Johnson County, Iowa court records are available through several channels. JohnsonCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through Iowa Courts Online, directly at the Clerk of Court's office, or at public access terminals in the courthouse in Iowa City. Below is a practical guide to the county court system and document handling.
Johnson Court System & Jurisdictions
Johnson County is part of the 6th Judicial District of Iowa. All county-level cases are heard by the District Court, the only court of general jurisdiction in the state system. There are no separate courts named "Magistrate Court" or "Family Court" as independent entities here: different categories of cases are handled by the same District Court but through different divisions.
Which cases go where:
- Criminal Cases — felonies (serious crimes), misdemeanors (less serious offenses), serious misdemeanors. A District Court judge hears felonies; a magistrate may handle simple misdemeanors.
- Civil Claims — disputes over $6,500 are heard by a District Associate Judge or District Judge.
- Small Claims — claims up to $6,500 are heard by a magistrate. The procedure is simplified, and an attorney is not required.
- Family Law — divorce (dissolution of marriage), custody, alimony. Iowa law requires a 90-day waiting period after serving documents to the respondent before the court can issue a final decision. More details are on the Iowa Judicial Branch divorce page.
- Probate — cases involving inheritance, wills, guardianship of adults.
- Traffic Violations — fines for speeding, running a red light, etc. Simple violations are often resolved by paying a fine without appearing in court.
The courthouse is located at:
Johnson Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be viewed in several ways.
- Iowa Courts Online — electronic case search allows you to find a specific case by party name or case number. The case card displays scheduled hearing dates.
- Public Terminal at the Court — there are terminals in the courthouse on Clinton Street where you can view the case calendar and documents for free.
- Phone Call — call the Clerk of Court at 319-356-6060 and inquire about the schedule of a specific case or judge.
Information for jurors — registration time, parking, security rules — is also available on the 6th Judicial District page. There is also a link to the eJuror system for jurors who have received a summons.
How to Get a Copy of a Johnson Court Document
There are two types of copies: uncertified and certified. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and signature, confirming its authenticity — this is usually required by other courts, government agencies, or employers.
Online
Through Iowa Courts Online, you can view the case file and some documents. Full viewing of public documents is available at court terminals. For electronic filing and access to forms, use the Court Forms portal on the Iowa Judicial Branch website.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Court's office in the courthouse. Bring the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate filing date. The clerk will find the case and make a copy on the spot.
By Mail
Send a written request specifying the case number, party names, document type, and number of copies. Include payment (check or money order payable to Johnson County Clerk of Court).
Restrictions: some records are confidential under Iowa law — including adoption cases, certain juvenile cases, and records sealed by court order. Ask the clerk if the document you need is available.
Johnson Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in Iowa are set at the state level according to Iowa Code Chapter 602, Section 602.8105. Below are the most common fees:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court document | $1.00 per page |
| Certification fee | $2.00 per document |
| Uncertified copy | $0.50 per page |
| Court record search | $6.00 |
Fees may change. Check current amounts directly with the Clerk of Court's office by calling 319-356-6060.
Payment Methods
- In Person — cash, check, money order. Some offices accept credit/debit cards.
- By Mail — check or money order payable to Johnson County Clerk of Court.
- Online — to pay fines and court fees, use the Pay a Fine page on the Iowa Judicial Branch website. You will need the county name and case number.
Keep the payment receipt until the case is fully closed.