How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Bureau of Health Statistics (state level - Des Moines) / County Recorder (county level - where birth occurred, for births from 1987+)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine eligibility: Iowa vital records are closed to public inspection at the state level; requesters must prove entitlement. Eligible requesters: the person named (if of legal age), parents, legal guardian, spouse, adult children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings 18+, aunt/uncle, stepparents, and others showing cause. County-level birth records (from 1987+) may be inspected as a public record under Iowa Code section 22 when in county custody.
Determine which office to use:
STATE OFFICE (HHS Bureau of Health Statistics): records from July 1880 to present; in person (Des Moines), by mail, or online via VitalChek; applications must be NOTARIZED by a notary or signed in front of vital records staff
COUNTY RECORDER: births in that county from 1987 to present; often faster for local births; some counties accept cash
Choose your method:
IN PERSON (State): HHS Bureau of Health Statistics, Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319; Mon-Fri 7:00 AM-4:30 PM; written applications must be signed in front of vital records staff
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 accepted; mail to HHS Bureau of Health Statistics, Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
ONLINE/PHONE (expedited): VitalChek (only authorized vendor) - additional fees ($9-$13+ per order); order online or call (866) 809-0290
IN PERSON OR BY MAIL (County): Contact County Recorder where birth occurred; may accept cash for in-person
Submit application with notarized signature and valid photo ID
Pay the fee and receive certificate (if not found, $20 search fee retained)

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 relationship
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 $9-$13+ per order; genealogy search fee $20 per name per county

Processing Time

In person (state): same day if record found; mail: allow several weeks; VitalChek: expedited; county: varies

Online Option

Yes - VitalChek (only authorized vendor); call (866) 809-0290 or order online

Where to Go

HHS Bureau of Health Statistics, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 (state office); or County Recorder in the county where birth occurred (for births 1987+)

County-specific variations apply

County Recorders can issue birth certificates for births in their county from 1987 to present - often faster and more accessible than the state office. County fees and procedures vary; some counties can accept cash in person. County birth records (1987+) may be inspected as public records under Iowa Code section 22 when held by the county. For births before 1987 in a county, the state office is the primary source.

Iowa Notes

Important state-specific details

NOTARIZED SIGNATURE REQUIRED for mail applications to state office - Iowa's unique requirement that differentiates it from many states.
State office does NOT accept cash - check or money order only for mail; credit card accepted in person.
Iowa vital records available from July 1, 1880 to present at state level.
Vital records become publicly accessible after 75 years.
Old wallet-sized pink/blue birth certificates (issued 1993-2009): can be exchanged at NO FEE for a full-size certificate - return original wallet card with application and photo ID.
VitalChek is the ONLY authorized online/phone vendor for Iowa vital records.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

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