Idaho Public Records
According to the Idaho code, public records are broadly defined as any writing that contains information related to the conduct or administration of public business by any state agency.
How to Find Idaho Public Records
Every person in Idaho has the right to examine, request a copy, or photograph any public record in the state at reasonable times.
You can find public records in the state by submitting a request in writing. Requesters should be as specific as possible to allow the record custodian to locate the necessary documents within a reasonable time frame. This way, you can also ensure the accuracy of the public records. However, private sources can also provide access when the records are available.
Are Idaho Public Records Available Online?
All public records are available in Idaho for public scrutiny and inspection except those exempted by state laws.
What Records are Not Available in Idaho?
The following records are not available for public scrutiny and inspection in Idaho.
- Court files of judicial proceedings
- Law enforcement records
- Personnel information
- Health and medical records
- Trade secrets
- Draft legislation
Types of Public Records Available in Idaho
The following public records are available in Idaho.
Idaho Public Criminal Records
You can easily search public criminal records in Idaho using iCourt to get information on court records, including the criminal records of state citizens.
The website contains electronic court records from all 44 counties from 1995 onwards. However, there is a 3.5 percent transaction fee when making a payment using your credit card.
Another way to access criminal records in Idaho is through the Department of Health and Welfare's Criminal History Unit. Again, you need an account to access their online service or visit their selected offices for walk-in appointments.
Arrest Records and Warrants
You can quickly search arrest records and active warrants in Idaho using the iCourt information website of the state. Since searches on Idaho courts are not free, you may use other third-party sites to obtain information on arrests and warrants.
Inmate and Jail Records
The Idaho Department of Corrections has an online search service where you can find basic information on inmates.
To perform a public records search, you must provide a last name or an IDOC number. A first name field is optional but will make search results more accurate.
Jails and Prisons in Idaho :
Idaho Background Checks
The Criminal History Unit of the Idaho Bureau of Criminal Identification performs name and fingerprint background checks depending on your need.
Here are the following requirements to perform background checks in Idaho.
- Accomplished name-based background check form
- Accomplished fingerprint-based background check form
- Processing fee - $20.00
- Additional fee - $1.00
Take note that a transaction fee of 3 percent will apply for payments made via credit or debit card. For now, BCI does not allow background check requests via phone or fax, so you have to mail your request or do it in person.
How to Find Sex Offenders in Idaho
The Idaho State Police, together with the Bureau of Criminal Identification, maintains the central sex offender registry in the state, where you can find information on violent sexual predators, non-compliant sex offenders, and sex offenders with pending status.
Idaho Public Vital Records
Public vital records in Idaho are available at the Department of Health and Welfare's Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.
Birth records in the state are considered confidential for 100 years and are available from July 1911 up to the present. The subject on the birth record or the next immediate family is the only one authorized to request such documents.
To request a birth certificate, you may order online for faster processing or via mail with a photocopy of your identification like a driver's license and a signed check or money order made out to the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.
The following fees apply for online orders of birth certificates in Idaho:
- Fee per copy - $16.00
- Non-refundable fee - $10.50
- Rush order fee - $10.00
- Expedited shipping fee - $19.00
Like birth records, death records in the state are available from July 1911 onwards and are considered confidential 50 years from the day of the event. You can order death records online or send a written request to the DHW. Aside from death records, you may also file a request for stillbirths and miscarriage certificates as long as a physician has certified them.
For marriage and divorce certificates, the DHW issues certified copies of both filed from May 1947 to the present. Both marriage and divorce records are confidential in Idaho for 50 years from the event.
If you need a divorce decree, the official court document that terminates a marriage, you need to contact the county where the divorce was finalized.
When ordering a vital record, note that you need to pay the certificate fee of $16.00 plus an additional $10.00 for rush orders. An additional fee of $25.00 will apply for priority processing with legal actions. You may learn about vital records fees in Idaho in this document.
Idaho Court Records
Court record searches in Idaho are available online across the state's 44 counties through iCourt.
You can perform an intelligent search by entering a record number. If you don't have access to a record number, you can type in a last, first, and middle name. You can also search hearings and pay fines for criminal or traffic cases.
State Court System in Idaho
Idaho's court system has three levels: the Supreme Court being the highest, the Court of Appeals, and the trial courts, also known as the District Courts.
Courts in Idaho :
Driving Records
The Idaho Transportation Department Division of Motor Vehicles has an online service where you must log in to purchase a printable copy of your driving records for $9.50. Each record will contain three years' worth of your driving history. However, you may choose the CDL Employer Information to get a complete driving history, which may exceed three years.
For paper copies of driving records, you need to submit a written request and pay the following fees that apply to your request:
- Non-certified copies - $7.00
- Certified copies - $21.00
- Copy of licensed photograph - $7.00
Civil Driving Infractions
Driving infractions in Idaho are minor traffic violations considered civil offenses. The Idaho Transportation Department Division of Motor Vehicles receives all records for civil driving infractions in the state and even has jurisdictions in Canada.
Moving violations remain on a driver's record for three years after the conviction. Below are some of the most common violations and their corresponding points.
One-point violations
- Stopping when traffic is obstructed
- Driving on highways laned for traffic
- Crossing fire hose
Two-point violations
- Driving through a safety zone
- Slow-moving vehicles
- Passing vehicles proceeding in the opposite direction
Three-point violations
- Driving on the left of the center of the highway or overtaking on the left
- Following too close
- Speed violations
Four-point violations
- Racing on public highways
- Overtaking and passing a school bus
- Striking an unattended vehicle
Idaho License Plate Lookup
Using the state's online vehicle check service, you can look up a license plate in Idaho. Just provide a vehicle identification number (VIN) or a plate number to check the vehicle's registration information. However, this service is not free, and fees may apply. You also need to have an Idaho DMV account.
Idaho Property and Asset Records Online
Idaho has a property search online that you can use to search available properties by county. Property records are managed by the registry of deed offices which are also organized on a county level.
You can download the document images and get access to the following information:
- Mortgages
- Deeds
- Abstracts of judgment
- Release
- Liens
- Oil and gas leases
Idaho Unclaimed Property and Assets
The office of the Idaho State Treasurer has an online service where you can search and file a claim for unclaimed property and assets in the state.
Important Government Agencies in Idaho
You can find public records in Idaho with the help of the following government agencies.
- Secretary of State
- Governor’s Office
- Legislative Office
- Department of Health and Welfare Criminal History Unit
- Department of Corrections
- State Police
- Supreme Court
- Court of Appeals
- District Courts
- Transportation Department Divison of Motor Vehicles
- State Treasurer
Counties in Idaho
- Ada
- Adams
- Bannock
- Bear Lake
- Benewah
- Bingham
- Blaine
- Boise
- Bonner
- Bonneville
- Boundary
- Butte
- Camas
- Canyon
- Caribou
- Cassia
- Clark
- Clearwater
- Custer
- Elmore
- Franklin
- Fremont
- Gem
- Gooding
- Idaho
- Jefferson
- Jerome
- Kootenai
- Latah
- Lemhi
- Lewis
- Lincoln
- Madison
- Minidoka
- Nez Perce
- Oneida
- Owyhee
- Payette
- Power
- Shoshone
- Teton
- Twin Falls
- Valley
- Washington