeanors, and simple misdemeanors.
- Civil Cases — contract disputes, debt collection, damage claims.
- Small Claims — claims up to $6,500, which are heard in a simplified procedure before a magistrate.
- Family Law — divorce (Iowa uses the term "dissolution of marriage"), child custody, alimony, protective orders. Iowa law requires a 90-day waiting period after serving documents to the respondent.
- Probate — will approvals, executor appointments, estate management, and guardianship establishment.
- Traffic Violations — fines, DUI, traffic rule violations.
- Juvenile Cases — delinquency, child protection, CINA cases.
Magistrate judges within the District Court handle simple misdemeanors, small claims, preliminary hearings, and issue search warrants. More complex cases — felonies, serious civil claims, divorces — are handled by a District Court judge.
Linn Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be checked in several ways.
- Iowa Judicial Branch System — the official website of the Iowa Judicial Branch publishes information about the schedule of district court hearings. Go to the Linn County in the 6th Judicial District page to find contact information and links to the schedule.
- eFile System — registered users of the Iowa eFiling system can track the status of submitted documents and view scheduled hearings in their cases.
- Phone Inquiry — call the clerk of court's office to clarify the schedule of a specific case.
Contact information for different departments of the clerk of court:
- Criminal and Traffic Division: 319-398-3411, ext. 1132 or ext. 1162
- Civil Division: 319-398-3411, ext. 1212
- Juvenile Division: 319-398-3411 (check for extension)
The courthouse is located on May's Island in downtown Cedar Rapids.
How to Get a Copy of a Linn Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in Linn County through three channels: online, in person, or by mail.
Online
Through the Iowa Judicial Branch eFile system, registered users can view documents filed by other parties and download materials in their cases. For general court record searches, use the online tools on the judicial branch's website. Note: not all documents are available online — some cases (including juvenile, sealed, and confidential records) have restricted access.
In Person
Visit the clerk of court's office in the Linn County Courthouse. Public terminals allow you to search for case information on-site. The clerk can prepare both uncertified and certified copies of a document. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and confirms the document's authenticity — it is required for most legal procedures.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk of court's address specifying:
- The full name of the party (parties) involved in the case
- The case number (if known)
- The type of document requested
- Payment of applicable fees (check or money order payable to Linn County Clerk of Court)
Access to court records is governed by Chapter 20 Iowa Court Rules. Most court records are public, but certain categories — juvenile cases, mental health records, sealed cases — have restrictions.
Linn Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in Iowa are set at the state level according to the Iowa Code. Below are the approximate rates applicable in Linn County.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court document | $1.00 per page (minimum may vary) |
| Uncertified copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certification fee | Additional charge for court seal |
| Court record search | Fee depends on the type of request |
Exact amounts may change. Check the current fee amounts directly with the clerk of court's office or on the Iowa Judicial Branch website.
Payment Methods:
- Cash — accepted for in-person requests
- Check or money order — payable to Linn County Clerk of Court
- In the eFile system, payment is made electronically
For criminal record requests through the sheriff's office, you can submit an open records request form online. State-level criminal history checks are conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation — requests can be submitted by mail, fax, email, or in person, with separate payment.