How to Get a Death Certificate in Iowa
After a death in Iowa, certified copies of the death certificate are the single most-requested document — banks, insurers, and government agencies almost always ask for an original. Here is exactly where to order them, what they cost, and how many you'll need.
Iowa — quick facts
- Issuing office
- Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics (Iowa HHS)
- Cost per certified copy
- $20
- Phone
- 515-281-4944
- Recommended copies
- 10–15
Three ways to order certified copies in Iowa
- 1
Ask the funeral home
The fastest option. Most funeral homes will order certified copies on your behalf. Ask for 10–15 copies.
- 2
Contact the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics (Iowa HHS)
Order directly from Iowa's vital records office by phone at 515-281-4944 or through its website. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of relationship to the decedent.
- 3
Order online via VitalChek
An authorized service accepted by most states. Convenient but may take 2–4 weeks and adds a processing fee on top of the state fee.
Before you order
- Certified, not photocopied. A certified copy has a raised seal, watermark, or stamp. Most institutions reject plain photocopies or printouts.
- Order from the state of death. If the person died in a different state than where they lived, request copies from the state where the death occurred.
- Get more than you think. Every bank, insurer, and agency wants its own original. Extra copies are cheap compared to the delay of re-ordering.
Know exactly who needs a copy
Estate Assist reads the Iowaestate's documents, builds a personalized checklist of every institution to notify, and drafts the letters for you — so you know precisely how many certified copies to order and where each one goes.
Start your free action plan →Iowa death certificate FAQ
How much does a death certificate cost in Iowa?
A certified copy costs approximately $20 through the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics (Iowa HHS). Additional copies are often the same price, and ordering several at once saves return trips.
How many certified copies should I order in Iowa?
Most families need 10–15 certified copies. Each bank, insurer, court, and government agency typically requires an original certified copy — not a photocopy — so ordering extras up front prevents delays.
Where are death certificates filed in Iowa?
Death certificates are issued by the vital records office in the state where the person died — not necessarily where they lived. In Iowa that office is the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics (Iowa HHS).
What is the fastest way to get certified copies?
The funeral home is usually fastest — most will order certified copies on your behalf at the time of death. You can also order in person from the county or state vital records office, or online through VitalChek (which adds a processing fee and can take 2–4 weeks).
Other states
Content checked against official state sources on July 16, 2026. Fees and office details change; confirm current requirements on the official Iowa vital records website before ordering. Estate Assist provides general information, not legal advice.