Certified Copies in Iowa: Where and What It Costs
Certified copies
Ordering Certified Copies in Iowa
Where to order a certified vital record or corporate record issued in Iowa, what it costs, what the office requires, and what happens to it afterwards.
- Birth certificate
- $20.00
- Death certificate
- $20.00
- Marriage
- $20.00
- Divorce
- Contact the county; the state office does not list divorce
Vital records
Issued by: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records
Post to: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Lucas Office Building, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
| Record | Certified copy |
|---|---|
| Birth | $20.00 |
| Death | $20.00 |
| Marriage | $20.00 |
| Divorce | Contact the county; the state office does not list divorce |
What Iowa requires
- Cheque or money order to Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
- Birth, death and marriage records from July 1880.
Corporate records
A certificate of good standing and certified copies of formation documents for a Iowa entity come from Iowa Secretary of State, Notary Division, normally online and often the same day.
Iowa Secretary of State, Notary Division
- Order from the state where the entity was formed, not where it trades.
- A certificate of good standing is a statement of current status. A certified copy of the articles is a different product; if a foreign authority asks for the formation documents, you need the latter.
- Ask for a certified or exemplified copy. A plain download from the state website carries no seal and cannot be authenticated.
What happens next
Once you hold the certified copy, authentication in Iowa goes through Iowa Secretary of State, Notary Division, at $5.00 per apostille or certification.
Questions people actually ask
Where do I order a Iowa birth certificate?
From Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records. Post to Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Lucas Office Building, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075. A certified copy is $20.00.
Does the Iowa Secretary of State issue birth certificates?
No. Vital records come from the health department; the Secretary of State handles corporate records and, in most states, the apostille. They are separate offices with separate fees.
What will Iowa reject?
Cheque or money order to Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Can I have it apostilled straight away?
Yes, and that is the right order. Order the certified copy first, then send it for authentication. Do not sign, stamp or laminate it in between, and do not open a sealed envelope.
This guide is published by a private document processing service. It is not legal advice and we are not a government agency. Requirements change without notice, so confirm anything critical with the mission before you post documents.
