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Ada County Court Records

A court record in Ada County is any document connected to a judicial proceeding or the public business of a court that is filed, recorded, or maintained with the court clerk. The creation and management of these records are governed by Idaho’s public records law and Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32 (ICAR 32). Ada County court records ensure proper documentation and accountability in all court operations, both for current use and historical purposes.

Ada County court records work closely with other public records in the county, like vital records and arrest records. Furthermore, court records are generally relevant at the federal level, as federal cases may originate in the county when federal law is involved.

Are Ada County Court Records Public?

Yes, Ada County court records are public. The Idaho Supreme Court controls access to court records in Idaho as authorized by law (see Idaho Public Records Act). The Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32 (ICAR 32) is the specific court rule regulating access to court records. According to this rule, the records of all court proceedings are open to the public, except for certain confidential records. A record is deemed confidential if it is sealed by court order or restricted by law or court rule. Examples of common confidential court records in Idaho include

  • Court records under the Child Protective Act and the Juvenile Corrections Act
  • Affidavits and records related to search and arrest warrants that have not been returned
  • Pre-trial assessments
  • Presentence investigation reports
  • Hospitalization records
  • Records involving judicial authorization of abortion for minors
  • Juvenile court records

What Information is Available in Ada County Court Records?

Court records typically encompass a variety of information ranging from personal details to court events and proceedings. Ada County court records usually include the following:

  • Case Information: Includes details such as the case number, case type, file date, judicial officer, case status, and court overseeing the case.
  • Party Information: Details the names and aliases of the parties involved in the case, such as plaintiffs, defendants, and prosecutors. It also includes the names of the attorneys representing the parties.
  • Events and Hearings: Contains a catalog of events (e.g, disposition information and the issuance of summons and notices) and court hearings that happened in the case.
  • Financial Information: Information on all fines or payments resulting from the case.
  • Evidence: Includes all paper and electronic information that was brought to the court. Note that documents reviewed privately by the judge and filed with the court in camera are not public records.

Ada County Court Records Search

Individuals can generally access Ada County court records in the following ways:

  • Online Access

Online access to Ada County court records is primarily furnished by the Idaho iCourt Portal. The portal provides statewide online access to court records, which can be searched by name or case number. Additional filters are available to refine the search further.

Additionally, individuals can submit a request to the Ada County Clerk’s Office through the Court Records Requests page to inspect or obtain a physical copy of a case file. The clerk’s office usually takes no more than 10 days to fulfill the request. Requests for confidential records cannot be made online.

  • In-Person Access

Ada County court records are generally accessible in person at the County Clerk’s Office located at the courthouse, particularly for confidential documents that are not available online. The office staff may request details about the record sought and, if applicable, a fee to reproduce it. For confidential records, individuals may fill out and submit the Sealed Records Request form.

  • Mail and Phone Requests

The Ada County Clerk’s Office also receives requests for court records via mail, but does not receive phone requests. Mail-in requests involve forwarding a written court record request or Sealed Records Request form (for confidential records) to the clerk’s office. The requests may also be submitted to the clerk’s email.

Fees for Court Records in Ada County

Per Idaho Code §31-3201, the Ada County Clerk is authorized to charge for services, including providing copies of court records. The statutory fee for a copy of a court record is $1 per page. Certifying the record also incurs a $1 fee per seal. Court records accessed online through the Idaho iCourt Portal are available free of charge; however, payments made through the portal may incur a transaction fee.

Ada County Courthouse Locations

Ada County is part of the Idaho Fourth Judicial District Court and has two primary courthouses-the county courthouse and the juvenile court courthouse. The Ada County courthouse handles most cases in the county, the Juvenile Court handles juvenile matters, while municipal courts oversee traffic offenses. The addresses of each courthouse are listed below.

Ada County Courthouse

200 West Front Street

Boise, ID 83702

Phone: (208) 287-6900

Fax: (208) 287-6919

Ada County Juvenile Court

6300 West Denton Street

Boise, ID 83704

Phone: (208) 287-5625

Fax: (208) 577-4809

Criminal Records Access in Ada County

Criminal court records in Ada County are maintained by the County Clerk, who doubles as the Court Clerk. Individuals interested in a criminal court record may visit the clerk’s office at the Ada County courthouse, search the Idaho iCourt Portal, submit an online request, or send a request by mail or email.

However, the judiciary in Ada County does not handle criminal history checks. Instead, these checks are processed by the Idaho State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), which is the central repository for criminal history records in the state. The BCI allows name-based and fingerprint background checks. Fingerprint background checks are more accurate and cost $25, while name-based background checks cost $20.

Ada County Probate Records

Ada County probate records encompass estate records, including wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts. In 1971, all probate courts in Idaho were abolished, and jurisdiction over probate matters in the state was transferred to the Magistrate Division of the District Court (Idaho Code § 1-103).

Probate records in the county are generally public; however, certain sensitive details, such as some guardianships, financial records, and cases involving minors or protected persons, may be withheld from the public. Probate records are filed with the Ada County Clerk and may be accessed in person or by submitting a request online, via mail, or by email. For confidential records, requesters may complete and submit the Sealed Records Request form.

The Idaho iCourt portal also grants access to probate and mental health records. However, users should note that the information on the portal may not be as extensive as that disclosed in person. Also, confidential probate records cannot be viewed on the portal.

Ada County Family Court Records

The judicial system in Ada County does not consist of a distinct family court. Instead, the Magistrate Court handles all family-related cases and disputes. Family cases in Ada County include divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, adoption, and protection orders. Most family court records are publicly accessible, although certain documents, such as adoption records, are confidential.

Ada County family court records are viewable online on the Idaho iCourt Portal. Users should keep in mind that the portal only contains non-confidential information. Searching for a confidential family court record is unlikely to yield a result. To obtain a family court record not available online, individuals may request it from the Ada County Clerk’s Office.

Federal Court Records in Ada County

Federal court cases stemming from Ada County are handled by the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Idaho. Federal court cases involve matters that fall under federal law, which is outside the jurisdiction of county or state courts. The District of Idaho Clerk of Court maintains the records of federal cases arising from Ada County and other Idaho counties.

Federal case records can be viewed in person at the Clerk’s Office, where staff can assist with locating case files or where one can search for the case on the public terminals. The Clerk’s Office is located at

Boise Office

550 West Fort Street

Suite 400

Boise, ID 83724

Phone: (208) 334-1361

Fax: (208) 334-9362

Alternatively, members of the public may search for federal court records through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Pacer requires user registration and may involve paying a fee to access court records.

Ada County Court