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== Introduction to Vital Records  ==
<div style="width:23%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>


[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]&nbsp;has&nbsp;additional research guidance&nbsp;on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be&nbsp;purchased from&nbsp;the [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/Iowa.htm Iowa Vital Records State Department of Health] or the&nbsp;County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.
== Iowa Vital Records Dates  ==
 
{| class="wikitable" width="40%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
{| width="50%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| width="44%" | __TOC__
| width="10%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
| valign="middle" | <center>'''&nbsp; [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|250px|Vital Records Collage.JPG]]&nbsp;&nbsp; '''<br></center>
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[Iowa Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]'''
== Vital Records Reference Dates  ==
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[Iowa Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]'''
 
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[Iowa Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]'''
Iowa's vital records start the following years:
<center></center>
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" align="center" |  
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | '''County/Town* '''
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[Iowa Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[Iowa Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]
| width="10%" align="center" | County Formation
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[Iowa Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Earliest
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | '''Statewide Registration '''
| width="16.6%" align="center" |  
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| width="16.6%" align="center" | County Formation
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| width="16.6%" align="center" |  
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Statewide Registration
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | '''General Compliance'''<ref>[https://history.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/history-research-collections-vitalrecords-reference-18.pdf State Historical Society of Iowa] accessed June 2024</ref>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1921
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1880  
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1921
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | General Compliance
| colspan="4" |*See [http://iagenweb.org/state/research/bmdguide.htm Iowa GenWeb] for county start dates
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1924
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1880
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1924&nbsp;
|}
 
<br>
 
|}
|}
<div style="clear:left"></div>


== Online Resources ==
== Online Resources ==
=== Birth ===
*'''1800-1999''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2547 Iowa Births and Christenings Index, 1800-1999] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1830-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1674820|Iowa Births and Christenings, 1830-1950}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1837-1987''' {{RecordSearch|2366597|Iowa Church and Civil Births and Baptisms, 1837-1987}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1850-1939''' {{RecordSearch|2527591|Iowa Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Delayed Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1856-1944''' [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61441 Iowa Delayed Birth Records, 1856-1944] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1857-1947''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2547 Iowa Births and Christenings Index, 1857-1947] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1880-1935''' {{RecordSearch|1821206|Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935}} at FamilySearch - [[Iowa, County Births - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, some images
*'''1888-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20191/iowa-births?s=275764761&trp=&trn=organic_google&trl= Iowa, Births] at MyHeritage - index ($)
*'''1921-1942''' {{RecordSearch|2849548|Iowa Birth Records, 1921-1942}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


*'''1830-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1674820|Iowa, Births and Christenings, 1830-1950}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] - Index. - [[Iowa Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
=== Marriage ===
*'''1850-1939''' {{RecordSearch|2527591|Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — index and images - [[Iowa, Delayed Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*'''1600s-1900s''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=iowa US Marriages - Iowa, 1600's to 1900's] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''1857-1947''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2547 Iowa Births and Christenings Index, 1857-1947] at [https://www.ancestry.com Ancestry] ($) - Index
*'''1758-1996''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60284 Iowa Select Marriages Index] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1880-1935''' {{RecordSearch|1821206|Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] - [[Iowa, County Births - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*'''1809-1992''' {{RecordSearch|1674842|Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index; ''Also at: [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30192/iowa-marriages-1809-1992?s=218489221 MyHeritage]($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60284 Ancestry]($) ''
*'''1898-2015''' {{RecordSearch|2849247|Iowa, Monroe County, Card index of births, deaths & marriages from newspaper clippings, 1898-2015}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — index and images - [[Iowa, Monroe County, Card Index of Births, Deaths & Marriages from Newspaper Clippings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*'''1835-1850''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2088 Iowa Compiled Marriages, 1835-1850] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1921-1942''' {{RecordSearch|2849548|Iowa, Birth Records, 1921-1942}} at [https://familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index and images - [[Iowa, Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*'''1836-1926''' [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10206/iowa-marriages-1836-1926?s=218489221 Iowa Marriages, 1836-1926] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1837-1987''' - {{RecordSearch|2366597|Iowa, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms, 1837-1987}} index and images.
*'''1838-1934''' {{RecordSearch|1805551|Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
<br>
*'''1844-1900''' {{FSC|409048|item|disp=Iowa Marriages, ca. 1844-1900}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images<ref>Iowa. State Department of History and Archives. ''Iowa Marriages, ca. 1844–1900.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1978. (FamilySearch Library {{FSC|409048|title-id|disp=film 1023609 items 11–21}}.)  Images are browsable. Starting image numbers for each county:
**Buena Vista #698 of 1437 images
**Chickasaw #717
**Des Moines #781
**Floyd #967
**Fremont #1029
**Greene #1103
**Mills #1160
**Osceola #1258
**Plymouth #1302
**Pottawattamie #1332
**Story #1386
</ref>
*'''1851-1900''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4460 Iowa Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1880-1947''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8823 Iowa Marriage Records, 1880-1947] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1941-1951''' {{RecordSearch|4127799|Iowa Marriage Records, 1941-1951}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*See [[Iowa_Divorce_Records|Iowa Divorce Records]]


'''''Marriages'''''
=== Death ===
*'''1518-1996''' [https://www.findmypast.com/search/results?datasetname=united+states+marriages&sid=103&state=iowa Iowa in United States Marriages 1518-1996] at [https://www.findmypast.com/ Find My Past] ($) - index and images
*'''1845-1987''' {{RecordSearch|2366613|Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index  
*'''1809-1992''' {{RecordSearch|1674842|Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] - Index - [[Iowa Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*'''1850-1990''' {{RecordSearch|1674841|Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index; ''Also at: [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60283 Ancestry]($), [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30191/iowa-deaths-burials-1850-1990?s=218489221 MyHeritage]($)''
*'''1809-1992''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60284 Iowa, Select Marriages, 1809-1992] at [https://www.ancestry.com Ancestry] ($) - index.
*'''1880-1972''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61442/ Iowa, U.S., Death Records, 1880-1972] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1809-1992''' [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30192/iowa-marriages-1809-1992?s=218489221 Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992] at [http://www.myheritage.com MyHeritage] ($) - index
*'''1880-1992'''{{RecordSearch|2110820|Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, County Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1835-1850''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2088 Iowa, Compiled Marriages, 1835-1850] at [https://www.ancestry.com Ancestry] ($) - abstracts
*'''1888-1904''' {{RecordSearch|5000144|Iowa, Death Records, 1888-1904}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1836-1926''' [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10206/iowa-marriages-1836-1926?s=218489221 Iowa, Marriages, 1836-1926] at [http://www.myheritage.com MyHeritage] ($), index.
*'''1900-1939''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10186/iowa-death-index-1900-1939 Iowa Death Index, 1900-1939] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1838-1934''' {{RecordSearch|1805551|Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — index and images - [[Iowa, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*'''1904-1951''' {{RecordSearch|2531337|Iowa Death Records, 1904-1951}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1851-1900''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4460 Iowa, Marriages, 1851-1900] at [https://www.ancestry.com Ancestry] ($) - Index
*'''1880-1945''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8823 Iowa, Marriage Records, 1880-1945] at [https://www.ancestry.com Ancestry] ($) - index and images


'''''Divorces'''''
===Divorce===
*'''1906-1937''' {{RecordSearch|3648676|Iowa, Historical Society of Iowa, Divorce Records, 1906-1937}} at [https://familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] – index and images — [[Iowa, Historical Society of Iowa, Divorce Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*See [[Iowa Divorce Records|Iowa Divorce Records]] for more resources.


'''''Deaths'''''
== Get Copies ==
*{{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] - Index and images — [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
'''Iowa Department of Public Health and Human Services''' (IA HHS)<br>Vital Records Bureau<br>Lucas State Office Building<br>321 East 12th Street<br>Des Moines, IA 50319-0075<br>Telephone: 515-281-4944<br>Fax: 515-281-4529 <br> [https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/vital-records Website]
*[http://iowagenealogy.org/?page_id=5363 TAPS] at [http://iowagenealogy.org/ Iowa Genealogical Society] - index of death information for Spanish War Veterans.
*[http://www.deathindexes.com/iowa/index.html Iowa Online Iowa Death Records and Indexes] at [http://www.deathindexes.com DeathIndexes]
*'''1850-1990''' {{RecordSearch|1674841|Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] - Index — [[Iowa Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1850-1990''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60283 Iowa, Select Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990] at [https://www.ancestry.com Ancestry] ($) - index.
*'''1850-1990''' [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30191/iowa-deaths-burials-1850-1990?s=218489221 Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990] [http://www.myheritage.com MyHeritage] ($) - index.
*'''1880-1992'''{{RecordSearch|2110820|Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — [[Iowa, County Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1904-1951''' {{RecordSearch|2531337|Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951}} at [https://familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] - index and images — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1936-2007''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007] at [https://www.ancestry.com Ancestry] ($) - incomplete
*'''1935-2014''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014] at [https://www.ancestry.com Ancestry] ($)
*'''1845-1987''' - {{RecordSearch|2366613|Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/en/ FamilySearch], index


== Iowa Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online  ==
:*Has copies of birth records from July 1880, death records from January 1891, and marriage records from July 1880.
:*Entitled persons (for certified copies) are: the person named on the record or that person’s spouse, children, legal parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, or legal representative or guardian<ref>Iowa Department of Public Health and Human Services. [https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/vital-records Vital Records] - Certified copies are issued only to the person, spouse, children, legal parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, or legal representative or guardian.</ref>.
:* [https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/vital-records/how-request-certified-record How to Request a Certified Record], which includes more recent records than those online (above)


The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Iowa Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]],&nbsp; [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]],&nbsp;divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]].&nbsp; Most online resources for Iowa Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index.
'''State Historical Society of Iowa''' (HS of IA) <br>3rd Floor <br>West 600 E. Locust St.<br>
Des Moines, IA 50319<br>
Telephone: (515) 281-5111<br>[https://history.iowa.gov/history/research/collections/vital-records Website]<br>
:* Has available birth, death and marriage records from across the state.
:*[https://history.iowa.gov/history/form/referencerequest Request form] to obtain uncertified records from HS of IA


'''Birth Indexes:'''  
'''County Records:''' Local registrars are located in [https://cdphe.colorado.gov/contact-vital-records county recorders offices] maintain records of birth, death and marriages that have occurred in that county.
*Certified copies require close relationship.
*To obtain copies of the original marriage records, contact the clerk of the district court in the county where the license was issued.
<br>
County registrars do not have the following records in their physical custody<ref>Iowa Department of Public Health and Human Services. [https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/vital-records Vital Records] (accessed April 2024)</ref>
*Single-parent births prior to July 1, 1995
*Adoptions
*Birth records after a legal change of name through Iowa Code chapter 674
*Delayed records filed one year or more after the event
*Any record ordered seal by a court of law
*Birth, death, and marriage records between the years 1921 to 1941


*{{RecordSearch|1674820|Iowa Births and Christening, 1830-1950}} - FamilySearch Historical Records Free; Incomplete. These are indexes that lead to the film numbers in the FHL collection.
== Coverage and Compliance ==
*{{RecordSearch|1821206|Iowa County Births, 1880-1935}} - FamilySearch Historical Records, Free; Incomplete. These are indexes that lead to the film numbers in the FHL collection.


'''Marriage Indexes:'''  
'''Births and Deaths''': Most counties began in 1880, as required by a state law. This law was generally complied with by 1924.


*{{RecordSearch|1674842|Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992}} - Free; Incomplete. These are indexes that lead to the film numbers in the FHL collection.
'''Marriages''': Most counties began keeping marriage records once they were organized. Compliance was high from the outset, although the couple may have married in a neighboring county or may have eloped.
*{{RecordSearch|1805551|Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934}} — index and images
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2088 ''Iowa Marriages to 1850''] - $; Incomplete. Ancestry's Collection.<br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4460 ''Iowa Marriages, 1851-1900'']&nbsp;- $; Incomplete. Ancestry's collection.


'''Death Indexes:'''  
'''Note:''' The Iowa State Board of Health was established on July 1, 1880. During the first meeting, they created an Iowa Vital Records system of birth, death, and marriage record keeping. At the same time, registration responsibilities were not well defined, resulting in poor record keeping in some areas of the state.<ref>Iowa Department of Public Health and Human Services. [https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/vital-records Vital Records] Slide down to ''General Information''</ref>


*{{RecordSearch|1674841|Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} - Free; Incomplete. These are indexes that lead to the film numbers in the FHL collection.
== Information in the Records ==


'''Order a copy of the certificate:'''  
=== Birth Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Iowa Birth Records May Include*'''
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Child'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Date/Place'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Birthplace'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Children Born/Living'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residence/Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Midwife/Doctor'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;information
|}


*Order [http://www.idph.state.ia.us/apl/health_statistics.asp Iowa Certificates] online -&nbsp;$ Iowa Department of Public Health. Department of Vital Statistics. Effective Monday, March 13, 2006, written requests for certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage records will not be accepted if they do not include: 1. The applicant's current government-issued photo identification; except if by mail, a clear photocopy of the I.D.; and 2. The applicant's signature signed in front of a notary public or in the presence of an Iowa Registrar of Vital Records.<br>
A few counties in Iowa began to register births and deaths during the 1870s, but most began in 1880, as required by a state law. Laws and forms over the years changed the information collected.<ref>State Historical Society of Iowa. [https://history.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/history-research-collections-vitalrecords-reference-18.pdf Researching Iowa Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records] .pdf.</ref>  


[[Iowa Vital Records#More_Online_Iowa_Vital_Records_Links|More Online Iowa Vital Records Links]]  
For more information, see [[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records]]
<br><br>
'''Delayed Birth Records'''<br>
In the 1940s, many adults applied for delayed birth certificates in order to be eligible for [[United_States_Social_Security_Administration_Records|Social Security]] benefits.
<br>
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:Iowa|Iowa Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Iowa Birth Records|How to Find Iowa Birth Records]]
*[[How to Find Birth Information in the United States|How to Find Birth Information in the United States]]
*[[United States, How to Use Birth Records|United States How to Use Birth Records]]


== Birth Records  ==
<div style="clear:both"></div>


Birth records contain much information for family historians. Because births are recorded near the time of the event, they are considered a primary source. In birth records, you generally find the date and place of birth; name and sex of the child; name, residence, race, age, birthplace, and occupation of the father and mother; the mother’s maiden name; number of children born to the mother; number of living children; and physician’s certificate. For more information on birth records see the [[United States Birth Records|birth records]] page.  
=== Marriage Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Iowa Marriage Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Names of Bride/Groom**'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Marriage'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Presiding Official'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Times Married'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Dates/Places of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residences/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;less information<br>** May be previous married name<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;of bride
|-
|}
Iowa county marriage records have been kept since about 1835.  


'''County Records of Births and Deaths''' A few counties in Iowa began to register [http://iagenweb.org/state/research/bmdguide.htm vital statistics] during the 1870s, but most county records began in 1880, when a state law took effect requiring counties to register births and deaths. This law was generally complied with by 1924. In the 1940s, many people applied for delayed birth certificates in order to be eligible for[https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Social Security ]benefits.
There was no waiting period between the time of issuing a license and the performance of the marriage.
<br><br>
'''Gretna Greens'''<br>
Couples from Iowa wishing to elope often went to Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa. It is located on the Mississippi River, making it easily accessible to those using the river as transportation.  
*[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Additional Gretna Green locations]]
<br>
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:Iowa|Iowa Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Iowa Marriage Records|How to Find Iowa Marriage Records]]
*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States How to Use Marriage Records]]
*[[Iowa_Divorce_Records|Iowa Divorce Records]]''


The [http://iagenweb.org/state/research/bmdguide.htm Iowa GenWeb page] offers a chart of each Iowa county, and the dates that they began keeping birth, marriage and death records. Many of the counties have transcribed records available at the site if you click on the county name from the chart. For more information see the [[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]]
<div style="clear:both"></div>


'''wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''  
=== Death Records ===
 
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_Births_and_Christenings_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Iowa Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)]
|-
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_County_Births_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Iowa County Births (FamilySearch Historical records)]
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Iowa Death Records May Include:*'''  
 
|-
'''State Records of Births and Deaths''' The state has copies of birth records beginning in July 1880 and copies of death records beginning in January 1891. Copies are available to immediate family members only. You will need to state your relationship to the individual whose record you want and the reason you want the information. To request copies or information about fees and restrictions, contact:
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Decedent'''  
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
[http://www.idph.state.ia.us/ Iowa Department of Public Health]<br>Vital Records Bureau<br>Lucas State Office Building<br>321 East 12th Street<br>Des Moines, IA 50319-0075<br>Telephone: 515-281-4944<br>Fax: 515-281-4529
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| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Death'''
Click [http://www.vitalrec.com here] for current fees and lists of services.
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
 
|-
== Marriage Records  ==
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''  
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
Iowa county marriage records have been kept since about 1835. These marriage records may provide names, ages, races, residences, occupations, birthplaces, maiden name of wife, marriage date and place, parents’ names, and the name of person who performed the marriage. Some certificates give the number of times the groom has been married. For more information about marriage records see the [[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]] page.
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| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Occupation'''  
You may obtain copies of the original records by contacting the clerk of the district court in the county where the license was issued. Many marriage records have been transcribed and published by the [http://www.isdar.org/ Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)] and other organizations. See the [[United States Bible Records|Bible Records]] page for information on the DAR collection.
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
 
|-
Some early [http://iagenweb.org/history/marriages/earlyiowamarriages.htm Iowa marriages pre-1850] have been transcribed.
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Age/Date of Birth'''  
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
'''Wiki articles describing online collections ''''''are''''''found at:'''  
|-
 
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''State/Country of Birth'''  
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_County_Marriage_Records_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Iowa County Marriage Records (FamilySearch&nbsp;Historical Records)]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_Marriages_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Iowa Marriages (FamilySearch&nbsp;Historica lRecords)]
|-
 
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Length of Residence'''
Many '''eloping couples '''went to Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa to be married, there was no waiting period between the time of issuing a license and the performance of the marriage. Keokuk is located on the Mississippi; making it accessible to those traveling the river.
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
 
|-
The following book indexes marriages in 24 counties:
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Spouse'''
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
*''Iowa Marriages Before Statehood, 1835–1846'' <ref>Fretwell, Shela S. ''Iowa Marriages Before Statehood, 1835–1846''. Waterloo, Iowa: n.p., 1985. (Family History Library {{FHL|340125|title-id|disp=book 977.7 V2f}}.)</ref>
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| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
Records of 11 counties are given in the following collection:
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*''Iowa Marriages, ca. 1844–1900.'' <ref>Iowa. State Department of History and Archives. ''Iowa Marriages, ca. 1844–1900.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1978. (Family History Library {{FHL|409048|title-id|disp=film 1023609 items 11–21}}.) </ref>Contains marriage abstracts and newspaper marriage notices for Buena Vista, Chickasaw, Des Moines, Floyd, Freemont, Greene, Mills, Osceola, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, and Story Counties.
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Places of Parents'''
*[https://idph.iowa.gov/health-statistics/vital-records The Iowa Department of Public Health] has copies of marriage records from July 1880. They have an index to records after 1916.
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
 
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== Deaths Records  ==
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Physician'''  
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
Death records are also a valuable source. Often, they give: date, place, and cause of death, name, residence, sex, race, marital status, age, occupation and birth place of the deceased, date and place of burial, name and birth place of father, and maiden name and birth place of mother.
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| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cause of Death'''  
These death records are maintained by the clerk of the district court of the respective county. There are some [http://www.deathindexes.com/iowa/index.html death indexes] that are very helpful.
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'''Coroner's Records''' [http://www.idph.state.ia.us/do/medical_examiner_faq.asp Coroners] investigated deaths that were not attended by a physician and determined the cause of the death. The coroner of each county kept records of his findings. Some of these records began as early as 1855. [http://www.idph.state.ia.us/do/medical_examiner.asp The County Coroner’s Office] was established by the Iowa State Constitution. The coroner’s records may provide the name of the deceased person, his or her age, the cause of death, the parents’ names, and circumstances of the death. Some of these records are available at the[https://familysearch.org/search/#form=catalog Family History Library] such as ''Coroner's Reports, 1855–1959''. <ref>Clayton County (Iowa). Coroner. ''Coroner's Reports, 1855–1959''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1990. (On five Family History Library {{FHL|576360|title-id|disp=films beginning with 1671795}}) </ref><br>
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Informant'''
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
*'''1880-1992''' {{RecordSearch|2110820|Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index
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| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cemetery'''
'''A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:''' [[Iowa Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
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'''Fetal Deaths'''<br>
Only parents named may request a copy of a "Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth." A copy of a "Fetal Death Certificate" is available only to parents.<ref>“United States Fetal Death Records,” ''Lake Superior Roots, v 29, no 2.'' (Marquette, Michigan:  Marquette County Genealogical Society, 2016), 11.</ref>
 
== Divorce Records  ==
 
[http://www.countyregistry.org/divorce-records/iowa/ Iowa divorce records] have been kept since about 1834, when the first [[Iowa, United States Genealogy|Iowa]] county was formed. They may provide: a person’s age, the divorce date, maiden name of wife, marriage date and place, occupation, childrens’ names, names of other family members, and places the family lived. Early divorce proceedings are in the district court of each county, and beginning in 1906, transcribed copies of divorce records were sent to the state.
 
===Online Resources===
The Family History Library has copies of the following divorce records:
 
*Prior to 1906 (a few counties)
*1906–mid 1900s (many counties)
 
In the Locality Search of the FamilySearch Catalog, divorce records are listed under:
 
:IOWA,[COUNTY] - DIVORCE RECORDS
 
'''''See Also'''''  
 
For divorce records see the "[[Iowa Divorce Records|Iowa Divorce Records]]" page. More information about divorce records in the United States can be found on the [[United States Divorce Records|Divorce records]] page.
 
== Additional Helps  ==
 
=== Tips  ===
 
*Information listed on vital records is given by an informant.&nbsp; Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.&nbsp; The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
*If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial.&nbsp; A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths. [[Iowa Vital Records#Substitute_Records|Other substitute records.]]
*Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records.&nbsp; Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.<br>
 
=== Burned, Lost, or Missing Records  ===
 
{| style="float:right; margin-right:600px"
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|-
| style="padding-right:0px"|
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;information
|[[Image:Fire.png|thumb|right|65px]]
|}
|}
For a list of record loss in Iowa counties see the following:  
A few counties in Iowa began to register deaths during the 1870s, but most began in 1880, as required by a state law.
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research in FamilySearch Wiki]]
<br><br>
For more information, see [[United States Death Records|United States Death Records]]
<br><br>
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:Iowa|Iowa Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Iowa Death Records|How to Find Iowa Death Records]]
*[[United States, How to Find Death Records|United States How to Find Death]] records
*[[United States, How to Use Death Records|United States How to Use Death Records]]
<br>
'''Cause of Death'''
*[[Historical Causes of Death|Causes of Death]] - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate


=== Substitute Records  ===
<div style="clear:both"></div>


These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.  
== Additional Information ==
''See also:<br>
*[[Iowa Guided Research|Iowa Guided Research]]
*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]
*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
*''Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Iowa''. Des Moines, Iowa: Iowa Historical Records Survey, 1941. {{FSC|171080|disp=FS Catalog book 977.7 V2h; film 908988}}; {{WorldCat|4009345|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDB|40057}} — Tells the history and availability of vital records in Iowa up to 1941.
*[http://iagenweb.org/state/research/bmdguide.htm Iowa] at USGenWeb.org - vital records resources and information


*[[Iowa Church Records|Church Records]]: Depending on the denomination, church records&nbsp;may contain information about birth, marriage and death.  
==Strategy==
*[[Iowa Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information.&nbsp; These records may also reveal family relationships.  
'''Tips for Using Vital Records'''<br>
*[[Iowa Census|Census Records]]: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappear from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.
*Certificate or record is not found:
*[[Iowa Newspapers|Newspapers]]: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices.&nbsp; Also check newspaper social columns for&nbsp;additional information.&nbsp;
#Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
*[[Iowa Periodicals|Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.
#Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
*[[Iowa Military Records|Military Records]]: &nbsp;Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information,&nbsp; In addition, soldiers' homes records can included this same information.
#The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See [[Iowa Vital Records#Burned, Lost, or Missing Records|Burned, Lost, or Missing Records]].
*[[Iowa Probate Records|Probate Records]]: If no death record exists, probate records&nbsp;may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century&nbsp;often contain the exact death date.
#The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. [[Iowa Vital Records#Substitute Records|Substitute Records]].
*[[Iowa History|History]]: &nbsp;Local histories, family&nbsp;histories&nbsp;and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the FamilySearch Catalog.
*Examine the record to determine accuracy:
#Person providing information may not remember events accurately
#Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
#Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
#Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly
*Review the informant on the document:
#Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
#See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
#Verify vital information with other sources <br>
<br>
''See also:''<br>
* [[Iowa Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]


== More Online Iowa Vital Records Links ==
===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===
The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.<br>
{| style="width:70%; vertical-align:top;"
|-
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Adair County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Adair]]
*[[Adams County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Adams]]
*[[Benton County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Benton]]
*[[Buena Vista County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Buena Vista]]
*[[Calhoun County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Calhoun]]
*[[Carroll County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Carroll]]
*[[Cass County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Cass]]
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Chickasaw County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Chickasaw]]
*[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Decatur]]
*[[Des Moines County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Des Moines]]
*[[Dickinson County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Dickinson]]
*[[Fayette County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Fayette]]
*[[Floyd County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Floyd]]
*[[Fremont County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Fremont]]
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Guthrie County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Guthrie]]
*[[Hardin County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Hardin]]
*[[Harrison County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Harrison]]
*[[Howard County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Howard]]
*[[Ida County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Ida]]
*[[Jones County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Jones]]
*[[Lee County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Lee]]
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Madison County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Madison]]
*[[Muscatine County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Muscatine]]
*[[Page County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Page]]
*[[Ringgold County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Ringgold]]
*[[Sac County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Sac]]
*[[Story County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Story]]
*[[Union County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Union]]
|}


*USGenWeb.org [http://iagenweb.org/ Iowa Site] - Free
''See also:''
*[http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html#Iowa Iowa Databases] listed on Rootsweb.com - Free
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.
*German Roots Links for Iowa [http://www.germanroots.com/vitalrecords.html#Iowa Birth &amp; Marriage]&nbsp;and [http://www.germanroots.com/deathrecords.html Death] Records -&nbsp;Free/$ This site includes all vital records, not just those of German descent.
*For more information about the history and availability of vital records in Iowa up to 1941, see: ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Iowa'' <ref>''Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Iowa''. Des Moines, Iowa: Iowa Historical Records Survey, 1941. (Family History Library {{FHL|908988|film|disp=book 977.7 V2h; film 908988}}.)</ref>


'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''
===Substitute Records===
 
For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information see:
*[[Iowa Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|Iowa Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records]]  
*[[Iowa_Substitute Records|Iowa Substitute Records]]
*[[Iowa Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|Iowa Deaths and Burial - FamilySearch Historical Records]]  
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Birth_Information|Substitute Records for United States Birth]]
*[http://www.deathindexes.com/iowa/index.html Iowas Death Records and Indexes] (deathindexes.com)
*[[Substitute_Records_for_United_States_Marriage_Information|Substitute Records for United States Marriage]]
*[[Iowa Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|Iowa Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records]]  
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Death_Information|Substitute Records for United States Death]]
*[[Iowa County Births - FamilySearch Historical Records|Iowa County Births - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[Iowa County Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|Iowa County Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]]


== References  ==
== References  ==


<references />
{{reflist}}  
 
{{Iowa|Iowa}} {{U.S. Vital Records}}  


[[Category:Iowa_Vital_Records]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]
[[Category:Iowa_Vital_Records]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]][[Category:Iowa, United States]]
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