Court records in Story County, Iowa, are maintained by the Clerk of District Court and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the office. StoryCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about county court records. Additionally, you can use the Iowa Courts Online portal, contact the Clerk of Court office, or submit a public records request through county government resources.
Story Court System Overview
Story County is part of Iowa's 2nd Judicial District. This district covers several central counties of the state, including Boone, Bremer, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Mitchell, Poweshiek, Story, Tama, Webster, Winnebago, Worth, and Wright. The District Court is a court of general jurisdiction and handles all categories of cases—from criminal to civil and family. The Magistrate Division operates within the same court and handles cases of limited jurisdiction. The court and the office are located in the Story County Justice Center.
Story County Justice Center
Courts Serving Story
Residents of Story County may have cases in several courts depending on the type of dispute and jurisdiction.
Iowa District Court — Judicial District 2 (Story County)
Iowa District Court — Magistrate Division (Story County)
U.S. District Court — Southern District of Iowa
Story County belongs to the Southern District of the federal court of Iowa. Federal civil and criminal cases are heard here.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Iowa
Ames Municipal Court
The city of Ames does not have a separate municipal court; cases involving violations of city ordinances are usually heard by the magistrate division of the Story County District Court.
What Types of Cases Story Courts Hear
Story County courts cover a wide range of cases. Here is a brief list of the main categories:
- Criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil cases: large and small claims, small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support, protective orders
- Probate: estate management, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile matters: child protection, juvenile offenses, adoptions
- Traffic violations and DUI
A detailed description of each category is in the following sections.
District Court Cases in Story
The District Court in Story County handles the most serious cases. Felonies are brought here after a preliminary hearing in the magistrate division—a magistrate judge determines if there is enough basis to transfer the case to the district court. Civil claims with amounts exceeding the magistrate's jurisdictional limit are also handled here. Appeals from magistrate judges' decisions are heard by a district judge.
Cases are distributed among district judges according to the internal rules of the 2nd Judicial District. Additionally, the district court hears post-conviction relief motions and complex civil disputes. Electronic filing is mandatory according to Section 16 of the Iowa Court Rules.
Magistrate Court Cases in Story
The Magistrate Division is the first stop for most residents encountering the court system. It handles:
- Misdemeanors (simple and serious) and infractions
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil claims up to $6,500
- Small claims up to $6,500
- Traffic violations and DUI arraignments
According to the Iowa Code, the jurisdictional limit for civil cases and small claims in the magistrate division is $6,500. Magistrate judges also issue search and arrest warrants. In Story County, where Ames and Iowa State University are located, traffic and alcohol-related cases form a significant part of the magistrate's workload.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Story
Family Law
Divorces, custody determinations, child support, civil protection orders, paternity establishment, and termination of parental rights are all handled by the district court. The Clerk of District Court office accepts relevant petitions and processes all documentation.
Probate
Estate management of deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust matters fall under the jurisdiction of the district court. Petitions must be filed through the office or the electronic filing system.
Juvenile Matters
Cases under the Juvenile Justice Act and Child Protective Act are handled separately from adult cases. Juvenile case records are confidential according to Iowa law. The Juvenile Court Services of the 2nd Judicial District coordinates supervision and rehabilitation programs. For inquiries regarding juvenile cases, contact the court office at 515-382-7414.
How Cases Move Through the Story Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with a complaint or indictment; a civil case starts with filing a petition or complaint. Documents are filed electronically through the eFiling system or in person at the office.
- Judge Assignment. The case is distributed among district or magistrate judges according to the internal schedule.
- Initial Hearing. In criminal cases—arraignment. In civil cases—scheduling conference.
- Pre-trial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a trial, plea, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing in criminal cases, execution of judgment, or appeal to the Iowa Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Story
The 2nd Judicial District courts are managed by the Chief Judge. The Trial Court Administrator is responsible for daily operations. Contact details for the office are provided above.
Local Rules
Local rules of the 2nd Judicial District are published on the Iowa Judicial Branch website. These rules govern hearing schedules, document submissions, and courtroom conduct.
Public Access to Records
Under Iowa law, most court records are public. Restrictions apply to:
- Juvenile cases
- Mental health cases
- Records sealed by court order
- Certain family cases (e.g., adoption)
Electronic record viewing is available through Iowa Courts Online. Appellate case documents can be viewed at a public terminal in the courthouse. For copies of documents not available online, contact the office. County public records requests (non-court) are submitted through the Open Records Requests page in accordance with the Iowa Open Records Law.
Participation in Hearings
Hearings can be attended in person at the Story County Justice Center. The Iowa Judicial Branch also implements electronic means for certain types of proceedings—check with the office for remote participation options.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Story
- Court Docket Search: Use the Iowa Courts Online portal to search by party name or case number. The Clerk of Court Quick Links page also provides direct search access.
- Court Forms and Self-Help Resources: Interactive forms from the Iowa Judicial Branch help prepare documents for filing without an attorney.
- Clerk of Court Office: The office processes requests for copies of court documents—civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims.
- Story County Jail Inmate Information: The Current Inmate Roster is available through the Central Iowa Police to Citizen portal. General information about the Story County Jail is on the county website.
- Iowa Criminal History Check: The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) at the Iowa Department of Public Safety conducts checks based on arrest data. More details are on the Iowa.gov page.
- Iowa Offender Search: The Iowa Department of Corrections Offender Search provides public information according to §904.601(1) of the Iowa Code.
- Iowa Sex Offender Registry: Available on the Iowa Department of Public Safety's website at iowasexoffender.gov.
- Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates: The Story County Recorder issues certified copies. Statewide records are maintained by Iowa HHS Vital Records.
- Real Estate Records: The Auditor's Office maintains property records, and Beacon GIS allows online parcel data searches.
- Sheriff's Office: The Story County Sheriff's Office publishes daily press releases and provides civil process service.