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Lee 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
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Lee was created on December 7, 1836 from Des Moines County. The County was named for probably William Elliot Lee, a land dealer who owned an area of Iowa that included the future county. The County Seat is Fort Madison. & Keokuk.

Counties adjacent to Lee County are Henry County (north), Des Moines County (northeast), Henderson County, Illinois (east), Hancock County, Illinois, Clark County, Missouri (southwest), Van Buren County (west). Cities and Towns Include Donnellson, Fort Madison, Franklin, Houghton, Keokuk, Montrose, St. Paul, West Point.

It is believed that the county is named for William Elliot Lee of New York. His land company, Marsh, Lee and Delevan had extensive holdings in Iowa’s “Half-breed Tract.” This Tract later became part of Lee County.

The first permanent settlement within Lee County was at Keokuk in 1829. The county was established in 1836 and originated in 1838. The town of Fort Madison was named as the seat of justice by the Legislature of the Territory of Wisconsin on January 18, 1838. There was much controversy over the location of Fort Madison as the county seat. Residents away from the Mississippi River complained that it was too far away from the center of the county. The locating commissioners then declared Franklin as the county seat. Dissatisfaction just increased following this; no county building was ever built at Franklin. The matter was settled at a special election. Contenders for the county seat were Fort Madison, West Point and Franklin. Prior to the election Fort Madison pledged $13,559 towards a new courthouse, if it was located there. Fort Madison won the election, and construction began in July 1841. The building was completed on September 3, 1842.

This did not end the county seat battle, however. A group from West Point petitioned the Legislative Assembly of the Iowa Territory to remove the county seat to West Point. The assembly agreed and named West Point as the new county seat.

West Point agreed to build a brick courthouse with a stone foundation. It was to be completed by September 1, 1844. Fort Madison was to remain the county seat for one more year, then the courthouse would be sold with two-thirds of the proceeds going back to Fort Madison. That auction never took place, and West Point was never the county seat. During that year the appeal of West Point as the county seat faded so the county seat remained at Fort Madison.

Another special election was held to relocate the county seat. The contenders this time were Charleston, Franklin, Keokuk, Montrose, West Point and Fort Madison. Again Fort Madison was named the county seat.

The population of Lee County became so high that a rivalry for the county seat soon developed between the population centers of the county, Keokuk and Fort Madison. Because of this, the General Assembly passed a special Act, establishing two county seats in Lee County. One was at Fort Madison and the other at Keokuk. This makes Lee County the only county in Iowa to have two county seats. The present courthouse at Keokuk is the renovated Post Office building built in 1890.

The original courthouse at Fort Madison was designed by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli. County offices were moved in 1978 to a newly-constructed county office building. The old courthouse is still used for court-related functions. Even though there have been numerous court battles and editorials over the county seat question, both towns function as the county seat of Lee County.

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Records at the Lee 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 Lee County Courthouse at PO Box 725, Keokuk 52632; Tel: 319-524-2433 or PO Box 1443, Fort Madison 52627; Tel: 319-372-3523. 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.

Lee County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1837, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1830.

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.

Lee County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1841 and Court Records from 1849.

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.

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

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

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    Lee 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 Lee 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 Lee 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 Lee County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Lee County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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    Lee County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Iowa

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

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    Lee County Genealogical Addresses

    See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

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

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    Lee County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Iowa

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

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

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    County Church & Bible Records

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

     

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    Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

     

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

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