Requesting a Certified Copy of an Iowa Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificate
Vital Records
(641) 342-3313
Iowa Department Health and Human Services
Bureau of Health Statistics
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building
1st Floor
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075
Phone: (515) 281-4944
Website: Click here
Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of birth, death and marriage can be obtained from this office once entitlement has been proven. Call the office to verify your entitlement to the record. Certified copies are $15.00 each.
Vital records are available at the Recorder/Registrar’s office for the years 1880 – 1920 and 1942- current. The Iowa Department of Public Health has the records for 1921-1941.
Unwed births prior to July 1995, all adoption records, and all legal name changes must be obtained from the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Marriage Application and License
Marriage license applications may be completed in person at the Office of County Recorder/Registrar with the bride, the groom and an uninterested third party as a witness to the application present. All three parties will need to have photo i.d.’s with them. The witness must be at least 18 years of age. If all three parties are unable to appear together, the application can be completed elsewhere, signatures notarized and then returned to the Recorder/Registrar Office with the $35.00 fee for processing.
There is a four business-day waiting period from the time the completed application is filed to the time the license is valid and available to be picked up.
The marriage application fee is $35.00 and is to be paid in cash/ money order,/check/credit card. A processed certified copy is included in the fee, and will be mailed to the party after receipt and filing of the marriage certificate.
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 Records. Statewide record searches are available from the state registrar. Local registrars are located in county recorders offices and maintain records of birth, death and marriages that have occurred in that county. County registrars, however, do not have code authority to have on record: single-parent births prior to July 1, 1995; adoptions; any record ordered seal by a court of law; or birth, death, and marriages between the years 1921 to 1941.
All applications for certified copies of vital record events must be in writing and completely identify the record, as well as satisfactorily establish entitlement to the record being requested. Entitled persons include the person named on the record or that person’s spouse, children, legal parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, or legal representative or guardian. Legal guardians and representatives must also provide additional proof of guardianship or representation.
State Certified Copies
Certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates may be obtained from the state office of vital records by telephone, in-person, or through a postal service. Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075