Death Records
*To ensure same day service of Vital Records, you must be in the office by 3:30pm.*
Death Certificates for insurance policies, estate settlement, real estate transfers etc…
To obtain a raised seal certified copy of a death certificate you can write to us or come into the office. We will have the record if the person died in Iowa. We do not have death records prior to July 1, 1941.
For records we do not have, you may contact the Iowa Department of Public Health. You can contact them by phone at (515) 281-4944.
You may also use the "Request a copy of a county Vital Record"* form provided below, write to us or come in and see us. A fee of $15.00 is required for each request. Cash, Credit Card (Mastercard, Visa, Discover), check or money orders are accepted.
Mail your request and photocopy of your ID to:
Polk County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
111 Court Avenue
Suite #245
Des Moines IA 50309-2251
Once we receive your request we’ll mail it out the following day.