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 1,205,525 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
586. Gradim : Des Moines, Iowa. Lutheran Hospital. My lawyer at the time was William Price, now a judge. Private adoption, did have picture at one time that was stamped Omaha Nebraska on the back. My name, Melissa Gradischnig
587. KellyPeterson : My mother was unmarried at the time. She went on to marry our father and had four children. We are all happily married and live in Ca. Georgia and Iowa. She always wondered what became of you . She was always sad on your birthday. She passed away in 2015. I would really like to meet you and find out how you have been. My husband and I have three bio kids, two adopted kids and two more we are adopting. Kelly
588. SLindberg : Born in Des Moines, Doctor was Dr. N Hansen. My older half sister (same birth mother) was also adopted, the doctor was Dr N Hansen
589. Cal1953 : Des Moines Iowa. baby born Broadlawns Hospital (?) Birth mother Frances Harrison (possibly Thacker)..Baby adopted out at birth I was told. Late 50’s or very early 60s.. Is my sibling, I was also adopted out in late 50’s .. Believe sibling I seek is a male from info I received.
590. Ging44 : Searching for my birth mother and siblings.
591. DeniseLink : The person I am looking to find was born Apr. 1st 1925 in Iowa City. On June 5th 1925 she was taken to an orphanage in Des Moines IA. At 7 months old she was placed in Foster Care. At 19 months old she was adopted by her Foster parents. Her birth name was Geraldine Clayburn. This is not the name given by her adoptive parents.
592. Richpalmer77 : My mother was Jacqueline Sue Palmer. She states she gave up a son via an adoption agency here in Iowa, who would be less than 5 years younger than I am.
593. TheresaRGamble : Born in Cedar Rapids Iowa Jan. 17‚ 1968. My mom got a phone call from her dr. name Dr. James Stiles worked at Mercy in Cedar Rapids‚ IA.‚ to see if they wanted a girl instead of waiting for a boy. She had already 2 babies that have passed. "The story is: Birth mom15 slept with guy who was in his early 20’s and not a ware that he had a wife with child on the way. My doctor had all three women as patients and personally knew my father. I had called his office and left him a message explained I was looking for parents do to illness. He said he would call me back and he did with moms name and the name he named me for a brief moment. Her name is Marcella Kucera‚ Cedar Rapids‚ IA. I think her birthday is 1/29. I have 2 half siblings‚ Jerri Lynn Martin and Tim Martin. I would like to meet my sister and brother and at least see a picture of my father or at least know his name. I met my mother at my half brothers wedding in Las Vegas and to busy of a moment and felt uncomfortable. It was just the wrong time. Have not heard or seen them since. I went back to Iowa one more time just to see my grand parents and then grandma died then my grandpa died shortly after. Their names are Edward and Eleanor Kucera. I cannot find an up to date phone record for anyone and I’m tired of paying for bad information. Any suggestions would be great. Thank you
594. Conniekrebsmurray : gave him up after he was born adoptive thru children family service which isn’t there now adopted out of fortdodge iowa
595. Bryanperez86 : Hello. I am looking for my half brother. My mother gave him up for adoption the same day he was born. She gave birth at her family residence and within a few hours gave him up at a local hospital in Ottumwa Iowa. She never saw a birth certificate so we have no idea what his legal name was. The hospital was torn down a long time ago making things harder for us to find him. The mother is Ronda Wemer The father is David Buckles
596. NancyK1955 : Looking for information on male child, born 2-13-1920, probably in Iowa City Iowa. This would be my father, we are hoping to find out more about his birth family, too.
597. Baileymeg94 : My grandmother Joann Kitt has a younger sister who was adopted when they were taken to an orphanage when she was young. Their mother was Hazel Agnes Vinzant and their father Vernal Vinzant. It would of been from Ottumwa. The child was an infant at the time of adoption and it’s believed her birth name was Veronica. Her other siblings would include Danny Vinzant, Sandy Vinzant, and Iva "Mickey" Vinzant.
598. Jschreier85 : My name is jaci schreier was born aug 28th 1985 at hamilton county hospital in webster city iowa. My birth mom was living in webster city and birth father eagle grove they werent married. Dr Subhash Sahai was delivering doctor. My mom was in hospital from august 28-30. Her attorney was howard meyers amd her social worker was jane adams. I was adoptive by a couple from fort dodge iowa
599. Softparade0 : Looking for my brother, Shane. Our mother was Christine Marie Newton from Fort Wayne, Indiana
600. Alex85zs : St lukes hospital cedar rapids iowa
