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
946. James5streff : Birth parent, I was born in Sioux City, IA on July 23, 1959 and placed through Catholic Charities.
947. BSKrawczyk : My birth mother was Mary Eileen Lieurance. I was born in Sioux City, Iowa at the Methodist Hospital. The OB was Dr. Kelberg. I have first cousins from Dorothy Lieurance Barnett. My birth mother attended Briar Cliff College from 1943-47 and got a degree in BS in Commerce. She worked for Braunger’s Meats. She passed away in 2008. My half siblings names are Theresa Bell Hermes (deceased), Joseph Bell (deceased in 2006), Timothy Clement Bell and Deborah Ann Bell Riefenrath who was born in 1954. I am searching for Deborah.
948. MatthewMyers : Seeking identifying information about my birth parents. What I know: Born: Oct 16 1988 Place: Sioux City, Iowa Hospital: Saint Luke’s Regional Medical Center Time: 3pm Agency: Florence Crittenton Mother: 19, brown hair, green eyes, Non-practicing Augustan Lutheran with plans to study biology Father: 22, African American I realize my adoption was kept closed for a reason so a reunion is not neccesary for me if that’s how you want it. But I would at least like to see what you look like, pictures etc and just learn about you and, as a result, learn more about myself. Thank you.
949. Bernice54 : Born in dubuque iowa viola lightfoot powell .bernice lightfoot
950. P103630 : I was born at Skiff Hospital in Newton , Iowa on May 8, 1952. My adoptive parents were Alice and William Cather. The doctor was Lloyd Koelling, MD, the attorney was Fred Matthias. I was kept in the hospital for several days after birth due to minor surgery on my left hip. My left leg did not kick properly and they had to release a muscle . Was fine after that.
951. Needleinhaystack2 : He was born in the Oskaloosa IA area. He had older siblings but I dont think that they were put up for adoption. Looking for possible links to Hoover
952. Tris : Des Moines Iowa I was born , I was adopted to wilber robert cornwell and Mary Shanon Cornwell on about August 14th 1976 but I was born on 8/7/76
953. AbbyNoble : Hi, I am searching on behalf of my husband for his biological mother/family. His name is John Noble & he was born on 5/13/83 in Council Bluffs, IA & was adopted shortly after he was born (within a few months or less). He had one older biological brother who had a seizure disorder but we do not know anything else about his birth family. Hoping this little amount of information might still get us somewhere.
954. Ravengelder98 : Angela Haug, Cindy Haug, Iowa, possibly Clarinda, possibly new market
955. Mommyof3rre : I’ve been desperately searching for my baby boy for months and the pain of knowing nothing of his whereabouts is excruciating. I have been estranged from my family for years, and we know nothing about each other. False claims in addition to my mothers loud and insistent persuasion has caused the ultimate tragedy in my life. Please help me find my Ethan. He was taken away from me unfairly due to completely false allegations. I can’t live without my heart.
956. Lonepeep : Born in ottumwa. I believe his mother was at the place for unwed women.
957. AdoptedKaitlynM : Hi there! My name is Kaitlyn Melk-Mccrary my birth name was Kaitlyn Woody. I have found my birth mother and birth father. I was also adopted with two half blood siblings. (Kids are all 2 years apart I believe) Birth mother: Katrina Woody Birth father: Douglas pousch (not A father to anyone else) Oldest birth sister: Kassandra (Kassi) Duran Ronco Oldest Brother: I only know his first name, Christopher? The one I am trying to find Second oldest sister: Amanda Melk-Mccrary (half-blood, sane mom, was adopted with (22/23 years old?) Then there’s me: Kaitlyn Melk Mccrary (20 years old) Bryce melk Mccrary (17) autistic (half blood, same mom) Then lastly, Ashleigh, who I believe is 14 who I also would like to get in contact with! I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin I think I was adopted by my two Gay mothers (I have no idea if that matters at all) As far as I know Kassi was in foster care for a long time, I was in it for less than a year (adopted at age 1) Amanda was adopted at 3 Bryce as a baby I’d love to meet you all! 😅❤️
958. MPFamilyMinistry : My father is Stephen Perry Jennings‚ the birth father of the adoptee. Birth Mother is Nancy Jean Zenor. I am a half sister‚ and I have a younger half brother. Probably born in or near Fort Dodge‚ Iowa‚ Richmond‚ Virginia‚ or Olney‚ Illinois. DNA available. Contact me. Update: Found brother is Mark Dana Giermann
959. Dhageman : My husbands father was an orphan left in Kansas at a children’s home. The only information we have is that he was born in 1913 and his birth name was Anthony Gallagher. We have found newspaper advertisements from 1914 advertising that he was up for adoption. He was placed in the Kansas Children’s league in Withita KS before he was 1
960. SMALLEY3SARAH : Baby "boy last name Stanley" born Dec 19, 72’ in Marshalltown,Iowa to Lucinda Prim (Cindy Loseke) DOB Nov 10 it was a closed adoption until u turn 50yrs old . bio mom lives in Bellevue, NE you have a full biological younger brother that lives in Ft.Worth Texas named (Chad Stanley) you were a 2nd child adopted to the family who adopted you. your sister was an adoptee too. Your biological grandmother passed away in Nov 16, 2018 age 90 Evelyn Rosella (Groves) Prim born July 23 and your biological grandfather Howard Prim passed away November 10, 2012 both buried in Marshall town Iowa (Mitchell town funeral home) your mother is looking for you. Your mom has done a DNA kit through 23and me and through Ancestry.com /profile pic is your full blooded brother
