Genealogy Research Guide

Beginning January 1, 2022, any adult adoptee 18 years old or older may apply for a noncertified copy of the original certificate of birth prior to adoption. If the adult adoptee is deceased, an entitled family may apply for the record.

This is a 3 volume set covering 1880-1919. It is available in the ISU Parks Library and also at the Ames Public Library.

Birth, death, and marriage records chart with links showing date ranges for each county that has these records and the date ranges for each – some of the earliest go back to 1835.

When you click on a specific county page – note that they are each organized differently – some you will need to scroll down for more links and others have links in a sidebar that lead to additional pages of information.

Many of the Iowa GenWeb county pages either transcribed their vital records, or provide information on where researchers can get copies or view the originals.

If you need an actual copy of the original certificates/records, and they pre-date 1880, check with the County Recorders office. You may also be available to view records in-person at the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Genealogical Society as both libraries have microfilm copies of vital records.

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 Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Free site created by Joe Beine. Very easy to navigate site with great links to mostly online resources.

Search by name or social security number for anyone in the U.S. who may have had social security death benefits paid out to their next of kin.

This site is handy for ordering vital records directly. It also provides information on how to locate vital records for foreign countries.

A state-by-state listing providing information to access birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Each link provides address to submit orders and cost of each record.