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Urbandale, Iowa Public Records

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Urbandale Public Records Directory

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Frequently Asked Questions

1
What is the process for someone who is arrested in Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the City of Urbandale, Iowa, you will be transported to the Polk County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the Polk County Court. Under Iowa law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The Polk County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://doc.iowa.gov/offender/search where you can look up current detainees.
2
What are the school district and education performance data for Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa?
The Urbandale Community School District serves the city of Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa. According to the Iowa Department of Education, the district had an enrollment of 5,845 students in the 2018-2019 school year. The district's graduation rate was 95.2%, and the average composite ACT score was 22.7. The district's overall performance score was 72.3 out of 100, with a score of 73.3 in student growth and 70.3 in student achievement.
3
What are the crime statistics for Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa?
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the total number of reported crimes in Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa in 2019 was 1,845. Of those, 1,717 were property crimes and 128 were violent crimes. The crime rate per 1,000 residents was 28.7.
4
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa Library?
The Urbandale Public Library in Polk County, Iowa provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Iowa government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Iowa Open Records Law (Iowa Code Chapter 22), which governs access to government documents in Iowa. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Urbandale Iowa Archives and Genealogy at https://iowaculture.gov/history/research. Contact the Urbandale Public Library reference desk at (515) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
5
Where is the Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa Public Library located?
The Urbandale Public Library is located at 3520 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322.
6
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa?
Fingerprinting services for Urbandale, Iowa residents are provided at the Urbandale Police Department, which serves Polk County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Urbandale Police Department at (515) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at https://www.dps.state.ia.us/CriminalHistory/.
7
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa, and what information is provided in the records?
In order to obtain vital records from Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa, you must contact the Polk County Recorder's Office.

The vital records available from the Polk County Recorder's Office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. To obtain any of these records, you must provide the full name of the person listed on the record, the date of the event, and the place of the event. You may also need to provide additional information, such as the parents' names or the spouse's name. You will also need to provide a valid form of identification and pay the applicable fee.
8
About background check
A background check in Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in Iowa. Criminal background checks are processed through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for Iowa residents. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation provides official criminal history checks at https://www.dps.state.ia.us/CriminalHistory/. Under the Iowa Open Records Law (Iowa Code Chapter 22), individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.
Last reviewed: Mar 25, 2026 Updated: Mar 25, 2026