Iowa Divorce Records: Difference between revisions

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Early divorce proceedings are in the [https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/ district court] of each county. Access depends on public or restricted classification. Call then email your request, since older records are stored.<ref>Per phone call to Jefferson County District Court, (641)472-3454 5/29/2024</ref>
Early divorce proceedings are in the [https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/ district court] of each county. Access depends on public or restricted classification. Call then email your request, since older records are stored.<ref>Per phone call to Jefferson County District Court, (641)472-3454 5/29/2024</ref>
==Coverage and Compliance==
Iowa divorce records have been kept since about 1834, when the first [[Iowa, United States Genealogy|Iowa]] county was formed.
*Divorces are court records and there is high compliance.
*Many couples separated leaving no divorce record.
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== Information in the Records ==
== Information in the Records ==
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*Starting in 1834, Divorce records in Iowa provide: a person’s age, occupation, and places the family lived.
*Beginning in 1906, each county sent transcribed copies of divorce records to the state<ref>[https://history.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/history-research-collections-vitalrecords-reference-18.pdf Iowa State Historical Society] accessed June, 2024</ref>.
<br>
Divorce records may include:
*Petitions, which started the process, include at least names of parties and the grievance. May include date and place of marriage.
*Certificates or registers contain date marriage was dissolved and names of parties.
*Case files contain the papers created and include marriage and divorce details, residences, and name changes. May include children's names, ages, birth dates.
*''See [[United States Divorce Records|United States Divorce records]] for more information.''


Iowa divorce records have been kept since about 1834, when the first [[Iowa, United States Genealogy|Iowa]] county was formed. They may also provide: a person’s age, occupation, and places the family lived.  
==Strategy==
 
*Divorces can be difficult to locate. The divorce may have occurred in another county. Try all the residences of both the husband and wife.
Beginning in 1906, each county sent transcribed copies of divorce records to the state<ref>[https://history.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/history-research-collections-vitalrecords-reference-18.pdf Iowa State Historical Society] accessed June, 2024</ref>.
*[[United States Newspapers|Newspapers]] often printed information about separations and divorces in the area to help you determine if a divorce exists.
 
*Many couples separated leaving no divorce record.
See [[United States Divorce Records|United States Divorce records]] for more information.
*''See [[United States Divorce Records|United States Divorce Records]] for more information.''


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 09:25, 25 April 2025

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Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Office to Contact - Get Copies[edit | edit source]

Early divorce proceedings are in the district court of each county. Access depends on public or restricted classification. Call then email your request, since older records are stored.[1]

Coverage and Compliance[edit | edit source]

Iowa divorce records have been kept since about 1834, when the first Iowa county was formed.

  • Divorces are court records and there is high compliance.
  • Many couples separated leaving no divorce record.


Information in the Records[edit | edit source]

Iowa Divorce Records Usually Include:
Names of Parties* x
Original Marriage Place x
Divorce Place x
Divorce Date x
# of Children Affected x
* Maiden name of the wife may not
   be included
  • Starting in 1834, Divorce records in Iowa provide: a person’s age, occupation, and places the family lived.
  • Beginning in 1906, each county sent transcribed copies of divorce records to the state[2].


Divorce records may include:

  • Petitions, which started the process, include at least names of parties and the grievance. May include date and place of marriage.
  • Certificates or registers contain date marriage was dissolved and names of parties.
  • Case files contain the papers created and include marriage and divorce details, residences, and name changes. May include children's names, ages, birth dates.
  • See United States Divorce records for more information.

Strategy[edit | edit source]

  • Divorces can be difficult to locate. The divorce may have occurred in another county. Try all the residences of both the husband and wife.
  • Newspapers often printed information about separations and divorces in the area to help you determine if a divorce exists.
  • Many couples separated leaving no divorce record.
  • See United States Divorce Records for more information.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Per phone call to Jefferson County District Court, (641)472-3454 5/29/2024
  2. Iowa State Historical Society accessed June, 2024