Clerk of Court

This in-depth guide explains how residents, litigants, jurors, and attorneys can effectively work with the Polk County IA Clerk of Court. You’ll learn what the Clerk’s Office does, how to file and access case records, where and how to pay fines or court debt, how jury service works in Polk County, and the practical steps that make courthouse visits smoother. We also outline specialized contacts—like case coordinators, the District Court Administrator, the Jury Clerk, and the ADA Coordinator—so you can get help quickly when you need it.

Understand the Role: What the Polk County IA Clerk of Court Does for the Public

The Polk County IA Clerk of Court is the administrative hub for the county’s trial court docket within Judicial District 5. The Clerk’s Office receives and maintains official case records, processes filings, and issues court notices and certified documents tied to cases pending or resolved in the district court. When you need to open a case, respond to a lawsuit, access the docket, request certified copies of court records, or confirm a hearing date, you’ll be interacting with the Clerk’s Office.

While the Clerk of Court is your primary point of contact for court case files and procedural questions on filings, other justice partners in Polk County serve complementary roles. The District Court Administrator oversees court operations and calendars; the Jury Clerk handles juror communications and reporting; the Juvenile Court Office supports juvenile matters; and the ADA Coordinator arranges reasonable accommodations for court users with disabilities. The sections below explain when and how to contact each.

Start Online: File, Pay, and Research with Official Judicial Branch Tools

Polk County residents and attorneys can complete many tasks online through the Iowa Judicial Branch’s secure services. Using official tools reduces in-person wait time and ensures filings and payments are routed correctly.

Search case records and review public docket information through the statewide portal linked under Search Court Records on the Polk County page of the Iowa Judicial Branch.

File a new case or submit documents into an existing Polk County case using eFile with your registered account; instructions and help are available on eFile Instructions from the same page above.

Pay fines, surcharges, or court debt through the official Pay Fines Online gateway listed on the Polk County judicial page.

Access court-approved forms for common case types (small claims, divorce, name change, and more) via Find a Court Form on the county’s judicial page.

Prepare as a self-represented party with step-by-step resources in Representing Yourself, also linked from the Polk County judicial page.

Each of these functions is provided by the Iowa Judicial Branch and connects directly to the tools used by Polk County court staff. Using the official links ensures your actions appear on the Polk County docket without delay.

File a Case: Use eFile, Follow Forms, and Avoid Common Errors

Choose the Right Path: eFiling Is Standard in Polk County

In Polk County, electronic filing (eFiling) is the standard way to submit new cases and subsequent filings. Start at the Polk County page on the Iowa Judicial Branch site to reach eFile Login and eFile Instructions. Read the user guides, confirm your registration, and review document naming conventions before uploading any document.

Prepare Your Documents: Use the Right Forms and Fees

Before you file, download the correct forms from Find a Court Form. Forms are organized by topic (e.g., Small Claims, Divorce, Child Support, Name Change, Paternity) and are designed to meet Iowa court rules. If your filing carries a fee (for instance, civil filings often do), pay it through the eFile system during submission. If a fee waiver is appropriate, use the applicable form from the statewide forms page and upload it with your filing.

Submit Clearly: Label, Serve, and Track

Label your documents according to the eFile guide so the Clerk can route them quickly.

Arrange service where required—many case types require providing the other party with formal notice. The statewide resources linked from the Polk County judicial page explain service options and timelines.

Track the docket through the Search Court Records portal. After filing, check the docket for clerk acceptance, stamped documents, and hearing entries.

Ask for Help When Needed

When case-specific scheduling questions arise (for example, after your motion is filed and you’re waiting on a hearing date), contact the appropriate Case Coordinator listed at the bottom of the Polk County page on the Iowa Judicial Branch website. The Clerk’s Office and case coordinators can clarify next steps once your filing is in the system.

Access Court Records: Search, View, and Request Copies

Search Online and Understand Record Types

Public case information can be searched from Search Court Records linked on the Polk County judicial page. You can review docket entries, scheduled events, and filings that are public under Iowa law. Some documents—such as records with protected personal information or sealed juvenile files—are not publicly accessible online.

Request Certified Copies Through the Clerk

If you need an official certified copy of a filing or an order from a Polk County case, contact the Clerk of Court directly. Certified copies are issued by the Clerk and carry the court’s seal. Because certification is case-specific, be ready with your case number, party names, and the exact document title you need.

Know Where to Go for Non-Court Vital Records

Divorce case records are court records and handled by the Clerk of Court. By contrast, vital records like births, deaths, and marriages are maintained by the Polk County Recorder. If your task involves those vital events—such as requesting a birth certificate or recording real estate documents—review the Recorder’s official information on the county site. The Recorder’s FAQ page clarifies that divorce records are not maintained by that office and directs users to the Polk County Clerk of Court; that confirmation appears on the county site’s General FAQ page for the Recorder, which you can reach via Polk County Recorder FAQs.

Pay Fines or Court Debt: Use the Official State Portal

Polk County residents can pay fines, surcharges, and fees online via the Pay Fines Online system linked on the Polk Judicial District page. Payments entered there flow directly to the court’s accounting system. This 24/7 service accepts major credit cards and is the recommended way to resolve traffic, simple misdemeanor, or court-assessed financial obligations. Paying online helps you avoid delays associated with mailing payments or waiting in line at the courthouse. For questions about payment posting or outstanding balances tied to a Polk County case, reference your case number when you contact the Clerk of Court.

Prepare for Jury Service: Confirm Reporting, Parking, and Courthouse Rules

Use eJuror and the Jury Clerk’s Contact

If you are summoned for jury service in Polk County, confirm your reporting date, update your contact information, or request a deferral through eJuror, accessible from the Polk County page on the Iowa Judicial Branch site. If you cannot find your summons or need to report an emergency during service, contact the Jury Clerk at the number listed on that page.

Plan Your Arrival: Building Locations and Check-In

Two buildings host jury trials in the Polk County courthouse complex:

Polk County Historic Courthouse, at 5th & Mulberry Street, with the public and wheelchair-accessible entrance on the west side (6th Avenue).

Polk County Criminal Courts Building, 110 6th Avenue, directly across 6th Avenue from the Historic Courthouse.

Your jury summons card and the call-in instructions will direct you to the correct building for check-in. Once on site, follow posted signs to the Jury Lounge (4th floor of the Criminal Courts Building) or to the main floor of the Historic Courthouse, as instructed.

Park Smart: Center Street Ramp and Shuttle

Jurors can use the Center Street Parking Ramp (830 6th Avenue) with multiple accessible spaces and a DART LINK shuttle to the courthouse complex. Keep your parking ticket with you so the courthouse can validate it; follow posted instructions to receive a voucher. Other downtown ramps are reimbursable as listed by the county and judiciary, but the Center Street facility is the most commonly referenced option in jury instructions.

Dress for the Occasion and Clear Security Efficiently

Business or business-casual attire is appropriate. Shorts, tube tops, halter tops, or clothing with obscene or inflammatory content is not permitted. All entrants pass through airport-style metal detectors; weapons of any kind (including pocketknives and pepper spray) are not allowed. If you inadvertently bring a prohibited item, you’ll be asked to return it to your vehicle before entering.

Understand Compensation and Mileage

Jurors receive a daily payment set by Iowa law, with a higher rate after the first week of service, and mileage reimbursement between home and the courthouse. These amounts and procedures are administered under statewide policy and appear in Polk County’s jury information.

Get to the Right Person Fast: Case Scheduling, Administration, and Juvenile Contacts

Direct Scheduling Questions to the Proper Coordinator

Polk County lists case scheduling contacts by case type on the Judicial Branch’s county page. After you file and your case is ready for scheduling, reach out to the appropriate coordinator—civil, family law, felony, misdemeanor, or juvenile. Having your case number and motion title at hand will speed the process.

Work With the District Court Administrator for Systemic Matters

The District Court Administrator for Judicial District 5 manages the district’s scheduling frameworks and supports the bench with system-level operations. If your concern is broad (for example, a question about overall calendar practices or district-wide procedures), this office is the right administrative point of contact.

Juvenile Court Office: Location and Purpose

Juvenile matters are handled with additional privacy protections. The Juvenile Court Office, located on Fifth Avenue in Des Moines, supports juvenile case flow and coordinates services tied to juvenile proceedings. Because juvenile files are often confidential, expect to verify your relationship to the case before receiving information.

Represent Yourself Effectively: Use Official Guides, Forms, and Rules

Follow the “Representing Yourself” Section to Avoid Missteps

If you do not have an attorney, start with Representing Yourself from the Polk County district court page. There you’ll find practical guidance for Small Claims, Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Collecting a Judgment, Name Change, Paternity, Protecting Personal Information, and more. These resources explain not only what forms to use but also how timelines, service, and hearings typically work in Iowa courts.

Use Official Court Forms and Read Every Instruction

The Find a Court Form link on the Polk page connects to statewide, judge-approved forms. Always read each form’s instructions and make sure every required field is completed before filing. Pay close attention to form-specific attachments (for instance, proposed orders or financial affidavits), because missing attachments are a common reason for clerk rejection or continuances.

Learn the Rules That Govern Your Case

Iowa’s procedural and evidentiary rules apply in Polk County proceedings. Consulting the Iowa Court Rules—linked from the Polk County judicial page—helps you understand deadlines, formatting, service, and hearing expectations. Reviewing rules early reduces avoidable errors, like late responses or improper exhibits.

Request Disability Accommodations: Coordinate Early for a Seamless Visit

Polk County identifies an ADA Coordinator for courthouse accommodations. If you require assistive listening devices, sign language interpretation, alternative formats for documents, or mobility-related assistance, contact the ADA Coordinator in advance of your hearing date. Early notice helps ensure the accommodation is available when you arrive. For language access in proceedings, the statewide page linked through the Polk County section offers information on Court Interpreters and how interpreters are arranged for eligible participants.

Plan Your Courthouse Visit: Entrances, Security, and Timing

Know Which Building You Need

Polk County holds court in both the Historic Courthouse and the Criminal Courts Building, within the same downtown complex. Your notice of hearing will specify the building and courtroom. If you’re unsure, the Clerk’s Office counter can direct you once you arrive. Make time to clear security and reach your courtroom several minutes before the scheduled start—judges call cases promptly.

Bring Only What You Need

Security rules prohibit weapons and certain chemicals (such as pepper spray). Bring only essential items, along with your paperwork and a photo ID. If you’re appearing for jury service, bring your summons and parking ticket for validation. For routine court appearances, a printed copy of your file-stamped filing or hearing notice can be helpful if questions arise at security or the information desk.

Respect Courtroom Protocol

Polk County follows statewide courtroom protocols. Turn off or silence your phone, remove hats, and stand when the judge enters. Be respectful to the court and to opposing parties. If you have a last-minute emergency on the day of jury service, contact the Jury Clerk immediately; for attorney-scheduled matters, call the appropriate case coordinator or the Clerk of Court for guidance.

Use Official County Channels When Your Task Isn’t a Court Filing

Vital Records, Real Estate, and Passports

If your goal involves vital records (birth, death, marriage), real estate document recording, or passport services, those are handled by the Polk County Recorder, not the Clerk of Court. The Recorder’s official site details office hours, fees, and departmental contacts, and confirms that divorce records are handled by the Polk County Clerk of Court. This distinction saves time: court case records and filings go to the Clerk; vital events and land records go to the Recorder.

Countywide Contacts and Public Records Requests

For countywide directories or general county contact points, the county’s own Contact Us page lists phone lines for central offices and departments. Legal questions about county prosecutions or civil representation of the county are the purview of the Polk County Attorney’s Office, which maintains contact information on its official page.

Tap Statewide Resources from the Polk County Page

The Polk County page on the Iowa Judicial Branch acts as a hub to broader statewide content that still applies locally in Polk County:

Jury Service explains juror eligibility, reporting obligations, and employer policies statewide, with Polk-specific contact embedded.

Court Directory provides a directory of Iowa courts and administrative offices, useful when your case spans multiple counties.

District Court resources include guides for criminal statutes, uniform bond schedules, and post-judgment interest tables—each of which can affect Polk County cases.

Attorney and Litigant Resources consolidate statewide policies and tools, which attorneys and self-represented litigants appearing in Polk County should follow.

Keep Your Information Private: Redact Sensitive Data on Filings

When you submit filings—whether through eFile or over the counter—follow the statewide guidance on Protecting Personal Information. This includes redacting Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other identifiers unless a rule or statute requires their inclusion. The forms and self-help pages linked from the Polk County section provide practical instructions and sample redactions, reducing the risk that private information appears on the public docket.

Checklist: Getting Something Done at the Polk County IA Clerk of Court

Starting a case? Visit the Polk County page on the Iowa Judicial Branch, open eFile Instructions, complete the correct Court Forms, and file via eFile Login.

Looking up a case? Use Search Court Records from the Polk page and note your case number, parties, and next court date.

Paying fines? Use Pay Fines Online from the Polk page; keep a receipt for your records.

Appearing for jury duty? Confirm details in eJuror and review parking, security, and dress guidance from the Polk page’s jury section.

Need help with scheduling? Call the case coordinator listed for your case type.

Need accommodations? Contact the ADA Coordinator in advance of your court date.

Seeking vital records or land documents? Go to the Polk County Recorder FAQs page on the county’s official site for department hours, processes, and contact details.

Clerk of Court–Relevant Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Polk County Clerk of Court — 500 Mulberry Street, Room 212, Des Moines, IA 50309 — 515-561-5718

Polk County Clerk of Court (Fax) — 500 Mulberry Street, Room 212, Des Moines, IA 50309 — 515-323-5250

District Court Administrator — Des Moines, IA — 515-561-5848

Juvenile Court Office — 222 5th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309 — 515-561-5680

Jury Clerk — Des Moines, IA — 515-561-5813

ADA Coordinator — Des Moines, IA — 515-561-5818

Polk County Historic Courthouse — 5th & Mulberry Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 — 515-286-3200

Polk County Criminal Courts Building — 110 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309 — 515-286-3925

Polk County Clerk of Court (Email) — 500 Mulberry Street, Room 212, Des Moines, IA 50309 — countyclerk.polk@iowacourts.gov

Polk County Clerk of Court FAQs

How do I look up a Polk County case docket online?

Use the statewide portal to review Polk County public case information, including docket entries and scheduled hearings. Start with Search Court Records on the county’s official page to enter a case number or party name and navigate results efficiently. Use filters and review event listings to confirm upcoming dates and filings reflected on the Polk docket. Visit Search Court Records.

What’s the correct way to submit filings for a Polk County case?

Electronic filing is the standard. Before uploading, review formatting, document naming, and service requirements to avoid clerk rejections. The step-by-step guidance also points to account setup, password resets, and technical support, helping you move from draft to accepted filing without delays. See eFile Instructions.

Where can I find official court forms accepted in Polk County?

Use only the Iowa Judicial Branch’s approved forms to ensure compliance with statewide rules. Forms are organized by topic (small claims, divorce, name change, paternity, and more) and include completion guidance; submit fee-related forms (or waivers) with your filing package when applicable. Browse Court Forms.

How do I pay fines or court debt tied to a Polk County matter?

Payments for fines, surcharges, and court debt should be made through the Judicial Branch’s secure gateway. Online payment posts directly to the court’s accounting system and provides a receipt for your records, reducing processing delays compared to mail. Use Pay a Fine or Court Debt.

I received a jury summons—how do I confirm reporting and updates?

Follow the instructions on your summons, then use the online juror system to check reporting status, request a deferral, or update contact information. On arrival, follow signage to the correct building in the Polk County courthouse complex and dress in business or business-casual attire; security screening is required for all entrants.