Link To This Page — Contact Us —

Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
Adair County — Adams County — Allamakee County — Appanoose County — Audubon County — Benton County — Black Hawk County — Boone County — Bremer County — Buchanan County — Buena Vista County — Butler County — Calhoun County — Carroll County — Cass County — Cedar County — Cerro Gordo County — Cherokee County — Chickasaw County — Clarke County — Clay County — Clayton County — Clinton County — Crawford County — Dallas County — Davis County — Decatur County — Delaware County — Des Moines County — Dickinson County — Dubuque County — Emmet County — Fayette County — Floyd County — Franklin County — Fremont County — Greene County — Grundy County — Guthrie County — Hamilton County — Hancock County — Hardin County — Harrison County — Henry County — Howard County — Humboldt County — Ida County — Iowa County — Jackson County — Jasper County — Jefferson County — Johnson County — Jones County — Keokuk County — Kossuth County — Lee County — Linn County — Louisa County — Lucas County — Lyon County — Madison County — Mahaska County — Marion County — Marshall County — Mills County — Mitchell County — Monona County — Monroe County — Montgomery County — Muscatine County — O'Brien County — Osceola County — Page County — Palo Alto County — Plymouth County — Pocahontas County — Polk County — Pottawattamie County — Poweshiek County — Ringgold County — Sac County — Scott County — Shelby County — Sioux County — Story County — Tama County — Taylor County — Union County — Van Buren County — Wapello County — Warren County — Washington County — Wayne County — Webster County — Winnebago County — Woodbury County — Worth County — Wright County — Winneshiek County

VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Browse Counties

Cerro Gordo was created on January 15, 1851 (Organized in 1855) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican-American War. The County Seat is Mason City.

Counties adjacent to Cerro Gordo County are Worth County (north), Mitchell County (northeast), Floyd County (east), Franklin County (south), Hancock County (west). Cities and Towns Include Clear Lake, Dougherty, Mason City, Meservey, Nora Springs, Plymouth, Rock Falls, Rockwell, Swaledale, Thornton, Ventura. Townships Include Bath, City of Clear Lake, Clear Lake, Dougherty, Falls, Geneseo, Grant, Grimes, Lake, Lime Creek, Lincoln, Mason, Mason City, Mount Vernon, Owen, Pleasant Valley, Portland, Union.

In 1851 the first white settlers came to the county, settling at Clear Lake. Four years later, August 7, 1855, the first county elections were held. Closely following these elections was the appointment of three locating commissioners. These commissioners located the county seat at Mason City, which was first called Shibboleth and later Masonic Grove.

The first court was held in Mason City in 1857. It was short-lived because in the summer of 1857 the county seat was moved to Livonia. A new courthouse was built there, and the county records and offices were soon located at this small town. This too was short-lived, because in April, 1858, Mason City won back the county seat in an election. Following this the county erected a $600 stone courthouse in Mason City. Built in 1866, this building was used until 1900, when it was abandoned. In 1902 a second courthouse of native stone was completed. Like its predecessor, it lasted a long time -- from 1902 until 1960 when it was torn down.

The present Cerro Gordo courthouse was first used on November 17, 1960. The building, purchased from the Standard Oil Company, was remodeled, and an addition was completed at that time to make a 49,000 square-foot building. That $750,000 project was financed through a bond. There was another addition in 1978 to create the current building as it stands now.

Back to top

Records at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse

See Also Iowa Land Records, Marriage Records, Court, Tax & Probate Records

PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link below, calling or visiting the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse at 220 North Washington, Mason City 50401; Tel: 641-424-6431. See Also Courthouse Street Addresses for current courthouse addresses for all Iowa Counties. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Cerro Gordo County was attached to Floyd County for a breif time. Some early records may be found there.

Cerro Gordo County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1855, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1855.

The Recorder's Office was created in 1839 by the First Legislative Assembly. The Recorder continues to maintain official records of documents affecting title to real estate. Every real estate transaction that takes place begins in the Recorder's Office. One of the major duties of the office is the management of public records. As a result, accuracy and preservation of records are a must in the Recorder's Office. Instruments that are recorded are not only important for today, but serve as a historical library for all of the tomorrows.

In addition to real estate transactions, the Recorder's Office issues titles and liens; records veterans discharge papers; processes passport applications; accepts marriage applications and issues the subsequent license; issues certified copies of birth, death and marriage records as well as other numerous duties.

Cerro Gordo County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1857 and Court Records from 1880.

In each of Iowa's 99 counties, a clerk of district court office manages and maintains all trial court records, including pleadings, evidence and orders. The clerks of court have hundreds of administrative duties. They accept and process fines, fees and court costs owed to the state, child support checks, and civil judgments owed to litigants. They maintain a record of liens on all real estate in the county. Clerks help with involuntary hospitalization cases. They have the authority to dispose of scheduled violations which are not contested and do not require a court hearing. Clerks are also responsible for informing state and local government agencies of court orders.

The Iowa district court has general jurisdiction of all civil, criminal and juvenile cases and probate matters in the state. The district court, which is also known as the trial court, is the point of entry in the court system for most cases. The Iowa district court is composed of different kinds of judicial officers with varying amounts of jurisdiction-judicial magistrates, associate juvenile judges, associate probate judges, district associate judges, and district court judges.

Cerro Gordo County Tax Assesors Office. The Treasurer is responsible for collection of property taxes and other fees for state, county, city, school districts, community colleges, and other taxing entities such as townships, fire districts, and drainage districts.

The tax rolls for personal property and real estate were kept by the auditor or the treasurer of each county. A few of these records have been microfilmed and are available at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Original county tax rolls are usually not transferred.

Search Local County Court Records - Many court records are not digitized yet, which means the only way to obtain these records is by going to the actual courthouses. Someone from our network of court-runners will go retrieve the records and then send you the results. Average response time is 38 hours. Civil Records include Lawsuits, Bankruptcies, Liens and judgments, Marriage/divorce litigation, Child custody, Civil rights violations ands Other. Criminal Records include Violent crimes, Theft and robbery, DUI/DWI's, Drugs and alcohol, Sexual offenses, Some traffic violations, Behavioral.

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Cerro Gordo County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Iowa

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-4944 recording, Iowa prefers you get all Vital Records from the State Office in Des Moines and NOT at the County Clerk's office. They have the following records:

  • Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates: In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate.
  • Divorces: Divorces on file are Brief statistical records only since 1906.

Local registrars are located in county recorders offices and maintain records of birth, death and marriages that have occurred in that county. County registrars do not have code authority to have Birth, death, and marriage records between the years 1921 to 1941.

Ordering Vital Records - You can also order

  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail. Order Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records or Death Records.

    Ordering Vital Records by Mail - $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate. Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Checks must be drawn from the applicant's account; money orders must be in the name of the applicant. Fees must be paid at the time of the application. Filled requests take 30-45 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service. Genealogy requests take least 60 days. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates or Death Certificates.

    Walk-In Service:  Walk-in service is available for in-person requests at the state vital records office between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. The office is located at the address listed below, just inside the main north entrance and to the right of the main lobby. The Lucas building is the first state office building east of the state Capitol building, on the south side of Grand Avenue. Written applications must be satisfactorily completed and signed. Applicants must also provide valid, current government-issued photo identification. Copies may either be picked up after two days or mailed to an entitled person. In-person requests may also be paid in cash.

    Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

    Back to top

    Cerro Gordo County Census Records

    See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Iowa

    Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

    Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Cerro Gordo County, Iowa are 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

    Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Census Records by clicking the link below:

    Back to top

    Cerro Gordo County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Iowa

    Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Military Records by clicking the link below:

    Back to top

    Cerro Gordo County Genealogical Addresses

    See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

    Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

    Back to top

    Cerro Gordo County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Iowa

    There are many churches and cemeteries in Cerro Gordo County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Cerro Gordo County Tombstone Transcription Project.

    Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

    Back to top

    County Church & Bible Records

    See Also Research In Church Records or Church & Bible Records in Iowa

     

    Back to top

    Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

     

    Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

    Back to top
    • Site Map | Copyright © 2011 N2Genealogy.com,