Iowa Divorce Records

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U.S. Divorce Records

Iowa

Divorce Records

Online Resources

• 1906-1937 Iowa Historical Society of Iowa, Divorce Records, 1906-1937 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1992-2008 Iowa, U.S., Divorce Index, 1992-2008 at Ancestry — Index ($)

Office to Contact - Get Copies

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.

Background

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

Information in the Records

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 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.
• See United States Divorce records for more information.

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.
• Many couples simply separated, leaving no divorce record.
• See United States Divorce records for more information.