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 1,205,524 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
1156. Tiffinimeany : Adopted family from shellrock,ia
1157. JenniferKlein2020 : Hello my name is Jennifer Klein I am looking for Kayla Marie Klein born name. Adopted in Iowa. County adoption maybe Woodbury.
1158. Dbutler1413 : Born in Souix city, Iowa. Not sure the hospital or Dr, but was an unwed mother in The Florence Crittenden Home and gave birth and adopted from there.
1159. Randyvo : The child was born in Charles City, Iowa. The adoption was handled by an attorney from Clear Lake, Iowa whose last name was Oltrogge. He died more than ten years ago.
1160. Ladybenzo23 : Julian luell setro he n his sister jailynn are together with the same people my son has a lazy left eye n my daughter has blue eyes that change colors he was born may 6 2013 n she was born 10-9-14
1161. Andyx2 : Hello, I am trying to find my birth parents. I was adopted at birth in May 1974 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
1162. StevenEugene : Birthplace may not have been Des Moines, but adoption was through Lutheran Childrens Home in Waverly Iowa. Probably born in Lutheran facility for unwed mothers, but have no definite information on that. Looking to understand their story but not disrupt anyones life in the process.
1163. Eviemama : Teresa hingten and grace Rowan Teresa was born 11-8-02 in centralia Illinois grace was born 10/23/04 in Clinton iowa
1164. Ebeling : Hi mom, I don’t know where you are or who you are but all I’ve ever wanted to do in my life is meet you. I know you gave me up because you didn’t have enough money but that’s ok.
1165. Ebeling : Hi mom, I don’t know where you are and I don’t care that you gave me up because I know you didn’t have enough money. I just want to meet you.
1166. Mmstam70 : Ethnicity Estimate Germanic Europe 59% England, Wales & Northwestern Europe 39% Sweden 2% I was born on August 21, 1970. Bio Father was 20, and Bio Mother was 17. The time of birth was 12:37 pm at Xavier Hospital, Dubuque IA which closed in 1981. Delivery by J.P. Schmitz M.D. Terms: 41 Weeks Weights: 7lbs, 12ozs Length: 19.5 in. Was Adopted on August 26, 1970, to Charles William Stam Jr and Dianne LeMieux Stam from VanHorn, Iowa. The supervisor of adoptions was Kent C. Corson, ACSW. The Attorney was Alfred E. Hughes from Hughes and Leifker Law Offices 600 American Trust Bldg. Dubuque IA 52001. Adoption through Catholic Charities 2909 Kufmann Avenue, P.O. Box 724 Dubuque IA 52001. Bio Mother had brunette hair with hazel eyes and a fair complexion. She was a Jr in High School and won awards at local-district-state speech contests. She had an older brother and sister and 1 younger sister. The older sister died in 1953 at age 3 of Wilm’s tumor. One of the sisters had an allergy to detergent on her hands. Her mother died in 1966 at age 43 of heart disease. One set of her Grandparents had heart illness as well as high blood pressure. Her father farmed. No Previous pregnancies which mean I am the oldest. Bio Father had Sandy hair with blue eyes and a fair complexion. He had 1 year of vo-tech college and he was in the Armed Forces. He was the oldest of 5 brothers and 2 sisters, the younger sister had red hair. His interests were Mechanics and cars plus his folks farmed. A family medical background is unknown.
1167. Summerlynn75 : Adoption took place in Cedar Rapids Iowa in May of 1992.
1168. Bayleernel : My mother was adopted shortly (within a year) after her birth in Iowa. Born May 4th, 1962.
1169. RoseannB : City: Council Bluffs Hospital: Mercy Hospital Doctor: Vernon Edwards Sr. Adoptive Family: Robert Michael Baird & Dorthy Elizabeth Baird Born & raised in Council Bluffs ,Iowa Adopted on day of birth
1170. Cvairo : I am in search of my daughter that my mom did an private adoption in the year of 1970. The doctor that was involved his name Dr. Egly his practice is in chariton iowa. Im really not sure if my baby was adopted in iowa or ill.
