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 1,205,528 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
721. Rromeiser : I was born in Waterloo, IA at St Francis Hospital. I am trying to locate any family members of my birth family.
722. Tami1960 : Britt‚ Iowa‚ Lutheran‚ Social Services‚ Welfare
723. Eagle6jb : I know I was born in Akron, Iowa in November of 1970. I have just started searching, bot of my adopted parents have past and I have a new grand daughter and would like to know more about medical history and to see if I have more family out there.
724. DillonRosenau : Orange City, IA
725. Cookied : Jacob Alan Merkle was what the social worker called legally kidnapped and put up for adoption. His mother December Merkle Downer has been trying to find him every since. I’m Jacobs grandmother. He was born at St. Lukes hospital in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Our lives were turned upside down when he was stolen.
726. Member322127 : Was born in Spencer‚ IA on 10-10-73. The adoption was handled through an attorney arranged by the delivering physician. The adoption was finalized in Clay County. There is a consent to contact me on file in Des Moines. My understanding is that the adoptee can get a copy of their original birth certificate. In this case it would be after 1-1-22 according to Iowa law.
727. Almostmarybeth : I met my birth mother 30 years ago but did not get a name from her in regards to my birth father. I know she was in North Carolina or so she says when she got pregnant and she was 17 when she got pregnant with me. She went to a home for expectant Mother’s in Grinell Iowa to have me. I’m just wanting to know my birth fathers name. Thanks
728. Kd4bears : I am a male in search of my birth parents. I was born 9-18-1970 at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa. my birth mothers name is Avis Marie Schmitt. She was born in clear lake, Iowa in 1951. I was adopted through Catholic Charities and grew up in Dubuque, Iowa I am 6ft tall. Heavy, muscular build, brown hair, balding
729. Marbro45 : I was born in Mason City, Iowa and adopted by William and Darlene Hanson. He was from Iowa and so was she.
730. Ash1053 : I know that my birth mother’s name was Brenda Benda and I was born at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, IA. My original name was Keersten Marie Benda
731. Davidwwoodall : Hi my name is David w Woodall I was adopted or taken from my birth mother right after she delivered me. On 02/08/1960 David w Woodall was the name my parents gave me when the adopted. I think the doctor who delivered me was doctor Murray . That all I really know. I was told that if the birth mother or child was looking for one another. I was told I can sign papers allowing to reunite each other. I have some serious health problems and find out, for my doctor to see if it is hereditary and I couldn’t answer that so I’m just hoping you guys could provide a little information for me or leave me on the right direction how do you do this by my birthparents because I have nowhere to turn to find any of this out. All my adopted parents told me was the doctors name, in the hospital that the birth mother gave birth to me which is Burlington hospital in Iowa or known as now great river medical center. I think you so much for your help if you can help me out God willing it will be A miracle. Thank you David W Woodall
732. Jenabow33 : I am trying to find my daughter who was adopted out when she was 8 years old in Muscatine Iowa through the Bethany Home for Children and Families. Her name was at the time Alisia Filicity Wiskirchen. I believe a family in Muscatine Iowa adopted her and probably changed her name but I’m not for sure. she will be 23 February 27th 2019. I can’t find any further information on her.
733. Alytrice : I’m looking for a possible twin who was taken at birth. All my mother knows is that a second baby was born and rushed out. She was told the baby didn’t make it‚ but never saw them. It was in Omaha‚ Nebraska on June 29th 1981
734. Carolynclosure : Rose park Salt Lake City Itah, LDS Hospital, LDS Mormon Closed Adoption Agentcy, Donna ( believe to be dead but no death record found) and James Ross Williams LDS bishop (adoptive parents) my mom has Scottish Irish Dutch in her and many many many mental health and physical health and chemically imbalanced. I’m her daughter Chealsey Memmott and there has yet to be a trace with my moms weird adoption and would just love to know why she has so many health problems. I have beee raising my own mother since I have been 10 she could t teach me no more my dad was always leaving me to do so and I still don’t mind I love my mother and I have been fighting to see why her and Slowly I am have so many health problems. Mormons LDS Closed Adoptions got shut down for unlawful adoptions death coverups and her adoptive parent is a bishop. We just want closure. And we’re tired of assuming the most morbid news about all the inbreeding these Mormons are doing and what that inbreeding of human has done to the medical view of it diabetes was the first know human mutation of farming and inbreeding humans between poligamists, currently my 13 ur old was diagnost with us in a 2 month coma at age four. Please help and thank you for your time on reading this novel
735. Darcie2124 : I am looking for my birthmother and any siblings that I may have. I don’t know if I have any siblings. I was born in Mitchell County Hospital in Osage, Iowa, in October of 1975. I do not have my birth name. I was put up for adoption through Luthern Social Services. My biological mom was 1 of 6 kids (4 girls and 2 boys). My maternal grandfather was 45-46 years old and 1 of 5 boys. He was a farnmer and a trucker. My maternal grandmother was 42-43 years old and 1 of 3 kids (2 girls and 1 boy) and she worked in a greenhouse. My biological father was 1 of 5 kids (2 boys and 3 girls). It states that he was a trucker.
