Criminal records in Dubuque County, Iowa, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. DubuqueCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Iowa Judicial Branch court search portal, the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office, and the Dubuque County Clerk of Court also serve as access points for criminal record lookups, warrant inquiries, and background check requests.
How to Search Criminal Records in Dubuque
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Dubuque County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- DubuqueCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Dubuque County.
- Iowa Courts Online — The Iowa Judicial Branch electronic docket search lets you look up case records statewide, including Dubuque County criminal cases. You can search by name, case number, or case type. Select "Dubuque" as the county to narrow results.
- Dubuque Law Enforcement Center P2C Portal — This Police-to-Citizen portal allows the public to search for recent arrests, public safety incidents, and inmate information maintained by the Dubuque County Sheriff and Dubuque Police Department.
- Iowa Offender Search — The Iowa Department of Corrections offender search covers individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities or under community supervision. Offender records are public under Iowa Code § 904.601(1).
- Most Wanted List — The Dubuque County Sheriff's Office publishes a most wanted list for individuals with outstanding warrants.
What You Need to Search
- Full name (first and last) of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful for common names)
- Case number (if known)
- County of filing (select Dubuque on statewide portals)
In-Person Search
Visit the Dubuque County Clerk of Court office at the courthouse to access public court records. Public access terminals may be available for searching case dockets. The Dubuque County District Court is part of Iowa's Judicial District 1.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Dubuque County Clerk of Court at the courthouse address above. Include the individual's full name, date of birth if known, and case number if available. The clerk's office can provide copies of court documents for a fee.
- Statewide criminal history: Submit a request to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) through the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Complete the DCI Record Check form and DCI Billing form, available on the DPS website.
Warrant Checks
To find out whether there is an outstanding warrant, you can call the Dubuque County Clerk of Court at (563) 589-4418 for court-issued warrants. For law enforcement warrants, contact the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office at (563) 589-4420.
Search Dubuque Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Iowa uses a standardized case number format across all district courts, including Dubuque County.
Iowa Case Number Format
A typical Iowa criminal case number looks like this: FECR012345
- First two letters — Case type code. For criminal cases:
- FE = Felony
- SM = Simple Misdemeanor
- SU = Serious Misdemeanor
- AG = Aggravated Misdemeanor
- OW = Operating While Intoxicated
- Next two letters — Typically "CR" indicating a criminal filing
- Digits — Sequential case filing number
Some case numbers may also include a two-digit year prefix. Enter the full case number exactly as it appears when searching through the Iowa Courts Online portal. The search will return the docket, charges, hearing dates, and disposition if the case is public.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Dubuque
Criminal case records in Dubuque County contain several data points. Here is what each one means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Iowa Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 714.2 for theft) |
| Charge Description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony (Class A–D), Aggravated Misdemeanor, Serious Misdemeanor, Simple Misdemeanor, or Scheduled Violation |
| Amended Charges | If the original charge was changed through plea negotiation or prosecutorial discretion, the amended charge appears separately |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — A final judgment or order has been entered
- Closed — All matters in the case are concluded, including sentencing and compliance
Hearing Types
- Initial Appearance / Arraignment — Defendant is informed of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary Hearing — Court determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case status, possible resolution
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes punishment after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Follow-up on probation compliance or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Deferred Judgment — Guilty plea accepted but judgment withheld pending completion of probation; may result in dismissal if conditions are met
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Dubuque
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal, employment, or licensing purposes.
From the Dubuque County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court is the custodian of all district court records in Dubuque County. You can request certified copies of criminal case documents in person, by mail, or by contacting the office directly.
What to bring or include:
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number (if known)
- Date of birth or approximate date range of the case
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for applicable fees
District court case records and filings are only available by contacting the clerk of court office in the county where the case was filed.
Statewide Criminal History Check (DCI)
For a comprehensive Iowa criminal history record based on arrest data, submit a request to the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) under the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
- Complete the DCI Record Check form
- Complete the DCI Billing form
- Submit online or by mail to DCI
- Provide the subject's full name and date of birth (social security number and middle name are optional but help with common names)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Dubuque
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $1.00 per page | Iowa Code § 602.8105 |
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page plus certification fee | Iowa Code § 602.8105 |
| Certification fee | $2.00 per document | Iowa Code § 602.8105 |
| DCI Criminal History Record Check | $15.00 | Iowa DPS fee schedule |
| FBI/National Background Check (fingerprint-based) | $15.00 (state) + $13.25 (FBI) | Iowa DPS; varies by purpose |
Processing Times
- Clerk of Court copies: Typically available same day for in-person requests; mail requests may take 5–10 business days depending on volume.
- DCI Criminal History Check (online): Often processed within 1–3 business days.
- DCI Criminal History Check (by mail): May take 2–4 weeks.
Fees are generally payable by check, money order, or credit/debit card. Confirm accepted payment methods with the clerk's office or DCI before submitting your request.