Get a certified Iowa Death Certificate

Iowa does not issue death certificates for individuals who die on U.S. military bases overseas. In such cases, if the deceased’s parents held U.S. citizenship, the U.S. Department of State records the death. To request this document, you must contact the U.S. Department of State and obtain a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

An officially certified death certificate from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Social Services (Iowa HHS) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue. Still, it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at death. Official death certificates from Iowa typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The Iowa HHS issues these certificates to state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

Iowa death certificates are one of the most important and valuable legal documents. They are the only legal proof that someone has passed away and are used for crucial purposes, particularly in legal, financial, and personal matters. The vital record is fundamental after someone has died to handle financial affairs, benefit claims, verification for institutions, estate settlements, and benefits from government agencies.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property, Mortgage, and Real Estate Matters
,
Enrolling in school

The process to correct or amend an Iowa death certificate is listed below. When an amendment is made, the original certificate is not altered; a new certificate is issued with the correct information. A correction to the cause of death must be requested from the medical certifier, the deceased's next of kin, or the funeral director.

Obtain and Fill Out the Necessary Form, Original [Amendment to Certificate of Death or Fetal Death](https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/8869/download?inline#:~:text=Amendments to the medical certification, fetal death record is %2415.00.) form signed by the person requesting the correction. Sign the completed form in front of a Notary Public.

Pay the Amendment Fee

The fee for processing an amendment to a death record or fetal death record is $15.00. An additional $15.00 fee is required for a certified copy of the amended death certificate unless you provide a certified copy (non-amended) to the state while making the amendment request. Fees are payable by check or money order to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Gather Supporting Documentation

Provide a copy of a valid, government-issued photo ID for the person requesting the correction. For more information concerning the types of documents needed for the correction requested, refer to the [Amendment to Certificate of Death or Fetal Death Instructions Page](https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/8869/download?inline#:~:text=Amendments to the medical certification, fetal death record is %2415.00.).

Submit the Application

Send the notarized application, supporting documents, photocopy of a valid ID, and appropriate fees to the state of Iowa at:

Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Health Statistics Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor 321 E. 12th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

Apostilles can be requested from the Iowa Secretary of State by mail or in person. You will need an apostille when submitting documents to a foreign government. This special certificate verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use. It is accepted in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Iowa Secretary of State's Office, you will need to provide the following items:

1. The certified copy of your death certificate, with the original signature and seal of the current Iowa State Registrar;
2. A completed Apostille or Certification Request Form (specify the country you will submit the document to); and
3. A payment of $5.00 per document – checks and money orders should be made payable to the "Iowa Secretary of State," or you can provide your credit card information.

Submit your request to the Iowa Secretary of State Business Services Division at the following addresses:

In-person/by mail (standard or express courier):