About Ely

Ely is a city in Linn County, Iowa. Use the official town and county resources on this page to reach the clerk, court, assessment, public records, and Freedom of Information request pages serving residents and researchers.

Interested individuals can request these documents in person or over the phone. Depending on the nature of the request, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is the state repository for criminal history records. Residents can access these records via the DCI’s website, which offers an online lookup portal designed for public use. However, Linn County District Court, which handles a variety of legal matters, including civil, criminal, and family law cases. Residents seeking to request court records can do so through the court’s online portal, allowing for convenient access to various documents, including case files and judgments. For those preferring in-person assistance, the court clerk's office is available to help with record requests directly. Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, Linn County Clerk-Recorder’s office or through the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Vital Records division. Property records, which are vital for real estate transactions and ownership verification, can be accessed through the county assessor’s office and the county recorder's office, both of which provide online access for ease of retrieval. Any individual interested in making a public records request under the Iowa Open Records Law can do so through the appropriate agency, typically expecting a response within 5 to 10 business days. This transparency shows the commitment of Ely's local government to ensure that residents have access to essential information and services.

The City of Ely maintains a public records system that provides access to a wide range of municipal documents and information. Residents and other interested parties can visit the city's official website at https://www.elyiowa.com/ to explore various records, including city council meeting minutes, municipal codes, and property records. The system ensures transparency in local government operations.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Ely

Ely Police Department

Official Twitter Page for the Ely Police Department.

Linn County Sheriff's Office

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is the second largest sheriff’s office in Iowa.

https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/151/Sheriffs-Office

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Ely

County Clerk of Court Contacts | Iowa Department of Administrative Services

State of Iowa County Clerk of Court Contacts

🔗 https://das.iowa.gov/county-clerk-court-contacts

🏠 Property & Public Records in Ely

Recorder's Office - Iowa County Government - Iowa

The Office of the County Recorder was created by the first legislative assembly of the territory of Iowa in 1839. Your county Recorder maintains official records of documents affecting real estate to protect innocent third parties in real estate transactions. The office of the Recorder is an elected position with a term of four years.

🔗 https://iowacounty.iowa.gov/recorder/

Public Records & Services in Ely

Public Schools

Official source: NCES Public School District Search
  • 🎓Public schools are administered by local school districts under state Department of Education oversight.
  • 📊School performance data, enrollment, and district boundaries are published by the state Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).
  • 📞Contact the local district office for enrollment, transcripts, or attendance records.
Public schools in Ely, Linn County, Iowa are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Linn County school administration or the Iowa Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.

Crime Data & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Ely, Linn County, Iowa is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Linn County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Ely police department or the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

Public Library Records Access

Official source: IMLS Library Search & Compare
  • 📚Public libraries provide free access to online databases, historical archives, and government-document collections.
  • 🔎Many libraries offer remote access to property records, court records, and genealogy resources with a valid library card.
  • 👤Reference librarians can assist with research, document retrieval, and government-records lookups.
The Ely Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Linn County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.

Fingerprinting Services

Official source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks
  • 👆Fingerprinting for background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening is offered by local police and authorized providers.
  • 📅Most agencies require appointments; walk-in hours and fees vary by location.
  • 🪪Bring valid government-issued photo ID; some agencies accept fingerprint cards mailed in for processing.
Fingerprinting services for Ely, Iowa residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Linn County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact local police (where present) or the Linn County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The Iowa Attorney General or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.

About Ely — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

The primary detention facility for the county is the Linn County Correctional Center in Cedar Rapids. When individuals are arrested, they go through a booking process that includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information. Visitation at the facility requires advance scheduling, and visitors must follow strict guidelines.

Arrest Records

The Linn County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments throughout Linn County maintain arrest records for their jurisdictions. Residents and attorneys can request these records by contacting the sheriff's office directly or by invoking the Iowa Open Records Law, which guarantees public access to government records. A typical arrest record from the county includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges filed, and booking details. Those seeking records can submit requests in person or through written application to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Linn County include felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. Residents can conduct background checks through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which provides statewide criminal history data. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation offers additional resources for background checks and criminal record inquiries for Linn County residents.

Vital Records

Vital records for Ely, Iowa, are managed by the Linn County Recorder's Office. This office is responsible for maintaining and providing access to birth, marriage, and death certificates For people within Linn County. Residents can visit the Linn County Recorder's website at https://www.linncounty.org/166/Recorder to request and obtain these important documents.

Business & Licensing Records

The City of Ely supports the local business community and maintains public records related to business licenses, permits, and economic development initiatives. Those interested in starting or operating a business in the area can visit the city's official website at https://www.elyiowa.com/ to access relevant forms, applications, and contact information for the Ely City Administration. The city provides resources to help entrepreneurs navigate the licensing and permitting process.

Economy & Demographics

Ely, Iowa, has a diverse and thriving economy, supported by various industries and businesses. Public records related to economic development, employment, and taxation can be accessed through the Ely City Administration website at https://www.elyiowa.com/city-staff/. The Ely Public Library at https://www.ely.lib.ia.us/ may have resources and information on the local economy and business community.

Elections & Voter Records

Voters in Ely are served by the Linn County Auditor & Elections Office, located at 935 2nd Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (phone: 319-892-5300; website: www.linncountyiowa.gov/176/Elections). This office manages all aspects of voter registration, election administration, absentee voting, and election records for the city and all county residents.
Iowa residents can register to vote online at https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fVoterRegistration, with registration deadlines of 15 days before an election for online or mail registration, though same-day registration is available at polling places with proof of identity and residence. Acceptable IDs include an Iowa driver's license, non-operator ID, voter ID card, passport, military ID, or tribal ID; those without acceptable ID can still vote by signing an oath and having a registered voter from the same precinct attest to their identity. Ely elects a mayor and five city council members, with the mayor serving a two-year term while council members serve four-year staggered terms. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the voter information portal at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx by entering their address; the city typically has polling locations at the Ely Fire Station or Ely Elementary School depending on precinct. Under Iowa Code Chapter 48A, voter registration lists are public records available for purchase for political purposes, and individual voter history showing which elections a person voted in is also public, though ballots themselves remain secret. Campaign finance reports for city, county, and state candidates are filed with the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board and searchable at https://webapp.iecdb.iowa.gov/PublicSearch. Election results by precinct are posted by the Linn County Auditor after each election. Iowa allows no-excuse absentee voting; voters can request absentee ballots online through the Linn County Auditor's website starting 120 days before an election, with completed ballots due by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Early voting in person is available at the Linn County Elections Office beginning 29 days before the election.
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CountyLinn
Population2,033
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Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote in Ely, Iowa, residents can register online through the Iowa Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Linn County elections office. Iowa requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Iowa Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Ely, contact the Linn County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Ely, Iowa are maintained by the County Assessor's Office and the County Clerk and Recorder. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Iowa counties provide online property record searches through their county websites.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Ely, Iowa residents are available through both county and state offices. The Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Statistics, located in Des Moines, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Iowa. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.