Iowa Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

    Please enter a valid first name
    Please enter a valid last name

    IowaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on IowaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

    Iowa divorce records are court documents that comprise information about the legal termination of a marriage in the state. These documents serve as official validation of a divorce and are useful for various purposes, including proof of marital status, genealogical research, name changes, and property division.

    According to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, divorces in Iowa occurred at a rate of 1.9 per 1000 persons in 2023. This was lower than the state's marriage rate of 5.2 per 1000 persons that year.

    Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Iowa

    Iowa has two primary types of divorce documentation: the decree of dissolution of marriage and the divorce case file. Unlike some other states, Iowa does not issue divorce certificates through its vital record office, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Division. Instead, official verification of a divorce is obtained using a certified copy of the decree of dissolution of marriage. Hence, the certified decree is used for official purposes where a divorce certificate may have served.

    The table below summarizes the types of divorce documentation in Iowa.

    Document Type

    Issued By

    Purpose

    Contains

    Decree of Dissolution of Marriage

    Clerk of the District Court

    Official proof of the divorce.

    Names of parties, divorce date, county, case number, and divorce terms

    Divorce Case File

    Clerk of the District Court

    Complete case record

    All documents filed in the case, including the decree of dissolution of marriage

    Public Access and Confidentiality of Iowa Divorce Records

    All court proceedings and records, including divorce records, are presumed public in Iowa pursuant to Iowa Code § 602.1601. However, exemptions exist in cases where a statute prohibits access or both parties involved in the case agree to have the record restricted (with court approval). In such cases, the complete record or certain parts might be redacted from public view. An Iowa divorce case file (or certain portions) may be restricted if it contains sensitive details, such as

    • Financial information
    • Records involving minors
    • Medical or psychological reports

    In some states, divorce records, particularly divorce certificates, are maintained and issued by the state's vital records office, such as the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Division. However, in Iowa, all divorce-related documentation is managed by the District Court.

    What Information Do Iowa Divorce Records Include?

    The information found in an Iowa divorce record typically depends on the type of record and the peculiarities of the divorce case. The decree of dissolution of marriage is the court's final order in the divorce case and does not contain as much information as the complete divorce case file. Typically, a divorce record will include the following details:

    • Names, age, and nationality of the divorced parties
    • Number of children
    • Attorney information for each party
    • Case information, including case number and filing date
    • The county where the divorce proceeding occurred
    • The date of marriage and the date of divorce
    • The terms of settlement, including any subsequent adjustments or modifications
    • Details about property and debt division

    Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Iowa

    Iowa divorce records are solely created and maintained by the judiciary. The District Court is the trial court responsible for handling divorce cases in the state. Individuals seeking a divorce record may go to the District Court that finalized the case to obtain the record. Divorce records that are no longer actively maintained by courts are maintained by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

    The table below contains more details on Iowa divorce records, their custodians, and the fees associated with obtaining copies or accessing these records.

    Record Source

    Office or Platform

    Years Covered

    Access Type

    Fees

    County District Courts

    Clerk of the District Court

    All years

    Certified copies of divorce decrees and case files

    50 cents per page for plain copies; $30 per document for certification

    Court Portal

    Iowa Courts Online Case Search System and Public Access Terminals at the Courthouse

    Varies per county

    Divorce case summaries

    Free

    State Historical Society of Iowa

    State Archives Research Center

    		 

    Historical divorce records

    Nominal copy fees

    How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Iowa

    Certified copies of divorce records in Iowa serve as legal proof that a previously existing marriage has been dissolved in the state. These copies bear the stamp of the court and are useful for several legal purposes. They are different from plain copies, which are only useful for personal or research purposes.

    In Iowa, certified divorce decrees are issued by the District Court where the divorce was finalized. The Department of Health and Human Services keeps divorce statistical data, but does not issue divorce certificates.

    Individuals may follow these steps to obtain a copy of a divorce record.

    Step 1: Identify the District Court That Handled the Divorce

    Accurately identifying the District Court in Iowa that finalized a divorce is necessary when trying to obtain a copy of the record. This is because courts in the state only maintain records of cases they have handled. Requesting a divorce record from a court that did not handle the case will be unsuccessful.

    Step 2: Contact the Clerk of Court's Office

    When a divorce has been finalized, the case file is forwarded to the Clerk of Court for safekeeping. The clerk is also responsible for processing requests for court records that come to the court. Individuals seeking certified copies of a divorce record may visit the appropriate District Court Clerk.

    Step 3: Provide the Required Details About the Case

    At the Clerk of Court's Office, requesters will be asked to provide some details about the divorce to facilitate a search. These include the names of both spouses prior to the divorce, the case number, or the date of the divorce. Providing inaccurate details may cause a search not to return any results.

    Step 4: Pay the Associated Copy Fee

    Courts typically charge a fee when requesting a certified copy of a court record. Per Iowa Code § 602.8105, obtaining a certified and sealed court document (divorce records inclusive) costs $30. Standard photocopies, however, cost 50 cents per page. The requester's desired mode of payment may also incur additional charges.

    The table below summarizes the request process for copies of an Iowa divorce record.

    Copy Type

    Where to Request

    Who Can Order

    Legal Use

    Certified Decree of Dissolution of Marriage

    Clerk of the District Court where the divorce was finalized

    Any member of the public (except for sealed records)

    Proof of divorce, name change, remarriage, legal enforcement

    Historical Copy

    State Historical Society of Iowa

    Anyone

    Genealogical or historical research

    Why Search for Divorce Records in Iowa?

    People search for divorce records in Iowa for a variety of reasons. A common reason is to verify the status of a marriage. However, divorce records can also be useful for the following purposes:

    • Background checks
    • Applying for government benefits
    • Enforcement of court orders
    • Name changes
    • Remarrying
    • Tracing family relationships

    How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Iowa?

    Iowa Court Rules ch. 20 stipulates the retention schedule for all court records in Iowa. According to the rule, civil case files, including those from divorce cases, can generally be purged of documents without legal, administrative, or historical value ten years after final disposition. However, the rule requires clerks to retain certain substantive documents in divorce case files permanently. These include

    • Original notices
    • Petition, answers, and cross-petitions
    • Signed court orders and decrees
    • Notices of appeal and related appellate documents
    • Paternity test results and modifications
    • Orders for support/custody, financial affidavits, child support worksheets

    Only documents considered non-essential, such as transcripts, notices, subpoenas, or routine motions, may be purged after the retention period. The rule also allows for the archiving of divorce records, especially as they age or are less frequently accessed/requested. A divorce record may be transferred to the local county archives or the State Archives for preservation after it has been purged of non-essential documents.