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Birth, Death & Marriage Records
Birth Records
In Iowa, official registration of births began July 1, 1880. To obtain a raised-seal, certified copy of a birth record you can request a copy in writing or come into the office. If you were not born in Washington County, contact the county in which you were born or Iowa Department of Public Health at 866-809-0290. However, births from 1986 to present are available at any county. For births outside of Iowa, you will need to contact the vital records department in that state. County recorders are by law not authorized to have records of single-parent births prior to 1986, adoptions, delayed registrations, legal name changes, and records ordered sealed by a court of law. These must also be obtained from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Births between the years 1921 to 1941 are not available by mail.
Certified copies (with raised-seal) are $15.00 per copy, are not refundable and are only available to entitled parties (person on the record, parents, children, spouse, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren). Legal guardians and representatives must provide additional proof of entitlement. Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Contact the Recorder's Office or visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-statistics/vital-records for an application to request an Iowa Vital Record.
The Washington County Recorder’s Office will issue certified copies to authorized individuals only; to do otherwise is a violation of Iowa law.
Mail Requirements:
1) Complete the Application form
2) Application must be notarized
3) Include photocopy of current, government-issued photo ID
4) Certified copy cost: $15.00 (non-refundable)
Mail to: Washington County Recorder’s Office
PO Box 889
Washington IA 52353
Once we receive your request we will mail it by the following day.
To obtain a copy in person you will need a current, government-issued photo ID and $15.00 in cash, money order, check or credit card.
The Recorder’s Office cannot perform genealogy research. Our records are open for public viewing during regular office hours. To obtain genealogy information you may contact the Washington Genealogical Society at www.washington.lib.ia.us. Other sources that may help are the Iowa Genealogy Society or the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Death Records
In Iowa, official registration of deaths began July 1, 1880. To obtain a raised-seal, certified copy of a death record you can request a copy in writing or come into the office. Deaths that occurred in any county in Iowa from 1954 - present are available. Deaths before 1954 are available in the county the death occurred. Deaths between the years 1921 to 1941 are not available by mail, contact the Iowa Department of Public Health at 866-809-0290. For deaths outside of Iowa, you will need to contact the vital records department in that state.
Certified copies (with raised-seal) are $15.00 per copy, are not refundable and are only available to entitled parties (spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren). Legal representatives must provide additional proof of entitlement. Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Contact the Recorder's Office or visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-statistics/vital-records for an application to request an Iowa Vital Record.
The Washington County Recorder’s Office will issue certified copies to authorized individuals only; to do otherwise is a violation of Iowa law.
Mail Requirements:
1) complete the application form
2) application must be notarized
3) include photocopy of current, government-issued photo ID
Mail to: Washington County Recorder’s Office
PO Box 889
Washington IA 52353
Once we receive your request we will mail it by the following day.
To obtain a copy in person you will need a current, government-issued photo ID and $15.00 in cash, money order, check or credit card.
The Recorder’s Office cannot perform genealogy research. Our records are open for public viewing during regular office hours. To obtain genealogy information you may contact the Washington Genealogical Society at www.washington.lib.ia.us. Other sources that may help are the Iowa Genealogy Society or the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Marriage Records
In Iowa, official registration of marriages began July 1, 1880, however Washington County has some marriage records dating back to 1840. To obtain a raised-seal, certified copy of a marriage record you can request a copy in writing or come into the office. Marriages that took place anywhere in Iowa from 1954 - present are available. Marriages before 1954 are available only in the county where the license to marry was obtained, which may be a different county than where the marriage took place. Marriages between the years 1921 to 1941 are not available by mail, contact the Iowa Department of Public Health at 866-809-0290.
Certified copies (with raised-seal) are $15.00 per copy, are not refundable and are only available to entitled parties (persons on the record, parents, children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren). Legal representatives must provide additional proof of entitlement. Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Contact the Recorder's Office or visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-statistics/vital-records for an application to request an Iowa Vital Record.
The Washington County Recorder’s Office will issue certified copies to authorized individuals only; to do otherwise is a violation of the law.
Mail Requirements:
1) Complete the Application form
2) Application must be notarized
3) Include photocopy of current, government-issued photo ID
4) Certified copy cost: $15.00(non-refundable)
Mail to: Washington County Recorder’s Office
PO Box 889
Washington IA 52353
Once we receive your request we will mail it by the following day.
To obtain a copy in person you will need a current, government-issued photo ID and $15.00 in cash, money order, check or credit card.
The Recorder's Office does not have Divorce records, contact the Clerk of Courts at 319-653-7741.
The Recorder's Office cannot perform genealogy research. Our records are open for public viewing during regular office hours. To obtain information you may contact the Washington Genealogical Society at www.washington.lib.ia.us. Other sources that may help are the Iowa Genealogy Society or the State Historical Society of Iowa.