Iowa Birth Records

Iowa birth records are the official, legal documentation of births occurring within the state. Iowa began documenting births at the county level in 1880, but statewide registration became mandatory in 1921, ensuring that births reported in the state were standardized across all jurisdictions.

Iowa provides two primary forms of birth certificates, each tailored to meet specific needs.

• Authorized (Certified) Copies: A certified copy of a birth record is an official reproduction of the original birth certificate. It bears the registrar's raised seal and signature. Certified birth records are required for all legal processes.
• Information (Uncertified) Copies: An informational copy, also called an abstract, contains information about the registrant. However, it is typically printed on plain paper and is not valid for legal use across the state. Informational copies of birth certificates lack the official seal of the issuing office. To this end, they are best suited for personal record keeping and genealogical research.

Iowa also has two main types of certified copies of birth records. They are:

• Full-size Birth Certificates: This is the official birth record containing comprehensive information about the registrant. It includes the full name, gender, date of birth, birthplace, parents' full details, registrar signatures, file numbers, and date filed. The full-size birth certificate is ideal in all processes where detailed evidence of birth is required.
• Small Birth Certificate Wallet Cards: The small birth certificate wallet card is an abstract of the full-size birth certificate. It is less detailed and contains information, such as the registrant's name, place, and date of birth, and minimal parentage data. It is accepted for most domestic needs, such as school enrollment or obtaining a state ID.

How To Order an Iowa Birth Certificate?

You may obtain Iowa birth certificates from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics. Certified copies of Iowa birth certificates may be ordered online, by mail, or in person at the state office.

Online requests for birth certificates are through a third-party service provider approved by the state. For mail and in-person requests, complete the Application to Order an Iowa Vital Record form. Notarize the application form and include proof of entitlement to obtain the document, a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and the fees. It costs $15 to order a certified copy of an Iowa birth certificate from the State Bureau of Health Statistics. Mail or visit the office at:

Birth certificates dating pre-1880 are accessible at the State Historical Society of Iowa. The county recorder's offices across the state also issue certified copies of birth certificates for births occurring within their jurisdiction from 1986 to the present. To order the document, visit the county recorder's office in the county where the birth was recorded.

Complete and notarize the Application to Order an Iowa Vital Record form. Include a copy of a valid ID and proof of eligibility to access the document. It costs $15 to order full-size birth certificates or small birth certificate wallet cards from the county clerk's office. Some counties may charge an additional fee for convenience.

Are Birth Records Public in Iowa?

Iowa's birth records are not fully public. The statewide vital records system maintained by the state registrar is closed to general inspection. However, informational copies of birth records held by the county registrar are public records that anyone may inspect and copy under Iowa laws. Generally, certified copies of birth records are restricted to persons with a direct, familial, or legal relationship.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Iowa?

Under Iowa law, certified copies of birth certificates are restricted to entitled persons who typically have a direct, tangible interest in the record. Eligible persons include:

• The individual named on the birth certificate
• The parents listed on the birth certificate
• The immediate family, including spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren
• Legal representatives, including legal guardians and persons with power of attorney

How Long Does it Take to Get an Iowa Birth Certificate?

It takes 4-6 weeks for the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics to process all mail requests for birth certificates, irrespective of whether the document is ordered online, by mail, or dropped off at the Bureau's office. Depending on the shipping method used, online requests for birth certificates are processed within 5-10 business days, and expedited requests are processed within 2-5 business days.

The State Bureau of Health Statistics does not offer expedited processing for mail and drop-off requests. However, if you request the document in person at the State Bureau of Health Statistics office, you will get the document within 2 hours.

Where Can I Find Iowa Birth Records Free?

While certified birth certificates in Iowa are restricted to 'entitled persons,' anyone can access informational copies through various free public resources.

The National Vital Records Archives does not directly hold state-issued birth certificates. However, its vital records guide shows where to locate such records at the state, federal, and local levels.

FamilySearch.org provides free access to digitized Iowa birth indexes from 1880-1939. You may also access indexed names and images of births and christenings from 1830-1950 and births and stillbirths from 1921-1947.

Ancestry.com aggregates multiple series of Iowa birth records from 1880-1904 and 1921-1944 from the state archives. It also provides access to Iowa births and christening index from 1800-1999.

PublicRecords.us aggregates public records from numerous government sources to provide a robust database of vital records, including Iowa birth records. The platform provides access to basic information about a birth reported in the state. The web tool is ideal for commencing your search for informational copies of birth records, as it has both current and older birth records.

When Would I Need My Iowa Birth Records?

Your Iowa birth certificate is fundamental proof of your identity and age; therefore, it is required for numerous legal processes in the state, including:

• Applying for Iowa's REAL ID and driver's license
• Applying for or replacing a Social Security card
• Applying for or renewing a U.S. passport
• Enrollment in public schools, colleges, and universities
• Applying for a marriage license
• Adoption proceedings
• Changing your legal name
• Opening a bank account or applying for loans
• Obtaining insurance benefits and public assistance, such as Medicaid

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Iowa?

If your Iowa birth certificate is missing, stolen, destroyed, or damaged, you will need to order a replacement birth certificate. In Iowa, replacing a birth certificate follows the same process and fee structure as ordering an initial certified copy of the record.

You may order the replacement birth certificate from the State Bureau of Health Statistics or the county recorder's office. Download and complete the Application for an Iowa Vital Record form from the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics or the county recorder's website. Notarize the form if ordering the birth certificate by mail. Include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and proof of your relationship to order the document if not the person named on the birth certificate.

You may mail or submit the record request in person at the State Bureau of Health Statistics or the county recorder's office. It costs $15 per copy of a replacement birth certificate in Iowa.

When Can the Public Access Iowa Birth Certificates?

Certified copies of Iowa's birth certificate are closed to the public for the first 75 years from the birth date. During this period, only eligible persons may order certified copies of the birth certificate. Birth certificates become open to the public once the 75 years elapse. However, the public may access informational copies of the document at the county recorder's office.

How To Correct an Error on an Iowa Birth Certificate?

You may correct minor errors within the first year of issue of the birth certificate. Correctable errors include adding a missing first or middle name, and typographical errors, such as fixing misspelled names or incorrect birth dates. After the first year, errors on birth certificates may be amended with a court order.

To correct errors on your birth certificate, complete the Amendment to Iowa Certificate of Birth form. Include all supporting documents, including a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and proof of the correct information, such as hospital records or school enrollment documents.

Notarize the amendment form if submitting the amendment request by mail. Mail or submit the complete application and fees to the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics. It costs $15 to amend the birth record and an additional $15 to obtain a copy of the corrected or amended birth certificate.

Does Iowa Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Iowa does not offer a non-binary or gender-neutral birth certificate option. Iowa statute recognizes only the traditional gender options, 'Male' or 'Female". While previously, Iowa through IAC 641-99.20(60) permitted the amendment of birth certificates to reflect an individual's post-transition sex designation, the amendment did not create a third-gender option 'X.' It only permitted replacing the original 'male' or 'female' entry. However, in February 2025, the state enacted Senate File 418, repealing all provisions permitting sex designation changes based on medical transition.