Get your certified Iowa Birth Certificate

A certified copy of an Iowa birth certificate costs $15 from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Additional copies ordered at the same time are also $15 each. Expedited processing and shipping are available for additional fees.

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Yes, you can order an Iowa birth certificate online through an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Iowa Department of Public Health in Des Moines or through your local county registrar.

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In Iowa, eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from the authorized applicant.

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Iowa birth certificates are not public records. Access is restricted to eligible individuals with a direct and tangible interest as defined by Iowa law. The Iowa Department of Public Health requires proof of identity and eligibility before issuing certified copies.

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An official (certified) birth certificate will have distinct features indicating the IDPH issues. The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person’s identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth. A long-form official birth certificate is used for legal purposes, whereas a short-form informational copy is usually not. The IDPH defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

Need a certified copy? Order your Iowa birth certificate online.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the IDPH.

a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the IDPH office during hours of availability.

b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the IDPH at:

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Statistics

Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor 321 E. 12th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).

2. The IDPH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Replace yours quickly — order an Iowa birth certificate replacement online.

The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Health Statistics provides a straightforward process for correcting or amending an Iowa birth certificate. The forms required vary based on the specific changes needed. When a birth record is modified, it requires an amendment. Any additional changes are attached as addendums to the original record, while the original document remains unaltered.

Typically, requests to correct or amend birth records will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application: The Amendment to Iowa Certificate of Birth, which requires a signature from a Notary Public.
2. Supporting documentation: Some accepted documents include:
   Certified copy of military entry or discharge papers.
   Hospital or physician medical record.
   Life insurance policy or pension plan.
   Original statement by employer.
   School Record or Enrollment Record (no diplomas)
3. Appropriate fee(s): A $15.00 processing fee. An additional fee is required for a certified copy of the amended birth certificate.

To amend birth records for children under one year old, contact the state's vital records office and inquire about the birth registration program.

To obtain an apostille for an Iowa birth certificate, you can submit a request through VRO or directly through the Secretary of State. An apostille is required when submitting a copy of a vital record to a foreign government.

If you prefer to send your application manually, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. Your official, certified copy of your birth record.
2. The Iowa Secretary of State’s Apostille Request Form.
3. A payment of $5 per document, which can be made either by check or by providing credit card information in the request form.
4. A prepaid shipping label (optional; only if you prefer using and expedited service).
5. Submit or mail your request for vital record apostilles to the following address:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Iowa birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Iowa birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Whether long form or short form, order your Iowa birth certificate online today.

Processing times for a Iowa birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Iowa vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Iowa birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

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If you were born in Des Moines or anywhere in Iowa, birth certificates are issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Statistics. Iowa maintains all vital records at the state level.

In-Person in Des Moines:

Visit the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics at Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319. Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours. You'll need a valid photo ID and payment for the certificate fee.

Des Moines residents often need birth certificates for Real ID applications at the Iowa DOT, school enrollment, and employment verification.

For the fastest option, order your Iowa birth certificate online and have it delivered to your door.

Same-day birth certificate service in Iowa is available at the Bureau of Health Statistics office in Des Moines. Visit in person during business hours with proper identification, and you can typically receive a certified copy the same day.

What to Bring:

A valid government-issued photo ID and the applicable fee. If requesting someone else's record, you must demonstrate a direct interest — such as being a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative.

Important Notes:

Same-day service is only available at the Des Moines state office. County registrars can also issue birth certificates, but processing times vary by county. Iowa birth records from July 1880 to present are available through the state office.

Skip the trip — order your Iowa birth certificate online for convenient home delivery.

Cedar Rapids residents can obtain Iowa birth certificates through the Linn County Registrar's office or by ordering from the state Bureau of Health Statistics in Des Moines.

The Linn County Recorder's office at 930 1st Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 can assist with birth certificate requests for births that occurred in Linn County. For births in other Iowa counties, contact the appropriate county registrar or the state office.

Cedar Rapids is Iowa's second-largest city, and residents here frequently need birth certificates for Real ID applications, employment at local manufacturers, and school enrollment.

The easiest way to order is to request your Iowa birth certificate online through our secure service.