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Privacy Policy

This policy describes the information collected during a visit, the reasons it is used, and the limited circumstances in which another party may receive it. By using Palo Alto County Criminal History, you agree to these practices.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

A name or place entered in a search tool is sent to the outside provider that operates that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its results. We do not retain or log those search words on our systems.

Messages and Contact Submissions

When you email us, the message may be kept long enough to respond and manage the exchange. It remains within our organization unless disclosure is required by law.

Data We Gather Automatically

Loading a page can cause the servers to collect routine visit details:

  • Page-view times and the pages opened
  • Device type and operating system
  • The referring website, when available
  • Browser name and version
  • Time spent on viewed pages
  • The device's assigned IP address

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small files placed on a device. They help measure traffic patterns, such as popular pages and common exit points. Analytics providers may combine this activity into summary statistics. You can block cookies through your browser, though doing so may change how some site functions behave.

What We Do With This Data

  • Route a query to the selected search partner
  • Maintain site availability and page speed
  • Find and repair technical faults
  • Measure which resources visitors use
  • Display advertising that may reflect visitor interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

We do not build, keep, or sell a database of personal criminal records. Palo Alto County record guidance points to the sheriff, Iowa District Court, Iowa DCI, and Iowa Sex Offender Registry as the official custodians. Visitor data is not turned into a third-party criminal file or consumer report. This website is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Third-Party Search Partners

Outside companies run the search boxes. Their privacy terms, retention periods, and disclosure rules apply to information submitted through those tools. We do not control those practices. Read the relevant provider policy before running a query.

Links to Other Websites

Links can lead to sheriff pages, court portals, Iowa agencies, legal resources, or independent search services. Once you leave this site, the destination's privacy policy controls its handling of data. Review those terms before giving that site personal information.

Advertising companies may use their own systems to follow activity across websites and select ads. That tracking is governed by those companies.

Who Might See Your Data

Personal data is not sold. Limited information may be available to:

  • Analytics providers measuring traffic and performance
  • Search partners processing a query you submit
  • Advertising networks serving page ads
  • Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal demand

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable standard safeguards are used for collected information. No internet service can guarantee perfect security, however, and we cannot promise that unauthorized access will never occur.

Users Under 18

This resource is intended for adults, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from a person under 18. If we learn that a minor supplied such data, we will remove it.

Your Data Rights

Rights can vary with a visitor's location. Iowa Code chapter 22 governs access to government records, while Iowa Code chapter 692 governs dissemination of Iowa criminal-history data; neither turns this private site into a government records custodian. Subject to applicable law, you may:

  • Request correction of inaccurate personal data we hold
  • Ask for access to personal data kept about you
  • Object to certain forms of processing
  • Request deletion where the law permits it

Updates to This Policy

This policy may be revised as practices or legal duties change. A revised version will appear here with its new effective date.

Effective date: July 23, 2026