Explore Iowa

Government

Find the office that handles your question before you make the trip.

• Iowa.gov — state agencies and public services
• Iowa Judicial Branch — court locations and court information
• Iowa Legislature — legislative information, Iowa law, and public documents
• Iowa Secretary of State — business filings and state registration resources

For local records, property questions, and city services, contact the county or municipality responsible for your address.

Schools

Explore school information, college options, and training for a next step.

• Iowa Department of Education — school and education resources
• Iowa Workforce Development — career training and workforce resources
• University of Iowa — university programs, admissions, and campus information

Contact your local school district for enrollment, attendance boundaries, transportation, and school calendars. Colleges and training providers can confirm current programs and costs.

Hospitals

Look up care locations, providers, and appointment information directly with the health system.

• University of Iowa Health Care — primary and specialty care, providers, and appointments
• UnityPoint Health — care locations and services
• Iowa Health and Human Services — public health and support resources
• MercyOne — hospital and clinic locations, providers, and appointment tools

These are starting points, not a complete hospital directory. Confirm that a location provides the care you need and accepts your coverage.

Public Safety

Find state safety resources and the right contact for local concerns.

• Iowa Department of Public Safety — state public safety information
• Iowa 511 — road conditions and travel information
• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management — preparedness and disaster information

For local non-emergency matters, contact your city police department or county sheriff. Call 911 for an immediate emergency.

Emergency Services

Find preparedness information and local alert options before severe weather or another emergency.

• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management — Alert Iowa, preparedness, and disaster resources
• National Weather Service — official forecasts and weather warnings; choose your Iowa location
• Iowa 511 — travel conditions and road closures

Follow instructions from your county emergency-management office and local officials. For immediate emergency help, call 911.

State Parks

Plan a park visit with information from the agency that manages it.

• Iowa State Parks — park information and planning resources
• Iowa DNR — outdoor recreation and conservation
• Iowa State Parks Reservations — search campground and lodging availability
• Iowa Park Alerts — check notices affecting park access and facilities

Check the individual park’s facilities, current notices, and reservation requirements before leaving home.

Trails

Find a route that fits your afternoon, your equipment, and your pace.

• Travel Iowa — biking, trails, and outdoor trip ideas
• Iowa DNR — recreation areas and outdoor resources
• RAGBRAI — information about Iowa’s annual cross-state bicycle ride

Check with the trail manager for surfaces, closures, accessibility, and permitted uses. RAGBRAI is an organized event, not a permanent trail.

Utilities

Find help with utility service questions and identify who serves your address.

• Iowa Utilities Commission — consumer inquiries, service complaints, and electric service-area information
• MidAmerican Energy — customer service and outage information for addresses it serves
• Alliant Energy — customer accounts and service information for addresses it serves

Contact your provider directly for outages, new service, and billing. Water, sewer, and waste services may be handled by a city or another local provider; responsibility varies by address.

Libraries

Explore public-library services and online research collections. The Des Moines resources below serve that library system; check your own local library for borrowing eligibility and programs.

• Des Moines Public Library — branch information, events, and library services
• DMPL Stream & Download — digital borrowing and streaming options; access requirements apply
• Library of Congress — national digital collections and research resources accessible online

Courts

Go directly to the court resource you need.

• Iowa Court Directory — locate courts and office contacts
• Iowa Court Forms — find forms published by the Judicial Branch
• Representing Yourself — official procedural information for people without an attorney

DMV

Find driver and vehicle information through Iowa DOT’s service pages.

• Schedule an Appointment — review office appointment options
• Get or Renew a License or ID — find requirements and renewal information
• Register a Vehicle — find vehicle registration information and the responsible office

Transportation

Check the route before a commute, delivery, or weekend drive.

• Iowa 511 — road conditions, construction, and traffic information
• Iowa DOT — transportation projects and statewide travel resources
• National Weather Service — check weather forecasts and warnings along your route

For local transit routes and schedules, contact the operator serving your community.

Postal Services

Use the official postal tools for your location and mailing needs.

• Find a Post Office — search postal locations and available services
• Change Your Address — use the official USPS change-of-address service
• ZIP Code Lookup — look up ZIP Codes and mailing information

Veterans

Find a starting point for veterans services and local assistance.

• Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs — state veterans resources and assistance
• Iowa Workforce Development — employment resources, including support for veterans
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — federal benefits, healthcare, and records resources

Ask about your county veterans service office for help identifying the appropriate next step.

Employment

Explore job openings, career changes, and practical training options.

• Iowa Workforce Development — IowaWORKS connections, job-seeker assistance, and employer services
• Iowa Department of Education — community-college and career-education information
• IowaWORKS — job listings and job-seeker tools

For a particular course or credential, contact the college or training provider about start dates, entry requirements, and costs.