Iowa - Disputing Public Records

Criminal Records

Obtaining an Official Record

To request an official copy of your Iowa criminal history, use the forms below:

• Criminal History Request Form
• Criminal History Billing Form

You can also request the records in person from the Department of Public Safety during normal business hours. You must be able to provide a government issued photo I.D. (i.e., driver's license, passport, etc.) DPS is located at 215 East 7th Street, Des Moines, Iowa, and business hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. They are only able to provide immediate results if you are the subject of the request, per Code of Iowa, Chapter 692.2(1).

Sealing/Expunging Records

Under certain conditions, you can have your record expunged in Iowa. Typically this is only when there was a deferred judgment and probation was successfully completed, or it was a case type that allows for expungement if the individual meets certain criteria. For more information, you may wish to review the Expungement FAQ produced by Iowa Legal Aid.

Fixing Errors

If you find an error in your criminal history, you can dispute it with the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Submit your request in writing. They are required to respond within 20 days.

Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Civil Records

Civil records generally include judgments, liens and evictions, as well as other family and small claims cases.

Fixing Errors

The most efficient way to dispute a civil record in Iowa is to contact the court in which the record was filed.

• List of all courts and their contact information

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies can stay on your credit record for as long as 10 years. The most important place these records can affect you is on your credit report. To dispute a bankruptcy record that is inaccurate, contact each of the three major U.S. credit bureaus. Each has a process online for disputing records that appear on your file.

• TransUnion
• Experian
• Equifax

Disputing the actual public record can be much more challenging since the consumer is the one who files for the bankruptcy in the first place. More information can be found on the United States Courts website.

General Contact Information

Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
website

Iowa Judicial Branch
District Court Clerks
Iowa Court of Appeals

U.S. Court Locator

Locate any court in the United States:

• Court Locator Search