How to Find Iowa Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Iowa Deaths

Statewide registration of deaths began in 1899 in Iowa; however, general compliance did not begin until 1917. Counties have copies of these records.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record: Deaths before 1877 Deaths between 1877 and 1939 Deaths after 1939

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1877

Before 1877, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records	Church Records Census Bible Records

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Deaths between 1877 and 1939

Some counties in Iowa began to keep death records in 1877. Statewide registration started in 1899 but not every death was recorded. General compliance throughout the state began in 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

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

Iowa Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only
Try 1st:
	1877-1939 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index of Iowa death records created by Iowa Department of Health and Vital Statistics. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers
Try 2nd:
	1900-1921 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Iowa. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers.
Try 3rd:
	1877-1998 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index of deaths from the Iowa Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for death information in other records.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

There are two options:

• If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
• If the indexed information did NOT contain a GS microfilm number, you can you can order a microfilm corresponding to the correct certificate number from the library's database of Iowa death certificates, 1877-1939.

Deaths after 1939

The state of Iowa began recording deaths in 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.

Iowa Death Databases - Includes Index Only
	1877-1998 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index of deaths from the Iowa Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

To get an image of the certificate, you can order a copy of the death certificate for a fee from one of the following locations:

• Iowa Department of Health
• VitalChek

Death records are also maintained at the county level. County copies may be obtained at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the event occurred.

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

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Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate with information on the cause of death for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:

• The decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling

Documentation that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of the decedent;

• Any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the previously mentioned persons.

NOTE: A copy of the certificate with information about the cause of death cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

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

Return to top: Choose another death year

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