Polk County Recorder

The processing time for a birth record in Iowa is 4-6 weeks. To ensure you receive your document in time, please allow the maximum time for your application to be processed.

Your application should meet all the requirements set by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), which includes providing the correct documents. 

For more information on Iowa’s vital record requirements, please check the information on this page. You can also contact the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).

A certified copy of a birth record in Iowa has a processing fee of $15. If your record is not located, you will receive a notification of the search and still be charged.

There is an additional fee of $13 if you order your birth certificate copy online. The fee is $9 for telephones orders.

Payments should be made to the Iowa Department of Public Health in Des Moines.

You must meet the document requirements to request a vital record through the Iowa Department of Public Health. This includes a completed application form, and a valid form of ID.

Acceptable forms of ID include: 

• Passport or visa

• Driver’s license

• Photo ID card

• Work ID

• School ID

• Military ID

• Permanent resident card

• Employment authorization card

If you do not have an ID from the above list, you may show 2 forms of ID. You can find the full list of acceptable ID documents on the IDPH website.

You must also have a document proving your entitlement to the birth record.