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.

Coverage and Compliance

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

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.

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

• 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.