Link To This Page — Contact Us —

Clinton 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

Clinton was created on December 21, 1837 (Organized in 1841) from Dubuque County. The County was named for DeWitt Clinton, the seventh and ninth governor of New York and presidential candidate in 1812. The County Seat is Clinton.

Counties adjacent to Clinton County are Jackson County (north), Carroll County, Illinois (northeast), Whiteside County, Illinois (east), Rock Island County, Illinois, Scott County (south), Cedar County (southwest), Jones County (northwest). Cities and Towns Include Andover, Calamus, Camanche, Charlotte, Clinton, DeWitt, Delmar, Goose Lake, Grand Mound, Lost Nation, Low Moor, Toronto, Welton, Wheatland.

The county was established in 1837. The original county seat originated in 1840 was Camanche. However, this county seat was changed to Vandenburg (later called DeWitt) the following year by a petition to the Territorial Legislature. DeWitt was the better choice due to its location in the geographic center of the county.

The first courthouse was constructed of basswood timbers. This courthouse also doubled as a hotel, with court being held on the first floor and the attic being used as sleeping quarters for jurors and witnesses.

This courthouse was used until 1846, when it was considered to be inadequate. County business was then conducted in various locations until 1854, when the second courthouse was completed. This 40-foot x 50-foot building was to be a duplicate of the Scott County courthouse. The total cost of the building was $6,000.

The majority of Clinton County's population lived along the Mississippi River. Therefore, it was not long before there was a call to relocate the county seat closer to the population. In 1869 the town of Clinton won the right to become the county seat. An election was held, and Clinton beat out rival Lyons by 511 votes. A courthouse was then erected in only 23 days at a total cost of $3,200.

This small courthouse was replaced in 1878 by a small, fireproof brick structure. Cost of this building was $5,000. It served the county until 1897, when the present courthouse was completed. The $168,000 present courthouse is built of red sandstone and granite. It has a large central tower that is constructed of copper, which has weathered to a bright green.

On June 3, 1960, Camanche was the scene of the most tremendous tornado on record. Not a building, tree, fence, animal, or human being in the tornado's path escaped. It lasted only about three minutes, but the village of 1,200 people was almost totally destroyed. Entire buildings were pulverized, poultry had their heads completely twisted off and the feathers cleanly plucked, parts of human bodies were strewn about the wreckage, and iron wagon wheels were straightened out perfectly flat. The most reliable authorities of the time estimated the total number killed at 134.

Back to top

Records at the Clinton 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 Clinton County Courthouse at 612 N Second Street,PO Box 2957, Clinton 52732; Tel: 563-243-6210. 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. Clinton County was attached to Scott County for a breif time. Some early records may be found there.

Clinton County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1840, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1840.

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.

Clinton County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1851 and Court Records from 1859.

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.

Clinton 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 Clinton County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Clinton County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Clinton 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 Clinton County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Clinton County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

    Back to top

    Clinton 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 Clinton County, Iowa are 1840, 1850, 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 Clinton County, Iowa are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 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 Clinton County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Clinton County Census Records by clicking the link below:

    Back to top

    Clinton County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Iowa

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

    Back to top

    Clinton County Genealogical Addresses

    See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

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

    Back to top

    Clinton County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Iowa

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

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

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