Idaho Public Records

What are Idaho Public Records, and How are They Created?

Idaho's Public Records Act states that "Every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of this state and there is a presumption that all public records in Idaho are open at all reasonable times for inspection except as otherwise expressly provided by statute. The right to copy public records shall include the right to make photographs or photographic or other copies while the records are in the possession of the custodian of the records using equipment provided by the public agency or independent public body corporate and politic or using equipment designated by the custodian. Additionally, the custodian of any public record shall give the person, on demand, a certified copy of it if the record is of a nature permitting such copying or shall furnish reasonable opportunity to inspect or copy such record."

Public records in Idaho are created by staff in all different types of government agencies; legal professionals and even individuals create them. When an agency collects, maintains, or creates public records, they are named the custodian of those records.

Idaho's Attorney General's Office is the government agency in charge of upholding and enforcing public records laws. You can also contact them for copies of many records.

How to Access Idaho Public Records?

Idaho prides itself on being a very transparent state, so they make it pretty easy to obtain public records. Follow the steps below to request copies.

• Visit the Idaho's Office of the Attorney General website.
• Fill out the online form, or you can call them to request records.
• Pay the fee for the copies.
• Await your paperwork.

For specific types of public records, you may need to visit specific government agencies or use their website and instructions to request records.

Different Types of Public Records in Idaho

Idaho Criminal Records

Idaho criminal records are created by different types of local and government law officials. There is no centralized agency which supplies the public with criminal records. However, you can request them from the local police or Sheriff's Office, you can check with the courts for convicted criminals, and you can check the Department of Correction website to find convicted felons and their crimes. In some cases, you may need a letter of consent from the individual whose records you want to access, but in other cases, you can get copies without it.

Some common types of criminal records in Idaho include (but are not limited to):

• Felony and Misdemeanor Records - common misdemeanors in Idaho are battery, simple assault, and possession of some drugs. Felonies in Idaho include murder, child molestation, rape, and drug charges.
• Idaho Jail and Inmate Records - both jails and prisons keep inmate records, and those too are public records. The Idaho Department of Correction has an offender search tool on their website to locate criminals and their records.
• Police Records - local police can provide copies of incident reports, police reports, sometimes mugshots, and even crime scene photos upon request.

Idaho Court Records

The Idaho State Judiciary manages Court records in Idaho. They have a court records search tool right on their website. Idaho uses an online system called iCourt. The state shifted all their paper documents to a completely digital/online system, and this is where everything is kept and accessed. Using the iCourt system, the public can search for files, file their own paperwork, and make payments to the court. The courts do charge fees for copies of court records.

Some types of court records in Idaho are:

• Civil Court Records - domestic relations cases such as divorces, marriages, paternity lawsuits, custody and child support cases, estates, conservatorships, wills, civil lawsuits, and small claims lawsuits.
• Criminal Court Records - criminal filings for misdemeanors, felonies, and other citations. These may include things like trial paperwork, sentencing, prison transfers, and evidence related to the court case.
• Financial Court Records - bankruptcies, liens, tax issues, company stock filings, and corporate financial reports.
• Other Court Records - such as bench warrants, arrest warrants, judgments, traffic tickets and other traffic violations, and name changes.

Courts in Idaho are organized in four levels starting with the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, District Court, and Magistrate Court.

In some cases, however, you will still need to visit the District or Magistrate Court in person to retrieve copies of documents and forms.

Idaho Arrest Records

Idaho arrest records are created, stored, and updated by local law enforcement (police and Sheriff's Offices). The courts also maintain arrest records for convicted offenders. You can easily get copies of arrest records by either contacting the Sheriff's Office or visiting the iCourt system online to search or offender records and arrests.

Some different types of arrests records in Idaho are:

• Drug charges.
• Murder.
• Burglary.
• Child molestation.
• Battery.
• Aggravated assault.
• DUIs/DWIs.
• Sexual assault.
• Trespassing.
• Arson.
• Booking details like fingerprints and mugshots.
• Arrest warrants granted by a judge.
• Bench warrants for not appearing in court.
• Crime scene photos.
• Witness statements.
• Property crimes and accompanying paperwork.
• Vehicle records if one was used during the crime.

Idaho Vital Records

Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare is the government agency in charge of all vital records for the state. They issue copies of birth, death, stillbirth/miscarriage, marriage, and divorce records for any event that occurred within the state of Idaho. You may order records online, or through the mail, they do not allow walk-in service. They use the VitalChek system for online ordering but ordering through the mail is cheaper. This office is also in charge of health statistics for the state, along with adoption paperwork and putative father documents.

Other Public Records in Idaho

Along with criminal, court, arrest, and vital records, property records in Idaho are also public. Here are the others

• Government budgets and annual reports.
• Driving records (without personally identifiable information).
• Home addresses.
• Maps, books, and tapes.
• State health and wellness statistics.
• Air and water quality (pollution reports).
• Home phone numbers.
• Police and accident reports.
• Liens & tax issues.
• Company incorporation records.
• Personnel records for state agencies.
• Permits, licenses, and certifications.
• Salaries.

What Information is Not Public Record in Idaho?

According to the Attorney General's Office in Idaho, some information that is not public record includes:

• "Documents that could interfere with police investigations or safety.
• The vast majority of records dealing with juveniles except for research or safety purposes.
• Majority of records concerning inmates in the correctional system. This includes their financial records and records requested by another inmate of the DOC.
• Trade secrets and other records that may compromise an industry or company.
• Personal information such as insurance policies, private finance accounts, and other forms of private information such as social security numbers or other account numbers or passwords.
• Medical information that would be considered private and covered under HIPAA law.
• Computer programs made or maintained for public agency use.
• Research across a variety of fields that would impede current or future research in that field or subject or is the property of a private entity or place of higher education."