Idaho is an open record state that gives people living within the State the right to copy, view and obtain public records except those sealed by law. All public agencies and government branches, except the state militia, are subject to the Idaho Public Records Act. All public records custodians have an obligation by law to grant access to general requests to copy or view these records. In Idaho State, if an agency denies a public record request, the person has 180 days to appeal the denial and another 42 days if refused at the first appeal.
Court Records in Idaho
Court records in Idaho are considered public records. Any person can access these records without a statement of purpose unless deemed exempt from public disclosure. The court records in Idaho contain data on civil and criminal trials held in the local, county, and state courts. Court records that may create an attack on privacy, such as medical records, are exempt from public scrutiny. Records that would reveal information on existing and former public employees, law enforcement investigations are usually not open to public access. The designated agencies also keep juvenile data, prisoner information, and trade secrets from public viewing.
The first step to finding court records in Idaho is to get information to aid the search. Requestors may contact the clerk of courts, the primary custodian of court records, to get the case number to facilitate the search. Requestors can also search court records through the iCourt Portal developed by the Judiciary Branch in Idaho.
Bankruptcy Records in Idaho
Idaho Bankruptcy records are collected, maintained, and handled by the Federal courts as state courts cannot preside over a bankruptcy case in Idaho. Idaho’s bankruptcy records include all documents, orders, petitions, and transcripts in a bankruptcy case.
Filing for bankruptcy allows the debtor who is incapable of repaying creditors to start over financially. There is a liquidation of the debtor’s assets to pay creditors. In instances where there is no property liquidation, a repayment plan allows the debtors to keep their assets. Bankruptcy records are open to the public. Interested persons who wish to access complete documents can access records via PACER over the internet. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) gives a suitable alternative, especially for files unavailable on PACER. Requesters can also obtain records in person by visiting the local Clerk of Court’s office. To get certified copies in person costs $11.00 per page. The office accepts mail-in requests, and the written request must include:
- Name and case number of the subject
- Information on the requested documents
- Personal identifying information
The mail is self-addressed with stamped envelopes and sent to:
U.S. Courts
555 W. Fort St #400
Boise, ID 83724
Idaho Vital Records
Vital records are information on life’s events such as birth, death, civil unions, or dissolutions collected and maintained by the State. In Idaho, the Bureau of Vital Statistics is responsible for producing, preserving, and distributing critical data. The State maintains essential records via the Department of Health and Welfare. Vital records in Idaho are available to the individuals listed on the records, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. Immediate family members in Idaho refer to the spouse, parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren of the person named in the record. Requesters must provide relevant information to obtain copies of vital records. Interested individuals can search online but require specific information to access the database. Information such as:
- Name of the person
- Location of the event
- Date of event
- Father’s Name
- Mother’s maiden Name
- Relationship to the person on the record
- Reason for requesting the record
You can also do a walk-in search to obtain copies of vital records at the Bureau of vital statistics with processing fees. Copies of certified childbirth records, marriages, and dissolution (State) cost $16.00 each. The cost for marriage dissolution (County) papers varies as the county office the dissolution took place maintains these documents.
For statewide vital records, visit the relevant department at:
Vital Records Unit
Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistic
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Phone: (203) 334-5980
Criminal Records in the State of Idaho
Criminal records are public in Idaho. Documents that contain information on a person’s malefactor history or connection in law-breaking activities constitute criminal records. There are several reasons why people run malefactor background checks. Often employers use it to ascertain whether an intended employee has a delinquent past that could compromise the company’s perception. Malefactor records give a widespread of information such as
- Full Name of the subject or any known alias
- Date of birth Past and current address
- Fingerprints
- Physical description
- Gang affiliation
- Previous arrest
- A mugshot
- Past and recent warrants
- Undecided and cleared cases
Individuals can access criminal records from the Idaho Bureau of Criminal Identification. Requesters can run a name-based or fingerprint-based search with the Bureau, and both services cost $20 per subject. Typically requesters are required to provide certain information, such as the record’s subject’s name (except the individual is a juvenile) the record’s last known location, to aid the search. Requesters who wish to obtain documents over the internet in Idaho can visit the iCourt Portal or run a background check through a page provided by the Idaho State Police. You can also perform a walk-in search at the Bureau at:
Idaho State Police
Bureau of Criminal Identification
700 South Stratford Drive, Suite 120
Meridian, ID 83642-6251
Phone: (208) 994-7136
Idaho Sex Offender Registry
Sex offenders are persons convicted for sex crimes, such as sexual relations with a minor, rape, and even indecent exposure in public. These people have an obligation by the Idaho Sexual Offender Law to register on the Idaho Sex Offender Registry. The registry is a database of information on persons convicted of sexual crimes. It provides up-to-date information on compliant offenders. The registry’s database includes the names of offenders, dates of birth and ages, area of residence, and their recent location. This publicly available database also states convicted offenders’ sexual crime(s) category. A non-compliant offender stands the risk of arrest.
Idaho State Police manage the sex offender registry. Interested entities can visit the official website to search the sex offender registry by the offender’s name, city, county, location, and zip code. The authorities encourage the public to subscribe to the State’s site for regular updates on sex offenders within their area. You can also find information on sex offenders through the National Sex Offender Registry maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice.
In a Nutshell
All the public records, files, documents, recordings, transcripts, and more are obtainable by any interested party in Idaho.
The files you wish to get your hands on or view in Idaho are available online, physically, or via the mailing system. Suppose you send your request to the appropriate agency handling the specific data you want. In that case, they have a mandate to respond favorably to your request. The agencies can only refuse you access if the document you wish to peruse has restrictions. Even if the file you seek has an exemption from public scrutiny, you can challenge the document’s status following laid-out legal procedures.
Remember, Idaho is an open record state. Government bodies are obligated to make records available to anyone who may request.