City Public Records
Des Moines Public Records
Search Des Moines city records through the City Clerk and route property, tax, and vital requests to the appropriate county or state offices with targeted inputs.
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City Clerk
Property Records
Permits
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On this page:
Primary City Office
City Clerk — agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts
Land & Parcel Records
Handled at county level for Des Moines addresses (recorder, assessor, treasurer)
Certified Copies
Order from the holding office; vital records require county or state
Location Check
Confirm the state and county for Des Moines before using official records portals
Where To Start
- Start with the City Clerk for Des Moines agendas, minutes, ordinances, and contracts
- Search the County Recorder index for deeds, mortgages, and liens affecting Des Moines properties
- Check the County Assessor for parcel data, legal descriptions, and valuations tied to a Des Moines address
- Review the County Treasurer/Tax Collector for property tax status and payments
- Use the City permitting system to look up building permits, inspections, and code cases by address or permit number
Record Routing
- City council files, ordinances, minutes → City Clerk
- Recorded land documents (deeds, liens) → County Recorder
- Property assessment and parcels → County Assessor
- Building permits and inspections → City Building/Planning Department
- Local business licensing → City Finance/Licensing
Common Search Inputs
- Ordinance or resolution number
- Meeting date or agenda keyword
- Owner name
- Parcel number (APN)
- Property address
- Document/instrument number
Des Moines Source Map
| Source / Office | Best For | Search Method | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Clerk | Agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts | Online index or request; search by meeting date, keyword, or record title; request certified copies as needed | Municipal records for Des Moines are held by the City Clerk; start here for city legislation and administrative files |
| County Recorder | Deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats affecting Des Moines properties | Name, document type, date range, or instrument number; images/index availability varies; certified copies by request | Des Moines properties record to county land records; this is the official chain‑of‑title and lien index |
| County Assessor | Parcel identification, legal description, land/building data, assessed owner name | Address, parcel number, or owner name; map or parcel viewer if available | Parcels within Des Moines are assessed by the county; use for situs, legal description, class, and valuation |
| County Treasurer/Tax Collector | Property tax bills, payment history, and delinquencies for Des Moines parcels | Parcel number or address; select tax year; online pay/search where available | County offices collect and report property taxes for parcels located in Des Moines |
| City Building/Planning Department | Building permits, inspections, code enforcement, zoning approvals | Address or permit/case number; request file copies if documents are not online | City-level development and code activity for properties within Des Moines is filed with municipal departments |
Des Moines FAQs
How do I request a certified copy of a city ordinance in Des Moines?
Locate the ordinance number via the City Clerk’s index, then submit a copy or certification request to the City Clerk; fees and turnaround are set by that office.
Where can I confirm the current owner of a Des Moines property?
Search the County Assessor by address or parcel number for the assessment name, then confirm legal ownership by pulling the most recent deed from the County Recorder.
Can I obtain birth or death certificates in Des Moines?
Order certified vital records from the state or county vital records office; the City Clerk does not issue these, though city sources may reference related filings.