US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 19147

Palo Alto County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Palo Alto County, Iowa. Serving a population of 8810 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Emmetsburg • Land Area: 563,864 sq mi • State: Iowa (IA)
Call: (515) 899-7157 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
Advertisement & Sponsored Services
Need Certified Public Records Fast?
Search official deeds, real estate titles, tax liens, and civil filings without courthouse lines.
Check Records Online →
Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Palo Alto County Courthouse / Recording Office, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Seat of government for Palo Alto County in Emmetsburg, IA.

Open in Google Maps
Courthouse / Directory Line

(515) 899-7157

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 19147 • Coordinates: 43.0753° N, -94.6691° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Palo Alto County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
Check Records Online Instead →
Land Records & Real Property

Palo Alto County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Iowa Code § 331.604
First Page Base Fee
$12.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$5.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$1.60 for the first $1,000 + $0.80 per each additional $500 (Iowa Real Estate Transfer Tax)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Iowa:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Palo Alto County

License Fee $35.00
Waiting Period 72 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 365 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Palo Alto County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: 3-day waiting period from application to ceremony.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $20.00
Death Cert $20.00
Marriage Cert $20.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Statistics and the local Palo Alto County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Palo Alto County

Filing Fee: $10.00
1. Filing Authority

In Palo Alto County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Recorder.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Iowa.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name filed with the County Recorder in every county where business is carried on.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Palo Alto County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Palo Alto County County Recorder. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Iowa.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Iowa Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Iowa Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Iowa county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Iowa Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Iowa

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Iowa recording offices:

Emmet County Seat: Estherville
~20.9 mi →
Pocahontas County Seat: Pocahontas
~23.6 mi →
Clay County Seat: Spencer
~24.3 mi →
Kossuth County Seat: Algona
~24.8 mi →
Humboldt County Seat: Dakota
~31.1 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Palo Alto County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Palo Alto County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Palo Alto County office is located at Palo Alto County Courthouse / Recording Office, Emmetsburg, IA 50536. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (515) 899-7157.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Palo Alto County?
Under Iowa statute (Iowa Code § 331.604), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Palo Alto County costs $12.00 for the first page, plus $5.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.60 for the first $1,000 + $0.80 per each additional $500 (Iowa Real Estate Transfer Tax).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Palo Alto County, IA?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Palo Alto County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $35.00. Iowa requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Palo Alto County?
In Palo Alto County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Recorder with a standard statutory filing fee of $10.00. Trade name filed with the County Recorder in every county where business is carried on.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Palo Alto County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $20.00 and death certificates starting at $20.00) can be requested through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Statistics or directly at the Palo Alto County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.