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The Daily Insight

When did Iowa start keeping birth records?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 03, 2026

July 1, 1880
In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Statewide record searches are available from the state registrar.

Where can I find records of my ancestors?

Research Ancestors (Genealogy)

  • The National Archives and Records Administration has a collection of resources for genealogists.
  • State archives contain materials including:
  • The U.S. Census Bureau will provide census data from 1950 – 2010 to the person named in the record or their legal heir.

Are death records public in Iowa?

Iowa law requires that all records of vital statistics in the custody of the State Archives must be 75 years or older to be made available to the public. All records of fetal deaths, regardless of age, are closed to the public.

Can you look up marriage records in Iowa?

Eligible persons can obtain Iowa marriage records by querying the Bureau of Vital Statistics office of the County Recorder’s office. Usually, the County Recorders can search and issue copies of all marriages within the state’s limit from 1954 to today. The date the marriage event was performed.

How do I find old obituaries in Iowa?

The State Historical Society of Iowa is another information repository that you can use in an obituary search. Its extensive and diverse collections include obituaries from Iowa newspapers, genealogical resources such as death indexes in various counties, and church records featuring death announcements.

When did Iowa record deaths?

Statewide registration of deaths began in 1899 in Iowa; however, general compliance did not begin until 1917.

How do I find my relatives Ancestry?

From any page on Ancestry, click Search and select Public Member Trees. Enter information about someone you want to find and click Search. From the list of search results, click a name to learn more. To see all trees containing that person, click View all.

Where do I get a death certificate in Des Moines Iowa?

Contact Information

  1. Polk County Administration Building. 111 Court Avenue Suite 250. Des Moines, IA 50309-2251.
  2. Mon – Fri: 8:00am – 4:30pm.
  3. Phone (515) 286-3160 Fax (515) 323-5393.
  4. [email protected]

How to find Iowa marriage records genealogy?

Since these are very old marriage records you will want to contact the Iowa State Archives or the National Archives as our records only go back about 50 years. Another option if you cannot locate these marriage records there is to visit the Iowa State Library as they host a large array of marriage and vital statistics from the mid 1800’s.

Where do I find death record?

Church records of deaths and burials

  • City and County civil registrations
  • Family Bibles and personal histories
  • FamilySearch in the Catalog Search, Records Search, and Historic Books
  • Google and other web site search sites, and don’t forget to search Google Books
  • Locating United States Vital Records
  • Mortality Schedules is a census that includes…
  • Obituaries
  • Probate Records
  • State Archives
  • How do I find death certificates?

    You order a death certificate by visiting the vital records section of the health department in person or by mailing in an application. Many states provide the request forms online and some accept requests by phone.

    How to find out if someone has passed away?

    Gather as much as information as you can about the individual who you are looking for.

  • Social Security Death Index should be searched.
  • Doing research can be done to know more about the person.