Information on how to request copies of birth, death, and marriage records.
Recorder’s across the state have access to these records:
- Births 1986-Present
- Death 1954-Present
- Marriage 1954-Present
Effective July 1, 2019, vital records fees will be $15.00.
- County vital records are regulated by the Iowa Department of Public Health by state laws and administrative rules.
- Certified copies may be obtained by mail or in person only if the application is completely filled out and notarized. You also need to include a copy of your government photo ID and proof of entitlement to the record requested. Our office accepts checks or money orders through the mail.
Certified Record Application Form Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Applying through the mail?
If you are applying for a certified copy through the mail, you must fill out the application with your signature notarized, and we need a copy of your valid ID or driver's license and a check or money order (made out to the Pottawattamie County Recorder and signed by remitter). Please send everything to the Pottawattamie County Recorder at 227 S 6th St. Room 251 Council Bluffs, IA 51501.
If you have any questions, please call (712) 328-5612 Option #4.
CERTIFIED COPIES
Certified Copies of Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates are available foe $15/copy and the requester must have direct and tangible interest in order to request.
Direct and Tangible Interest
IDENTITY
Current and valid ID is reguired to obtain a certified record. If you do not have an unexpired ID
Acceptable Identity Documents
PHOTOCOPIES
Photocopies of birth, death, and marriage records are available for $5/record. The event must have taken place in Pottawattamie County in order to obtain a photocopy. The record will be noted, "Not for Legal Purposes."
BIRTH RECORDS
Certified copies are available from our office if:
- The event took place in Iowa between 1988 - Present
- Certified copies can be obtained through any Iowa County Recorder's Office or the State Office for events during these dates.
- The event took place between 1880 - 1921 and 1941 - 1987*
- And the event occurred in Pottawattamie County
- And there was no adoption or single-parent birth for the Birth records in this time frame
Otherwise, the record is at the State Office. Request a record through the Iowa Department of Public Health website by clicking "Request Record" below.
*We do not have records from July 1, 1921, through June 30, 1941. They are only at the State Office.
DEATH RECORDS
Certified copies are available from our office if:
- The event took place in Iowa between 1988 - Present
- Certified copies can be obtained through any Iowa County Recorder's Office or the State Office for events during these dates.
- The event took place between 1880 - 1921 and 1941 - 1987*
- And the event occurred in Pottawattamie County
- And there was no adoption or single-parent birth for the Birth records in this time frame
Otherwise, the record is at the State Office. Request a record through the Iowa Department of Public Health website by clicking "Request Record" below.
*We do not have records from July 1, 1921, through June 30, 1941. They are only at the State Office.
MARRIAGE RECORDS
Certified copies are available from our office if:
- The event took place in Iowa between 1954 - Present
- Certified copies can be obtained through any Iowa County Recorder's Office or the State Office for events during these dates.
- The event occurred between 1885 - 1921
- And the Marriage Application occurred in Avoca
- The event occurred between 1917 - 1953
- And the Marriage Application (not necessarily the wedding itself) occurred in Pottawattamie County
Otherwise, the record is at the State Office.
