SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Des Moines County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Iowa state publishers on the review date. 6 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Des Moines County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Des Moines County, Iowa — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
38,411
Population
Census estimate
17,251
Households
Census estimate
$58,084
Median income
Annual household
$135,300
Median home value
Census ACS
Burlington
County seat
In Iowa
Criminal records
see state portal
Court records
1 source
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
4 sources
Vital records
2 sources
Voter records
2 sources
Professional licenses
2 sources
Recorded documents
1 source
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Des Moines County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Des Moines County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | Judicial Branch Building and Courthouse Tours | Iowa Judicia… |
| Criminal records | No verified source — see Des Moines County state portal below |
| Wants & warrants | No verified source — see Des Moines County state portal below |
| Property records | DMC GIS Mapping Application Property Tax Frequently Asked Questions |
| Vital records | Vital Records - Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Des Moines County IA Birth Certificate, Marriage & Death… |
| Voter records | Elections - Des Moines County, Iowa Register to Vote - Elections - Des Moines County, Iowa |
| Professional licenses | Find a Record or License | Department of Inspections, Appeal… Des Moines County, Iowa Public Records Lookup | DesmoinesRec… |
| Recorded documents | Recorder - Des Moines County Government - Iowa |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Des Moines County. Data verified June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Des Moines County Records
2026
Des Moines County official government portal active
The official Des Moines County government website at www.dmcounty.com continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Des Moines County court records portal verified
State court system links for Des Moines County verified against the Iowa judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Des Moines County property records online
Des Moines County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Iowa, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step Des Moines County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Des Moines County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Des Moines County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Iowa statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Iowa state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Des Moines County Records
❌ Myth: "Des Moines County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for Des Moines County are held by the Iowa state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in Des Moines County are gone everywhere."
✓ Truth: False. Sealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
❌ Myth: "Free 'instant background' sites have Des Moines County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official Iowa state repository has verified, current Des Moines County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The Des Moines County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The Des Moines County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
❌ Myth: "All county records older than 50 years are public."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources (All Verified)
- www.dmcounty.com — Official Des Moines County government website
- www.iowacourts.gov — Court records — official source
- hhs.iowa.gov — Vital records — official source
- dmcountyelections.iowa.gov — Voter records — official source
- dial.iowa.gov — Licenses — official source
- desmoinescounty.iowa.gov — Recorded documents — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Des Moines County & Iowa Records
For records not specific to Des Moines County, use Iowa's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Iowa statewide record systems:
- Iowa Court Records →
- Iowa Criminal Records →
- Iowa Property Records →
- Iowa Vital Records →
- Iowa Voter Records →
- Iowa Wants & Warrants →
- Iowa Licenses →
- Iowa Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Iowa statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
About Des Moines County, Iowa
Des Moines County is located in southeastern Iowa. The county seat is Burlington (official site: http://www.dmcounty.com/).
- Population: 38,411
- Households: 17,251
- Median household income: $58,084
- Median home value: $135,300
- Below poverty line: 14.6%
- Land area: 416.1 sq mi
- Population density: 92.3 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 2
- NCES schools indexed: 17
DMC GIS Mapping Application
Official Free
The Bookmark contain various extents within Des Moines County and support creating custom extents. Obtaining Parcel Information: There are three ways to obtain information about any parcel: More information regarding the search tool can be found below in the Help section under Search/Property Info.
Property Tax Frequently Asked Questions
Official Free
On the first day of each month, late interest at the rate of 1.5% (rounded to the nearest dollar, with a $1.00 minimum per parcel) will be added to the unpaid balance of your property taxes. If your taxes remain unpaid, they could be subject to tax sale. If sold at tax sale and if the tax lien is not redeemed within the time specified by Iowa law, the tax sale certificate holder may initiate foreclosure proceedings. What should I do if I receive a tax statement on a home I recently sold? (Back to Top) Forward the tax statement to the new owners, OR return the tax statement to your county…
Buchanan County Treasurer | Iowa Tax And Tags
Official Free
We recommend you pay your property and vehicle renewal (tag) taxes online. It's easy, fast and safe. Online payment options include Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa, American Express and eCheck - an electronic transfer of funds from your bank account to the County bank account. Tax Department: 319-334-4340 Motor Vehicle Department: 319-334-2005 Driver's License Department: 319-334-7456 Fax: 319-334-7454 · Buchanan
County Recorder Directory | Iowa Land Records
Official Free
Daneen Schindler, Delaware County Recorder 301 E Main St, Suite 204, P.O Box 157, Manchester, IA 52057 Phone: (563) 927-4665 Email: dschindler@co.delaware.ia.us delawarecounty.iowa.gov · Office Status: Office Open to the Public Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM · Please call this county for more information. Natalie Steffener, Des Moines County Recorder 513 N Main St, Burlington, IA 52601 Phone: (319) 753-8221 | Fax: (319) 753-8721 Email: steffenern@dmcounty.com desmoinescounty.iowa.gov
Vital Records - Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Official Free
For further information on Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificates: Call 515-281-4944 , or email all general vital record questions to vitalrecords@hhs.iowa.gov Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Statistics Lucas
Des Moines County IA Birth Certificate, Marriage & Death Records
Official Free
The Des Moines County Vital Records Office provides you with birth, death, and marriage certificates . Contact details and address here.
Vital Records | State Historical Society of Iowa
Official Free
The State Archives partners with FamilySearch and Ancestry websites to make available Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death records within its custody available online . Family Search is free to use at home.
Elections - Des Moines County, Iowa
Official Free
The Auditor’s Office is responsible for every aspect of conducting an election from voter registration to the final count of the votes.
Register to Vote - Elections - Des Moines County, Iowa
Official Free
Download a voter registration form to complete and return to the Des Moines County Auditor, P.O.
Voter Registration List Requests | Iowa Secretary of State - Paul D. Pate
Official Free
Send completed request forms to: State Registrar of Voters Lucas State Office Building, First Floor 312 E 12th St Des Moines, IA 50319 voterlist@sos.iowa.gov Fax: (515)281-4682 Phone:(515)281-0145
Find a Record or License | Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
Official Free
Search State of Iowa online services to verify professional licensure, and search inspection and survey records.
Iowa License Lookup
Official Free
Log in to the federal Judiciary’s electronic public access services. Close PACER Case Locator PACER Log in Manage PACER Account
City of Des Moines
Official Free
Below are several forms, documents the Des Moines Open Data Portal. Additionally, Des Moines Police responses are mapped and publicly available through the Law Enforcement Response Map - a partnership with the Polk County Sheriff's Department
🌐 dsm.city
Recorder - Des Moines County Government - Iowa
Official Free
Find information about vital and military records, DNR licensing, real estate documents, and more in Des Moines County, Iowa.
Judicial Branch Building and Courthouse Tours | Iowa Judicial Branch
Official Free
The Iowa Judicial Branch Building The building, which sits on a bluff overlooking downtown Des Moines, is located at 1111 East Court Avenue, two blocks south of the Capitol
Recorder - Des Moines County Government - Iowa
Official Free
Find information about vital and military records, DNR licensing, real estate documents, and more in Des Moines County, Iowa.
Search and Submit Land Records Statewide - Iowa Land Records
Official Free
Connecting the public to recorded real estate documents and simplifying document submission with our online service. Locate archived real estate documents from all of Iowa’s 99 counties for free. Discover land record information at no cost with our convenient search tool.
IOWA System (Iowa On-line Warrants & Articles) | Iowa Department of Public Safety
Official Free
The IOWA Criminal Justice Information Network provides a wide variety of information to police, sheriff's, state, and federal criminal justice agencies in Iowa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Des Moines County?
Des Moines County court cases are searchable through the Judicial Branch Building and Courthouse Tours | Iowa Judicial Branch portal: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/judicial-branch-building-and-courthouse-tours. Iowa also operates a state-level case lookup through the Iowa Courts Online system. For federal matters, see PACER.
Can I find out if someone is divorced in Iowa?
Yes. Search the court case index for the person's name in the county where they lived. Most Iowa counties offer free online case-search portals. The state vital records office also issues divorce verifications for a fee.
Are Iowa marriage records public?
Marriage records in Iowa are generally public — anyone can verify that a marriage occurred and request a non-certified copy. Certified copies (needed for legal purposes like name changes or immigration) may be restricted to the spouses, immediate family, or those with a court order.
Are Des Moines County records free to search?
Yes — every link on this page goes to an official government source. Basic searches are free. Certified copies and formal background checks carry the standard government fee.