State Vital Records in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health Statistics issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Iowa. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health Statistics
State Vital Records in Iowa: key facts
- Administering office
- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health Statistics.
- Certificate fee
- $20 for the first certified copy; $20 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Who may order
- Spouse, children, legal parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings; Legal representative or guardian.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
- Public record
- Death records are public immediately.
- Records available from
- July 1, 1880.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Iowa — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek - the only authorized vendor (vendor fees from $14 per order)
- By phone: Call VitalChek at 866-809-0290 (6 AM - 7 PM CST, Monday-Friday)
- By mail: Mail notarized application with payment to the Bureau of Health Statistics
- In person: Visit the state office (7:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday; requests by 2 PM processed in 2 hours) or the County Recorder for deaths 1954-present
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Notarized application for mail requests
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health Statistics
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call VitalChek at 866-809-0290 (6 AM - 7 PM CST, Monday-Friday). by mail: Mail notarized application with payment to the Bureau of Health Statistics. in person: Visit the state office (7:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday; requests by 2 PM processed in 2 hours) or the County Recorder for deaths 1954-present.
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID; Notarized application for mail requests. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Iowa primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health Statistics