Twin Falls County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Twin Falls County?

Public records in Twin Falls County are defined according to 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."

Twin Falls County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the Twin Falls 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 statements
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings and other public boards
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, revenues, 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 Twin Falls County Recorder's Office maintains property records, marriage licenses, and other official documents. Court records are maintained by the Twin Falls County Court Clerk, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are managed by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Tax and assessment records are maintained by the Twin Falls County Assessor and Treasurer offices.

Is Twin Falls County an Open Records County?

Twin Falls County adheres to the Idaho Public Records Act § 74-102, which establishes the right of citizens to examine and copy public records. This statute explicitly states that "every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of this state and there is a presumption that all public records in Idaho are open at all reasonable times for inspection except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."

The county follows the state's transparency requirements, which include:

Providing reasonable access to public records during normal business hours
Responding to public records requests within three (3) working days
Providing electronic records when available
Maintaining a designated custodian for public records

Twin Falls County has implemented policies in compliance with Idaho's open government laws, including the Idaho Open Meeting Law § 74-201, which requires that "the formation of public policy is public business and shall not be conducted in secret." County commission meetings and other public board meetings are open to the public, with agendas published in advance as required by state law.

The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its official public records policy, which outlines procedures for requesting and accessing public information in accordance with state statutes.

How to Find Public Records in Twin Falls County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Twin Falls County may follow these steps to obtain the information they need:

Identify the appropriate department: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Twin Falls County website provides a directory of departments and their responsibilities.
Submit a written request: While some records may be available for in-person inspection without a formal request, submitting a written public records request is recommended for most documents. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper or electronic)
Use the official request form: Twin Falls County provides a standard Public Records Request Form available at the county administration building or downloadable from the county website.
Submit your request through appropriate channels:

Twin Falls County Clerk's Office
425 Shoshone Street North
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: (208) 736-4004
Twin Falls County Clerk

For court records: The Idaho Court Assistance Office provides guidance on accessing court records through the Idaho Court Portal.
For vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be requested through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
For property records: Visit the Twin Falls County Recorder's Office in person or search records online through the county's property records portal.
For law enforcement records: Contact the Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office or the Idaho State Police for applicable records.
Follow up if necessary: If you do not receive a response within three working days (as required by Idaho law), contact the department again to check on the status of your request.
Appeal if denied: If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision according to procedures outlined in the Idaho Public Records Act.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Twin Falls County?

Twin Falls County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Idaho Code § 74-102(10), which allows agencies to charge for the actual labor and copying costs associated with locating and providing records. Current standard fees include:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
Color copies: $0.50 per page
Large format documents (maps, plats, etc.): $5.00 per page
Electronic records: No charge when records are already maintained in electronic format and can be emailed
Digital media: $10.00 for CD/DVD or USB drive if electronic records cannot be emailed
Labor costs: For requests requiring more than two hours of staff time, the actual labor cost may be charged at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee qualified to process the request

The county accepts the following payment methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to a processing fee)

Fee waivers may be granted when the request is determined to primarily benefit the general public and not commercial interests. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with an explanation of how the public interest would be served.

For certified copies of vital records, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare charges separate fees:

Birth certificates: $16.00 per copy
Death certificates: $16.00 for the first copy, $14.00 for each additional copy
Marriage certificates: $16.00 per copy
Divorce certificates: $16.00 per copy

Does Twin Falls County Have Free Public Records?

Twin Falls County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours in accordance with the Idaho Public Records Act. Citizens may examine records without charge, though fees apply for copies as detailed above.

The following records are currently available at no cost:

Online property information: Basic property details through the Twin Falls County Assessor's website
Meeting agendas and minutes: Available on the Twin Falls County website
County budgets and financial reports: Accessible through the county's transparency portal
Voter registration verification: Available through the Idaho Secretary of State's website
Court case information: Basic case information through the Idaho Court Portal

Citizens may access these free resources at:

Twin Falls County Administration Building
425 Shoshone Street North
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: (208) 736-4000
Twin Falls County

Additionally, the Twin Falls Public Library provides free public computer access for residents to search online government records.

Who Can Request Public Records in Twin Falls County?

Under Idaho Code § 74-102(1), "every person has a right to examine and take a copy of any public record of this state." This broad eligibility means:

Idaho residency is not required to request public records
Requestors do not need to provide identification for most records
Requestors generally do not need to state a purpose or reason for their request
Non-citizens and out-of-state residents have the same rights to access public records as Idaho residents

However, certain restrictions apply to specific record types:

Vital records: Requests for birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest. Identification is required.
Criminal history records: Complete criminal history information is available only to the subject of the record or authorized agencies.
Juvenile records: Generally confidential with limited access to parents, guardians, or agencies involved in the case.
Medical records: Protected under HIPAA and available only to the patient or their authorized representative.

When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is typically required. When requesting records about another individual, additional documentation may be necessary to demonstrate legal authority or legitimate interest.

What Records Are Confidential in Twin Falls County?

While Twin Falls County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Idaho Code § 74-104 through § 74-111. These exemptions include:

Personal privacy information: Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and medical records
Juvenile records: Court proceedings, probation records, and law enforcement records involving minors
Sealed court records: Records that have been sealed by court order
Ongoing investigations: Law enforcement investigatory records for pending or active cases
Personnel records: Employee personnel files, except for basic employment information
Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and strategy documents
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information
Critical infrastructure information: Security plans, vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
Adoption records: Sealed except by court order
Child protection records: Reports of child abuse or neglect
Concealed weapons permits: Personal information of permit holders
Library records: Individual borrowing records and reading histories

The Idaho Public Records Act § 74-105 provides specific exemptions for law enforcement records, including:

Records that would interfere with enforcement proceedings
Records that would deprive a person of a fair trial
Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records that would disclose confidential sources or techniques
Records that would endanger the life or safety of law enforcement personnel

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Twin Falls County will redact the confidential information and provide the remainder of the record as required by law.

Twin Falls County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Twin Falls County Recorder's Office
425 Shoshone Street North, 2nd Floor
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: (208) 736-4151
Twin Falls County Recorder

Regular Office 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
Military discharge records
Notary public registrations
Certified copies of recorded documents

Twin Falls County Clerk of the District Court
425 Shoshone Street North, 3rd Floor
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: (208) 736-4025
Twin Falls County Court Clerk

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and federal holidays

Services Provided: