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Warren 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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Warren was created on 1846 (Organized in 1849) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for Joseph Warren, the patriot who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The County Seat is Indianola.

Counties adjacent to Warren County are Polk County (north), Marion County (east), Lucas County, Clarke County (southwest), Madison County (west). Warren County Cities and Towns Include Ackworth, Carlisle, Cumming, Hartford, Indianola, Lacona, Martensdale, Milo, New Virginia, Norwalk, Sandyville, Spring Hill, St. Marys.

The first county elections were held on January 1, 1849. The organizing sheriff and commissioners were appointed at this election. The commissioners were put in charge of locating a county seat for the newly-formed county.

In the summer of 1849 the commissioners set out to locate the center of the county. When they located the center it was found to be in the river bottoms, so they walked on, looking for level ground. They found level ground at the present-day intersection of Iowa Highway 92 and U. S. Highway 65-69. The owner of this land, who resided in Indiana, agreed to sell 80 acres at $10 per acre to the county.

There are many different stories floating around about the origin of the county seat name. One story goes that, after the county seat was selected, the commissioners sat down to lunch. One of the commissioners had his lunch wrapped in a copy of the New York Sun , and, after he was finished, he began to read the paper. One article was about the unloading of camels in the Texas town of Indianola. The name Indianola appealed to the commissioners, and they decided to name the new county seat after the Texas town.

Until recent years that story was accepted. In 1941 the owner-editor of the Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune, Don L. Berry was in Texas. He decided to visit the namesake of Indianola to see what it looked like. The town had nearly faded into extinction. After doing some research, Berry found that the camels did not land at Indianola, Texas until seven years after Indianola, Iowa was all ready named. The article that was about Indianola, Texas was about an outbreak of cholera.

The first courthouse was a two-story log cabin that doubled as a church and school. This building was abandoned in 1868. A new courthouse was approved in an election in 1865. Final cost of this building was estimated between $65,000 to $89,000 but the contractor was allowed to collect only $50,211.45 -- the original contract price. This courthouse was built of stone and bricks with a foundation of sandstone. It was used from 1868 to 1938, when it was torn down.

There were several attempts to replace this building, but all failed. It was not until the Public Works Administration offered $65,250 towards the construction of a new courthouse that anything was done. On August 10, 1938 a proposal to issue $80,000 in bonds for the erection of a new courthouse, plus the federal grant, was approved. The cornerstone of the third and present building was laid on December 3, 1938; it was officially dedicated on August 24, 1939. The 65-foot x 113-foot building is constructed of brick and Bedford stone. A large crowd of around 18,000 was on hand to celebrate the completion of the building.

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Records at the Warren 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 Warren County Courthouse at PO Box 379, Indianola 50125; Tel: 515-961-1033. 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. ? County was attached to ? County for a breif time. Some early records may be found there.

Warren County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1849, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1849.

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.

Warren County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1850 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.

Warren County Tax Assesors Office, 515-961-1110. 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 Warren County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Warren County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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

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    Warren 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 Warren County, Iowa are 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 Warren 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 Warren County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Warren County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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    Warren County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Iowa

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

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    Warren County Genealogical Addresses

    See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

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

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    Warren County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Iowa

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

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

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