After a loved one passes away, obtaining a death certificate is one of the most important steps that needs to be taken. This document is crucial for arranging the funeral, carrying out organ donation, executing the will, and other such actions.
The process of obtaining a death certificate varies from state to state and even from county to county. To make the process easier, we have compiled the information you need to obtain a death certificate based on your location.
If your loved one passed away in Iowa, you may order their death certificate online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Details for obtaining a death certificate in these different ways are below:
1. Online
Request a death certificate online by visiting VitalChek, a third party vendor authorized by the Iowa Department of Public Health. There is an additional fee to order online using VitalChek, starting at $9 per order.
2. By Phone
Call VitalChek toll-free at (866) 809-0290 Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. CST to 7 p.m. CST, except holidays. Each copy of a certified record costs $15, and there is an additional fee to use VitalChek starting at $9 per order.
3. By Mail
To order a death certificate by mail, submit a notarized application with identification and payment to the address below.
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
4. In Person
To apply for a death certificate in person, visit the state vital records office (address below) Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Make sure to bring valid government-issued photo identification and a form of payment.
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
