Iowa Adoption Records
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Accessing Iowa Adoption Records
Iowa adoption records are sealed, and you can only access them with a court petition. However, Iowa recently began allowing adoptees to obtain copies of their original birth certificates. This document usually lists the birth parents’ names, unless they’ve requested to remain anonymous.
Like in many other states, accessing adoption records in Iowa can be a long and overwhelming process. At Adopted.com, we created a better way to quickly connect family members through mutual consent.
When you join Adopted.com, you can search for biological relatives in Iowa and across the country. You don’t need to fill out a complicated form or plead your case to a court. You just need to answer ten easy questions about the adoption, which most people already know.
We have the largest voluntary adoption reunion registry in the United States. Whether you’re in Dubuque, Sioux City, or anywhere in between, you have the opportunity to reunite with your birth family on Adopted.com.
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4,422 Are Iowa Adoption Records Public?
No. Iowa seals all records once an adoption is finalized. These records aren’t accessible without a court order showing good cause to open them.
While Iowa adoption records are sealed, adult adoptees can request some information from their files, including medical histories. This information won’t include the birth parents’ names.
How to Find Adoption Records in Iowa
In 2022, a new state law went into effect that allows an adult adoptee born in Iowa to get a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate. This document will have the names of the adoptee’s biological parents. However, birth parents can request to redact their names if they don’t want them released.
If you want to obtain your original birth certificate, complete an application with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Your application must be notarized. Submit the notarized application, a copy of a government-issued photo ID, and a fee to IDPH Bureau of Health Statistics in Des Moines. You can mail the form or submit it to the bureau in person.
Only adoptees over the age of 18 can request original birth certificates in Iowa. However, other relatives can get these records if an adoptee has died. These include an adoptee’s spouse, children, grandchildren, and their adoptive parents, siblings, and grandparents.
After making your request, the state estimates it will take six to eight weeks to get an original birth certificate.
How to Unseal Adoption Records in Iowa
For adoption records besides the original birth certificate, you need to petition the court for access. Complete an adoption affidavit form, which requires you to provide a reason for the request. Have the form notarized and file it with the court that handled the adoption.
If you’re trying to locate a birth relative, you have one other option through the state. Iowa has a Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry for adoptees, birth parents, and biological siblings. If you and one of your family members both join the registry, the state will notify you of the match. There’s no guarantee there will be a match, and the state will not conduct a search for your birth relatives.
You can register with the country registrar’s office where you live. Country registrars usually work in county courthouses or county administration offices. You must pay a fee and provide a copy of your birth certificate to join the registry.
Are Adoptions Closed in Iowa?
In Iowa, adoptions can be open or closed. An open adoption means the adoptive family knows the birth parents’ identities. The birth mother or both birth parents may have ongoing contact with the child through phone calls, social media, or in-person visits. In a closed adoption, the birth parents’ identities remain confidential, and they have no contact with the child after the adoption.
Whether an adoption is open or closed, Iowa seals all adoption records. You can only access them by petitioning the court.
Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!
Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,205,519 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.
Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Iowa Who Chose To Be Featured
256. MJTaylor1984 : Adoption city- Davenport, IA (almost positive) Adopting parents - Bonnie and Ivan Dierdorff Adopted child born Allison Faye (almost positive) then later changed to Deborah Faye by adopting parents. This was a closed adoption.
257. Cfox : Iowa city iowa
258. Dani92 : Her name is izabella rae verdin Perez Gomez she was born in Sioux falls South Dakota she should be 5 years old now.
259. Mairiroseplum : I am searching for my biological father, Juanito Salamat. He was born in the Phillipines and was a naturalized US citizen and served in the US Navy. He was married to my mother, Kathleen Baldwin and they divorced shortly after my birth. I was born in Newport, Rhode Island and my family lived in Quincy, Mass. at the time.
260. Lissan87 : I was adopted through Lutheran Social Services from University of Iowa Hospitals at 3 months.
261. Uneekme : I am continuously searching (40+ years,) for my birth parents, no information on my dad except possibly from Hungary, my mom was possibly from Norway or Germany, she went by Inga, Inge, Ingy short for Ingeborg possibly. Her last name my have been Lohr for I was called Baby Lohr, (until I was adopted) on Feb 6,1961 at Des moines General Hospital , Nurse Plate was in attendance,I was adopted immediately and named Jerilyn Hawkins,, my adopted parents were Dorothy and Clarence Hawkins from Des Moines IA, my Godparents were Emile and Helen Chopard , from Des moines IA, they also were landlords to my Bio mom. Emile and Helen are deceased as well as their sons. It was a private adoption with sealed records and IA won’t open them, I have petitioned the courts to no avail. the attorney is also deceased.
262. Littlebot1988 : I was born the morning of February 25, 1988 at Mercy hospital in Des Moines, Iowa (Polk County). My birth mother was approx. 15 years old, and possibly from a small town or rural area. She’d indicated an interest in 4-H activities, and I believe her favorite subject in school was English. I do not know much about either her or my birth father, but just want to report that I had a healthy, happy childhood. Now nearing 30, I have nothing but a heart filled with thanks and love for their selfless decision so many years ago. I am 5’3", with a slight athletic build. Blonde/light brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Have (thankfully) never had any health concerns but would love to know more about my medical history. Thanks for your time!
263. Nmanship : Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center. Marshalltown, Ia. Birth mother’s name is Kathy. Believe adopted parents lived in Des Moines possibly one or both adoptive parents are lawyers.
264. BaileyColeman1 : I know ur childz
265. 112261cedarrapids : Adoption State Iowa‚ city Cedar rapids‚ county hospital ‚ mothers name Constance Blackmore (not sure of spelling)‚ grandfather in politics in Michigan‚ mother was 16‚ mother had an older sister‚ probably no father listed on birth certificate. Adoptive parents lived in Des Moines Iowa‚ I was adopted within 5-10 days after I was born.
266. NatashaR22 : Searching for my great uncle who was given for adoption on behalf of his sisters. He was born in or near Iowa City, Iowa on 6-24-1952 to Harry and Edna Iehl and was given the birth name Dennis Iehl.
267. DARCIERC : Searching on behalf of a friend. Female born 12/29/1981 in Des Moines, IS Lutheran Hospital. Adopted soon thereafter.
268. RebeccaRenee : I was adopted through the Iowa Children’s Home Socitey in Des Moines Iowa
269. AlexMadsen : John Joseph Madsen was born at Finley Hospital in Dubuque, IA and adopted from Hillcrest October 1968.
270. Tanbailey : Pam Taylor is sister’s maiden name and lived in council bluffs at some point.
