Introduction to Iowa Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get an Iowa Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Individual Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.    

Iowa Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Iowa state law, Iowa Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Iowa Death Certificate
• Grandparent of individual named on the Iowa Death certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Iowa Death Certificate 
• Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Iowa Death Certificate
• Grandchild of individual named on the Iowa Death certificate 
• Sister/Brother of Person Named on the Iowa Death Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Iowa Death Certificate

Iowa Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

To obtain an Iowa Death certificate for genealogy reasons you need to meet one of the above criteria.

Iowa Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Iowa Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Iowa Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Iowa Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Iowa Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Iowa Death certificate online.  It usually takes 30-45 days month upon receipt of request to be sent to you. Genealogy requests take at least 60 days:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Iowa Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Iowa Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Iowa Death certificate
• Sex on the Iowa Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Iowa Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Iowa Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Iowa Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Iowa Department of Public Health

Bureau of Health Statistics

Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor

Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Iowa: You may go to any county health department in the State of Iowa to obtain a certified copy of an Iowa Death certificate. Most Iowa Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Iowa Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Iowa Death certificate is $15.00, which includes one certified copy of the Iowa Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Iowa Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $15.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to " Iowa Department of Public Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.