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Pottawattamie County, Iowa public records

In Pottawattamie County, deeds are recorded by the Pottawattamie County Recorder; property values come from the Pottawattamie County Assessor; court files are kept by the Clerk of Court, Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Divorce records
  7. Birth certificates
  8. Death certificates
  9. Probate records and wills
  10. Business names (DBA)
  11. Voter records
  12. Historical records
  13. Good to know about Pottawattamie County records
  14. Office addresses, phones and hours
  15. Records that are not online: public records requests
  16. Questions people ask
  17. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  18. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsPottawattamie County Recorder3Search deeds2Free search—
Property values and ownersPottawattamie County Assessor4Property search5—
Property tax billsPottawattamie County Treasurer6Tax bill search7—
Court casesClerk of Court, Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County8Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County9Statewide (Iowa Judicial Branch, 2026 table): certification and seal $50 per court document; copies $0.50 per page10
Marriage recordsPottawattamie County Recorder3——
Divorce recordsClerk of Court, Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County8——
Birth certificatesPottawattamie County Recorder11—$20.00 per certified copy to entitled persons (effective July 1, 2026); $5.00 cash uncertified photocopy ("Not for Legal Purposes")11
Death certificatesPottawattamie County Recorder11—$20.00 per certified copy; $5.00 cash photocopy12
Probate and willsClerk of Court, Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County8——
Business names (DBA)Pottawattamie County Recorder3——

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Pottawattamie County are recorded by the Pottawattamie County Recorder.3

Online search
rec.pottcounty-ia.gov/…2Free search
Cost
Iowa Land Records: free account required; AVA cost not stated on the county page2
Years online
Index books of lots and land transfer records 1853-1989 digitized (records.pottcounty-ia.gov); AVA coverage years not stated13
Recording fee
Deeds, contracts, assignments of contract, change of title $12.00 first page (includes $5.00 transfer fee per parcel) + $5.00 each additional page; mortgages, releases, assignments of mortgage, leases, affidavits, plats/surveys, trade names $7.00 first page + $5.00 each additional; +$7.00 per extra transaction; +$10.00 for non-conforming documents14
How to order
Search the Recorder's online records by name or call the office for help; index book copies requested through the Help link on the index book site15
Auditor transfer books
Auditor's archived historical transfer books (COTT Systems Record Room) and archived Change of Title records, open to title searchers16

How deeds work in Iowa

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Pottawattamie County Assessor (separate government entity) sets property values4; the Pottawattamie County Treasurer bills and collects the tax6.

Property search
pottco.org (Pottawattamie County Assessor property data search; online since 1997)5
Tax bill search
municipalonlinepayments.com/… (Online Tax Search, linked by the Treasurer); pay at iowatreasurers.org/index.php (e-check $0.25, cards 2.25%)7
Parcel map (GIS)
gis.pottcounty-ia.gov/Html5 (GIS Viewer); also surveys, section corners, assessor sales, parcel snapshots, subdivision PDFs, data downloads17
Appealing a value
Protests to the Board of Review April 2-30; informal review with the Assessor April 2-25; Board of Review meets from May 118
Tax due
First half due September 1, delinquent October 1; second half due March 1, delinquent April 17
Tax sale
Annual tax sale in June (registration via Iowa Tax Auction)7

How property tax works in Iowa

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County (Judicial District 4; courthouses in Council Bluffs and Avoca)All felony, misdemeanor, civil, small claims, divorce/family, probate and juvenile cases (unified state trial court)Clerk of Court, Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County (Judicial District 4)iowacourts.state.ia.us/… Iowa Courts Online trial court Case Search (statewide; "Available to all users", no fee shown); public terminals in the Courthouse9Free search
Fees
Statewide (Iowa Judicial Branch, 2026 table): certification and seal $50 per court document; copies $0.50 per page10
Pay fines
Pay court fines and tickets online via Iowa Judicial Branch ePayment (linked by the county)19
Copies
Contact the Clerk of Court for copies; public terminals in the Courthouse let you search and view public documents and print them at the Clerk's office9

Criminal records and background checks

Which court
Iowa District Court; search Iowa Courts Online or courthouse public terminals9
State background
Iowa DCI criminal history record check: $15 per last name20
Jail
Sheriff inmate roster: sheriff.pottcounty-ia.gov/inmate_roster (linked from county home page)21

How Iowa courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the Pottawattamie County Recorder.3

Marriage license
Application $35.00 (includes one free certified copy after filing); signatures notarized; witness required; 4-day waiting period; must marry in Iowa22
Years held
County certified copies: Avoca applications 1885-1921; county applications 1917-1953; any Iowa marriage 1954-present23
Certified copy
$20.00 per certified copy to entitled persons (from July 1, 2026); $5.00 cash for an uncertified photocopy23

Iowa marriage records, statewide

Divorce records

Clerk of Court, fourth floor of the Courthouse, 227 S 6th St, Council Bluffs; (712) 328-560415

Iowa divorce records: decree or state record

Birth certificates

Kept by the Pottawattamie County Recorder (vital records).11

Years held
County certified copies: any Iowa birth 1984-present; Pottawattamie births 1880-1921 and 1941-1983 (none July 1, 1921 - June 30, 1941: state office only)11
Fee
$20.00 per certified copy to entitled persons (effective July 1, 2026); $5.00 cash uncertified photocopy ("Not for Legal Purposes")11
Who may order
Entitled persons with photo ID, 18+: registrant, parents, spouse, siblings (with proof), grandparents11
How to order
In person (cash, check, money order or card) or by mail with notarized application and ID copy (no cards by mail); phone/online through Iowa HHS and VitalChek11
State
Iowa HHS: $20.00 per certified copy24

Ordering an Iowa birth certificate

Death certificates

Kept by the Pottawattamie County Recorder (vital records).11

Years held
County certified copies: any Iowa death 1954-present; Pottawattamie deaths 1880-1921 and 1941-195312
Fee
$20.00 per certified copy; $5.00 cash photocopy12

Ordering an Iowa death certificate

Probate records and wills

Iowa District Court sitting in probate; files kept by the Clerk of Court (712-328-5604)25

Finding a will or probate case in Iowa

Business names (DBA)

Kept by the Pottawattamie County Recorder.3

Assumed names (DBA)
Trade names recorded by the County Recorder: $7.00 first page, $5.00 each additional page14

Voter records

Auditor acts as Commissioner of Elections; elections site elections.pottcounty-ia.gov26

Historical records

Index books
Grantee/grantor index books 1853-1989 online; originals in the Recorder's Office13
Military
DD214 recording and certified copies free; not available online27

Good to know about Pottawattamie County records

  • Two courthouses: Council Bluffs and Avoca; Avoca is the judicial seat of eastern Pottawattamie County.28
  • The county Recorder holds no local birth/death records from July 1, 1921 to June 30, 1941; those are only at the Iowa state office.11
  • Separate Avoca marriage records 1885-1921 are held by the Recorder.23
  • Grantor/grantee index books 1853-1989 are digitized and browsable online.13
  • The Assessor is a separate government entity and its property site has been online since 1997.4
  • Historic 1885-1888 courthouse and Squirrel Cage Jail were replaced by the current 1978 courthouse.28
  • County established February 24, 1847; organized September 21, 1848.28

Office addresses, phones and hours

Pottawattamie County Recorder

Address
Courthouse, Second Floor, 227 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 (marriage license desk Room 251)3
Mail
Pottawattamie County Recorder, 227 S 6th St., Room 251, Council Bluffs, IA 5150122
Phone
(712) 328-5612; fax (712) 328-47383
Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm (documents taken until 4:00 p.m.; marriage licenses and passport photos until 3:30 pm)3

Pottawattamie County Assessor (separate government entity)

Address
227 S. 6th St, Room 257, Council Bluffs, IA 5150118
Mail
P.O. Box 1076, Council Bluffs, IA 5150218
Hours
8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday - Friday4

Pottawattamie County Treasurer

Address
Courthouse, First Floor, 227 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501; payment drop box on the east side of the Courthouse6
Phone
(712) 328-5627, (712) 328-5631; fax (712) 328-58236
Hours
8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday - Friday6

Pottawattamie County Auditor (real estate transfer records, plats, elections, Board of Supervisors clerk)

Address
Courthouse, Second Floor, 227 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 5150126
Mail
Box 649, Council Bluffs IA 5150229
Phone
(712) 328-5700; fax (712) 328-474026
Hours
8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday - Friday26

Clerk of Court, Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County (Judicial District 4)

Address
227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs (fourth floor of the Courthouse)15
Mail
P.O. Box 476, Council Bluffs, IA 515028
Phone
712-328-5604; fax 712-328-48108

Clerk of Court, Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County (same office: civil, divorce, probate)

Address
227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA8
Mail
P.O. Box 476, Council Bluffs, IA 515028

Juvenile Court Office

Address
227 South 6th Street, 5th floor, Council Bluffs, IA 5150130

Pottawattamie County Recorder (vital records)

Address
Courthouse, Second Floor, 227 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 515013
Mail
Mail notarized application and payment to the Pottawattamie County Recorder11
Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm3

Pottawattamie County Auditor - Commissioner of Elections

Address
227 S. 6th Street, Council Bluffs IA 5150129
Mail
Box 649, Council Bluffs IA 5150229
Hours
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday29

Pottawattamie County GIS

Address
Courthouse, Suite #169, 227 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 5150117
Hours
8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday - Friday17

Records that are not online: public records requests

Request page
pottcounty-ia.gov/faq (How do I make a public records request?)9
Where to send it
In writing to the Board of Supervisors Office, Pottawattamie County Courthouse, 227 South 6th Street, 2nd floor, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 (Chairperson responsible for Iowa Code ch. 22)9

How to write a public records request

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Pottawattamie County?

The Pottawattamie County Recorder keeps deed records. To order copies: Search the Recorder's online records by name or call the office for help; index book copies requested through the Help link on the index book site.315

Can I search Pottawattamie County land records online for free?

Yes. Iowa Land Records: free account required; AVA cost not stated on the county page. The official search: rec.pottcounty-ia.gov/…2

How much is a birth certificate in Pottawattamie County?

$20.00 per certified copy to entitled persons (effective July 1, 2026); $5.00 cash uncertified photocopy ("Not for Legal Purposes").11

Where do I get a divorce decree in Pottawattamie County?

Clerk of Court, fourth floor of the Courthouse, 227 S 6th St, Council Bluffs; (712) 328-5604.15

How do I look up who owns a property in Pottawattamie County?

Use the property search of the Pottawattamie County Assessor (separate government entity): pottco.org5

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 Pottawattamie County office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties in Iowa with a full guide: Black Hawk County, Dallas County, Dubuque County, Johnson County, Linn County, Polk County, Story County, Woodbury County. Every county in the state: Iowa county list.

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. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026
  2. Real Estate Record SearchPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  3. Recorder's OfficePottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  4. AssessorPottawattamie Countychecked November 4, 2026
  5. Assessor FAQPottawattamie Countychecked November 4, 2026
  6. TreasurerPottawattamie County Treasurerchecked November 4, 2026
  7. Treasurer: Real EstatePottawattamie County Treasurerchecked November 4, 2026
  8. Pottawattamie | Judicial District 4Iowa Judicial Branchchecked November 4, 2026
  9. Frequently Asked QuestionsPottawattamie Countychecked November 4, 2026
  10. Civil Court FeesIowa Judicial Branchchecked November 4, 2026
  11. Birth RecordsPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  12. Death RecordsPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  13. Index Book DatabasePottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  14. Document Recording InformationPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  15. Recorder FAQPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  16. Auditor: Real EstatePottawattamie County Auditorchecked November 4, 2026
  17. GISPottawattamie County GISchecked November 4, 2026
  18. Pottawattamie County Assessor (pottco.org, linked as 'Assessor Website')Pottawattamie County Assessorchecked November 4, 2026
  19. Online ServicesPottawattamie Countychecked November 4, 2026
  20. Criminal History Record Check InformationIowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigationchecked November 4, 2026
  21. Pottawattamie County, Iowa (home)Pottawattamie Countychecked November 4, 2026
  22. Marriage ApplicationsPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  23. Marriage RecordsPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  24. How to Request a Certified RecordIowa Department of Health and Human Serviceschecked November 4, 2026
  25. Iowa Code ch. 633 Probate CodeIowa Legislaturechecked November 4, 2026
  26. Auditor's Office & ElectionsPottawattamie County Auditorchecked November 4, 2026
  27. Military RecordsPottawattamie County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  28. About Pottawattamie CountyPottawattamie Countychecked November 4, 2026
  29. County Auditors directoryIowa Secretary of Statechecked November 4, 2026
  30. Courts and Juror InformationPottawattamie Countychecked November 4, 2026
  31. Elections and VotingPottawattamie County Auditorchecked November 7, 2026
  32. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026