| Clerk of District Court | Johnson County Clerk of the District Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk address | 417 South Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 |
| Phone | 319-356-6060 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | $0.50 per page (Iowa Judicial Branch fee schedule) |
| Certified copy fee | $50 for certification and seal of a court document (Iowa Code section 602.8105(2)(b), per the Iowa Judicial Branch fee schedule) |
Johnson County, home to Iowa City and the University of Iowa, is part of the state's sixth judicial district (shared with Linn County). The Johnson County Clerk of the District Court, a state Judicial Branch office on the second floor of the Johnson County Courthouse, keeps the file for every case filed in the county — criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile.
There is no separate county-level clerk of court in Johnson County; case lookups by the public go through the statewide Iowa Courts Online portal. Several third-party sites advertise "Johnson County court record" search tools, but the official source for case dockets is the state system, not a county-run website.
Iowa abolished municipal courts in 1973, so Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty have no city courts of their own. Ordinance violations and traffic tickets written by city or University of Iowa police are filed with this same Clerk of the District Court as simple misdemeanors and appear in the statewide docket search alongside every other Johnson County case.
Search Johnson County court records online
Clerk of District Court
Johnson County Clerk of the District Court
- Cost
- Free docket search on Iowa Courts Online; fees apply for certified copies
- Coverage
- All district court case types filed in Johnson County — felony and misdemeanor criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, and juvenile
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, Traffic
Case information is searched through the statewide Iowa Courts Online portal, not a Johnson County-specific site. Third-party "court record" lookup sites are not affiliated with the Iowa Judicial Branch.
What is available online
Case dockets and status for Johnson County cases are searchable for free on the statewide Iowa Courts Online system. Confidential case types (juvenile, mental health, some family matters) are excluded from public search. Document images are not published online; view non-confidential filings at the courthouse public-access terminal or request copies from the clerk's office.
Which clerk has your record
In Iowa, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the Iowa page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa District Court | Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases; Divorce, custody, and other family cases; Civil suits of any amount, including small claims | Clerk of the District Court for the county |
Request records in person or by mail
Johnson County clerk offices
417 South Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
Phone: 319-356-6060
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
In person or by mail. Contact the Johnson County Clerk of the District Court at 417 South Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 (phone 319-356-6060, fax 319-356-6032, email countyclerk.johnson@iowacourts.gov). Provide the case number if known, or the party names and approximate filing date, and state whether you need plain or certified copies.
Public-access terminals. Non-confidential documents filed in Johnson County cases can be viewed for free on courthouse terminals during business hours; printed copies are paid at the counter.
City citations and fines. Iowa has no municipal courts, so tickets from Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, or University of Iowa police are filed with the Johnson County Clerk of the District Court like any other simple misdemeanor. Fines on those cases can be paid online through the Iowa Judicial Branch payment portal or at the clerk's counter.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in Iowa |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $0.50 per page (Iowa Judicial Branch fee schedule) |
| Certified copy | $50 for certification and seal of a court document (Iowa Code section 602.8105(2)(b), per the Iowa Judicial Branch fee schedule) |
The Iowa Judicial Branch's Civil Court Fees page lists copies at $0.50 per page and $50 for certification and seal of a court document under Iowa Code section 602.8105(2)(b), and notes that its figures reflect 2026 legislative changes. The codified text of section 602.8105 published in the 2026 Iowa Code still shows the earlier $30 certificate-and-seal fee, so confirm the current amount with the county clerk before sending payment. Every county clerk of the district court charges the same statewide schedule.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
Iowa's default is that court records are public, but several categories are removed from public view:
The Iowa guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up a court case in Johnson County, Iowa?
Search the statewide Iowa Courts Online portal by party name or case number. Johnson County does not run an official case-search website of its own; be cautious of third-party sites that are not affiliated with the Judicial Branch.
Who is the clerk of court for Johnson County?
The Johnson County Clerk of the District Court, on the second floor of the Johnson County Courthouse at 417 South Clinton Street in Iowa City. It handles every case type filed in the county.
Are Iowa City traffic tickets part of the Johnson County court record search?
Yes. Iowa has no municipal courts, so citations written by Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, or University of Iowa police, as well as county and state officers, are all filed with the Johnson County Clerk of the District Court and appear in Iowa Courts Online.
How do I request a certified copy from the Johnson County Clerk?
Contact the clerk's office in person or by mail with the case number and the documents you need. The Iowa Judicial Branch fee schedule lists copies at $0.50 per page and $50 for certification and seal of a document; confirm the total with the clerk before sending payment.
Sources
- Iowa Judicial Branch — court history and the 1973 unified trial court — https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/educational-resources-and-services/iowa-courts-history
- Johnson County | Iowa Judicial Branch — https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-6/district/6/county/johnson
- Iowa Courts Online Search — https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/SelectFrame
- County Office Locations — Johnson County, Iowa — https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov/contact_info
- Civil Court Fees | Iowa Judicial Branch — https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/civil-court-fees
- Iowa Judicial Branch — District Court — https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court
- Iowa Judicial Branch — Court of Appeals — https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/court-of-appeals
- Iowa Judicial Branch — Supreme Court — https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court
- Iowa DCI Criminal History Record Check Information — https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions-iowa-department-public-safety/iowa-division-criminal-investigation/criminal-history-record-check-information
- Iowa Code Chapter 901C — Expungement of Criminal Records — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/901C.pdf
- Iowa Code Section 602.8105 — Clerk Fees for Civil Cases — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/602.8105.pdf
- Iowa Code Section 22.7 — Confidential Records — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/22.7.pdf
- Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16 — Rules of Electronic Procedure — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/16.pdf
- United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa — https://www.iasd.uscourts.gov/
- United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa — https://www.iand.uscourts.gov/
See also: all Iowa counties.