Iowa Clerk of Court Directory & Free Legal Aid Resources
Navigating the Iowa court online legal system is daunting, especially if you are trying to handle a case without a lawyer. Whether you are dealing with a sudden eviction notice, filing for a protective order, going through a divorce, or just trying to pay a traffic ticket, knowing exactly who to call and where to go is half the battle.
In Iowa, your two most important resources are the Clerk of Court in your specific county and the network of free legal aid organizations operating throughout the state.
This guide provides a directory of the major Iowa county courthouses, explains the strict rules about what court clerks can actually do for you, and outlines where to find free legal representation and mediation if you cannot afford an attorney.
Table of Contents
What Does an Iowa Clerk of Court Actually Do?
Before you walk into a courthouse or pick up the phone, it is vital to understand the role of the Clerk of Court.
The clerk’s office is the administrative heart of the county judicial system. They manage the official court records, process filings, collect fines, and manage jury duty. However, there is a very strict legal boundary regarding how much they can assist you.
What a Clerk CAN Do For You:
- Provide blank, official court forms (like small claims or divorce packets) or direct you to where to find them online.
- Tell you the status of your case or confirm your next court date.
- Explain the general process for filing a document through the EDMS (Electronic Document Management System).
- Accept payments for court fines, restitution, and traffic tickets.
- Provide certified copies of court documents (usually for a small fee).
What a Clerk CANNOT Do For You (By Law):
- Give legal advice: This is the most common point of frustration for the public. A clerk cannot tell you what you should do in your case.
- Tell you which specific form you need to file to win your argument.
- Help you fill out your paperwork or tell you what words to write.
- Recommend a specific private attorney.
- Guess how a judge might rule on your case.
You may be interested in Iowa EDMS (eFiling for Pro Se Litigants) Learn more for it.
If you ask a clerk a question and they reply, “I’m sorry, I cannot give legal advice,” they are not being rude. They are legally prohibited from acting as your lawyer. If you need strategic advice, you must consult an attorney or reach out to legal aid.
Major Iowa County Clerk of Court Directory
Iowa has 99 counties, and every single one has its own courthouse and Clerk of Court. If you need to file a lawsuit, respond to a petition, or pay a local fine, you must contact the specific county where the case is located.
Here is the contact information and physical addresses for the highest-population counties in Iowa.
(Note: Courthouse hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, but always call ahead to confirm as offices may close for lunch or state holidays.)
County Clerk of Court Contacts
| County Clerk of Court | Contact |
|---|---|
| Adair County Clerk of Court | 641-743-2445 |
| Adams County Clerk of Court | 641-322-4711 |
| Allamakee County Clerk of Court | 563-568-6351 |
| Appanoose County Clerk of Court | 641-856-6101 |
| Audubon County Clerk of Court | 712-563-4275 |
| Benton County Clerk of Court | 319-472-2766 |
| Black Hawk County Clerk of Court | 319-833-3331 |
| Boone County Clerk of Court | 515-433-0561 |
| Bremer County Clerk of Court | 319-352-5661 |
| Buchanan County Clerk of Court | 319-334-2196 |
| Buena Vista County Clerk of Court | 712-749-2546 |
| Butler County Clerk of Court | 319-267-2487 |
| Calhoun County Clerk of Court | 712-297-8122 |
| Carroll County Clerk of Court | 712-792-4327 |
| Cass County Clerk of Court | 712-243-2105 |
| Cedar County Clerk of Court | 563-886-2101 |
| Cerro Gordo County Clerk of Court | 641-424-6431 |
| Cherokee County Clerk of Court | 712-225-6744 |
| Chickasaw County Clerk of Court | 641-394-2106 |
| Clarke County Clerk of Court | 641-342-6096 |
| Clay County Clerk of Court | 712-262-4335 |
| Clayton County Clerk of Court | 563-245-2204 |
| Clinton County Clerk of Court | 563-243-6213 |
| Crawford County Clerk of Court | 712-263-4519 |
| Dallas County Clerk of Court | 515-993-5816 |
| Davis County Clerk of Court | 641-664-2011 |
| Decatur County Clerk of Court | 641-446-4331 |
| Delaware County Clerk of Court | 563-927-4942 |
| Des Moines County Clerk of Court | 319-753-8258 |
| Dickinson County Clerk of Court | 712-336-1138 |
| Dubuque County Clerk of Court | 563-589-4418 |
| Emmet County Clerk of Court | 712-362-3325 |
| Fayette County Clerk of Court | 563-422-5694 |
| Floyd County Clerk of Court | 641-228-7777 |
| Franklin County Clerk of Court | 641-456-5626 |
| Fremont County Clerk of Court | 712-374-2232 |
| Greene County Clerk of Court | 515-386-2516 |
| Grundy County Clerk of Court | 319-824-5229 |
| Guthrie County Clerk of Court | 641-747-3415 |
| Hamilton County Clerk of Court | 515-832-9600 |
| Hancock County Clerk of Court | 641-923-2532 |
| Hardin County Clerk of Court | 641-858-2328 |
| Harrison County Clerk of Court | 712-644-2665 |
| Henry County Clerk of Court | 319-385-3150 |
| Howard County Clerk of Court | 563-547-9206 |
| Humboldt County Clerk of Court | 515-332-1806 |
| Ida County Clerk of Court | 712-364-2628 |
| Iowa County Clerk of Court | 319-642-3914 |
| Jackson County Clerk of Court | 563-652-4946 |
| Jasper County Clerk of Court | 641-792-3255 |
| Jefferson County Clerk of Court | 641-472-3454 |
| Johnson County Clerk of Court | 319-356-6060 Ext. 9 |
| Jones County Clerk of Court | 319-462-4342 |
| Keokuk County Clerk of Court | 641-622-2210 |
| Kossuth County Clerk of Court | 515-295-3240 |
| Lee County Clerk of Court | 319-524-2433 |
| Lee County EMS | 319-838-3213 |
| Linn County Clerk of Court | 319-398-3411 Ext. 1243 |
| Louisa County Clerk of Court | 319-523-4541 |
| Lucas County Clerk of Court | 641-774-4421 |
| Lyon County Clerk of Court | 712-472-2623 |
| Madison County Clerk of Court | 515-462-4451 |
| Mahaska County Clerk of Court | 641-673-7786 |
| Marion County Clerk of Court | 641-828-2207 |
| Marshall County Clerk of Court | 641-754-1604 |
| Mills County Clerk of Court | 712-527-4880 |
| Mitchell County Clerk of Court | 641-732-3726 |
| Monona County Clerk of Court | 712-423-2491 |
| Monroe County Clerk of Court | 641-932-5212 |
| Montgomery County Clerk of Court | 712-623-4986 |
| Muscatine County Clerk of Court | 563-263-2447 |
| O’Brien County Clerk of Court | 712-957-3255 |
| Osceola County Clerk of Court | 712-754-3595 |
| Page County Clerk of Court | 712-542-3214 |
| Palo Alto County Clerk of Court | 712-852-3603 |
| Plymouth County Clerk of Court | 712-546-4215 |
| Pocahontas County Clerk of Court | 712-335-4208 |
| Polk County Clerk of Court | 515-286-3760 |
| Pottawattamie County Clerk of Court | 712-328-5604 |
| Poweshiek County Clerk of Court | 641-623-5644 |
| Ringgold County Clerk of Court | 641-464-3234 |
| Sac County Clerk of Court | 712-662-7791 |
| Scott County Clerk of Court | 563-326-8219 |
| Shelby County Clerk of Court | 712-755-5543 |
| Sioux County Clerk of Court | 712-737-2286 |
| Story County Clerk of Court | 515-382-7410 |
| Tama County Clerk of Court | 641-484-3721 |
| Taylor County Clerk of Court | 712-523-2095 |
| Union County Clerk of Court | 641-782-7315 |
| Van Buren County Clerk of Court | 319-528-5009 |
| Wapello County Clerk of Court | 641-683-0060 |
| Warren County Clerk of Court | 515-961-1116 |
| Washington County Clerk of Court | 319-653-7741 |
| Wayne County Clerk of Court | 641-872-2264 |
| Webster County Clerk of Court | 515-576-7115 |
| Winnebago County Clerk of Court | 641-585-4520 |
| Winneshiek County Clerk of Court | 563-382-2469 |
| Woodbury County Clerk of Court | 712-279-6624 |
| Worth County Clerk of Court | 641-324-2840 |
| Wright County Clerk of Court | 515-532-3113 |
Polk County (Des Moines Area)
Polk County handles the highest volume of cases in the state. Traffic, criminal, and civil cases are primarily handled here.
- Physical Address: Polk County Courthouse, 500 Mulberry Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Main Phone Number: (515) 286-3772
- Traffic & Fines: (515) 286-3766
- Website: Polk County Clerk Information
Linn County (Cedar Rapids Area)
- Physical Address: Linn County Courthouse, 51 Third Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
- Main Phone Number: (319) 398-3411
- Website: Linn County Clerk Information
Scott County (Davenport Area)
- Physical Address: Scott County Courthouse, 400 W 4th Street, Davenport, IA 52801
- Main Phone Number: (563) 326-8647
- Website: Scott County Clerk Information
Johnson County (Iowa City Area)
- Physical Address: Johnson County Courthouse, 417 S Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
- Main Phone Number: (319) 356-6060
- Website: Johnson County Clerk Information
Black Hawk County (Waterloo/Cedar Falls Area)
- Physical Address: Black Hawk County Courthouse, 316 E 5th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703
- Main Phone Number: (319) 833-3332
- Website: Black Hawk County Clerk Information
Looking for a different county? You can find the exact phone number, address, and judicial district for all 99 Iowa counties using the official Iowa Judicial Branch Court Directory Map.
Free Legal Aid and Mediation Resources in Iowa
If you are facing a serious legal issue—like losing your home, fighting for custody, or dealing with domestic violence—you do not have to face the legal system alone just because you cannot afford high hourly attorney fees.
Iowa has a robust network of non-profit organizations and state-funded programs designed to provide free or low-cost legal assistance to qualifying residents.
1. Iowa Legal Aid (For Civil Cases)
Iowa Legal Aid is a non-profit organization that provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Iowans. They do not handle criminal defense, but they are the absolute best resource if you are facing a crisis involving your basic needs.
What they help with:
- Housing: Eviction defense, foreclosure, and severe landlord-tenant disputes (e.g., the landlord shutting off your utilities).
- Domestic Abuse: Obtaining protective orders and navigating divorces or custody battles involving an abusive partner.
- Consumer Debt: Defending against aggressive debt collectors, wage garnishment, or predatory lending.
- Public Benefits: Appeals for denied Medicaid, SNAP (Food Stamps), or disability benefits.
How to contact them:
- Apply Online: You can fill out an intake application 24/7 at IowaLegalAid.org.
- Call the Hotline: 1-800-532-1275 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, except Thursday afternoons).
2. The State Public Defender (For Criminal Cases)
If you are charged with a crime that carries the possibility of jail or prison time, the U.S. Constitution guarantees your right to an attorney. If you cannot afford a private criminal defense lawyer, the court will appoint one for you.
- How to get one: You cannot just call the Public Defender’s office and ask them to take your case. You must fill out a financial affidavit and request a court-appointed attorney during your initial appearance before a judge. The judge will review your income and officially assign your case to the local Iowa State Public Defender’s Office or a court-appointed private attorney.
3. Free and Low-Cost Mediation Services
Going to trial is expensive, stressful, and time-consuming. Mediation is an alternative where a neutral third party helps you and the other person reach a mutual agreement without a judge having to make the final decision.
Mediation is highly recommended (and sometimes mandatory) for family law cases like divorce and child custody, as well as small claims disputes.
- Where to find a mediator: The Iowa Judicial Branch provides a roster of approved mediators. Many judicial districts offer free or sliding-scale mediation programs specifically for small claims or family law matters. You can ask your local Clerk of Court if your county has a “volunteer mediation program” or check the Iowa Center for Children’s Justice for family-focused conflict resolution.
4. Domestic Violence Resources (Safe at Home)
If you are fleeing domestic violence, human trafficking, or sexual assault, your physical safety is the immediate priority.
- Iowa Victim Service Call Center: Call 1-800-770-1650 or text “IOWAHELP” to 20121 for immediate, confidential support and connections to local shelters and legal advocates.
- Safe at Home Program: Administered by the Iowa Secretary of State, this is an address confidentiality program. It provides survivors with a substitute address to use on all public records (including court documents and voter registration) so your abuser cannot use the public court docket to find where you live. You can apply at SafeAtHome.Iowa.gov.
3 Quick Tips for Visiting an Iowa Courthouse
If you need to visit the Clerk of Court in person, keep these three rules in mind to ensure your trip is successful:
- Leave the weapons in the car: You will have to pass through a metal detector and security screening at the entrance of almost every Iowa courthouse. Pocket knives, pepper spray, firearms, and heavy tools will be confiscated or you will be turned away.
- Dress appropriately: Even if you are just going to the clerk’s window to pay a fine and not entering a courtroom, courthouses maintain a dress code. Avoid beachwear, revealing clothing, or shirts with offensive language.
- Bring cash or check for specific fees: While the online portal accepts credit cards, some physical clerk windows have limitations on card payments, or they charge hefty convenience fees. If you are paying for copies or a filing fee in person, bringing a checkbook or exact cash is often the safest bet.
By utilizing your local Clerk of Court effectively and reaching out to organizations like Iowa Legal Aid when you need professional backup, you can navigate the state’s legal system with confidence and protect your rights.