Madison County, IA Public Records
Madison County has an estimated population of 17,161 (2024) across 561 square miles of land. In Iowa, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the County Recorder. Court cases are handled by the Iowa Judicial Branch; use the official links below to find the courthouse and clerk for Madison County.
📍 Madison County at a Glance
| Population (2024 est.) | 17,161 Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
| Land area | 561 sq mi Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
| Largest community | WintersetPopulation 5,421 (2024 est.) |
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🏛️ Courthouse & Records Offices in Madison County, IA
These are the main offices to visit in person in Madison County: the Clerk of District Court for court case files. Details come from official state and court directories; hours and services can change, so call or check the official website before you go. Anything the official source does not list is marked “Not stated”.
⚖️ Madison County Clerk of District Court
| Address | P.O. Box 152, Winterset, IA 50273 (mailing address) |
| Phone | (515) 462-4451 |
| Hours | Not stated |
| Records available | Iowa District Court case records for the county (civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, juvenile, traffic) |
| Official website | Not stated |
| Sources | iowacourts.gov/…/madison ↗ |
| Last verified | October 17, 2026 |
⚖️ Criminal Records in Madison County, IA
Criminal case records for Madison County are kept by the court that heard each case. In Iowa, all criminal cases are heard by the District Court of the county; magistrates of the District Court handle simple misdemeanors. Many court records are public and can be viewed or copied at the clerk's office of the court that heard the case. Source: iowacourts.gov ↗
⚖️ Where to get criminal records for Madison County
| State court system | Iowa Judicial Branch |
🔍 Background Check in Madison County, IA
A people search for Madison County pulls together public records such as court cases, property records and address history. It is for personal use only: under the FCRA it may not be used to screen tenants, employees, or for credit or insurance decisions. The official record sources for Madison County are listed below.
🔍 Where to get background check for Madison County
| Sex offender registry | Iowa Sex Offender Registry (Iowa Department of Public Safety) Source: iowasexoffender.gov ↗ |
| State court system | Iowa Judicial Branch |
📋 Arrest Records in Madison County, IA
Arrest and booking records for Madison County are created by the arresting agency — usually the local police department, the county sheriff's office or the Iowa State Patrol. Once someone is charged, the case becomes a court record at the court that handles criminal cases for the area.
📋 Where to get arrest records for Madison County
| State court system | Iowa Judicial Branch |
🏛️ Court Records in Madison County, IA
Court records for Madison County include civil suits, small claims, landlord-tenant cases, criminal cases, family matters and probate (estates). Below are the courts that serve Madison County, with addresses from the official Iowa Judicial Branch directory.
🏛️ Where to get court records for Madison County
| State court system | Iowa Judicial Branch |
🏠 Property Records in Madison County, IA
In Iowa, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the County Recorder. Property tax assessments are kept by the city or county assessor.
🏠 Where to get property records for Madison County
| Land records | In Iowa, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the County Recorder. |
📜 Vital Records in Madison County, IA
In Iowa, certified birth and death certificates can also be ordered from the County Recorder. Statewide records can also be ordered from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services – Vital Records.
📜 Where to get vital records for Madison County
| State vital records office | Iowa Department of Health and Human Services – Vital Records Source: hhs.iowa.gov ↗ |
🔒 Sex Offender Registry in Madison County, IA
The official sex offender registry for Madison County is maintained by the state. Search it directly — it is free and updated by law enforcement. Registry information may not be used to threaten, intimidate or harass anyone.
🔒 Where to get sex offender registry for Madison County
| Official registry | Iowa Sex Offender Registry (Iowa Department of Public Safety) Source: iowasexoffender.gov ↗ |
📄 Divorce Records in Madison County, IA
Divorce cases in Iowa are heard by the District Court in each county. The full divorce case file, including the final decree, is kept by the clerk of that court. Some state vital records offices also issue divorce certificates or verifications; check with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services – Vital Records.
📄 Where to get divorce records for Madison County
| Divorce court | Divorce cases in Iowa are heard by the District Court in each county. |
| State vital records office | Iowa Department of Health and Human Services – Vital Records Source: hhs.iowa.gov ↗ |
| State court system | Iowa Judicial Branch |
Largest Communities in Madison County
Winterset (5,421), Earlham (1,411), St. Charles (648), Truro (515), Patterson (176), East Peru (119), Macksburg (103), Bevington (58), West Des Moines (1) 2024 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau.