Availability of Vital Records in Iowa
In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Records.
Birth Records
Certified copies of birth records are available at the County Recorder/Registrar in the county of birth for the years 1880 through 1920 and 1942 to current. The records of births occurring between the years 1921 through 1941 are only available at the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Vital Records. Single parent births that occurred prior to July 1, 1995 are only available at the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Vital Records.
Death Records
Certified copies of death records are available at the County Recorder/Registrar in the county where the death occurred for the years 1880 through current with the exceptions of 1903-1909 and 1921-1941 which are available at the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Vital Records.
Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage records when the original marriage was applied for in Cerro Gordo County are available at the Cerro Gordo County Recorder/Registrar. The records of marriages occurring between the years 1921 through 1941 are only available at the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Vital Records.
All applications for certified copies of vital records must satisfactorily establish entitlement to the record being requested. Entitled applicants include: registrant, (person named on record), or person having a lineal relationship to the registrant, such as a legal parent, grandparent, spouse, brother, sister, child, legal guardian, or legal representative.
For more information on obtaining certified copies of vital records in Iowa, contact the appropriate state or county office:
In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Records.
- Statewide record searches are available from the State registrar.
- Local registrars are located in the County Recorder's offices and maintain records of birth and death that occurred in that county.
- Marriage records are maintained in the county from which the license to marry was obtained.
- County registrars are not authorized to have on record:
- single-parent births prior to July 1, 1995;
- adoptions;
- any record ordered sealed by court of law;
- or any births, deaths or marriages that occurred between the years 1921 to 1941.
Birth Records
Certified copies of birth records are available at the County Recorder/Registrar in the county of birth for the years 1880 through 1920 and 1942 to current. The records of births occurring between the years 1921 through 1941 are only available at the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Vital Records. Single parent births that occurred prior to July 1, 1995 are only available at the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Vital Records.
Death Records
Certified copies of death records are available at the County Recorder/Registrar in the county where the death occurred for the years 1880 through current with the exceptions of 1903-1909 and 1921-1941 which are available at the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Vital Records.
Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage records when the original marriage was applied for in Cerro Gordo County are available at the Cerro Gordo County Recorder/Registrar. The records of marriages occurring between the years 1921 through 1941 are only available at the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Vital Records.
All applications for certified copies of vital records must satisfactorily establish entitlement to the record being requested. Entitled applicants include: registrant, (person named on record), or person having a lineal relationship to the registrant, such as a legal parent, grandparent, spouse, brother, sister, child, legal guardian, or legal representative.
For more information on obtaining certified copies of vital records in Iowa, contact the appropriate state or county office:
Iowa Dept. of Public Health Bureau of Vital Records Lucas State Office Bldg. 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 (515) 281-4944 idph.iowa.gov |
Cerro Gordo County Recorder 220 North Washington Avenue Mason City, IA 50401-3254 (641) 421-3056 (641) 421-3138 www.cgcounty.org |
Compiled by Sally Youngquist. Updated by Sharon R. Becker (Apr 2015) and by Jennifer Gunderson (Mar 2021).