Jones County Iowa Recorder

10/02/2026

We’re proud of the work we do, and we’re proud to serve our community. ❤️

📚 Post 9: What Does the Recorder’s Office Do?

So…what exactly does the County Recorder’s Office do?

As you can see, the answer is: a lot!

From recording real estate documents and preserving public records to issuing vital records, processing marriage applications, registering recreational vehicles, selling hunting and fishing licenses, providing passport services, recording military documents, and helping with genealogy research — our office touches many different parts of our community.

A lot of what we do happens behind the scenes. You may only see us for a few minutes when you stop in to renew a registration or pick up a document, but there are rules, regulations, research, recordkeeping, and attention to detail happening behind that counter every day.

Our goal is to provide accurate, reliable, and helpful service to the people of our county — whether you’re buying a house, getting married, planning a vacation, heading out hunting, researching your family tree, or simply trying to track down an important document.

We’re proud of the work we do, and we’re proud to serve our community. ❤️

10/01/2026

🔎 Post 8: Genealogy & Research

Did you know the County Recorder’s Office can be a great place to start when researching your family history or property history? 🔎📚

Our records contain information that can help connect the dots between generations, properties, and the people who have owned them.

Sometimes customers come in looking for a specific document. Other times, they’re trying to piece together information about an ancestor, find out who previously owned a property, or uncover a little more of their family’s story.

We’re happy to help customers navigate our records and point them in the right direction when we can.

Genealogy and historical research can sometimes feel like putting together a giant puzzle — and we love helping people find the pieces!

You never know what you might discover in the records. 🗂️🏡

09/28/2026

Our office is proud to provide this service to those who have served our country.

Post 7: Military Documents

One of the responsibilities of the County Recorder’s Office that you may not think about is recording military discharge papers for our veterans.🇺🇸

These documents can become incredibly important long after a veteran leaves the military.

Recorded military documents are accessed over the years by several county offices, including:

🇺🇸Veterans Affairs — for claims and benefits
🚗 Treasurer’s Office — for veteran designation on driver’s licenses
🏡 Assessor’s Office — for property tax benefits

And because of the importance of these records, we do not charge veterans to record their military discharge papers or to receive copies of those recordings.

Our office is proud to provide this service to those who have served our country.

To all of our veterans: thank you for your service and sacrifice. ❤️

09/25/2026

We DO offer photo services, and you can go to the Jones County Auditor's office for passport services! 📸

✈️ Post 6: Passports

Planning a trip outside the United States? ✈️🌎

Did you know that some Iowa County Recorder’s Offices process passport applications? Not every Recorder’s Office offers this service, and passport photo services aren’t available at every location either.

For those offices that do offer passport services, we help customers complete their applications accurately and process their paperwork so it can be submitted properly and in a timely manner.

We know that getting a passport is often part of planning a much bigger adventure, and the last thing you want is a paperwork mistake to cause unnecessary delays.

If you’re getting ready for an upcoming trip, check with your local Recorder’s Office to see what passport services they offer and what you’ll need to bring with you.

A little preparation now can save a lot of stress later! ✈️📸

09/23/2026

Ready for hunting or fishing season? 🎣🦌

🎣 Post 5: Hunting & Fishing Licenses

Ready for hunting or fishing season? 🎣🦌

The County Recorder’s Office is one of your local stops for Iowa hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and tags.

We work closely with the Iowa DNR and local DNR officers to make sure we’re following the latest rules and regulations, and helping hunters and anglers get the licenses and tags they need.

Whether you’re heading out for your first fishing trip of the season, getting ready for deer season, or purchasing your annual licenses, we’re happy to help!

Our goal is simple: make sure you have what you need before you head outdoors so you can enjoy a safe and successful season.

Stop by and see us before you head out! 🌲🎣

09/21/2026

Off-Highway Vehicle & Boat Registrations

🛞 Post 4: Off-Highway Vehicle & Boat Registrations

Did you know the County Recorder’s Office helps register your boats, ATVs, UTVs, and other off-road recreational vehicles through the Iowa DNR?

When you purchase a boat or off-road vehicle, there’s more to registration than simply handing over a title and paying a fee.

We have to follow the State of Iowa and Iowa DNR’s rules and regulations, and we are to make sure the proper documentation is provided before a vehicle can be registered or renewed.

That documentation helps establish that the vehicle was actually owned by the person selling it and that everything checks out properly.

And there’s another important reason we take that process seriously: protecting you from fraudulent sales.

Making sure the paperwork is correct helps protect both the buyer and the seller and helps ensure that a vehicle being registered is legitimately owned.

So whether you’re buying your first boat or ATV, or renewing the registration on your favorite UTV, we’re here to help make sure you have the documentation you need to get it taken care of correctly. 🛻🌲

09/21/2026

Marriage Applications!

💍 Post 3: Marriage Applications

Getting married? 💍❤️

Before you can say “I do,” there’s some paperwork that has to happen first!

The County Recorder’s Office helps engaged couples complete their marriage applications so they can legally get married in Iowa.

We know that paperwork can sometimes be confusing, especially when you’re trying to make sure everything is completed correctly. We’re happy to answer questions and walk couples through the application process.

And sometimes, couples have questions about having their marriage ceremony at the courthouse. We’re always more than happy to explain how that process works and what you need to know.

Getting married should be an exciting time — not a stressful paperwork experience. 💕 We’re here to help make sure you have the information you need to get everything taken care of before the big day!

09/18/2026

Business will cut-off at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, September 30th, for month end processing.

09/17/2026