FamilySearch Wiki

Iowa Vital Records: Difference between revisions

Page Talk

Iowa Vital Records (view source)

Revision as of 13:11, 25 April 2025

6,624 bytes added ,  25 April
→‎Strategy
VisualWikitext
(adoptions)
(113 intermediate revisions by 27 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]][[Iowa|Iowa]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]][[Iowa_Vital_Records|Vital Records]]''
{{IA-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
| link3=[[Iowa, United States Genealogy|Iowa]]
| link4=
| link5=[[Iowa Vital Records|Vital Records]]
}}


== '''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"
{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="0"
|-
|-
| width="44%" | __TOC__
| width="10%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
| valign="middle" | <center>'''&nbsp; [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|250px]]&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>
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="1"
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" |
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | '''County/Town* '''
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [[Iowa Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [[Iowa Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]
| width="10%" align="center" | County Formation
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [[Iowa Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | Earliest
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | '''Statewide Registration '''
| align="center" width="16.6%" |
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| align="center" width="16.6%" | County Formation
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| align="center" width="16.6%" |  
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | 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>
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1921
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1880  
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880  
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1921
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | General Compliance
| colspan="4" |*See [http://iagenweb.org/state/research/bmdguide.htm Iowa GenWeb] for county start dates
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1924
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1880
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1924&nbsp;
|}
|}
<div style="clear:left"></div>


<br>
== 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


|}
=== Marriage ===
*'''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 ($)
*'''1758-1996''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60284 Iowa Select Marriages Index] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''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]($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60284 Ancestry]($) ''
*'''1835-1850''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2088 Iowa Compiled Marriages, 1835-1850] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1836-1926''' [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10206/iowa-marriages-1836-1926?s=218489221 Iowa Marriages, 1836-1926] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1838-1934''' {{RecordSearch|1805551|Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''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]]


== Iowa&nbsp;Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online  ==
=== Death ===
*'''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
*'''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]($), [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30191/iowa-deaths-burials-1850-1990?s=218489221 MyHeritage]($)''
*'''1880-1972''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61442/ Iowa, U.S., Death Records, 1880-1972] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1880-1992'''{{RecordSearch|2110820|Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, County Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1888-1904''' {{RecordSearch|5000144|Iowa, Death Records, 1888-1904}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1900-1939''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10186/iowa-death-index-1900-1939 Iowa Death Index, 1900-1939] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1904-1951''' {{RecordSearch|2531337|Iowa Death Records, 1904-1951}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


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.  
===Divorce===
*See [[Iowa Divorce Records|Iowa Divorce Records]] for more resources.


'''Birth Indexes:'''  
== Get Copies ==
'''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]


*{{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.  
:*Has copies of birth records from July 1880, death records from January 1891, and marriage records from July 1880.
*{{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.
:*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)


'''Marriage Indexes:'''  
'''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


*{{RecordSearch|1674842|Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992}} - Free; Incomplete. These are indexes that lead to the film numbers in the FHL collection.
'''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.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2088 ''Iowa Marriages to 1850''] - $; Incomplete.Ancesty's Collection.<br>
*Certified copies require close relationship.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4460 ''Iowa Marriages, 1851-1900'']&nbsp;- $; Incomplete. Ancestry's collection.
*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


'''Death Indexes:'''
== Coverage and Compliance ==


*{{RecordSearch|1674841|Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} - Free; Incomplete. These are indexes that lead to the film numbers in the FHL collection.
'''Births and Deaths''': Most counties began in 1880, as required by a state law. This law was generally complied with by 1924.


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


*Order [http://www.idph.state.ia.us/apl/health_statistics.asp Iowa Certificates] online -&nbsp;<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_30" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_178" />$ Iowa Department of Public Health. Depatment 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>
'''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>


[[Iowa Vital Records#More_Online_Iowa_Vital_Records_Links|More Online Iowa Vital Records Links]]
== Information in the Records ==


== Birth Records ==
=== 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
|}


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.  
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>


'''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.  
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]]


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]] page for the United States.
<div style="clear:both"></div>


'''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:
=== 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.  


[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
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]]''


Click [http://www.vitalrec.com here] for current fees and lists of services.
<div style="clear:both"></div>


Marriage Records  
=== Death Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Iowa Death Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Decedent'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Death'''
| 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" | '''Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Age/Date of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''State/Country of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Length of Residence'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Spouse'''
| 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" | '''Birth Places of Parents'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Physician'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cause of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Informant'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cemetery'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;information
|}
A few counties in Iowa began to register deaths during the 1870s, but most began in 1880, as required by a state law.
<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


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.
<div style="clear:both"></div>


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.
== 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


Some early [http://iagenweb.org/history/marriages/earlyiowamarriages.htm Iowa marriages pre-1850] have been transcribed.  
==Strategy==
'''Tips for Using Vital Records'''<br>
*Certificate or record is not found:
#Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
#Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
#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]].
#The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. [[Iowa Vital Records#Substitute Records|Substitute Records]].
*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]]


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.  
===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===
 
The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.<br>
The following book indexes marriages in 24 counties:
{| style="width:70%; vertical-align:top;"
 
|-  
*''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>
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
 
*[[Adair County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Adair]]
Records of 11 counties are given in the following collection:  
*[[Adams County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Adams]]
 
*[[Benton County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Benton]]
*''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.
*[[Buena Vista County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Buena Vista]]
*[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.
*[[Calhoun County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Calhoun]]
 
*[[Carroll County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Carroll]]
Deaths Records
*[[Cass County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Cass]]
 
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
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.
*[[Chickasaw County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Chickasaw]]
 
*[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Decatur]]
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.
*[[Des Moines County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Des Moines]]
 
*[[Dickinson County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Dickinson]]
'''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>
*[[Fayette County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Fayette]]
 
*[[Floyd County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Floyd]]
[[Iowa Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Fremont County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Fremont]]
 
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
== Divorce Records  ==
*[[Guthrie County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Guthrie]]
 
*[[Hardin County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Hardin]]
[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.
*[[Harrison County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Harrison]]
 
*[[Howard County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Howard]]
The Family History Library has copies of the following divorce records:  
*[[Ida County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Ida]]
 
*[[Jones County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Jones]]
*Prior to 1906 (a few counties)
*[[Lee County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Lee]]
*1906–mid 1900s (many counties)
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
 
*[[Madison County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Madison]]
In the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog, divorce records are listed under:
*[[Muscatine County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Muscatine]]
 
*[[Page County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Page]]
[https://familysearch.org/search/search/index/catalog-search#searchType=catalog&filtered=true&fed=false&collectionId=&catSearchType=title&searchCriteria=Iowa+County+Divorce+records&placeName=&author_givenName=&author_surname= IOWA, [COUNTY] - DIVORCE RECORDS]  
*[[Ringgold County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Ringgold]]
 
*[[Sac County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Sac]]
'''''See Also'''''
*[[Story County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Story]]
 
*[[Union County, Iowa Genealogy#Record Loss|Union]]
[http://www.countyregistry.org/divorce-records/iowa/ Iowa Divorce Records County Registry]  
|}
 
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.
 
== Adoption Records ==
 
For policies regarding accessing adoption records, [http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Child_Welfare/Adoption/AdoptionRecords.html click here].
 
== 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>
 
=== [[Image:Fire.png|thumb|right|110px]]Burned, Lost, or Missing Records  ===
 
For a list of record loss in Illinois counties see the following:  
 
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research in FamilySearch Wiki]]<br>
 
=== Substitute Records  ===
 
These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.
 
*[[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
*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.
*Progenealogists Links for the [http://progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthb.htm United States]. Press '''Ctrl + F''' on the keyboard to search for '''Iowa''' or '''IA''' -&nbsp;Free/$
*[http://fhlfavorites.info/Links/USA_States/States_Frames/Iowa/iowa.htm Iowa Links] from [http://fhlfavorites.info/ fhlfavorites.info] -&nbsp;Free
*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:'''
''See also:''
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.


*[[Iowa Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Iowa Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
===Substitute Records===
*[[Iowa Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Iowa Deaths and Burial (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information see:
*[[Iowa Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Iowa Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Iowa_Substitute Records|Iowa Substitute Records]]
*[[Iowa County Births (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Iowa County Births (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Birth_Information|Substitute Records for United States Birth]]
*[[Iowa County Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Iowa County Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Substitute_Records_for_United_States_Marriage_Information|Substitute Records for United States Marriage]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Death_Information|Substitute Records for United States Death]]


== References  ==
== References  ==


<references />
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Iowa|Vital]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]
[[Category:Iowa_Vital_Records]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]][[Category:Iowa, United States]]
Batsondl
Approver, Batcheditor, Moderator, Patroller, Protector, Reviewer, Bots, Bureaucrats, editor, Interface administrators, pagecreator, pagedeleter, Page Ownership admin, Push subscription managers, smwadministrator, smwcurator, smweditor, Suppressors, Administrators, Upload Wizard campaign editors, Widget editors
795,753

edits

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/967080...6252034"