Bremer County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Bremer County in 2026

Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government documents, court filings, property data, and vital statistics in Bremer County, Iowa may access these materials through official county and state channels. The directory resource BremerRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating relevant record categories. Records available through official Bremer County offices and state agencies may include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Tax and financial records
Voting and election records
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning documents
County board meeting minutes and agendas

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Bremer County official government portal provides access to county department information, online services, and links to relevant record databases.
The Iowa Judicial Branch offers an Iowa Courts Online search tool for district court case records, accessible to the public without registration for basic searches.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services maintains a vital records portal for ordering certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates.
The Iowa Judicial Branch eFile system allows registered users to file and access court documents electronically.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Bremer County Recorder's Office or the Bremer County Clerk of Court to inspect records in person. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification when requesting certain record types. Staff will direct individuals to the appropriate department based on the record category sought.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and any applicable fees. Under Iowa Code § 22.4, government bodies are required to respond to public records requests promptly, and in no case later than twenty business days for complex requests.

Phone/Email:

Bremer County Recorder: (319) 352-0145
Bremer County Clerk of Court: (319) 352-5661

What Are Public Records in Bremer County?

Public records in Bremer County are defined under Iowa state law as all records, documents, tape recordings, or other information stored or preserved in any medium that are made, maintained, or kept by a government body in connection with the transaction of public business. Under Iowa Code § 22.1, a "public record" includes any document, communication, or other data compiled, maintained, or received by a government body. The following record types are maintained by Bremer County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Bremer County Clerk of Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Bremer County Recorder
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Iowa Dept. of Health and Human Services
Business licenses and permits	Bremer County Auditor
Property tax and assessment records	Bremer County Assessor / Treasurer
Voting and election records	Bremer County Auditor
Meeting minutes and agendas	Bremer County Auditor
Law enforcement records	Bremer County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Bremer County Zoning Office

The Bremer County government website provides department-specific contact information and links to available online databases for each record category.

Is Bremer County an Open Records County?

Bremer County fully complies with Iowa's open records law, which mandates public access to government records. Under Iowa Code § 22.2, every person has the right to examine and copy public records of a government body. The Iowa Public Records Law, commonly referred to as Iowa's "Sunshine Law," establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure.

As stated by the Iowa Attorney General's Office, "The Iowa Open Records Law reflects the principle that government records belong to the public and that citizens have the right to know what their government is doing." County offices are required to make records available for inspection during regular business hours and may not require requestors to state a reason for their request in most circumstances. Bremer County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all access rights and procedures are governed by Iowa Code Chapter 22.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Bremer County?

The current fee structure for public records in Bremer County is governed by Iowa state law and individual office schedules. Fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the record.

Standard Copy and Certification Fees:

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (per page)	$0.10 – $0.25
Certified copy of court record	$1.00 – $5.00 per document
Certified vital record (birth/death/marriage)	$15.00 per certified copy (state fee)
Electronic copies	Varies by office; some records provided at no charge
Search fees	Varies; some offices charge for extensive research

Iowa Code § 22.3 authorizes government bodies to charge fees for the actual cost of providing copies, including the cost of the medium used and the cost of any mechanical processing required. Fees for inspection of records at a public counter are not permitted under state law; members of the public may inspect records at no charge. Accepted payment methods at Bremer County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; individuals should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office.

Does Bremer County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Bremer County government offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may examine records in person at no cost; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested. The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Iowa Courts Online search portal allows free basic searches of district court case information, including case numbers, party names, and hearing dates.
The Bremer County Assessor's Office provides free online access to property assessment data through the county's official web portal.
The Bremer County Auditor's Office makes election results, meeting minutes, and budget documents available for free inspection on the Bremer County website.
Iowa criminal history record check information is accessible through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, though fees apply for certified background check reports.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may view records at a public counter without charge, obtaining physical or certified copies requires payment of applicable fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Bremer County?

Any person may request public records in Bremer County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Iowa's open records law does not restrict access to Iowa residents; non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents of the state. Requestors are not required to provide identification for the inspection of most public records, nor are they required to state the reason for their request. However, certain record types — including those involving personal identifying information, juvenile records, or sealed court files — may require the requestor to demonstrate a qualifying interest or provide identification before access is granted. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization. Attorneys, journalists, and authorized representatives may access records on behalf of clients or organizations subject to the same general provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 22.

What Records Are Confidential in Bremer County?

Not all government records in Bremer County are subject to public disclosure. Iowa Code Chapter 22 and related statutes identify specific categories of records that are exempt from public access. The following records are confidential under current law:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings are confidential pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 232.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for salary and position information.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a government body under a claim of confidentiality.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

As noted by the Iowa Attorney General's Office, "The law recognizes that some records must be kept confidential to protect individual privacy, ongoing investigations, and other legitimate government interests." Custodial offices apply a balancing test when a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, redacting only the exempt portions and releasing the remainder.

Bremer County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Bremer County Recorder
415 E. Bremer Avenue, Suite 5
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-0145
Bremer County, IA

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Bremer County Clerk of Court
415 E. Bremer Avenue
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-5661
Iowa Judicial Branch eFile

Bremer County Auditor's Office
415 E. Bremer Avenue
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-0147
Bremer County, IA