Main Content:
Requesting State Certified Copy
of an Iowa Birth,
Death, or Marriage Certificate
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Vital Records
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075
(515) 281-4944
http://www.idph.state.ia.us
Use these forms for both state and local requests for a certified copy of an Iowa vital record (Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificate).
- Application for Copy of Birth Record (44.3 KB)
- Application for Copy of Death Record (135.5 KB)
- Application for Copy of Marriage Record (129.4 KB)
Certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates may be obtained from the Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Vital Records by telephone, in-person, or by postal service.
Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. In-person requests may also be paid in cash. Requests for the purpose of family history take at least 60 days, regardless of the method of request.
- Telephone
For general information or to order a certified copy by telephone using a credit card, call 515-281-4944. An additional $9.00 fee is charged for the expedited process of credit card usage. The state vital record operator lines are available from 7:00 am to 4:45 pm, Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. - In Person
Walk-in service is available for in-persons at the state vital records office between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 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 left 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 photo identification. Copies may either be picked up after two days or mailed to an entitled person. - Postal Service
Written request and fees may be mailed to the address below. Requests must state the relationship to the person named on the record and the purpose for the copy. Filled requests may take up to 30-45 days, depending on mail service.
