Get your certified Iowa Divorce Certificate

A divorce certificate verification from the Iowa Department of Public Health costs $15. For a full divorce decree with detailed settlement terms, contact the Clerk of District Court in the county where the divorce was finalized. Court fees vary by county.

An Iowa divorce certificate is a short-form verification from the Iowa Department of Public Health confirming the divorce occurred. A divorce decree is the full court order from the District Court that includes all settlement terms such as property division, custody, and support orders. Most legal purposes require the decree.

In Iowa, eligible requesters include either party named in the divorce, immediate family members, or a legal representative. If someone else needs to request the record on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) from an authorized party.

Iowa divorce records are generally public records unless sealed by court order. You can obtain a divorce verification from the Iowa Department of Public Health or request the full decree from the District Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized.

If your Iowa divorce certificate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must request a replacement from the county where the divorce was recorded.

If you lose your divorce certificate:

1. Apply 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 COUNTY.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the county health department. Some counties may accept walk-ins; check with the specific county where the divorce record is filed.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the County.
      
      Varies by COUNTY.
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The county will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The design and security elements of these certificates can differ significantly from state to state.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.
• 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 divorce certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

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

Corrections and amendments are usually handled by the county clerk’s office that issued the certificate. Divorce certificates can be amended if information was entered incorrectly at the time the certificate was created. You must follow county law requirements and provide documentation to support any changes. Some amendments may also require court orders.

Common errors that may need correction include:

• Misspelled names
• Incorrect dates
• Wrong location information

The County may require you to provide legal documentation to verify changes and obtain court orders for specific amendments, along with original or certified copies of supporting documents.

When filing a vital record with a foreign government, an apostille certification is often required. An apostille for Iowa vital records can be acquired through the Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO).

VRO offers online apostille services that are accepted by governments and organizations in over 100 countries. Their service includes professional assistance for obtaining apostilles for divorce certificates in all 50 states, starting at $149, plus government fees.

Once the apostille is issued, it will be sent to you by FedEx or DHL for global delivery. This ensures that your documents arrive at your doorstep regardless of location, whether in the US or internationally.

If you request by mail, you’ll need to provide the following:

1. Completed application form.
2. Notarized or certified documents to be authenticated. 3.$5.00 per document (if paying by check, credit card also accepted).
3. Prepaid shipping label if requesting expedited mail service.

Mail-in Orders:

Courier Orders:

In-Person Orders: