Accessing Iowa Public Records Online
The request form can be downloaded from the Public Records Iowa website of the Vital Statistics Division or obtained directly from such office. Written requests for certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, marriage, and all vital records will not be accepted if they do not include the applicant's current government-issued photo identification; except if by mail, a clear photocopy of the I.D.; and the applicant's signature signed in front of a notary public or in the presence of an Iowa Registrar of Vital Records.
Vital records that are available in the said office and in the county clerk?s office only cover specific dates. For instance, records of birth that date back to July 1880 up to present are the only birth records available from such agencies. Each copy of a birth record costs $15. For marriage and divorce records, only those recorded from 1880 to present are available. A copy of a marriage certificate is $15 whilst a copy of a divorce decree costs around $6 depending on which county the divorce was granted. For divorce records, it is advised that you contact the Clerk of the District in the county where the divorce was filed and settled. Death records that are only obtainable are those documented from 1880 up to present and a copy of such is worth $15. However, records prior 1904 do not include parents? names. State law restricts access to the registrant and Iowa Public Records Online Access family members, genealogists representing the family, or others with a tangible interest.
The processing time for records requests is 4 to 6 weeks depending on what method is utilized. There are several ways on how you can obtain vital records. You can get a copy of vital records in the State of Iowa in person, via phone, mail, or online. If you want to apply for a copy in person, you can go to their office directly along with the aforementioned requirements and the results will be mailed to you the following business day.
Should you wish to get a copy via phone, you can obtain their phone number from the state?s Department of Public Health website. The processing time is currently 7 to 21 days depending on the volume of requests in their office. In case your request is returned to you via regular mail, expect another 5 business days to reach you. For orders sent by mail, anticipate that mail orders may take an average of 5 business days to reach the Vital Records Office, and another 5 business days to be returned to you. The processing time for such request depends on the number of requests received and may take up to 20 business days during high volume times. Genealogy requests are accepted only by mail and will require a minimum of 30 business days processing.
If you want to obtain vital records with ease and deftness, then pull a quick online record review. The State?s Bureau of Vital Statistics, Department of Public Health has affiliated with an independent company called VitalCheck to provide online services. An additional fee is charged by VitalCheck though for such service. Moreover, if you want to obtain government records free of charge, then you can resort to other independent online records providers.
