How to Find Iowa Vital Records

Iowa vital records include birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Find out how you can best get the IA vital records you want and approximately how much these records will cost you.

Contrary to popular belief, getting vital records in Iowa (or any state for that matter) is not difficult at all provided you give as much accurate information as you can about the vital record you are looking for.

Vital records cover four main life events: birth, death marriage, and divorce so you can imagine that everyday, thousands of these records are created so if you are looking for a specific Iowa vital record, be specific. It will save you a lot of waiting time!

IA Vital Records - What You Should Provide

Following is a quick run-down of the information you should have in hand even before you start on your search for IA vital records.

• The complete name of the person whose vital record is being located.

• County, city or town where the birth, death, marriage or divorce took place.

• Exact (or approximate) birth, death , marriage or divorce dates.

• The requesters' relationship to the individuals whose records they're asking for.

• Your (requester) full name, signature and contact details.

• Your reason for requesting copies of the records.

• Self-addressed and stamped envelopes.

How Much Will Iowa Vital Records Cost You?

Following is a quick rundown of approximately how much is required to get copies of pertinent IA vital records from the resource mentioned below.

Copy of Birth Record - $10.00.

Copy of Death Record - $10.00.

Do note that IA birth and death records are only on file from the date July 1880 onwards. If the Iowa birth or death record you are looking for is of an earlier date, you need to send a letter of request to the Health Officer in the county or city where the event transpired.

Copy of Marriage Record - $10.00 (records available from July 1880 onwards).

Copy of State Divorce Record - the rate varies depending on where the event occurred. Note that available state divorce records are only from 1906.

Copy of County Divorce Record - $6.00. You must make the request in the county where the divorce occurred.

* Fees are quoted as of this writing. To check for any changes, pls. call the number cited below.

Useful Iowa Vital Records Resource

Iowa Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Lucas Office Building
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075

Tel: (515) 281-4944

---

Don't want to take the long route when it comes to searching for that Iowa vital record you want? For time-efficient, hassle-free records searching, give online vital records search service providers a try!