Iowa Vital Records: Difference between revisions

== '''Introduction to Vital Records'''  ==

[[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]] has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/Iowa.htm Iowa Vital Records State Department of Health] or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.  

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== Vital Records Reference Dates  ==

Iowa's vital records start the following years:  

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| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1924&nbsp;

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== Iowa&nbsp;Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online  ==

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.  

'''Birth Indexes:'''  

*{{RecordSearch|1674820|Iowa Births and Christening, 1830-1950}} - Free; Incomplete

'''Marriage Indexes:'''  

*{{RecordSearch|1674842|Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992}} - Free; Incomplete  

*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2088 ''Iowa Marriages to 1850''] - $; Incomplete  

'''Death Indexes:'''  

*{{RecordSearch|1674841|Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} - Free; Incomplete

'''Order a copy of the certificate:'''  

*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/Indiana.htm Iowa Certificates] online -&nbsp;<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_30" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_178" />$&nbsp;

[[Iowa_Vital_Records#More_Online_Iowa_Vital_Records_Links|More Online Iowa Vital Records Links]]  

== Birth Records  ==

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.  

'''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 [http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=2;t=searchable;c=1202535 Social Security] benefits.  

'''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:  

Click [http://www.vitalrec.com here] for current fees and lists of services. <br>  

[[Iowa_Vital_Records_Index_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records)|Iowa Vital Records Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]

== Marriage Records  ==

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.  

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.  

*''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>

*''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.

*[http://www.idph.state.ia.us/apl/health_statistics.asp The Iowa Department of Public Health] has copies of marriage records from July 1880. They have an index to records after 1916.

== Deaths Records  ==

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.  

'''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 [[Family History Library|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>

== Divorce Records  ==

[http://ezinearticles.com/?Search-Iowa-Divorce-Records-Online&id=1310222 Iowa divorce records] have been kept since about 1834, when the first [[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.  

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.  

*[[Iowa Church Records|Church Records]]: Depending on the denomination, church records&nbsp;may contain information about birth, marriage and death.

*[[Iowa Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information.&nbsp; These records may also reveal family relationships.

*[[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.

*[[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;

*[[Iowa Periodicals|Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.

*[[Iowa Military Records|Military Records]]: &nbsp;Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information,&nbsp; In addtion, soldiers' homes records can included this same information.

*[[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.

*[[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 Family History Library catalog.

== More Online Iowa Vital Records Links  ==

*USGenWeb.org [http://iagenweb.org/ Iowa Site] - Free  

*[http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html#Iowa Iowa Databases] listed on Rootsweb.com - Free  

== References  ==

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>  

[[Category:Iowa|Vital]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]