Iowa Divorce Records

Divorce Records in Iowa - Divorce records are maintained for every divorce that occurs. Since the states mandate the granting of divorces, they are responsible for maintaining their records. Typically, each state has a central repository where vital documents are kept.

Divorce records are commonly requested in an attempt to verify that a divorce has taken place. Additionally, they are requested for genealogical reasons in order to locate information on ancestors.

In Iowa, the State office only maintains a brief statistical record since 1906. Divorce records prior to that date are maintained at the county level, provided the records even exist. Moreover, certified copies of divorce records must be requested from the county where the divorce was finalized, since they are not available at the state level.

Fees are charged for requested searches and copies of divorce records vary across states and even across counties. The following number is available to acquire the cost in a particular county in Iowa: 515-281-4944. This phone number can also be used to request fees for other types of official record and document searches and copies in Iowa. Fees are small amounts that are strictly designed to recover the cost of the search and copies.

In Iowa, written requests for divorce records should be made to the Clerk of District Court in the county where the divorce was finalized. Divorce records are filed by the husband�s last name. If the husband�s name isn�t available, then you can conduct a search of past and present spouses to acquire his name. Additionally, since the addresses of all spouses are listed along with his or her name, this type of search can be used to locate the name of the county.

Most vital record searches take between two to ten days depending upon the amount of provided information. Genealogical searches take longer in most instances for a variety of reasons including the year of the divorce, the availability of information, the urgency of the request, and the availability of courthouse resources and staff.

Follow the guidelines here to produce a more efficient search.

1. Print or type each complete name and address clearly to avoid confusion. This includes the full name of both the husband and the wife. The maiden name should be included for the wife.
2. Keep your request brief and to the point.
3. Limit your request to one document.
4. Include the full names of the individuals, including nicknames and alternate spellings that may have been used.
5. Include the full address of the individual at the time of the divorce, including street, city or town, and state. If you know the county in which the divorce took place, include that as well.
6. Include the date that the divorce was finalized. If you do not have this piece of information available, include a time frame for the search. Generally, it is best to specify a short span of years for an unknown year search. You can always expand the number of years that you search, and a shorter span will lead to a shorter search. You can expect to pay an additional fee for searches such as this that require more effort.
7. Include contact information where you can be reached in the event that more information is required. Include a daytime telephone number, as well as, an evening telephone number. You may also include a fax number or an e-mail address.
8. Include your relationship to the individual�s listed in your search request.
9. Include the purpose of your request.
10. Print your name clearly and sign your request. Some states may also require additional identifying information on you as well, including a driver�s license number.
11. Include a SASE, or self addressed stamped envelope with your request for a speedier delivery.
12. Include the date that you mail your request with your correspondence.

A list of the local county courthouses for Iowa is provided below in alphabetical order. Telephone and fax numbers have been provided when available, but should be used for informational purposes only.

State of Iowa
Iowa Department of Public Health
321 E. 12th, 4th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
Telephone: (515) 281-4944 recording

Adair County
Adair County Courthouse
P.O. Box L
Greenfield, IA 50849-1290
Telephone: (515) 743-2445

Adams County
Adams County Clerk
David and 9th
Corning, IA 50841
Telephone: (641) 322-4711

Allamakee County
Allamakee County Recorder
110 Allamakee St.
Waukon, IA 52172
Telephone: (563) 568-2364

Appanoose County
Appanoose County Clerk
County Courthouse
Centerville, IA 52544
Telephone: (641) 856-6101

Audubon County
Audubon County Clerk
County Courthouse
Audubon, IA 50025
Telephone: (712) 563-4275

Benton County
Benton County Clerk
P.O. Box 719
Vinton, IA 52349
Telephone: (319) 472-2766

Black Hawk County
Black Hawk County Clerk
316 East 5th Street
Waterloo, IA 50703-4712
Telephone: (319) 833-3012

Boone County
Boone County Clerk
Courthouse
Boone, IA 50036
Telephone: (515) 432-6291

Bremer County
Bremer County Clerk
P.O. Box 328
Waverly, IA 50677
Telephone:(319) 352-5661

Buchanan County
Buchanan County Clerk
210 5th Ave. NE, P.O. Box 259
Independence, IA 50644
Telephone:(319) 334-2196

Buena Vista County
Buena Vista County Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1186
Storm Lake, IA 50588-1186
Telephone: (712) 749-2546

Butler County
Butler County Clerk
P.O. Box 325
Allison, IA 50602-0307
Telephone: (319) 267-2487

Calhoun County
Calhoun County Clerk
P.O. Box 273
Rockwell City, IA 50579
Telephone: (712) 297-8122

Carroll County
Carroll County Clerk
P.O. Box 867
Carroll, IA 51401-0867
Telephone: (712) 792-4327

Cass County
Cass County Clerk
7th Street Courthouse
Atlantic, IA 50022-1492
Telephone:(712) 243-2105

Cedar County
Cedar County Clerk
400 Cedar St.
Tipton, IA 52772-1752
Telephone: (563) 886-2101

Cerro Gordo County
Cerro Gordo County Clerk
220 N. Washington
Mason City, IA 50401-3254
Telephone:(641) 421-3074

Cherokee County
Cherokee County Clerk
P.O. Box F
Cherokee, IA 51012
Telephone: (712) 225-6735

Chickasaw County
Chickasaw County Clerk
Prospect St.
New Hampton, IA 50659
Telephone: (641) 394-2106

Clarke County
Clarke County Clerk
117 1/2 S. Main St.
Osceola, IA 50213-1299
Telephone: (641) 342-2213

Clay County
Clay County Clerk
P.O. Box 4104
Spencer, IA 51301-0604
Telephone: (712) 262-4335

Clayton County
Clayton County Clerk
111 High St.
Elkader, IA 52043
Telephone: (563) 245-2204

Clinton County
Clinton County Clerk
P.O. Box 157
Clinton, IA 52732-0157
Telephone: (563) 243-6210

Crawford County
Crawford County Clerk
P.O. Box 546
Denison, IA 51442-0546
Telephone: (712) 263-2242

Dallas County
Dallas County Recorder
P.O. Box 38
Adel, IA 50003-0038
Telephone: (515) 993-5804

Davis County
Davis County Clerk
Courthouse
Bloomfield, IA 52537-1600
Telephone: (641) 664-2011

Decatur County
Decatur County Clerk
207 N. Main St.
Leon, IA 50144-1647
Telephone:(641) 446-4331

Delaware County
Delaware County Clerk
301 E. Main, P.O. Box 527
Manchester, IA 52057-0527
Telephone:(563) 927-4942

Des Moines County
Des Moines County Clerk
513 North Main Street
Burlington, IA 52601-5221
Telephone: (319) 753-8262

Dickinson County
Dickinson County Clerk
18th & Hill County Courthouse
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Telephone: (712) 336-1138

Dubuque County
Dubuque County Clerk of Court
720 Central Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Telephone:(563) 589-4418

Emmet County
Emmet County Clerk
609 1st Ave. N.
Estherville, IA 51334
Telephone:(712) 362-3325

Fayette County
Fayette County Clerk
Vine Street
West Union, IA 52175
Telephone: (563) 422-3234

Floyd County
Floyd County Clerk
101 S. Main St.
Charles City, IA 50616-2756
Telephone:(641) 228-7111

Franklin County
Franklin County Clerk
12 First Avenue, NW
Hampton, IA 50441-0026
Telephone: (641) 456-5626

Fremont County
Fremont County Clerk
P.O. Box 549
Sidney, IA 51652-0549
Telephone:(712) 374-2031

Green County
Green County Clerk
County Courthouse
114 N. Chestnut
Jefferson, IA 50129-2114
Telephone:(515) 386-2516

Grundy County
Grundy County Clerk
700 G Avenue
Grundy Center, IA 50638-1440
Telephone: (319) 824-5229

Guthrie County
Guthrie County Clerk of Court
200 N. 5th St.
Guthrie Center, IA 50115-1331
Telephone:(641) 747-3415

Hamilton County
Hamilton County Clerk
County Courthouse
Webster City, IA 50595-3158
Telephone: (515) 832-4640

Hancock County
Hancock County Clerk
855 State Street
Garner, IA 50438-1645
Telephone: (641) 923-2532

Hardin County
Hardin County Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 495
Eldora, IA 50627
Telephone:(641) 858-3461

Harrison County
Harrison County Clerk
113 North 2nd Ave.
Logan, IA 51546-1331
Telephone: (712) 644-2665

Henry County
Henry County Clerk
100 E. Washington St.
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641-1931
Telephone: (319) 385-8480

Howard County
Howard County Clerk
218 N. Elm St.
Cresco, IA 52136-1522
Telephone: (563) 547-2661

Humboldt County
Humboldt County Clerk of Court
County Courthouse
203 Main, P.O. Box 100
Dakota City, IA 50529-9999
Telephone:(515) 332-1806

Ida County
Ida County Courthouse
401 Moorehead St.
Ida Grove, IA 51445-1429
Telephone:(712) 364-2628

Iowa County
Iowa County Clerk
Court Avenue
Marengo, IA 52301
Telephone:(319) 642-3914

Jackson County
Jackson County Clerk
201 W. Platt St.
Maquoketa, IA 52060-2243
Telephone:(563) 652-4946

Jasper County
Jasper County Clerk
P.O. Box 666
Newton, IA 50208-0666
Telephone: (641) 792-3255

Jefferson County
Jefferson County Clerk
P.O. Box 984
Fairfield, IA 52556-0984
Telephone:(641) 472-3454

Johnson County
Johnson County Recorders Office
913 S Dubuque St
PO Box 1350
Iowa City, IA 52244-1350
Telephone: (319) 356-6093

Jones County
Jones County Clerk
P.O. Box 19
Anamosa, IA 52205-0019
Telephone:(319) 462-4341

Keokuk County
Keokuk County Clerk of Court
Courthouse
101 S. Main
Sigourney, IA 52591
Telephone:(641) 622-2210

Kossuth County
Kossuth County Clerk
114 W. State St.
Algona, IA 50511-2613
Telephone:(515) 295-3240

Lee County
Lee County Clerk of District Court
P.O. Box 1443
Fort Madison, IA 52627-1443
Telephone:(319) 372-3523

Linn County
Linn County Clerk
50 3rd Ave. Bridge
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1704
Telephone: (319) 398-3411

Louisa County
Louisa County Clerk
117 S. Main St.
Wapello, IA 52653-1547
Telephone: (319) 523-4541

Lucas County
Lucas County Clerk
County Courthouse
916 Braden Ave.
Chariton, IA 50049-1258
Telephone:(515) 774-4421

Lyon County
Lyon County Clerk's Office
206 S. 2nd Ave.
Rock Rapids, IA 51246-1597
Telephone:(712) 472-2623

Madison County
Madison County Clerk
P.O. Box 152
Winterset, IA 50273-0152
Telephone:(515) 462-3771

Mahaska County
Mahaska County Recorder
106 South 1st St
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Telephone: (641) 673-8187

Marion County
Marion County Clerk
P.O. Box 497
Knoxville, IA 50138-0497
Telephone: (641) 828-2211

Marshall County
Marshall County Clerk
17 E. Main St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158-4906
Telephone:(641) 754-6373

Mills County
Mills County Clerk
418 Sharp St.
Glenwood, IA 51534-1756
Telephone:(712) 527-4880

Mitchell County
Mitchell County Clerk
County Courthouse
508 State St.
Osage, IA 50461
Telephone:(641) 732-3726

Monona County
Monona County of Court
P.O. Box 53
Onawa, IA 51040
Telephone:(712) 423-2575

Monroe County
Monroe County Clerk
County Courthouse
10 Benton Ave. E.
Albia, IA 52531
Telephone:(641) 932-5212

Montgomery County
Montgomery County Clerk
105 Coolbaugh St.
Red Oak, IA 51566
Telephone:(712) 623-4986

Muscatine County
Muscatine County Clerk
P.O. Box 327
Muscatine, IA 52761-0327
Telephone:(563) 263-6511

O'Brien County
O'Brien County Clerk
115 S. Hayes
Primghar, IA 51245
Telephone:(712) 757-3255

Osceola County
Osceola County Clerk
614 5th Ave.
Sibley, IA 51249-1704
Telephone:(712) 754-3595

Page County
Page County Clerk
112 E. Main St.
Clarinda, IA 51632-2197
Telephone:(712) 542-3214

Palo Alto County
Palo Alto County Clerk
11th & Broadway
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
Telephone:(712) 852-3603

Plymouth County
Plymouth County Clerk
3rd Ave. & 2nd St. SE
Le Mars, IA 51031
Telephone: (712) 546-6100

Pocahontas County
Pocahontas County Clerk
County Courthouse
Pocahontas, IA 50574
Telephone: (712) 335-3361

Polk County
Polk County Clerk
500 Mulberry Street, Room 304
Des Moines, IA 50309-4238
Telephone: (515) 286-3845

Pottawattamie County
Pottawattamie County Clerk
227 South 6th St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501-4209
Telephone: (712) 328-5604

Poweshiek County
Poweshiek County Clerk
302 E. Main St.
Montezuma, IA 50171
Telephone:(641) 623-5644

Ringgold County
Ringgold County Clerk
County Courthouse
P.O. Box 523
Mount Ayr, IA 50854
Telephone:(641) 464-3234

Sac County
Sac County Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 368
Sac City, IA 50583-0368
Telephone:(712) 662-7791

Scott County
Scott County Clerk
416 W. 4th St.
Davenport, IA 52801
Telephone:(563) 326-8647

Shelby County
Shelby County Clerk
P.O. Box 431
Harlan, IA 51537-0431
Telephone:(712) 755-5543

Sioux County
Sioux County Clerk
210 Central Ave. SW
Orange City, IA 51041-1751
Telephone:(712) 737-2286

Story County
Story County Clerk
900 6th St.
Nevada, IA 50201-2004
Telephone:(515) 382-6581

Tama County
Tama County Clerk
P.O. Box 306
Toledo, IA 52342-0306
Telephone:(641) 484-3721

Taylor County
Taylor County Clerk
County Courthouse
405 Jefferson St.
Bedford, IA 50833
Telephone:(712) 523-2095

Union County
Union County Clerk
300 N. Pine St.
Creston, IA 50801-2430
Telephone:(641) 782-7315

Van Buren County
Van Buren County District Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 475
Keosauqua, IA 52565-0475
Telephone:(319) 293-3129

Wapello County
Wapello County Clerk
101 West 4th St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501-2518
Telephone:(641) 683-0060

Warren County
Warren County Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 379
Indianola, IA 50125-0379
Telephone:(515) 961-1033

Washington County
Washington County Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 391
Washington, IA 52353-0391
Telephone:(319) 653-7741

Wayne County
Wayne County Clerk
County Courthouse
P.O. Box 424
Corydon, IA 50060-0424
Telephone:(641) 872-2264

Webster County
Webster County Clerk of Court
703 Central Ave.
Fort Dodge, IA 50501-3853
Telephone:(515) 576-7115

Winnebago County
Winnebago County Clerk of Court
126 S. Clark St.
Forest City, IA 50436-1793
Telephone:(641) 582-4520

Winneshiek County
Winneshiek County Clerk
201 W. Main St.
Decorah, IA 52101
Telephone:(563) 382-2469

Woodbury County
Woodbury County Clerk
101 Court St.
Sioux City, IA 51101-1909
Telephone: (712) 279-6616

Worth County
Worth County Clerk
1000 Central Ave.
Northwood, IA 50459-1523
Telephone:(641) 324-2840

Wright County
Wright County Clerk
P.O. Box 306
Clarion, IA 50525-0306
Telephone:(515) 532-3113
 

Order right now and get instant unlimited access to Iowa Divorce Records, Marriage and separation papers and more!