How to Find Iowa Birth Records

Finding United States Births Iowa Births

Finding Iowa Birth Records

Iowa was created in 1846 from Iowa Territory. Statewide registration of births began in July 1880 in Iowa and was generally complied with by 1924. The counties have copies of these records.

Next Step: When did the birth occur?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record: Births before 1880 Births from 1853 thru 1912 Births from 1913 thru 1930 Births from 1931 thru 1969 Births after 1969 to the present I don't know when the birth is

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

    Births before 1880

Before 1880, very few births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Records that give birth information:
Death Records Cemetery Records Newspapers	Church Records Census Military Records

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 Births from 1853 thru 1912

In 1880, Iowa was created a state from Iowa Territory. Iowa began to register vital records during the 1870s, but most county records began in 1880, when a state law took effect requiring counties to record births. Statewide registration of births began in July 1880. 

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
Try 2nd:
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

Return to top: Choose another birth year

 Births from 1913 thru 1930

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the West Virginia Vital Registration office.

Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930	West Virginia Virginia Division of Culture and History - Free;  most counties go to 1930: list of county coverage (right side of the screen); collection also contains delayed birth records
Try 2nd:
	West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930	FamilySearch - Free; not all counties are complete to 1930: list of county coverage (right side of the screen); collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image
Next try:
Includes Index Only
At FamilySearch Centers/Libraries:
	West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969	Ancestry Library edition - free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
Use Your Ancestry Subscription:
	West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969	Ancestry Subscription - $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

Obtain the Certificate

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the county of birth or the West Virginia Department of Health office.

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:

• The person on the certificate
• The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
• The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
• The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
• The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
• Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1931 thru 1969

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the West Virginia Vital Registration office.

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information

Includes Index Only
At FamilySearch Centers/libraries:
	West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969	Ancestry Library edition - free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
Use Your Ancestry Subscription:
	West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969	Ancestry Subscription version - $, to sign up for a subscription; Obtain a subscription to Ancestry
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

 STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the county of birth or the West Virginia Department of Health office.

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:

• The person on the certificate
• The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
• The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
• The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
• The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
• Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

 Births after 1969

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the county of birth or the West Virginia Department of Health office.

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:

• The person on the certificate
• The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
• The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
• The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
• The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
• Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

• Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
• United States Record Selection Table
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• United States Vital Records
• Locating United States Vital Records
• United States Death Records
• United States Marriage Records

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