How much is a death certificate in Iowa?

$20 for the first certified copy from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics, and $20 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Online and phone orders through VitalChek add a vendor fee, starting at $14 online and $9 by phone.

Who can order a death certificate in Iowa?

The person named on the record, or that person's spouse, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, legal representative, or guardian. Proof of entitlement is required.

How do I order a death certificate in Iowa?

You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. A current government-issued photo ID. Mail applications must also be notarized.

Death certificates

Death certificates in Iowa

In Iowa, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $20 from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics. Each copy costs the same. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.

Last checked October 20, 2026 on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.

How to order in Iowa

Ordering a certified copy of a death certificate in Iowa
Office	Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
First certified copy	$20
Each extra copy, same order	$20 Online and phone orders through VitalChek add a vendor fee, starting at $14 online and $9 by phone.
Who can order	The person named on the record, or that person's spouse, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, legal representative, or guardian. Proof of entitlement is required.
ID you need	A current government-issued photo ID. Mail applications must also be notarized.
Ways to order	Online, by mail or in person. The state takes online orders only through VitalChek, a private company, which adds its own fee. By mail or in person costs only the state fee. At the state office in Des Moines or at county recorder offices.
How long it takes	About 4 to 6 weeks for mail orders. In-person requests at the state office received by 2 p.m. are processed in about 2 hours.

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.

For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.

Questions people ask

How much is a death certificate in Iowa?: $20 for the first certified copy from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics, and $20 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Online and phone orders through VitalChek add a vendor fee, starting at $14 online and $9 by phone.
Who can order a death certificate in Iowa?: The person named on the record, or that person's spouse, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, legal representative, or guardian. Proof of entitlement is required.
How do I order a death certificate in Iowa?: You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. A current government-issued photo ID. Mail applications must also be notarized.

Death certificates in Iowa

How to order in Iowa

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Questions people ask

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