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Iowa Marriage, Death, Birth 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.

Choose A County in Iowa

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:

Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates: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.
- Cost: $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate.
- Processing Time: Filled requests take 30-45 days, depending on seasonal
  demands and mail service. Genealogy requests take least 60 days. When ordered by mail (Application) or 2-5 Days when you order online
Divorces: Divorces on file are Brief statistical records only since 1906.

Order On-Line: To obtain a certified copy of a vital record by on-line purchase with a credit card, please link to VitalChek

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.

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Click Here to Search Iowa Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.

Below is a list of online resources for Iowa Vital Records.