Ada County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Ada County?
Public records in Ada County are defined under the Idaho Public Records Act § 74-101, which states that public records include "any writing containing information relating to the conduct or administration of the public's business prepared, owned, used or retained by any state agency, independent public body corporate and politic or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics." These records document government activities and are maintained for public transparency and accountability.
Ada County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the Ada County District Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Documentation of Ada County Commission meetings and other public boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, budgets, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and zoning decisions
The Ada County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including court documents, marriage licenses, and property records. The Ada County Assessor maintains property assessment records, while the Ada County Treasurer oversees tax records. The Ada County Elections Office maintains voter registration and election records pursuant to Idaho Code § 34-217.
Is Ada County an Open Records County?
Ada County fully complies with the Idaho Public Records Act § 74-102, which establishes that "every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of this state." This statute creates a presumption of openness for government records, with specific exemptions enumerated in the law.
The Idaho Public Records Act states: "The right to copy public records shall include the right to make photographs or photographic or other copies while the records are in the possession of the custodian of the records using equipment provided by the public agency or independent public body corporate and politic or using equipment designated by the custodian."
Ada County has implemented specific procedures for handling public records requests in accordance with state law. The county maintains a centralized records request system to facilitate public access to government information. All county departments adhere to the state-mandated response timelines, which require agencies to respond to requests within three working days, with a possible extension of up to ten working days for larger or more complex requests.
Ada County also complies with Idaho's Open Meeting Law, which requires that meetings of public agencies be conducted openly. This commitment to transparency extends to the county's record-keeping practices and public access policies.
How to Find Public Records in Ada County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Ada County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. The Ada County Records Portal provides direct access to frequently requested documents. Court records can be accessed through the Idaho Court Records Portal.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records:
Ada County Clerk's Office
200 W. Front Street
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 287-6900
Ada County Clerk -
Written Requests: Submit a formal public records request in writing to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records
- Date range of records (if applicable)
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Electronic Submission: Complete the online public records request form available on the Ada County website. This system allows for tracking of request status.
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Property Records Search: For property-related documents, utilize the Ada County Assessor's Property Search tool to locate parcel information, ownership history, and assessment values.
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Court Records: Access court records through the courthouse or via the Idaho Court Records Portal. Some case information is available online, while complete case files may require in-person inspection.
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Vital Records: Birth and death certificates from 1911 to present are available through the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics rather than the county.
When requesting records, it is advisable to be as specific as possible about the information sought to facilitate prompt processing. County staff are available to assist with locating the appropriate records custodian if there is uncertainty about which department maintains particular records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Ada County?
Ada County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Idaho Code § 74-102(10), which permits agencies to charge for the actual labor and copying costs associated with locating and providing records. The current fee structure includes:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
- Color Copies: $0.50 per page
- Large Format Documents (maps, blueprints): $3.00-$5.00 per page depending on size
- Digital Records: $1.00 per CD/DVD for electronic copies
- Labor Costs: No charge for the first two hours of labor; $20.00-$40.00 per hour thereafter (depending on employee classification) for requests requiring more than two hours to process
- Court Records: $1.00 per page for certified copies; $0.25 per page for uncertified copies
- Recorded Documents: $5.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page for certified copies
Accepted payment methods include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
The Idaho Public Records Act allows agencies to waive fees when the request is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requestor. Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing with justification for the waiver.
For requests that are anticipated to exceed $100 in fees, Ada County may require advance payment before processing begins. A cost estimate will be provided to the requestor for approval before proceeding with such requests.
Does Ada County Have Free Public Records?
Ada County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with the Idaho Public Records Act § 74-102(1), which states that "every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record." While copying fees may apply, the examination of records in person is available at no cost during regular business hours.
The following records are currently available at no charge:
- Online Property Information: Basic property details through the Ada County Assessor's website
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission and other public board documents available on the county website
- Budget Documents: Annual county budgets and financial reports
- Election Results: Current and historical election outcomes
- County Ordinances and Resolutions: Available through the county's online document portal
- Public Notices: Legal notices and announcements
- GIS Maps: Basic geographic information system maps and data layers
Additionally, the Ada County Courthouse provides public access computers for searching court records at no charge, though printing fees may apply. The Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository also offers free online access to basic case information, though detailed documents may require fees.
For individuals researching historical records, the Idaho State Archives maintains collections of Ada County historical documents, many of which can be viewed without charge.
Who Can Request Public Records in Ada County?
Under the Idaho Public Records Act § 74-102(1), "every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of this state." This broad eligibility extends to:
- Idaho residents
- Non-residents of Idaho
- Business entities
- Media organizations
- Government agencies
- Non-profit organizations
- Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)
Requestors are not generally required to:
- Provide identification (except for certain protected records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Explain how the information will be used
- Demonstrate a "need to know"
However, specific record types may have additional requirements:
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates require proof of direct relationship or legal interest pursuant to Idaho Code § 39-270
- Criminal History Records: Complete criminal history information requires fingerprint submission and statutory authorization
- Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with access limited to specific parties
- Medical Records: Protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
- Adoption Records: Subject to strict confidentiality requirements
When requesting one's own records, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests involving confidential or exempt information, the county may require verification of the requestor's legal right to access such records.
Government agencies process all requests without discrimination based on the identity of the requestor, except where specifically authorized by law to restrict access to certain record types.
What Records Are Confidential in Ada County?
While Ada County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, Idaho Code § 74-104 through § 74-111 establishes numerous categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. Confidential records in Ada County include:
- Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifying data
- Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state law
- Juvenile Court Records: Case files involving minors, except as specifically authorized by law
- Child Protection Records: Reports and investigations of child abuse or neglect
- Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with limited exceptions for basic employment data)
- Law Enforcement Investigatory Records: Active investigation materials that would interfere with enforcement proceedings if released
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product between county agencies and their attorneys
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Critical Infrastructure Information: Security plans, vulnerability assessments, and detailed utility system information
- Sealed Court Records: Cases ordered sealed by judicial action
- Adoption Records: Files related to adoption proceedings
- Certain Tax Information: Individual taxpayer data beyond basic assessment information
- Voting Records: How an individual voted (though voter registration information is generally public)
- Library Records: Individual borrowing histories and patron information
The county applies a balancing test when considering records that may contain both public and exempt information. In such cases, the exempt information is redacted while the remainder is released. This approach follows the principle established in Idaho Code § 74-102(1), which states that "the right to inspect and copy public records is subject to sections 74-104 through 74-111, Idaho Code."
When a record is withheld in whole or in part, the county provides a written denial citing the specific statutory exemption that applies, as required by law.
Ada County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Ada County Recorder's Office
200 W. Front Street, 1st Floor
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 287-6840
Ada County Recorder
Regular Business Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and federal holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
- Marriage license applications
- Passport application processing (by appointment)
- Certified copies of recorded documents
- Military discharge recording (DD-214)
- Notary public registrations
- Fictitious business name filings
The Recorder's Office maintains land records dating back to the 1860s, with computerized records available from 1988 to present. Earlier records are available on microfilm and in bound volumes at the office. The recording counter closes at 4:30 PM daily to allow for processing of same-day recordings.
For marriage license applications, both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification. The current fee for a marriage license is $30.00, payable by cash, check, or credit/debit card.
The Recorder's Office provides a public research area with computer terminals for searching recorded documents. Staff members are available to assist with navigating the records system, though they cannot provide legal advice regarding property transactions or document preparation.