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Woodbury 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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Woodbury was created on January 15, 1851 (Organized in 1853) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for Levi Woodbury, a governor of New Hampshire, United States Secretary of the Navy, United States Secretary of the Treasury, and Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The County Seat is Sioux City.

Counties adjacent to Woodbury County are Plymouth County (north), Cherokee County (northeast), Ida County (east), Monona County (south), Thurston County, Nebraska (southwest), Dakota County, Nebraska (west), Union County, South Dakota (northwest).

Woodbury County Cities and Towns Include Anthon, Bronson, Correctionville, Cushing, Danbury, Hornick, Lawton, Moville, Oto, Pierson, Salix, Sergeant Bluff, Sioux City, Sloan, Smithland.

The original name of Woodbury County was Floyd County, in honor of Sergeant Charles Floyd of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He died of an illness and was the first white man buried in Iowa. Floyd was then replaced by Wahkaw County when the county was established in 1851. The county was established in 1851 as one of 50 new counties organized by the Legislature. The first county seat of Wahkaw County was Thompsonville, a small village set up by the early settler William Thompson. It never really developed and the village eventually disappeared.

Woodbury County became the official name on January 12, 1853 in honor of Levi Woodbury, governor of New Hampshire, U.S. senator and Secretary of Navy and Treasury. In 1853 the Legislature chose the town of Sergeant's Bluff as the first county seat of Woodbury County. The county elections were then held in the home of William Thompson, 17 votes were cast, and the offices were kept in the homes of the officials.

In the spring of 1856 a vote was taken to relocate the county seat. Sioux City, which was platted in 1854, beat out the towns of Sergeant's Bluff and Sergeant's Bluff City. In 1857 a contract was awarded for the construction of the first courthouse of Woodbury County, but for some reason the contract was canceled, and the county offices remained scattered. Later in 1857 the county voted to authorize a $75,000 bond issue for a courthouse. The first courthouse of the county was completed in 1858 at cost of $70,000. It was three stories high and was constructed of brick.

This building was used until 1914, when it was decided that the population had outgrown it, and a new one was needed. The county approved more than $500,000 for the new courthouse and later decided to sell the old building and property. The cornerstone was laid on July 10, 1916, and the construction was completed on March 1, 1918. The building consists of Roman brick and granite and is beautifully decorated with sculptures over the doors and on the 157-foot-tall tower rising from the middle of the building. Around $400,000 was spent on the restoration of the building, and in 1973 the building was included on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Records at the Woodbury 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 Woodbury County Courthouse at 620 Douglas, Room 101, Sioux City 51101; Tel: 712-279-6611. 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.

Woodbury County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1854, 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.

Woodbury County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1856 and Court Records from 1900. Ph. 712-279-6611

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.

Woodbury County Tax Assesors Office, Phone: 712-279-6495. 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 Woodbury County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Woodbury County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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

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    Woodbury 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 Woodbury County, Iowa are 860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Woodbury 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 Woodbury County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Woodbury County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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    Woodbury County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Iowa

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

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    Woodbury County Genealogical Addresses

    See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

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

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    Woodbury County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Iowa

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

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

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