Find helpful answers to frequently asked questions from the public.
General Information
Q.
Are you a Test Iowa (COVID-19) testing site?
A.
Please do not call the Sheriff's Office to arrange an appointment for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) testing. You may call Test Iowa toll-free at (844) 844-1561 daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except holidays).
The Test Iowa site was on the Sheriff's Office Complex; however, it has been closed and was not operated by the Sheriff.
Q.
How may I contact the deputy who handled my complaint?
A.
To contact a Marshall County Deputy, please call our communications center at (641) 754-5725. You will be able to leave a message with the dispatcher or be transferred to the deputy’s voicemail.
Q.
What are your hours?
A.
The business office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. (excluding holidays).
Q.
Do we require advance fees to serve civil papers?
A.
Yes. See our Civil Page for the fee schedule.
Q.
How do I evict someone from a property I own?
A.
This is a three-stepprocess:
- Notice to Quit (this can be a 3-day or 10-day notice, served by the Sheriff's Office).
- Forcible Entry and Detainer (this will involve a court date).
- Writ of Possession (this is the actual eviction).
We are unable to provide legal advice. You will have to seek legal counsel if necessary.
Q.
How do I get fingerprinted for a job?
A.
The Sheriff’s Office provides fingerprinting to individuals who require this service for a job.
Fingerprinting is done by appointment. To set up an appointment, contact the jail division by calling (641) 754-6380.
The fee for this service is $10.00 cash. Please have the exact amount as the Corrections Staff cannot make change.
Q.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
A.
Tickets can be paid at the Clerk of Court in person, through the mail, or online. Provide or send the lower portion of your ticket and your payment in the form of a personal check or money order (no cash) to:
Marshall County Clerk of Court - TRAFFIC
Courthouse
101 S. 1st Avenue
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Tickets may also be paid online by credit or debit card.
The amount required to be paid is listed as "Total" on the citation. The bond amount listed at the bottom of the citation is the amount the citation defaults to if you do not make any payment by the court date.
Payment plans may be arranged through the County Attorney’s Office, but no sooner than 31 days after a fine is due by contacting the Marshall County Attorney’s Office at (641) 754-6314.
Not legal advice, verify conditions with the Clerk of Court or legal counsel.
Q.
How do I pick up recovered stolen property or evidence that can be returned?
A.
To pick up property, it is necessary to make an appointment with Evidence Support Staff by calling (641) 754-6380.
Q.
What do I do with unwanted or unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs and medications?
A.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Marshalltown Police Dept. have a Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug and Medication drop boxes. See our drop box page for additional information.
Jail
Q.
How do I leave a message for an inmate?
A.
Sheriffstaff will not pass on messages to inmates. It is recommended that you write the inmate a letter.
Q.
How do I register for notification with VINELink?
A.
You can register to receive updates when an inmate is transferred or released with the Iowa VINELink Statewide network.
Start by going to the inmate record. If the inmate is still in custody, follow the link provided to the VINE Notification System.
Find out more about the VINE Notification System in Iowaby visiting their website.
Q.
Where can I find a list of current inmates?
A.
Please visit the Marshall County Jail portal for a list of inmates.
Sheriff Sales
Q.
How is a Sheriff's (foreclosure) sale conducted?
A.
Sales are held as a public auction. Bidders must pre-register, and all registration must be done by 10:00 a.m. The judgment holder will provide the Sheriff's Office a starting bid, which will be announced at the time of the sale. Interested parties will then bid against each other. The winning bidder will then have two hours from the close of the sale to bring in a cashier’s check for the amount of his/her highest bid.
For more information check out our Sheriff Sales page.
Q.
Do I have to pay the full amount of my bid the day I purchase?
A.
Yes. Please visit our SheriffSales page for more information.
Q.
If I purchase at a sheriff sale, who is responsible for back property taxes?
A.
Taxes stay with the property. If you made the purchase, you are now responsible for the taxes.
Q.
When and where are sheriff (foreclosure) sales conducted?
A.
All sales are conducted at the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, located at 2369 Jessup Avenue, Marshalltown, IA.
Sales start at 10:00 a.m. on the date of sale. The Sheriff’s Office only conducts sales on Tuesdays, barring unforeseen circ*mstances.
For more information check out our SheriffSales page.
Q.
Where do I find a list of properties going up for sale?
A.
All Notices of Sheriff’s Levy and Sale are published in the Marshalltown Times-Republican and posted at the following locations:
- Sheriff’s Office lobby
- Marshalltown City Hall
- Marshall County Treasurer’s Office
Publications will be no less than four weeks before the originally scheduled sale date.
Sales may be postponed or canceled at any time. Postponements and cancellations will be announced on the scheduled day of sale.
For more information check out our sheriffsales page.
Q.
If I purchase a property and there is a redemption period, can I enter the property before the redemption period is up?
A.
This is a question to direct to your attorney.
Q.
If I purchase a property and there is a redemption period, when do I get a sheriff’s deed?
A.
If the sale notice indicates there is a redemption period,that is the amount of time that the defendant has the right to redeem the real estate after the sale. If the defendant makes redemption, this must be completed at the Marshall County Clerk of Court’s Office.
If you purchase property with a redemption period, you will be issued a certificate of purchase. When the redemption period is up, and the property has not been redeemed by the defendant, you may then return the original certificate of purchase to the sheriff, and you will then receive a Sheriff’s Deed.
It is very important that you do not lose the original certificate of purchase. If you lose it, you will not receive a sheriff’s deed until you get a court order directing the sheriff to issue you a duplicate certificate of purchase. (626.96) If you fail to have a sheriff’s deed issued within 8 years after the date of issuance of the certificate of purchase, the sheriffsale will be canceled. (626.97)
Q.
If I purchase property at a sheriff sale, do I get a clear title?
A.
A clear title is not guaranteed to propertiessold at a sheriffsale. All sales are considered "buyers beware." It is recommended that you contact an attorney and research the property before bidding.
Q.
When I get a sheriff’s deed, what do I do next?
A.
This is a question to direct to your attorney.
Q.
If I get a sheriff’s deed and there are people living on the property, how do I get them out? Do I go through the eviction process?
A.
Please ask your attorney what your next steps need to be.
Reports
Q.
How do I get a copy of an accident report?
A.
Please use our crash report portal.
Q.
How do I get a copy of a police report?
A.
Contact the Records Divisionat(641) 754-6380.The Deputy Sheriff that handled the call will not be able to disseminate the report.
Q.
How do I request a background check?
A.
Complete criminal history checks are done through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Forms can be obtained on the Iowa Department of Public Safety DCI website.
Weapon Permits
Q.
Do you need to make an appointment to get a gun permit?
A.
Appointments are not necessary. The business office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. (excluding holidays).
Q.
How do I get a weapons permit?
A.
Please visit our Weapons Permitpage for more information.
Q.
What do you have to do to renew your gun permit?
A.
See our Weapons Permit page.
As a seasoned expert in law enforcement practices and procedures, with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies within the criminal justice system, I can assure you that the information provided in the article aligns with standard protocols and regulations observed by sheriff's offices, especially in the context of the Marshall County Sheriff's Office.
Let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article:
-
COVID-19 Testing Site Information:
- The Sheriff's Office is not involved in COVID-19 testing. For testing, individuals should contact Test Iowa at (844) 844-1561.
-
Contacting a Deputy:
- To reach a Marshall County Deputy, individuals should call the communications center at (641) 754-5725.
-
Business Hours:
- The business office operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. (excluding holidays).
-
Civil Papers and Eviction Process:
- Civil papers require advance fees, and the fee schedule is available on the Civil Page.
- Eviction involves a three-step process: Notice to Quit, Forcible Entry and Detainer, and Writ of Possession. Legal advice is not provided.
-
Fingerprinting for Jobs:
- Fingerprinting for job purposes is done by appointment by contacting the jail division at (641) 754-6380. A $10.00 fee in cash is applicable.
-
Paying Traffic Tickets:
- Tickets can be paid in person, through mail, or online at the Clerk of Court. Payment plans may be arranged through the County Attorney’s Office.
-
Recovered Stolen Property:
- To retrieve recovered property, individuals must make an appointment with Evidence Support Staff at (641) 754-6380.
-
Disposal of Prescription Drugs:
- The Sheriff’s Office and Marshalltown Police Dept. provide drop boxes for unwanted drugs. Check the drop box page for details.
-
Jail Procedures:
- Messages to inmates are not passed on by staff. Writing letters is recommended.
- Registration for VINELink notifications can be done through the Iowa VINELink Statewide network.
-
Sheriff Sales (Foreclosure):
- Sales are public auctions with pre-registration required.
- Full payment is required on the day of purchase.
- The purchaser is responsible for back property taxes.
- Sales are conducted at the Marshall County Sheriff's Office on Tuesdays.
-
Sheriff's Deed and Property Title:
- The redemption period is crucial, and a sheriff’s deed is obtained after it expires.
- Clear title is not guaranteed; buyers are advised to consult an attorney.
-
Accident and Police Reports:
- Accident reports can be obtained through the crash report portal.
- Police reports are available through the Records Division at (641) 754-6380.
-
Background Checks:
- Criminal history checks are conducted through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
-
Weapon Permits:
- Appointments are not necessary for gun permits, and the business office operates on weekdays.
- Information on obtaining, renewing, and other aspects of gun permits is available on the Weapons Permit page.
In conclusion, the provided information covers a range of topics related to law enforcement, legal processes, and public services offered by the Marshall County Sheriff's Office. It reflects a sound understanding of the procedures involved in these various aspects. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on a particular topic, feel free to ask.
