Frequently Asked Questions
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If you know the address or parcel number of the property, you may use our Beacon Property Search page to look up sales information. Simply enter the information in the appropriate search box, and then hit “Search”. The sales information will be located in the “Sales” section of the property record page.
To estimate the market value of your property, the Assessor generally uses three approaches.
The first approach is to find properties that are comparable to yours which have sold recently. Local conditions peculiar to your property are taken into consideration. The Assessor also uses sales ratio studies to determine the general level of assessment in a community in order to adjust for local conditions. This method is generally referred to as the market approach and is usually considered the most important in determining the value of residential property.
The second approach is the cost approach and is an estimate of how many dollars at current labor and material prices it would take to replace your property with one similar to it . If the event improvement is not new, appropriate amounts for depreciation and obsolescence is deducted from replacement value. The value of the land is added to arrive at an estimate of the total property value.
The income approach is the third method. It is used if your property produces income such as an apartment or office building. In that case, your property could be valued according to its ability to produce income under prudent management. In other words, the amount another investor would give for your property in order to gain its income. The income approach is the most complex of the three approaches because of the research, information and analysis necessary for an accurate estimate of value. This method requires thorough knowledge of local and national financial conditions, as well as any developmental trends in the area of the subject property being appraised since errors or inaccurate information can seriously affect the final estimate of value.
Market value of a property is an estimate of the price that it would sell for on the open market on the first day of January of the year of assessment. This is sometimes referred to as the "arms length transaction" or "willing buyer / willing seller" concept.
State law requires that all real property be reassessed every 2 years. The current law requires the reassessment to occur in odd numbered years. Changes in market value as indicated by research, sales ratio studies and analysis of local conditions as well as economic trends both in and outside the construction industry are used in determining your assessment.
If you disagree with the Assessors estimate of value, please consider these 2 questions:
- What is the actual market value of my property?
- How does the value compare to similar properties in the neighborhood?
If you have any questions about the assessment of your property, feel free to come in and discuss it with the Assessor.
You may file a written protest with the Board of Review which is composed of 3 or 5 members from various areas of the assessing jurisdiction. The board operates independently of the Assessor's Office, and has the power to confirm or to adjust upward or downward any assessment.
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Board of Review you may appeal to district court within twenty days after adjournment of said board, or 20 days after May 31, whichever is the latest.
Attorney
The County Attorney's Office encourages participation from victims, but the County Attorney's Office represents the State of Iowa, not the victim. At the beginning of the case, our office will mail you paperwork in which we ask you to register with our office. If you choose not to fill out the registration form and return it, you may not get the notifications.
At any time, whether you choose to register or not, you may contact the County Attorney's Office to speak with the attorney or the office Victim/Witness Coordinator to get information about your case.
Once a criminal complaint is filed, the State of Iowa is the prosecutor and has sole discretion on how to proceed. Therefore, just because you may want to drop the charges, it does not automatically happen. You will need to contact the County Attorney's Office to schedule an appointment with the attorney that is assigned to the criminal case to discuss potential outcomes of the case.
You will need to speak with the Clerk's Office, call 563-263-6593, about any questions or concerns you have about jury duty.
You should contact your attorney or the Clerk's Office at 563-263-2447.
If you have a pending criminal case that qualifies for a court-appointed attorney, you will have to fill out a financial affidavit and it will have to be approved by a judge. To do this, please visit the Clerk's Office in the Courthouse.
A subpoena is a court order requiring a person or business to either appear at a specific time and place or to provide certain documentation. Because it is a court order it is important to comply with the subpoena.
If you received a subpoena for a criminal case and have questions, you may contact the County Attorney's Office.
Contact the police department or sheriff's department to file a report.
The Clerk's Office at the Muscatine County Courthouse or Iowa Courts Online.
Auditor
Absentee
No. In Iowa you can only request an absentee ballot for yourself.
Yes. You may request an absentee ballot via email or fax and a ballot will be mailed to you. However, in order for your ballot to be counted you must also mail in or drop off the original paper ballot request.
No. Under Iowa law, power of attorney does not apply for all election related matters.
The only people who may return a ballot for a voter are:
- someone living in the voter’s household
- an immediate family member
- a special precinct election official delivering a ballot for health care residents
- a delivery agent, in the case of a voter unable to return a ballot due to blindness or other disability
Yes! Your absentee ballot cannot be counted unless you have signed the affidavit envelope that you return your ballot in. If we receive a ballot back that has not been signed we will attempt to contact you to get this fixed. Once contacted, you may decide to either:
- Request a replacement ballot and return it by 8:00 p.m. on election day
- Vote at the polls on election day
- Sign the affidavit in person at the county auditor’s office by 8:00 p.m. on election day
Yes. There is a myth that absentee ballots only get counted if the election is close, however, this is not true. Under Iowa law, every ballot must be counted.
You are allowed to hand deliver your ballot to the Auditor’s office up until the time the polls close on Election Day. If you return your ballot through the mail, your ballot must arrive by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, with exceptions for individuals in the Safe at Home program and military/overseas citizens. Learn more on our Absentee Voting page.
Election Day
Yes. If you need assistance filling out your ballot ask a poll worker for help. A team of one republican and one democrat will come over and help you mark your ballot. Also available in each polling location is a ballot marking device that will read you all of the choices and then print out your marked ballot.
Yes. Iowa law allows for Election Day registration if you are able to provide proof of identification (i.e. valid photo ID) and proof of residency (i.e. utility bill with your name on it if your ID has an outdated address on it). If you are unable to provide one or both of these you are allowed to bring someone with you to attest that you have the right to vote.
Yes. If you have not returned your absentee ballot you may go to your polling place on Election Day and vote a regular ballot.
Beginning January 1, 2019, Iowa voters will be required to show a driver’s license, non-driver’s ID, passport, military ID, veterans ID, Tribal ID or Voter ID Card at the polls before they vote. Voters, starting in 2019, without an ID may cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to their identity.
Yes. While it is recommended that you update your information prior to Election Day to speed things up at the polls, you may wait and do so on Election Day. If you are updating your address just make sure you are going to the polling place for your new address. When updating your address you will now need to provide proof of identity and proof of residency.
Yes. If you are unable to go inside the polling place a team of election workers will be sent out to your car to help you vote.
Yes. When you go to vote, a poll worker will verify with the auditor’s office that your absentee ballot has not been returned. If it is confirmed that the auditor’s office has not received a ballot from you then you will be given a new ballot to vote there.
Starting in January of 2019 you will be required to show identification. If you need to register to vote on Election Day, you must bring proof of identification and proof of residency.
Starting in 2019, if you do not have your ID with you, you may either cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to your identity. Learn more about provisional ballots and attesting on our Voter ID page.
So long as you are in line to vote at the time the polls close you will be allowed to vote.
If a voter’s eligibility is in question on Election Day they are allowed to cast a provisional ballot. After the voter marks their ballot and returns it to the poll worker, the voter is required to provide the necessary identification or documentation at the polling place before it closes or provide it at the Auditor’s Office by noon on the following Monday. If the canvass will be held earlier than the following Monday, the identification must be provided before the canvass.
If it is determined that you do have the right to vote in the precinct in which you voted, your ballot will then be counted and included in the final vote total.
General Information
Yes. If you make a mistake on an absentee ballot mark your return envelope “Spoiled” and return it to the Auditor’s office either by mail or in person. If you return it by mail contact the Auditor’s office to be sent a new one.
On Election Day if you make a mistake on your ballot, return it to the poll worker to receive a new one. You are allowed up to three ballots so don’t make too many mistakes!
Yes. For each race on the ballot, a line is provided for you to write-in the name of someone for whom you wish to vote for. Make sure you color in the oval!
Yes and No. In Iowa, you must be a member of a political party (currently: Republican and Democratic) to vote in a primary election. However, anyone* can change parties on Election Day and vote. For independents to vote they must declare a political party.
*Precinct election officials may not change political parties within 30 days of an election.
No. You can vote for as much or as little as you would like; it’s all up to you!
No. If you have already returned your absentee ballot to the Auditor’s office you may not request a new ballot if you have changed your mind on who you wish to vote for.
It depends on the election. In primary elections, you can only vote for candidates from the party to which you belong. In general elections, you are free to vote for anyone you like, regardless of their party affiliation.
Registered voters who do not have an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator’s ID were issued a voter ID card. Voter ID cards must be signed before going to the polls. The new voter ID card will contain a PIN number that will be used for voting purposes. If you should have a voter ID card and do not, please contact our office to have one sent to you.
Starting in 2019, voters must provide an ID when going to vote. Voters who do not have ID will be allowed to either cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to their identification. Learn more about provisional ballots and attesting on our Voter ID page.
There are 6 approved types of identification that may be used:
- an Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID
- a Voter ID issued by the Secretary of State or the Auditor’s Office
- a current US Passport
- a US Military ID
- a US Veteran’s ID
- a Tribal ID
Where you vote is determined by where you live and you must vote in the precinct to which you are assigned for your ballot to be counted. To find your polling place please visit the Polling Places page on our website.
Registration
No. All updates to voter registration must be made in writing or online through the Iowa DOT if you have an Iowa driver’s license.
Yes. Any eligible voter in Iowa may register to vote. Because many of those who are homeless have a nontraditional address they just need to provide an address or description of where they sleep the most, wherever that may be.
Those with a prior felony conviction are only permitted to vote if their voting rights have been restored by the Governor, including through Executive Order. For more information about restoration of rights, contact the Governor’s office or visit the voter registration page on our website.
No. You would only need to re-register if your information has changed and you need to update it.
If you have moved recently and need to update your address for voting, all you have to do is fill out a new voter registration form and submit it to the Auditor’s office. If you do not update your address after a move through a new voter registration form and do not vote in the next general election, you will be marked inactive (inactive voters may still vote with proper ID). Registration will be canceled if two more general elections pass with no voter activity.
If you notice a mistake on your voter card please contact the Auditor’s Office and/or submit a new registration form to correct your information.
Iowa does not recognize an “independent” party. Instead, “No Party” is used to indicate a lack of affiliation with a political party.
County Development
A building permit is required for any of the following:
- New residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, or public buildings
- Residential building additions (e.g. living rooms, family rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, garages)
- Residential work or alterations (e.g. decks, garages, fireplaces, swimming pools, remodeling projects)
- Residential renovations (e.g. garage conversions, finishing an unfinished basement, kitchen expansions)
- Commercial building additions, alterations, or renovations
- Electrical services or wiring
- Plumbing systems (drain, waste, vent, water) new or relocated
- HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems
- Accessory buildings greater than 200 square feet
- Telecommunication transmission towers
A permit is not required for any of the following:
- One-story detached accessory structures that do not exceed 200 sq. ft.
- Painting, wallpaper, and other similar finish work
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall
- Door or window replacement (when window or door rough openings are not enlarged or relocated and additional framing is not needed)
- Exterior siding replacement
- Roof replacement
- Electrical or plumbing fixture replacement
To obtain a building permit, you will start by submitting an application along with documentation such as a site plan or floor plan as applicable. Once we receive the application, our inspectors will review the application and plans. A permit application may take up to five business days to be processed. You will be contacted once a permit is ready for your project. A fee will be collected to cover the cost of the application and the review/inspection process. For a list of fees please refer to the Fee Schedule.
- If the property you would like to build on is located within city limits, you will need to contact that city to ask if a permit would be required.
- If the property is located outside of city limits, you would obtain a building permit through our office, Muscatine County Building, Zoning, & Environmental Office.
- If you’re not sure if the property is inside city limits, just contact our office and we can look it up for you.
General Assistance
General Information
This is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We encourage you to apply so we can better understand your situation and help guide you toward the most appropriate resources.Please note that funding is limited and may not always be the best option. We also recommend contacting Community Action.
GA offers a program that can assist with filling the gap while a Muscatine Resident is pending Medicaid approval.
No, Please contact HHS for assistance at 563-263-9302, or in person at 315 Iowa, Suite 2, Muscatine, IA 52761.
No, Section 8 is not covered under general assistance. Please contact the Muscatine Municipal Housing Agency.
No, lot rent is not covered under general assistance. Please contact Iowa Housing Help.
This is an income-based program. We can assist with basic cremation services. As part of the application process, income and assets will be verified. Please note that funds raised through fundraisers such as GoFundMe, for example, will cause disqualification from the program.
Short answer is no, in rare circumstance funding can be used to transport an out of county resident back to their home county.
THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO MUSCATINE COUNTY RESIDENTS.
To qualify for our program you must meet all our program requirements:
- Must be a Muscatine County Resident, this needs to be proven with an ID, lease, mail, or other acceptable residential verification
- Must have income from job wages, SSI/SSDI, or other acceptable qualifying income
- Must be under income guidelines based on household size
- Must be sustainable (state of Iowa definition). In summary, if we help you right now, will you be able to keep paying after this.
Medical Examiner
Iowa Code 331.8O5Abobe Icon states that when a death falls within the jurisdiction of the medical examiner, the body shall not be disturbed or removed from the position in which it is found without authorization from the county or state medical examiner except for the purpose of preserving the body from loss or destruction or permitting the passage of traffic on a highway, railroad, or airport, or unless the failure to immediately remove the body might endanger life, safety, or health. A person who moves, disturbs, or conceals a body in violation of this subsection of the Iowa Code is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that the medical examiner investigator is able to understand the exact circumstances that existed at the time of a person's death.
Generally, an autopsy does not delay funeral services or prevent the option of embalming and viewing the decedent.
Iowa law prohibits the Muscatine County Medical Examiner Office from recommending a funeral service provider. We however will contact the funeral home of your choice.
Personal property that was held by the medical examiner investigator will usually be returned to your funeral service provider when it is no longer needed for the investigation. Please contact your funeral service provider in order to collect your loved one's belongings. If law enforcement retained any personal property, you will need to contact the appropriate agency directly.
There is a specific exemption within HIPAA that allows medical examiners access to patient information during the course of a death investigation. This is for the purpose of determining the cause and manner of death, including identification of the decedent.
It generally requires at least 6 weeks for the autopsy report to be available. However, this may be extended if additional testing is ordered by the forensic pathologist. The issuance of the death certificate may or may not be affected by any delay in the autopsy report. Every effort is made to accurately complete the death certificate as soon as possible.
The final autopsy report is available at a cost of $20, made payable to the Muscatine County Medical Examiner's Office, but only to the immediate and legal next-of-kin (power of attorney, spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling, grandparent, and guardian). Final autopsy reports will only be provided to persons who are legally entitled to the report. You may obtain a copy of the final autopsy report by contacting the Muscatine County Medical Examiner Department at 563-263-5828, on our website, or by mailing a completed Autopsy Report Request Form, or by printing and scanning a completed copy of the Autopsy Report Request Form and email it.
Requests for a copy of the final autopsy report from someone other than those who are legally entitled (e.g., an insurance company, a private attorney) must be submitted on company letterhead, include a release of information form signed by the legal next-of-kin and must include a $20 check made payable to the"Muscatine County Medical Examiner Department"
The Muscatine County Medical Examiner Department notifies the Iowa Donor Network of reported deaths. We fully support organ, tissue, and eye donation and work closely with Iowa Donor Network and Iowa Lions Eye Bank.
The medical examiner may take jurisdiction over an apparent natural death if the death (1) if the death was unexpected, (2) if the cause of death was uncertain, (3) if the decedent was unattended by a physician, (4) if death might be due to a virulent or contagious disease, and/or (5) if the manner of death is not clear.
No. Forensic autopsies are done to answer medicolegal questions that are deemed in the "public's interest" or to address a question of law. The Muscatine County Medical Examiner recognizes that an individual's religious beliefs may be contrary to the performance of an autopsy. Both entities are open for discussion to try to accommodate the family's wishes and to fulfill the legal obligation presented by your loved one's death. Please contact the Muscatine County Medical Examiner's office and share your concerns.
The first thing you need to do is take care of yourself. A lot of information will be shared with you and you will need to make several decisions. The following is a suggested list to help guide you and your loved one through the Medicolegal process:
When notified of a loved one's death, involve your family, friends, and clergy for support and comfort. They will be able to assist you in making sense of this tragic and sometimes sudden news.
You will need to select a funeral home to assist you in making funeral arrangements and to coordinate the final disposition of your loved one's remains. Once you have chosen a funeral home, the funeral director will make arrangements to pick up and transport your loved one's remains back to the funeral home following the autopsy. Keep track of any and all business cards given to you by law enforcement, county medical examiner, ambulance, and funeral home personnel. Start a file or folder to correlate all paperwork and information that will be shared with you as a result of your loved one's passing. Finally, remember to check in on yourself. Stress can come into one's life quickly and unexpectedly. Do not be afraid to use resources available to you in your community.
The death certificate is an official, legal document and vital record that is signed by a licensed physician. It includes the decedent's demographic data and states the cause and manner of death. The death certificate provides legal proof that death has occurred. The death certificate is needed to settle the estate of the deceased and provides information to public health agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to track statistical trends in health. These statistics are used to alert government health agencies of trends in natural and infectious diseases, risky behaviors, and unsafe equipment and vehicles which contribute to deaths.
Medical examiner autopsy is a detailed medical/surgical examination of a person's body and individual internal organs after death. The function of the autopsy is to identify and document the presence or absence of diseases and/or injuries that can explain an individual's death. Diseases and injuries are interpreted in the context of an accompanying investigation of the patient's circumstances of death, the medical history, and toxicology testing. The cause and manner of death are determined by congruence of investigative, historical and autopsy information.
A medical examiner autopsy is performed or supervised by a forensic pathologist (a pathologist with specialized training and board certification in the practice of autopsy pathology and medicolegal death investigation). Muscatine County uses primarily the University Of Iowa's Decedent Care Center for its autopsies, but will also use the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny. The forensic pathologists at University of Iowa's Decedent Care Center are members of the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.
Prescription medications belong to the individual they were prescribed to. Upon the death of that individual, these medications may be confiscated and disposed of by the Muscatine County Medical Examiner Department (based on the type of medications). The department disposes of medications in accordance with FDA guidelines. Disposal options are available to families. These options are described on the FDA website. Most local pharmacy's will also take and dispose of prescription medication
In Iowa, the County Medical Examiner must be a licensed physician, appointed by the Board of Supervisors in each county and approved by the Iowa State Medical Examiner. His/her official responsibility is to investigate any death that is described in Iowa Code 331.802(3). A coroner is an elected official and does not have to be a licensed physician. Iowa does not utilize the coroner system, however Illinois does.
A County Medical Examiner (CME) is a physician licensed within the State Iowa and appointed by their respective County Board of Supervisors to conduct investigations necessary to determine the cause and manner of death of individuals who die under violent, sudden, and unexpected circumstances (Iowa Code 331.802 (3)). CME-I's are trained death investigators who assist the CME in performing these duties. Often conducting the preliminary investigation at the scene. Our Investigators are members of the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner, and the Iowa Death Investigators Association. They have received training thru Saint Louis University and participate in yearly continuing education classes.
Iowa Code 331.802 clearly defines which cases fall under the jurisdiction of medical examiners. Medical examiner cases include sudden, unexpected, violent or unnatural deaths, and other deaths "affecting the public interest." Deaths which are outlined in 331.802 must be reported to and investigated by medical examiners. Any death in which the manner of death is not natural or any death in which the decedent was not seen by a physician with 30 days when the decedent had a diagnosed terminal or bedfast conditions must be reported to and investigated by a medical examiner. These deaths must occur in Muscatine County.
An autopsy may be ordered by the medical examiner based upon his/her medical opinion that an autopsy is needed to assist in determining the cause and manner of death. In some cases an autopsy may be required by law due to the circumstances surrounding the death. Even when the cause of death may appear to be obvious, such as in a gunshot wound, an autopsy can provide details necessary for determining the manner of death and information required for insurance purposes and legal proceedings.
The Muscatine County Medical Examiner Office primarily utilizes the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Pathology Autopsy Service in Iowa City, IA, as its primary autopsy consulting service. On rare occasions, an autopsy may occur at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, IA. The medical examiner investigator in charge of the case will be able to inform you where the autopsy will occur.
County Medical Examiners, County Attorneys, and the State Medical Examiner have the statutory authority and obligation to request that a forensic autopsy be performed in cases where death is suspected to have arisen from violent, suspicious, and unexpected circumstances (Iowa Code 331.802 (4)).
Iowa Code 331.802(1) requires any attending physician, law enforcement officer, embalmer, or any other person present at the time of the death report that death to the Medical Examiner Department when the death affects the public interest as specified in Iowa Code 331.802(3).
The information contained within an autopsy report is confidential and treated as a medical record. The final report is available to the immediate and legal next-of-kin (power of attorney, spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling, grandparent, guardian, in that order) and to those with written permission from the immediate and legal next-of-kin. Others who may receive copies of the autopsy report include treating physicians, law enforcement agencies and county attorneys investigating the death. The cause and manner of death are public records and can be released unless release of such information will jeopardize an investigation or pose a clear and present danger to the public safety or the safety of an individual (Iowa Code 22.7(41)).
There is no cost to the family for an autopsy that is ordered by the Muscatine County Medical Examiner.
Recorder
DNR
Yes.
No, you must have the original in your possession. If you are operating a sailboat or canoe without a motor or a commercial vessel, you are not required to have the registration in the boat.
Yes, your boat will only need to be registered if it is being used on public water.
Yes, the registration must be signed on the back by the current owner. (Owner's name on front of registration.)
Yes, a paddle boat must be registered if it is going to be used on public water at any length.
Yes, you will be required to have a habitat stamp until you reach the age of 65.
It isn’t required but it is generally a good idea to get boat insurance.
No, boat trailers are licensed in the Muscatine County Treasurer's Office.
Age 65
No, if your boat was purchased out of state and it is titled, you only need a bill of sale and the title signed by the last registered owner.
No, if the boat has a HIN or registration number the DNR can search to see if the last owner can be located so they can be notified. If there is no registration number, all unidentified or unclaimed abandoned boats should be reported to the county sheriff or police department.
You can use your boat in Iowa for 60 non-consecutive days if your boat is registered in another state. If your boat is not registered in your home state, you must register in Iowa before using your boat on public water.
No, inflatable canoes and kayaks are only registered if they over 13 ft in length.
December 15.
General Information
No, please see the Muscatine County Treasurer's Office for more information.
No.
No, applications for these tax credits are available in the Muscatine County Assessor's office.
No, tradename forms are only for a person or co-partnership conducting a business. Corporation and LLC information can be obtained from the Secretary of State.
A certified copy has a raised seal on it and states that the copy is a true and correct reproduction of the original record. An non-certified copy (plain paper copy) does not have a seal and doesn't indicate authenticity. Plain paper copies will also be stamped with "Not for legal purposes".
Land Records
No, abstracts are not filed in our office.
No.
Real Estate Records
No, the Recorder’s Office does not record or store abstracts. Usually, the abstract is given to the property owner to keep in a safe place at the time of purchasing the property.
No. Wills are generally filed at the Clerk of Court’s office:
401 East 3rd St.
Muscatine, IA 52761
Phone: 563-263-6511
The Recorder’s Office cannot assist property owners in preparing documents. It is wise to contact an attorney for advice on adding or removing names to property records.
The County Auditor’s Office can update the mailing address where your tax bill is mailed. Please call 563-263-5821.
This calculation is based on a $1.60 tax per thousand and the first $500 is exempt.
Vital Records
No, divorce records are kept in the Clerk of District Court.
Des Moines Genealogical Society: 515-276-0287
State Historical Society of Iowa: 515-281-6200
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Library Archives Bureau & State Historical Museum
600 E. Locust St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Yes, the license is valid in any county in the state of Iowa.
No, there is no requirement to register at this time. For more information please review the Officiant Pamphlet.
Yes. As of July 1, 2022, the Muscatine County Genealogical Society's library is now closed for the mornings. It will re-open in mid-August at 315 W. 3rd St. N. Suite 400. Hours are Thursdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. There is a charge of $12.50 for research, that includes the cost of copies and postage. For any other questions, please call 641-792-1522.
If the death occurred between 1954 and the present you can obtain the record at any County Recorder’s Office in the State of Iowa. Prior to 1954, please contact the county office where the death occurred.
If the marriage occurred between 1954 and the present you can obtain the record at any County Recorder’s Office in the State of Iowa. Prior to 1954, please contact the county office where the marriage application was filed.
Muscatine County Recorder
414 E. Third St.
Suite 103
Muscatine, Iowa 52761
Phone: 563-263-7741
Please call with any questions.
There is no formal “registration” of Officiants in Iowa. You are authorized to solemnize marriage ceremonies in Iowa if you are:
- An Iowa judge, magistrate, or associate judge serving on the Iowa supreme court, court of appeals, or district court; or
- An individual ordained or designated as a leader of the person’s religious faith, regardless of the state of residence or service (595.10)
No. We will record your military documents at no fee and provide certified copies at no fee.
Once it is picked up from the Recorder’s Office, it is good until you are married. The Recorder’s Office will hold the paperwork for six months. If not picked up before the expiration of six months, it will expire and be unusable.
- Both parties need a current government-issued photo ID (driver’s license) or passport.
- $35 fee, cash or credit card only accepted (3% fee applies for credit card).
- One witness,18 years of age or older. They must know both parties.
$15 per certified copy. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted (fee applies to credit card transactions).
Military discharge records are not available to anyone who cannot prove they are entitled to the record. Identification must be given to prover entitlement (unless the record is 62 years or older).
Divorce records are court actions, so they are kept at the Clerk of Court: 563-263-6511.
Entitlement to a record includes the person named on the record, or the person’s spouse, children, legal parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, or legal representative or guardian (legal guardians and representatives must provide proof of guardianship or representation). Applicant must be 18 years old or older.
Sheriff
Gifts cannot be sent to the inmate population. Commissary can be purchased or money can be sent to the inmate via Keefe.
During business hours, Inmate bonds can be posted at the Clerk of Court. Inmate bonds posted outside of business hours will need to be posted in the South Lobby at the Jail.
Refer to the Sheriff’s App
Refer to the Sheriff’s App
Compliant forms can be picked up at the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, 3600 Park Ave West, Muscatine, IA or the Muscatine County Jail, 400 Walnut St., Muscatine, IA during business hours. Forms should be turned into a supervisor at 3600 Park Ave West.
Refer to the Sheriff’s App
Treasurer
Motor Vehicle
Yes, but the registration will be mailed to the owner of the record unless you bring in the renewal notice, an old registration or have the owner call and give permission.
Yes. You can return your currently registered vehicle plates and have it coded as "Stored" status and pay no further registration or penalty fees until you are ready to resume driving it.
A full year's registration fee will be charged when taking the vehicle out of storage, so it is only beneficial if the vehicle remains stored for over a year.
No. The Treasurer does not process Driver's Licenses in Muscatine County. Please visit the Iowa DOT website.
There is no charge for a parking permit or plates. It does require a signed letter from your physician indicating a temporary or permanent disability. In order to obtain plates, the handicap individual must be listed as an owner on the vehicle.
There is a $3 charge for a lost registration and sticker.
You will need to bring in the following items:
- Certificate of Title (if available). If your out of state title is unavailable due to lienholder retention—you will need to bring in your most current registration document for the vehicle.
- Iowa DL/ID or previous state DL/ID and Social Security #
- Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (IA DOT form #411007), completed and signed by all owners.
If the vehicle is a lease, you can contact our office for further information and help determining the documents you will need to transfer and register the vehicle in Iowa.
If a vehicle is sold or junked, you may be eligible for a refund of registration fees. A refund may be applied for at the county treasurer’s office in any county by presenting plates and a current registration. Refunds will be mailed from the State of Iowa and will take approximately 4-6 weeks.
If a vehicle is traded in for a different vehicle, we can apply the credit towards the newly acquired vehicle.
Yes, you DO need to remove their name from the certificate title. This can be done at no charge for a surviving spouse. Required documentation can vary, for more information please contact our office at 563-263-6764.
You will need to bring the following items:
- Certificate of Title with the appropriate signatures and printed names of the seller(s) and buyer(s).
- Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (IA DOT form #411007), completed and signed by all buyers.
- Damage Disclosure Statement (IA DOT form 411108), only if vehicle is 7 years old or newer.
- Odometer reading only if vehicle is a 2011 or newer. Vehicles years 2010 and older are exempt.
- Bill of Sale from the dealer.
You will need to bring the following items:
- Certificate of Title with the appropriate signatures and printed names of the seller(s) and buyer(s).
- Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (IA DOT form #411007), completed and signed by all buyers.
- Damage Disclosure Statement (IA DOT form 411108), only if vehicle is 7 years old or newer.
- Odometer reading only if vehicle is a 2011 or newer. Any vehicle which is 2010 or older is exempt from odometer disclosure.
- Bill of Sale. Must be signed by the seller.
Trailers with an empty weight of 2000 pounds or less cannot be titled but will have a registration. The current registration, signed at the bottom by the buyer and seller, will be used to transfer ownership.
Trailers with an empty weight of 2000 pounds or more will be titled, and transferred similarly to a motor vehicle.
Forms are available in our office, in the common forms and applications section of our website or the IOWA DOT website.
Passport
No. You are only able to pre-fill and print your application forms, but you cannot apply for a passport online.
All passport applications must be submitted through a certified passport acceptance facility.
No. However, our processing hours are limited to 8-10am and 2-3:30pm.
- Passports obtained at 16 years of age and older: 10 years
- Passports obtained under 16 years of age: 5 years
Passport Book
- Applicants 16 years of age and older: $130
- Applicants under 16 years of age: $100
Passport Card
- Applicants 16 years of age and older: $30
- Applicants under 16 years of age: $15
Payment options
- A check or money order/cashier’s check is required for the fees that we send, with completed applications, to U.S. Department of State.
- Fees retained by our office can be in the form of cash, check, debit, or credit card.
- Application
- Form DS-11 - New Application
- Form DS-82 - Renewal Application
- Citizenship
- Identification
- Picture
- Check for payment to US Department of State
For additional information on required documentation, visit U.S. Department of State Website.
The Recorder’s office processes photographs for $10 or you can bring a photo, but it must meet the passport agency specifications.
We also recommend wearing dark colored clothing and no camouflage.
Visit the U.S. Department of State Website.
Property Tax
You may pay by any of the following convenient ways:
- Through the mail. Postmark must be by September 30 for the first half payment and March 31 for the second half payment to avoid penalty.
- In our office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Online through the Iowa Treasurer's website. You must have the 5-digit receipt number located on your tax statement available.
- Drop box at the front of the administration building. Please put payment and supporting documentation in an envelope when submitting in the drop box.
The tax sale is the sale of any unpaid property taxes within the county as of the first part of June. The tax sale is held electronically on the third Monday in June every year.
A 1.5% penalty is assessed per month after the due date.
Because we run on a fiscal year and not a calendar year:
- First half taxes are September 1st, delinquent October 1
- Second half taxes are due March 1st, delinquent April 1
If a customer wants to pay the full year taxes at one time, they will typically pay the whole year in September.
Taxes are billed every fall and statements typically go out in the mail in mid-late August.
Your receipt number is printed on your statement.
Almost all credits are applied for through the County Assessor's Office. Contact the Assessor’s office for additional information.
The only credit handled by the Treasurer’s Office is the Disabled/Senior Credit.
Your payment history can be found on your annual statements and also online through the Iowa Treasurers website. You may need to contact our office at 563-263-6764 for assistance.