Sheriff offices in Iowa are independently elected county agencies responsible for law enforcement, jail operations, and civil process service. Each county in Iowa elects its own sheriff, who serves as the chief law enforcement officer for that county's unincorporated areas.
Sheriff locations are available in 102 cities across Iowa. They are spread across 99 counties.
Cities with the highest concentration of sheriff office listings include Des Moines, Jefferson, Corning, reflecting the population centers where multiple sub-offices or specialty divisions may be located.
Iowa residents should note that sheriff offices handle civil law enforcement functions — such as serving eviction notices and foreclosure papers — in addition to criminal law enforcement, so the sheriff office is often the correct point of contact for civil legal matters at the county level.
Sheriff by Counties
If you are a Iowa resident looking to obtain a concealed carry permit, request a background check clearance letter, or serve legal documents through official channels, your county sheriff office is the starting point — contact them directly to confirm required documentation and current processing times.
Browse Sheriff by county across Iowa to find the nearest location.