Home › Iowa › How-To Guide
Iowa · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Bureau of Health Statistics (state level) / County Recorder (county level - for deaths from 1954+)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Iowa death records are restricted at the state level. Eligible requesters must prove entitlement. Iowa death records in county custody (from 1954+) may be inspected as public records under Iowa Code section 22 when held by the county.
  2. Determine which office to use:
  3. STATE OFFICE (HHS Bureau of Health Statistics): death records from July 1880 to present; in person, by mail (notarized application required), or online via VitalChek
  4. COUNTY RECORDER: death records in that county from 1954 to present; often faster for local deaths; county-level records accessible as public records under Iowa Code section 22
  5. Choose your method:
  6. IN PERSON (State): Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319; Mon-Fri 7:00 AM-4:30 PM; sign application in front of vital records staff
  7. BY MAIL (State): Complete application; have it notarized; include photocopy of current government-issued photo ID and check/money order payable to "Iowa Department of Health and Human Services"; NO CASH; mail to state office address above
  8. ONLINE/PHONE: VitalChek (only authorized vendor) - (866) 809-0290 or online; additional fees
  9. IN PERSON OR BY MAIL (County): Contact County Recorder where death occurred
  10. Submit with notarized signature and valid photo ID
  11. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed Iowa vital record application (notarized signature required for mail/state office)
  • Legible photocopy of current government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of qualifying entitlement
  • Payment: check or money order (NO CASH at state office); county may accept cash in person
Fee
$15 per certified copy (state and most county fees); $20 search fee retained if no record found; VitalChek adds additional per-order fees; genealogy requests: $20 per name search fee
Processing Time
In person (state): same day; mail: several weeks; VitalChek: expedited; county: varies
Online Option
Yes - VitalChek only; call (866) 809-0290 or order online
Where to Go
HHS Bureau of Health Statistics, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 (state); or County Recorder where death occurred (for 1954+ deaths)
County-specific variations apply

County Recorders maintain death records for deaths in their county from 1954 to present. These county death records may be inspected as public records under Iowa Code section 22, making county-level records more accessible. Some counties may accept cash in person. County fees and hours vary. For deaths before 1954, state office is the primary source.

Iowa Notes

Important state-specific details

  • NOTARIZED SIGNATURE required for mail applications to state office - same as birth certificates.
  • NO CASH at state office.
  • Iowa death records at county level (1954+) may be publicly inspected under Iowa Code section 22 - more permissive access than state level.
  • Vital records publicly accessible after 75 years.
  • Order multiple copies at once - estates, insurance, banks, SSA each require a certified copy.
  • Funeral homes assist with initial filing for recent deaths.
  • VitalChek is ONLY authorized online/phone vendor.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Iowa HHS Bureau of Health Statistics - hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/vital-records | (515) 281-4944 | Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075