State-Certified Copies

Overview

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 due to the intensive search process. Other timelines vary depending on seasonal demands.

Telephone

For general information, call (515) 281-4944 from 7:00 AM to 4:45 PM Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. To order a certified copy by telephone using a credit card, call toll-free to 866-809-0290 from 6:00 am CST through 7:00 pm CST, Monday through Friday, except for holidays. A fee of $15 is charged for the record search and includes one copy if a record is on file in the state office. Each additional copy of the same record is $15. A VitalChek operator will take the caller's information, screen the credit card, authenticate the caller's identity and complete the order. The fee to screen the credit card and authenticate the caller is an additional $13.00. Group orders consisting of more than one event type (i.e. birth, death or marriage) within one transaction will be charged an additional $3.00 fee. Turnaround time is usually 10 to 14 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service. Genealogy requests are not available through the credit card line.

In Person

Applications may be made in person at the state vital records office between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. The office is located at the address listed below, just inside the main north lobby entrance and immediately to the right.

The Lucas building is the first building east of the state Capitol building and south 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. Genealogy requests are not available for pickup within the normal turnaround time due to the intensive search process.

Postal Service

Written requests 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 seasonal demands and mail service.

Genealogy requests may take over 60 days due to the intensive search process. A clear photocopy of the applicants current government-issued photo identification must accompany the request.

• Iowa Department of Public
  Health Bureau of Vital Records
  Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
  321 E. 12th St.
  Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075