Iowa Background Checks

It doesn't matter how trustworthy a person appears - there are always going to be some questions. You hire a new house sitter or meet someone for a date and suddenly you're simply curious if they're as trustworthy as they seem. It's not that you don't trust them - it's that you simply want to make sure that they have no past history that would make them a concern for your future.

That is one of the best values of Iowa background checks services. These services give you the opportunity to search for anyone you're curious about without notifying them that you are looking into their past. You receive all of the reports collected by the government within public records including, but not limited to:

Criminal Histories

Current Addresses

Marital Statuses

You may even find extra features on some of these websites to give you more in depth information on each of these individuals. Some are hooked up to social networks, while others give you estimates of things like income, home value, and associations with various family members.

The ease of using these Iowa background checks means that you no longer have to hope that the information you get from the individual is accurate. Instead, you can simply give a quick search, confirm everything they gave you, and easily calm your mind without having to worry any further. The benefit of being able to find out the information you need from these Iowa background checks cannot be ignored, since they're essentially the only current way to make sure that you can trust the people you associate with.

Iowa Criminal Records

If you would like to review Iowa criminal records during your Iowa background check, then you will need to contact the Division of Criminal Investigation. This department is responsible for maintaining criminal history information for the state. The cost of Iowa criminal records is $13 per surname for the mail in form or $15 per surname for a fax in/fax back request. Fax back requests require a credit or debit card for payment. Both methods are for Iowa criminal records only, and searches will be based on the name and birth date only. No other state or federal records will be included, and without fingerprints, positive identification is not guaranteed.

To access these records by mail, do the following:

Step 1: Fill out the Non-Law Enforcement Record Check Form. Click Here.
Step 2: Include payment. There is a $13 processing fee for these records.
Step 3: Mail the application and payment to the address indicated on the form.

For additional information regarding accessing Iowa criminal records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(515) 725-6066

Resource Links
Iowa Criminal History Records
Request Form

Iowa Court Records

If you need Iowa court records for Iowa background checks, you can obtain this information from the Iowa Courts Search Online website. This search allows all users to search by case, which are entered at the end of the day. You can also use the Payment search to find cases and make a payment on them at the same time. Advanced searches and scheduled searches are available to registered users only, and these require a county to begin the search.

To search for court records online do the following:

Step 1: Visit the Iowa Online Search page. Click Here.
Step 2: Click “Start a Case Search Here” and then search court information by Appellate or Trial Court.
Step 3: Click “Search” to view all available results.

For more information regarding Iowa court records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

Iowa Supreme Court
Iowa Judicial Branch Building
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5911

Reference Links
Iowa Courts Online Search

Iowa Jail Records

If you would like to review Iowa jail records for your Iowa background checks, then you will need to contact the Iowa Department of Corrections. Their website allows you to do a basic search for offender information. You will need to know the offender’s first and last name, birth date, and gender. Additional search criteria include the place where incarcerated and the crime.

Iowa jail record searches will show you the name, offender number, location, offense, and history of incarceration. You can also choose to sign up for updates on the offender’s status.

To search for jail records online do the following:

Step 1: Visit the Iowa Inmate Search webpage and select the “Offender Information” tab. Click Here.
Step 2: Fill out all required information fields
Step 3: Click “Find” to run your search and view available results.

If you need more information on accessing Iowa jail records, then you can contact the office using the information below:

Iowa Department of Corrections
510 East 13th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(515) 725-5701

Resource Links
Indiana Offender Information

Iowa Driving Records

If you need Iowa driving records for Iowa background checks, then the Iowa Department of Transportation can provide you with a certified copy. To receive your Iowa driving record, you will need to complete a Privacy Act Agree For Request Of Motor Vehicle Records. This form, along with a copy of your driver license or ID card and a check for $5.50, needs to be mailed to the Iowa Department of Transportation in order for you to receive your Iowa driving record.

Generally speaking, you are only able to access your own Iowa driving record. Employers and certain other individuals can request an Iowa driving record for another person; however, an attached notarized consent must be included in the request. The form must be completed with the specific records requested noted. A representative from the Iowa Department of Transportation will contact you regarding whether your request was approved or denied.

Copies of accident reports are also available from the Iowa Department of Transportation. You have the option of receiving an Officer’s Report or a Driver’s report. An Officer’s report costs $4 and is a copy of the officer’s report of the accident. This can only be given to those who were involved in the accident and their attorneys or insurance companies.

You will need to send in a written request including the date, time and location of the accident and the names and license numbers of those involved. A Driver’s Report is a copy of the report that you personally filed. Reports that occurred after 1994 cost $0.50 and reports that occurred prior to 1993 cost $3.20. Again, you will need to send in a written request including driver’s license number, date of accident, and your mailing address.

For additional information regarding accessing Iowa driving records, you can contact the office using the information below:

Office of Driver Services
P.O. Box 9204
Des Moines, IA 50306
(800) 532-1121

Resource Links
Iowa Driving Record Information

Additional Resources

Iowa Sexual Offender Registry
Iowa Attorney General