Court records for Story County, Iowa, are available through several channels. StoryCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be viewed through the Iowa Courts Online system, by contacting the Clerk of District Court office at the Story County Justice Center, or by using the public terminal directly at the courthouse. Each of these methods provides access to information about case files, hearing schedules, and case status.
Story Court System & Jurisdictions
Story County is part of Judicial District 2 of Iowa. All county-level cases are handled by the District Court located at the Story County Justice Center in Nevada. Iowa does not have separate courts for different categories — one District Court covers all types of cases.
The Clerk of District Court office processes documentation in the following categories:
- Criminal Cases — from felonies to simple misdemeanors.
- Civil Cases — lawsuits, contract disputes, collections.
- Small Claims — disputes involving amounts not exceeding the statutory limit, heard by a magistrate.
- Traffic Violations — fines, traffic offenses, driving under the influence.
- Family Law — divorce, custody, child support.
- Probate — estate administration, guardianship appointments, property management.
- Mental Health Cases — involuntary hospitalization and related proceedings.
Magistrate judges working within the District Court handle small claims, simple misdemeanors, and some preliminary hearings. Cases requiring a jury or involving serious crimes are handled by a district judge.
Story Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The Story County court schedule is available online through the Iowa Courts Online system. To find scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or this week:
- Go to the court records search page.
- Select the "Schedule Search" option and specify Story County.
- Set the desired date range or case type.
The system shows the judge's name, hearing time, case number, and courtroom. Updates occur regularly, but schedule changes may happen at the last minute — for confirmation, contact the court office at 515-382-7414.
The public terminal at the Story County Justice Center also allows viewing of the schedule and documents for appellate cases filed in the county.
How to Get a Copy of a Story Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in three ways.
Online
Through Iowa Courts Online, you can view case files and download some documents. Electronic filing is mandatory under Chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules. However, not all documents are available for download — some may be restricted depending on the case type.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of District Court office:
The clerk issues both regular and certified copies. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and is usually required for legal purposes — for example, for submission to another court or government agency. A regular copy is suitable for informational purposes.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Justice Center address including:
- The full name of the party involved
- The case number (if known)
- The type of document needed
- A return address and payment in the form of a money order
Some records — juvenile cases, sealed proceedings, mental health cases — have restricted access under state law. Check with the clerk if a specific document is available for public viewing.
Story Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Iowa are set by state law (Iowa Code Chapter 602, §602.8105). Below are the main rates applicable to the Story County District Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court document | $1.00 per page + $2.00 for certification |
| Regular copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certification of a previously issued copy | $2.00 |
| Court records search (upon request) | $6.00 |
| Filing a civil case (original) | Depends on the case type; check via the eFile system |
Payment is accepted in person at the court cashier — by cash, money order, or debit/credit card. When filing documents electronically, fees are paid online by card. Exact amounts for specific types of filings (dissolution, probate, small claims) may vary — the Clerk of Court page contains additional links and contact information for clarification.
For requests under the Iowa Open Records Law, contact via the Open Records Requests page of Story County — it describes the request submission process and possible additional fees for document preparation.