Madison County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Madison County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through MadisonIDRecords.us, a directory resource covering Madison County, Idaho. The site aggregates pathways to official records maintained by county and state agencies, though completeness and availability of individual records depend on the custodial agency and applicable law. Records that may be located through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
Land use, zoning, and planning documents
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access: The Madison County – Idaho Court Assistance Office provides self-help resources and guidance for accessing court filings. The City of Rexburg documents portal hosts public records request forms and municipal documents online. The Idaho Supreme Court maintains a court records and camera request page for statewide judicial records. No registration is required to submit a public records request, though some online databases may require account creation for full document retrieval.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Madison County Clerk's Office, located at 134 E Main St, Rexburg, ID 83440. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought and the approximate date range when visiting the public counter.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Madison County Clerk's Office at 134 E Main St, Rexburg, ID 83440. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Idaho Code § 74-103, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within three business days.

Phone/Email: The Madison County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (208) 359-6200. Email inquiries may be directed to the clerk's office through the county's official contact channels.

What Are Public Records in Madison County?

Public records in Madison County are defined by Idaho state law as any writing containing information relating to the conduct or administration of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by a state or local agency. Under Idaho Code § 74-101, the term "public record" encompasses a broad range of documents regardless of physical form or characteristics.

The following record types are maintained by Madison County agencies:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Madison County District Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Madison County Recorder
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Business licenses and permits	Madison County Clerk / City of Rexburg
Property tax and assessment records	Madison County Assessor
Voting and election records	Madison County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	Madison County Clerk
Budget and financial documents	Madison County Treasurer
Arrest logs and incident reports	Madison County Sheriff / Rexburg Police
Land use and zoning records	Madison County Planning & Zoning

Vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered at the state level through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare public records program. Historical government records and archival materials are preserved through the Idaho State Archives and Government Records Program, which merged operations with the State Record Center in 2012 under the Idaho State Historical Society.

Is Madison County an Open Records County?

Madison County operates in full compliance with Idaho's statewide open records framework, which mandates public access to government documents. Under the Idaho Public Records Act, Title 74, Chapter 1, all state and local agencies — including county offices — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request.

The Idaho Governor's Office affirms this principle directly: as stated on the Idaho Governor's Office public records request page, the Public Records Custodian is designated as required by Idaho Code 74-119, underscoring the state's commitment to transparency at every level of government.

The Idaho Judicial Branch similarly affirms public access to court documents, stating: "The Idaho Judicial Branch welcomes the public's interest in the operations of their courts," as noted on the Idaho Supreme Court records and camera request page. Madison County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all public records activity within the county. Idaho's open records law is sometimes referred to as Idaho's "sunshine law" and applies to all writings, regardless of format, held by public agencies.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Madison County follows the schedule established under Idaho state law and individual agency policies. Fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the record.

Standard Copy Fees:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page (standard rate for most county offices)
Certified copies of vital records: $16.00 per certificate (Idaho Department of Health and Welfare)
Certified court document copies: fees set by the Idaho Supreme Court schedule
Electronic records: agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication

Additional Fees:

Certification fees apply when a document requires an official seal or attestation
Search fees may be assessed when a request requires extraordinary staff time, as permitted under Idaho Code
Postage and mailing costs are charged at actual cost when physical copies are mailed

The Idaho Department of Administration public record request page notes that Idaho State Code exempts certain documents from public disclosure and that requestors will be notified if exemptions apply. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under current Idaho law, though individual agencies retain discretion to waive fees in limited circumstances. Accepted payment methods at the Madison County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.

Does Madison County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Madison County, as Idaho law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for the act of inspecting records. Members of the public may examine documents at the public counter of the relevant office without incurring a copy fee, provided no physical reproduction is requested.

The following resources provide free access to public records or record information:

Madison County Clerk's Office public counter — free in-person inspection of recorded documents, meeting minutes, and election records during regular business hours
Idaho Court Assistance Office — the Madison County court self-help resources page provides free guidance on accessing court filings
City of Rexburg — the Rexburg Police Department provides access to public records requests and activity reports at no charge for inspection
Idaho State Police — the Idaho State Police website offers free access to the Idaho Crime and Statistics Dashboard and information on submitting public records and crash report requests

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, reproduction of documents is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain records, such as a person's own criminal history, may be obtained at reduced or no cost under specific statutory provisions.

Who Can Request Public Records in Madison County?

Any person may request public records in Madison County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Idaho Public Records Act, there is no requirement that a requestor be an Idaho resident or provide identification as a condition of access to non-restricted records.

Key eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents retain the same access rights as Idaho residents for records that are open to the public.
Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a precondition for inspecting public records, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the reason for their request for most public records.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own records — such as personal criminal history or vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
Requesting records about others: Access to records containing personal information about third parties may be subject to exemptions, particularly for records involving minors, medical information, or ongoing investigations.

The Idaho Department of Administration notes that lists obtained through public records requests may not be used as mailing lists for commercial solicitation, a restriction codified under Idaho law.

What Records Are Confidential in Madison County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Idaho law. Idaho Code § 74-105 through § 74-126 enumerates specific exemptions that apply to state and local agencies, including Madison County offices.

Records that are currently exempt from public disclosure include:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in juvenile proceedings are confidential
Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would impede the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld
Medical and health records — protected under both Idaho law and federal HIPAA provisions
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Personnel records — employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for public officials' compensation and job titles
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety

When an agency denies a records request in whole or in part, the requestor must be notified in writing with the specific statutory basis for the denial. A balancing test applies in certain cases where the public interest in disclosure may outweigh the agency's interest in confidentiality.

Madison County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Madison County Clerk and Recorder
134 E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 359-6200
Madison County Clerk and Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

Madison County District Court
134 E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 359-6250
Madison County District Court

Madison County Assessor's Office
134 E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 359-6210
Madison County Assessor

Rexburg Police Department
19 E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 359-3000
Rexburg Police Department

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare – Vital Records
450 W State St
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-5988
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Idaho State Archives and Government Records Program
2205 Old Penitentiary Rd
Boise, ID 83712
(208) 334-2620
Idaho State Historical Society – Government Records