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Iowa Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records
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See Also Researching in Vital Records
The Iowa vital records system originated on 1 July 1880, with legislation establishing a State Board of Health. A few events, primarily marriages, were recorded in the counties prior to 1880, but little information is included in those records. Early birth records contain only minimal data—name, date, place, and names of parents. Death certificates prior to 1904 do not include the names of the parents of the deceased.
It is estimated that between 1880 and 1921 only about 50 percent of the births and deaths were registered. However, because of a provision for delayed birth registration, almost 470,000 delayed birth records have been filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriage record registration began in many areas with the organization of the county.
All county vital records in Iowa are accessible to the public by personal inspection or by a written request to the clerk of the district court in the county where the event occurred. State vital records are not open to the public. Copies of certificates, however, are issued to grandparents, parents, children, a spouse, brothers or sisters, legal guardians or respective legal representatives. An applicant must have a direct and tangible interest in any specified record and must have the ability to present a direct lineal relationship to the registrant. The purpose for which a certificate is needed should also be indicated. A fee of $15 is required for each record search conducted by the state office, and one copy of a located certificate is provided. The fee is not refundable. If the exact name, date, and place of an event are not known, you must use an index schedule of rates. For the proper forms and the index schedule, contact the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Records/Statistics, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.
The State Historical Society of Iowa, in cooperation with the Genealogical Society of Utah, is involved in a state-wide county records microfilming project. Records included in this project are vital statistics, probate, and land. Copies of these microfilms, with an index to records filmed in each county, are available for use at the State Historical Society's libraries and many are now in the FHL. Contact the State Historical Society of Iowa for current status on individual counties. State vital records, 75 years old or older, are now available, with some limitations, at the State Archives, a division of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Many of the local chapters of the Iowa Genealogical Society have publications of vital records in their respective counties. A state-wide publication listing, with ordering information, is available through the state society.
Local registrars are located in county recorders offices and maintain records of birth, death and marriages that have occurred in that county. County registrars do not have code authority to have Birth, death, and marriage records between the years 1921 to 1941.
How to Order Iowa Birth, Death, Divorce and Marriage Certificates
Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-4944 recording, Iowa prefers you get all Vital Records from the State Office in Des Moines and NOT at the County Clerk's office. They have the following records:
- In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate.
- Divorces on file are Brief statistical records only since 1906.
Local registrars are located in county recorders offices and maintain records of birth, death and marriages that have occurred in that county. County registrars do not have code authority to have Birth, death, and marriage records between the years 1921 to 1941.
Ordering Vital Records - You can also order
Ordering Vital Records by Mail - $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate. Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Checks must be drawn from the applicant's account; money orders must be in the name of the applicant. Fees must be paid at the time of the application. Filled requests take 30-45 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service. Genealogy requests take least 60 days. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates or Death Certificates.
Walk-In Service: Walk-in service is available for in-person requests at the state vital records office between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. The office is located at the address listed below, just inside the main north entrance and to the right of the main lobby. The Lucas building is the first state office building east of the state Capitol building, on the south side of Grand Avenue. Written applications must be satisfactorily completed and signed. Applicants must also provide valid, current government-issued photo identification. Copies may either be picked up after two days or mailed to an entitled person. In-person requests may also be paid in cash.
Links For Birth Records
- Submit a website for Iowa Birth Records
- Iowa Birth Record Books at Amazon.com
- Birth Records from Archives.com
- Search All U.S and Foriegn Birth, Marriage and Death Records
- Search County Birth Records
Links For Marriage Records
- Submit a website for Iowa Marriage and Divorce Records
- Iowa Marriage Record Books at Amazon.com
- Marriage Records from Archives.com
- Divorce Records from Archives.com
- Iowa Marriages to 1850: Database of Iowa marriages to 1850
- Iowa Marriages, 1851-1900: This database contains marriage information from various counties in the U.S. state of Iowa from 1851-1900. Information that may be found in this database for each individual includes their name, spouse's name, marriage date, and marriage county.
- Search U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
- Search County Marriage Records
- Search County Divorce Records
Links For Death Records
- Submit a website for Iowa Death Records
- Iowa Death Record Books at Amazon.com
- Death Records from Archives.com
- Search County Death Records
- Find Obituaries in The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com!
- Find thousands of Iowa obituaries to help you research your family history. Search for a Iowa newspaper obituary about your ancestor or a celebrity. Begin your search today and find death notices and funeral announcements printed in newspapers from Iowa.
- Search America's Obituaries (1977 to current) at Genealogybank.com
- Obituaries contain helpful information such as names, dates, places of birth, death, marriage and family information. Over 28 million obituaries make this the most complete collection from the 20th and 21st centuries - includes over 1,100 U.S. newspapers. New content added daily!
