Data You Give Us Directly
Search Queries
A name or place entered into a search tool is sent directly to the outside company that operates that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its results. Clay County Criminal History does not retain or log those search terms on its own systems.
Messages and Contact Submissions
An email or other direct message may be kept as needed to respond. It is not shared outside the organization unless disclosure is required by law.
Data We Gather Automatically
When a page loads, the servers may automatically receive standard technical information about the visit:
- Page-view dates and times
- Visited pages and approximate time spent on them
- Device type and operating system
- Browser name and version
- Internet Protocol address
- Referring website, when one is available
Cookies and Analytics
Cookies are small files placed on a device. They and analytics services help aggregate traffic patterns, such as which Clay County record pages receive visits and where a browsing session ends. A browser can block cookies, although doing so may change how parts of the site function.
What We Do With This Data
- Routing a search request to the selected outside provider
- Maintaining site operation and page speed
- Finding and resolving technical faults
- Measuring which material visitors use
- Displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests
No Criminal-Record Data on File
Clay County Criminal History does not keep, assemble, or sell a database of personal criminal records. It publishes general directions to official custodians, including the Clay County Sheriff, Iowa District Court clerk, Iowa Department of Public Safety's Division of Criminal Investigation, and Iowa Sex Offender Registry. The site is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and visitor data is not compiled into consumer reports or third-party criminal-history files.
Third-Party Search Partners
Outside companies power the search boxes. Their privacy policies, rather than this policy, govern any information entered into those tools. Each provider sets its own retention and disclosure rules, which this site cannot control. Review those terms before running a query.
Links to Other Websites
Links may lead to Clay County offices, Iowa court and agency portals, legal-aid resources, or outside search services. Once a visitor leaves this site, the destination's privacy policy applies. Read it before submitting personal information.
Some advertising providers may track activity across websites to select ads. That processing occurs on their systems.
Who Might See Your Data
Personal data is not sold. It may be disclosed to or processed by:
- Analytics providers that measure traffic and performance
- Advertising networks that serve ads
- Search partners that process a visitor's query
- Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal demand
How We Protect Your Data
Reasonable, standard safeguards are used for collected data. No internet system can be guaranteed secure, however, so the site cannot promise that unauthorized access or a breach will never occur.
Users Under 18
The site is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from a person under 18. If such information is identified, it will be deleted.
Your Data Rights
Rights can vary with the law that applies to a visitor. Iowa's Open Records Law, Iowa Code chapter 22, governs access to public-agency records, while Iowa Code chapter 692 governs criminal-history dissemination and a subject's access and challenge rights. Those laws apply to official custodians and do not turn this private site's visitor logs into Clay County government records. Subject to applicable law, a visitor may:
- Request access to personal information held about that visitor
- Ask that inaccurate information be corrected
- Seek deletion where the law provides that right
- Object to eligible forms of processing
Updates to This Policy
This policy may be revised. A new version becomes available on this page with an updated effective date, so visitors should review it from time to time.
Effective date: July 23, 2026