Vital Statistics Records
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Vital Statistics Research Birth Records Death Record Marriage Records Microfilmed Vital Records

Research Using Vital Statistics Records 

Records of vital statistics are excellent sources of genealogical information. Before 1880 only marriages, which required a license, were recorded in public records, and they were only recorded at the county level. In 1880, legislation was enacted requiring all births, deaths, and marriages to be recorded at both the county and state levels. However, many births and deaths were not recorded in Iowa until 1921, when stricter legislation was enacted.

State law requires that all records of vital statistics (births, deaths, and marriages) recorded at the state level must be 75 years or older before they are made available for public use. Therefore, only pre-1917 records from the Department of Public Health are available. However, this 75-year restriction does not apply to the same records at the county level.

State law also requires that all records of illegitimate births and stillborns be closed to public inspection. The State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Genealogical Society have worked with the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) to purge all references to illegitimate births and stillborns from the county Birth and Death Records microfilmed by GSU. To date, births and deaths have not been filmed or purged in all 99 counties. State records on microfilm of both series have not been purged and cannot be used by the public.

Beginning in mid-1880, all reported births were recorded at the county level. A county index or internal

volume index may be available. But no statewide index to these births exists.

Between 1880 and 1897, information requested included the child's name, sex, race or color, date and place of birth; father's name, age, occupation, place of birth, and nationality; mother's full maiden name, age, and residence; and name of medical attendant.

In 1898, information requested included only the child's name, sex, date of birth, and place of birth, mother's full maiden name; and father's name.

In mid-1904, information requested included the child's name, sex, date, and place of birth; father's name, age, color, occupation, place of birth, and residence; mother's full maiden name, age, color, occupation, place of birth, and residence; and name of medical attendant.

Most delayed Birth Certificates were filed many years after the person's birth. There is a statewide index to this series on microfiche.

Information requested includes the person's name, date, and county of birth; father's name, place of birth, and age at last birthday; mother's maiden name, place of birth, and age at last birthday; and date of recording. In addition, Delayed Birth Certificates are available on County Records microfilm for several counties.

Beginning in mid-1880, reported deaths were recorded at the county level. There may be a county index or Intel volume index available. There are three statewide indexes to deaths: 1896 to 1900 and 1901 to 1906 (on microfilm) and mid-1904 to 1916 (on microfiche).

From 1880 to 1904 information requested included deceased's name, sex, color, age (years, months, days), occupation, marital status, nationality, place of birth, place of death, cause of death, and place of burial.

In 1904, the requested information was expanded to include the names of the deceased's father and mother, including the mother's maiden name, and the parents'place of birth (state or county). In addition, a physician was required to certify the cause of death.

An Important Note About Birth & Death Records, 1904-1906: From mid-1904 to mid-1906 births and deaths were not required by law to be recorded at the county level. Therefore, only a few births and deaths for these years are available on County Records microfilm.

Certified copies of birth certificates from this period are available for a fee from the Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.)

If a death that occurred during this period is located on the Statewide Index to Deaths (1904-1916) but is not included on the County Records microfilm, you can request for a fee a photocopy of the original death certificate at the State Historical Society of Iowa Library and Archives in Des Moines. Be sure to cite the name of the deceased, county of death, date of death, and death certificate number.

Unlike births and deaths, marriages were recorded in the public records at the county level even before Iowa became a territory. In 1880, legislation required that marriages be recorded at both the county and state levels. There may be a county index or internal volume index available. No statewide index to marriages is available.

Before 1880, the information included only names of bride and groom, date license was issued, place of marriage ceremony, date of marriage, and person conducting the ceremony. Sometimes listed were the ages of the bride and groom and the names of any persons giving consent.

After 1880, the information requested for each marriage was expanded, and included the groom's name, residence, age at next birthday, color, race, place of birth, occupation, father's name and mother's maiden name; bride's name, residence, age at next birthday, color, race, place of birth, father's name, and mother's maiden name; names of any persons giving consent; when and where married; and name and office of personal conducting the ceremony.

Certified copies of birth and death certificates and marriage licenses are available for a fee from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Lucas State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319, or in the county from the Office of the Clerk of the District Court.

For additional information on Iowa vital records and how to request certified copies contact the Iowa Department of Public Health.