Criminal records in Story County, Iowa, are available through several channels — from online tools to in-person visits to the court office. StoryCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official portal of the Iowa court system, the Story County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of District Court office located in the Story County Justice Center.
How to Search Criminal Records in Story County
There are several ways to search for criminal records. Here are step-by-step instructions for each method.
Through StoryCourt.us
- Go to StoryCourt.us.
- Enter the full name of the person or the case number.
- Review the results — publicly available information about criminal cases in Story County.
Online through the Iowa Courts Online Portal
The Iowa Judicial Branch provides free access to the electronic case register.
- Open Iowa Courts Online.
- Select the type of search: by last name, case number, or date.
- In the "County" field, select Story.
- Review case data: charges, status, scheduled hearings.
To search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name (first name, last name)
- Date of birth — helps refine results with common last names
- Case number
Sheriff's Office Tools
The Story County Sheriff's website offers an inmate roster and daily press releases about arrests and incidents. These resources are regularly updated and provide current information on detentions.
In Person
The Clerk of District Court office in the Story County Justice Center has a public terminal where you can view district court documents. Simply ask a clerk for assistance in using the terminal.
By Mail or Written Request
To check criminal history at the state level, submit a request to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Detailed information is available on the Criminal History Record Check page. You need to provide the full name, date of birth, and optionally, the social security number for more accurate results. Requests can also be submitted through the Open Records Requests page of Story County in accordance with the Iowa Open Records Law.
Search Story County Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number in Iowa has a standard format consisting of several parts. Understanding this format speeds up the search.
A typical number looks like this: FECR012345.
- Letter prefix — indicates the type of case. For example, FECR means felony criminal, SMCR — simple misdemeanor criminal, SRCR — serious misdemeanor criminal, AGCR — aggravated misdemeanor criminal, OWCR — operating while intoxicated (OWI/DUI).
- Numeric part — a unique sequential number assigned to the case within the county.
If you know the case number, enter it in the appropriate field on the Iowa Courts Online portal — the system will return an exact result without the need to filter by name or date.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Story County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Iowa Code under which the charge is brought (e.g., §714.2 — theft) |
| Severity | Felony (classes A, B, C, D), Misdemeanor (serious, simple, aggravated), or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during the trial |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, but no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is in active consideration
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including appeals
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where the defendant learns about the charges and states whether they plead guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (usually for felonies)
- Pre-trial conference — a meeting of the parties to discuss procedural issues before the trial
- Sentencing — issuing a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — a control hearing regarding compliance with the sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court or jury acquits the defendant |
| Dismissed | The case is closed by the prosecutor or judge without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquittal after a full trial |
| Deferred Judgment | The court postpones the sentence; if conditions are met, the charge may be dismissed |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Story County
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Clerk of District Court office in the Story County Justice Center. This is the only office in the county authorized to certify court documents.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the office with a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the full name of the person, date of birth, case number (if known), and the applicant's contact information. Include a copy of the ID and payment in the form of a check or money order.
To check criminal history at the state level, contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. This request covers records from all Iowa counties.
Clerk's Office Contact Information
Story County Clerk of District Court
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Story County
The fees for copies of court documents are established according to Iowa Code §602.8105. Below are the main rates.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification fee | $2.00 per document |
| Iowa Criminal History Check through DCI | $15.00 |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history check (FBI/DCI) | $30.00+ |
Processing Times
- Copies of documents at the clerk's office — usually issued on the day of the request if submitted in person.
- Mail requests — processing takes from 5 to 10 business days, depending on the volume of the request.
- Criminal history check through DCI — online results often arrive within 1–3 business days; mail requests — up to 2 weeks.
Payment at the clerk's office is accepted in cash, check, or money order. For online requests through the DCI portal, a debit or credit card can be used. Current rates should be clarified directly with the Story County Clerk's Office, as fees may change.