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How to get a copy of a deed in Iowa

Who holds it: County Recorder in each of Iowa's 99 counties.1

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. How to search and order
  2. Fees
  3. Older records and indexes
  4. More details
  5. Related records in Iowa
  6. How Iowa handles it
  7. Deeds in Iowa counties with a full guide
  8. Official warnings
  9. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  10. Sources

Statewide search

Iowa Land Records (iowalandrecords.org): statewide search of recorded real estate documents for all 99 counties, free, plus e-submission. Created by county recorders under the statutory county land record information system (Iowa Code 331.604(3)); the legacy search ended Dec. 9, 2023 and the new search requires a free account application (business or citizen).1

Free search

How to search and order

How to search
Search free online at Iowa Land Records (all 99 counties) or the county recorder's own search; older documents by contacting the recorder.2

Fees

Recording fee
$5 per page (or fraction) plus $1 per transaction records management fee plus $1 per transaction electronic transaction (county land record information system) fee.3

Older records and indexes

Years online
Varies by county. Polk County: index and document images from 1/1/1992 to present online.2

More details

Redaction
On request, the county recorder and county assessor must redact from documents displayed online the name of a peace officer, civilian law enforcement employee, state or federal judicial officer or state or federal prosecutor; former peace officers and former civilian law enforcement employees may get redaction on evidence of a compelling safety interest. Does not apply to people holding or seeking public office.3
Liens: mechanics' liens
Mechanics liens are filed in the statewide Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry (MNLR) at the Secretary of State, free search.4
Maps: state GIS portal
Iowa Geospatial Data Clearinghouse (geodata.iowa.gov).5

How Iowa handles it

  • County Recorder is the hub: it records deeds, is the local vital records registrar (birth, death, marriage), issues marriage licenses and records trade names (DBAs).6
  • County-level birth, marriage, divorce and (non-fetal) death records are open to inspection as of right under ch. 22, while the state file is closed; certified copies still require entitlement.6
  • County recorders lack 1921-1941 birth, death and marriage records (and several other categories); order those from Iowa HHS.7
  • Mechanics liens are filed statewide with the Secretary of State (MNLR), not with the county recorder.4

Deeds in Iowa counties with a full guide

The local office, its official online search and its own fee, for each county with a full guide. Local fees can differ from the statewide figures above.

CountyOfficeSearch onlineFee
Black Hawk CountyCounty Recorder / Registrar8Search89$1 per page (uncertified); email copies $2 plus copy fee10
Dallas CountyDallas County Recorder13Search1112$0.50 per page14
Dubuque CountyDubuque County Recorder15Search15$1 per page, including faxed or emailed copies16
Johnson CountyJohnson County Recorder18Search17—
Linn CountyLinn County Recorder21Search1920$1 per page19
Polk CountyPolk County Recorder23Search22Free search$0.50 per page (fee table); emailed copies $2.00 first page and $1.00 each additional (FAQ)24
Pottawattamie CountyPottawattamie County Recorder26Search25Free search—
Story CountyStory County Recorder28Search27Free searchCertified copy fee: $5 for certification + copy fee costs (all real estate documents; not vital records)29
Woodbury CountyRecorder31Search30$.50 per page32

For any other county, see the county list on the Iowa guide.

Official warnings

  • Secretary of State: business identity theft; SOS sends a postcard/email to the registered agent for each filing, and an affidavit of unauthorized filing is available.33

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Iowa office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Rules in other states: deeds and land records in every state. Everything else in Iowa: Iowa public records guide.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Iowa Land Records (statewide county recorder search/e-submission site)Electronic Services System / Iowa county recorders (county land record information system, Iowa Code 331.604(3))checked November 4, 2026
  2. Polk County Recorder - Search RecordsPolk County, Iowachecked November 4, 2026
  3. Iowa Code 331.604 Recording and filing feesIowa Legislaturechecked November 4, 2026
  4. Mechanics LiensIowa Secretary of Statechecked November 4, 2026
  5. Iowa Geospatial Data ClearinghouseState of Iowachecked November 4, 2026
  6. Iowa Code ch. 144 Vital StatisticsIowa Legislaturechecked November 4, 2026
  7. Vital Records (Marriage, Birth, or Death Certificates)Iowa Department of Health and Human Serviceschecked November 4, 2026
  8. RecorderBlack Hawk Countychecked November 4, 2026
  9. Recorder | Black Hawk County IABlack Hawk County, IAchecked November 8, 2026
  10. Recording Fees & RequirementsBlack Hawk County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  11. RecorderDallas Countychecked November 4, 2026
  12. Recorder | Dallas County, IADallas County, IAchecked November 8, 2026
  13. Site MapDallas Countychecked November 4, 2026
  14. Recorder - Real EstateDallas Countychecked November 4, 2026
  15. RecorderDubuque County, Iowachecked November 7, 2026
  16. Recording FeesDubuque County, Iowachecked November 7, 2026
  17. Real Estate SearchJohnson County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  18. Department Directory & ResourcesJohnson County, Iowachecked November 4, 2026
  19. Real Estate Forms & Revenue TaxesLinn County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  20. Real Estate Forms & Revenue Taxes | Linn County, IA - Official WebsiteLinn County, IAchecked November 8, 2026
  21. DepartmentsLinn County, Iowachecked November 4, 2026
  22. Polk County Recorder - Search RecordsPolk County, Iowachecked November 4, 2026
  23. Real Estate DepartmentPolk County Recorderarchived copychecked November 4, 2026
  24. Recording FeesPolk County Recorderarchived copychecked November 4, 2026
  25. Real Estate Record SearchPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  26. Recorder's OfficePottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  27. Recorder & Vital RecordsStory County, Iowachecked November 7, 2026
  28. Site MapStory County, Iowachecked November 7, 2026
  29. Fee ScheduleStory County, Iowachecked November 7, 2026
  30. Land and Records ManagementWoodbury County, Iowachecked November 4, 2026
  31. Woodbury County homeWoodbury County, Iowachecked November 4, 2026
  32. Recording FeesWoodbury County, Iowachecked November 4, 2026
  33. Protecting You and Your BusinessIowa Secretary of Statechecked November 4, 2026