reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.15 - Delayed registrations of birth.

144.15 Delayed registrations of birth.
1. When the birth of a person born in this state has not been registered, a certificate may be filed in accordance with regulations. The certificate shall be registered subject to evidentiary requirements prescribed to substantiate the alleged facts of birth. Certificates of birth registered one year or more after the date of occurrence shall be marked “delayed” and shall show on their face the date of the delayed registration. A summary statement of the evidence submitted in support of the delayed registration shall be endorsed on the certificate. A delayed certificate of birth shall not be registered for a deceased person.
2. When an applicant does not submit the substantiating evidence required for delayed registration or when the state registrar finds reason to question the validity or adequacy of the evidence, the state registrar shall not register the delayed certificate and shall advise the applicant of the reasons for this action. The registration official shall advise the applicant of the applicant’s right of appeal to the district court pursuant to sections 144.17 and 144.18, which sections shall be applicable to such appeal notwithstanding the terms of the Iowa administrative procedure Act, chapter 17A.
3. The department may by regulation provide for the dismissal of an application which is not actively prosecuted.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.15]
97 Acts, ch 159, §13; 2003 Acts, ch 44, §114; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §76
Referred to in §144.17, 144.25, 331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.16 - Delayed registration of death or marriage.

144.16 Delayed registration of death or marriage.
When a death or marriage occurring in this state has not been registered, a certificate may be filed in accordance with regulations. Such certificate shall be registered subject to evidentiary requirements prescribed to substantiate the alleged facts of death or marriage. Certificates of death and marriage registered one year or more after the date of occurrence shall be marked “delayed” and shall show on their face the date of the delayed registration.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.16]
Referred to in §331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.17 - Petition to establish certificate.

144.17 Petition to establish certificate.
1. If a delayed certificate of birth is rejected under the provisions of section 144.15, a petition may be filed with the district court for an order establishing a record of the date and place of the birth and the parentage of the person whose birth is to be registered.
2. a. The petition shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar and shall allege:
(1) That the person for whom a delayed certificate of birth is sought was born in this state.
(2) That no record of birth of that person can be found in the office of the state or county custodian of birth records.
(3) That diligent efforts by the petitioner have failed to obtain the evidence required in accordance with section 144.15.
(4) That the state registrar has refused to register a delayed certificate of birth.
(5) Such other allegations as may be required.
b. The petition shall be accompanied by a statement of the registration official made in accordance with section 144.15 and all documentary evidence which was submitted to the registration official in support of such registration. The petition shall be verified by the petitioner.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.17]
88 Acts, ch 1158, §39; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §193
Referred to in §144.15, 144.25, 331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.18 - Court hearing.

144.18 Court hearing.
1. The court shall fix a time and place for hearing the petition and shall give the registration official who refused to register the petitioner’s delayed certificate of birth at least ten days’ notice of such hearing. If both persons to be named as parents are not a party to the petition, such person or persons, if living, shall also be given at least ten days’ notice of the hearing. The court shall prescribe the manner of such notice. Such official, or the official’s authorized representative, may appear and testify in the proceeding.
2. If the court from the evidence presented finds that the person for whom a delayed certificate of birth is sought was born in this state, it shall make findings as the case may require and shall issue an order on a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar to establish a record of birth. The order shall include the birth data to be registered, a description of the evidence presented, and the date of the court’s action.
3. The clerks of the district court shall forward each order to the state registrar not later than the tenth day of the calendar month following the month in which it was entered. The order shall be registered by the state registrar and shall constitute the record of birth, from which copies may be issued in accordance with sections 144.42 through 144.46.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.18]
2017 Acts, ch 29, §42
Referred to in §144.15, 144.25, 331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.19 - Adoption certificate.

144.19 Adoption certificate.
For each adoption decreed by any court in this state, the court shall require the preparation of a certificate of adoption on a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar. The certificate shall include a report of the facts necessary to locate and identify the certificate of birth of the person adopted, provide information necessary to establish a new certificate of birth of the person adopted, identify the order of adoption, and be certified by the clerk of the court. A fee established by the department by rule based on average administrative cost shall be collected for the preparation of a certificate of adoption. Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the general fund of the state.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.44; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.19; 81 Acts, ch 64, §4]
Referred to in §144.23, 600.13
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.20 - Information.

144.20 Information.
Information in the possession of the petitioner necessary to prepare the adoption report shall be furnished with the petition for adoption by each petitioner for adoption or the petitioner’s attorney. The adoption services provider or other person concerned shall supply the court with such additional information in their possession as necessary to complete the certificate. The provision of such information shall be submitted to the court prior to the issuance of a final decree in the matter by the court, unless found by the court to be unavailable after diligent inquiry.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.20]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §73
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.21 - Amended record.

144.21 Amended record.
Whenever an adoption decree is amended or annulled, the clerk of the court shall prepare a certificate, which shall include facts necessary to identify the original adoption report, and facts in the adoption decree necessary to properly amend the birth record.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.44; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.21]
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.22 - Clerk to report to state registrar.

144.22 Clerk to report to state registrar.
Not later than the tenth day of each calendar month, the clerk of the court shall forward to the state registrar certificates of adoption, or amendment or annulment of adoption, entered in the preceding month, together with such related reports as the state registrar requires. The state registrar, upon receipt from a court of a certificate of adoption, or amendment or annulment of adoption, for a person born outside this state shall forward the certificate to the appropriate registration authority in the state of birth.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.44; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.22]
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.23 - State registrar to issue new certificate.

144.23 State registrar to issue new certificate.
The state registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth for a person born in this state, when the state registrar receives the following:
1. An adoption report as provided in section 144.19, or a certified copy of the decree of adoption together with the information necessary to identify the original certificate of birth and to establish a new certificate of birth.
2. A request that a new certificate be established and evidence proving that the person for whom the new certificate is requested has been legitimated, or that a court of competent jurisdiction has determined the paternity of the person.
3. A notarized affidavit by a licensed physician and surgeon or osteopathic physician and surgeon stating that by reason of surgery or other treatment by the licensee, the sex designation of the person has been changed. The state registrar may make a further investigation or require further information necessary to determine whether a sex change has occurred.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2406; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.21, 144.44; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.23]
2002 Acts, ch 1040, §1, 5; 2005 Acts, ch 89, §12
Referred to in §600.13
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.24 - Substituting new for original birth certificates — inspection.

144.24 Substituting new for original birth certificates — inspection.
1. If a new certificate of birth is established, the actual place and date of birth shall be shown on the certificate. The certificate shall be substituted for the original certificate of birth.
2. Following substitution of the original certificate of birth with a new certificate of birth, the original certificate and the evidence of adoption, paternity, legitimation, or sex change shall not be subject to inspection except under order of a court of competent jurisdiction, including but not limited to an order issued pursuant to section 600.16A, as provided in section 144.24A, or as provided by administrative rule for statistical or administrative purposes only.
3. Notwithstanding subsection 2, the state registrar shall, upon the application of an adult adopted person, a biological parent, an adoptive parent, or the legal representative of the adult adopted person, the biological parent, or the adoptive parent, inspect the original certificate and the evidence of adoption and reveal to the applicant the date of the adoption and the name and address of the court which issued the adoption decree.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2406; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.21, 144.44; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.24]
91 Acts, ch 243, §2; 99 Acts, ch 141, §18; 2021 Acts, ch 113, §1
Referred to in §144.13A, 144.24A
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.25 - No previous certificate — procedure.

144.25 No previous certificate — procedure.
1. If no certificate of birth is on file for the person for whom a new certificate is to be established, a delayed certificate of birth shall be filed with the state registrar as provided in section 144.15, or sections 144.17 and 144.18, before a new certificate of birth is established, except that when the date and place of birth and parentage have been established in the adoption proceedings, a delayed certificate shall not be required.
2. When a new certificate of birth is established by the state registrar, all copies of the original certificate of birth in the custody of any custodian of permanent local records in this state shall be sealed from inspection or forwarded to the state registrar of vital statistics, as the state registrar shall direct.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.25]
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.25A - Certificate of birth — foreign and international adoptions.

144.25A Certificate of birth — foreign and international adoptions.
The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to establish a procedure for the issuance of a certificate of birth for children adopted pursuant to section 600.15.
2002 Acts, ch 1040, §2, 5
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.28 - Medical certification.

144.28 Medical certification.
1. a. For the purposes of this section, “nonnatural cause of death” means the death is a direct or indirect result of physical, chemical, thermal, or electrical trauma, or drug or alcohol intoxication or other poisoning.
b. Unless there is a nonnatural cause of death, the medical certification shall be completed and signed by the physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner in charge of the patient’s care for the illness or condition which resulted in death within seventy-two hours after receipt of the death certificate from the funeral director or individual who initially assumes custody of the body.
c. If there is a nonnatural cause of death, the county or state medical examiner shall be notified and shall conduct an inquiry.
d. If the decedent was an infant or child and the cause of death is not known, a medical examiner’s inquiry shall be conducted and an autopsy performed as necessary to exclude a nonnatural cause of death.
e. If upon inquiry into a death, the county or state medical examiner determines that a preexisting natural disease or condition was the likely cause of death and that the death does not affect the public interest as described in section 331.802, subsection 3, the medical examiner may elect to defer to the physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner in charge of the patient’s preexisting condition the certification of the cause of death.
f. When an inquiry is required by the county or state medical examiner, the medical examiner shall investigate the cause and manner of death and shall complete and sign the medical certification within seventy-two hours after determination of the cause and manner of death.
2. The person completing the medical certification of cause of death shall attest to its accuracy either by signature or by an electronic process approved by rule.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2320; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §141.4(18); C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.28]
97 Acts, ch 159, §16; 2002 Acts, ch 1098, §2; 2007 Acts, ch 159, §26; 2008 Acts, ch 1058, §13; 2011 Acts, ch 26, §3
Referred to in §144.35, 331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.29 - Fetal deaths.

144.29 Fetal deaths.
1. A fetal death certificate for each fetal death which occurs in this state after a gestation period of twenty completed weeks or greater, or for a fetus with a weight of three hundred fifty grams or more shall be filed as directed by the state registrar within three days after delivery and prior to final disposition of the fetus. The certificate shall be registered if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this chapter.
2. The county in which a dead fetus is found is the county of death. The certificate shall be filed within three days after the fetus is found. If a fetal death occurs in a moving conveyance, the county in which the fetus is first removed from the conveyance is the county of death.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2405; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.20; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.29]
88 Acts, ch 1158, §41; 97 Acts, ch 159, §17
Referred to in §144.35, 331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.30 - Funeral director’s duty — fetal death certificate.

144.30 Funeral director’s duty — fetal death certificate.
The funeral director who first assumes custody of a fetus shall file the fetal death certificate. In the absence of such a person, the physician or other person in attendance at or after the delivery shall file the certificate of fetal death. The person filing the certificate shall obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available and shall obtain the medical certification of cause of death from the person responsible for completing the certification. When a person other than a funeral director assumes custody of a fetus, the person shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this section.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.30]
97 Acts, ch 159, §18
Referred to in §144.31A, 331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.31 - Medical certification — fetal death.

144.31 Medical certification — fetal death.
1. The medical certification for a fetal death shall be completed within seventy-two hours after delivery by the physician in attendance at or after delivery except when inquiry is required by the county medical examiner.
2. When a fetal death occurs without medical attendance upon the mother at or after delivery or when inquiry is required by the county medical examiner, the medical examiner shall investigate the cause of fetal death and shall complete the medical certification within seventy-two hours after taking charge of the case. The person completing the medical certification of cause of fetal death shall attest to its accuracy either by signature or as authorized by rule.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2322, 2323, 2405; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §141.6, 141.7, 144.20; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.31]
97 Acts, ch 159, §19; 2010 Acts, ch 1163, §1
Referred to in §144.35, 331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.31A - Certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.

144.31A Certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
1. As used in this section:
a. “Certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth” means a document issued based upon a properly filed fetal death certificate to record the birth of a stillborn fetus.
b. “Stillbirth” means stillbirth as defined in section 136A.2.
2. After each fetal death that occurs in the state which is also a stillbirth, the person required to file the fetal death certificate pursuant to section 144.30 shall advise any parent named on the fetal death certificate that the parent may request the preparation of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth following registration of a fetal death certificate.
3. The department may prescribe by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A the form and content of a request and the process for requesting a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
4. The department shall prescribe by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A the form and content of and the fee for the preparation of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
a. At a minimum, the rules shall require that the certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth contain all of the following:
(1) The date of the stillbirth.
(2) The county in which the stillbirth occurred.
(3) A first name, middle name, last name, no name, or combination of these as requested by the parent.
(4) The state file number of the corresponding fetal death certificate.
(5) The statement: “This certificate is not proof of live birth.”
b. The fees collected shall be remitted to the treasurer of state for deposit in the general fund of the state and the vital records fund in accordance with section 144.46.
5. Only a parent named on the fetal death certificate may request a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. A certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth may be requested and issued at any time regardless of the date on which the fetal death certificate was issued.
6. A certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth is not required to be filed or registered.
7. A certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth shall not be used to establish, bring, or support a civil cause of action seeking damages against any person for bodily injury, personal injury, or wrongful death for a stillbirth.
2012 Acts, ch 1022, §1, 2
Referred to in §331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.31B - Certificate of nonviable birth.

144.31B Certificate of nonviable birth.
1. As used in this section:
a. “Certificate of nonviable birth” means a document issued based upon a nonviable birth.
b. “Health care provider” means the same as defined in section 144.29A.
c. “Hospital” means the same as defined in section 135B.1.
d. “Nonviable birth” means an unintentional, spontaneous fetal demise occurring after demonstration of a doppler-detected heartbeat and prior to the twentieth week of gestation during a pregnancy that has been verified by a health care provider.
2. A health care provider who attends or diagnoses a nonviable birth or a hospital at which a nonviable birth occurs shall advise a patient who experiences a nonviable birth that the patient may request a certificate of nonviable birth as provided in this section and, upon request by the patient, shall provide a letter certifying the nonviable birth to the patient.
3. The department may prescribe by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A the form and content of a request and the process for requesting a certificate of nonviable birth.
4. The department shall issue a certificate of nonviable birth to a patient within sixty days of receipt of a request and certification letter.
5. a. The department shall prescribe by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A the form and content of and the fee for the preparation of a certificate of nonviable birth, which fee shall not exceed the actual cost of preparation of the certificate.
b. At a minimum, the rules shall require that the certificate of nonviable birth contain all of the following:
(1) The date of the nonviable birth.
(2) The name and gender, if known. If the name is not furnished by the patient, the department shall complete the certificate with the name “baby boy” or “baby girl” and the last name of the patient. If the gender is unknown, the department shall complete the certificate with the name “baby” and the last name of the patient.
(3) The statement: “This certificate is not proof of live birth.”
6. The fees collected shall be remitted to the treasurer of state for deposit in the general fund of the state and the vital records fund in accordance with section 144.46.
7. A certificate of nonviable birth shall not be required to be filed or registered. The department shall not register the nonviable birth associated with a certificate issued under this section or use the nonviable birth in calculating live birth statistics.
8. A certificate of nonviable birth shall not be used to establish, bring, or support a civil cause of action seeking damages against any person for bodily injury, personal injury, or wrongful death for a nonviable birth.
9. This section shall only apply to, and a certificate of nonviable birth may be requested and issued only for, nonviable births occurring on or after January 1, 2000.
2022 Acts, ch 1090, §1
Referred to in §331.611
NEW section
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.32 - Burial transit permit.

144.32 Burial transit permit.
1. If a person other than a funeral director, medical examiner, or emergency medical service assumes custody of a dead body or fetus, the person shall secure a burial transit permit. To be valid, the burial transit permit must be issued by the county medical examiner, a funeral director, or the state registrar. The permit shall be obtained prior to the removal of the body or fetus from the place of death and the permit shall accompany the body or fetus to the place of final disposition.
2. To transfer a dead body or fetus outside of this state, the funeral director who first assumes custody of the dead body or fetus shall obtain a burial transit permit prior to the transfer. The permit shall accompany the dead body or fetus to the place of final disposition.
3. A dead body or fetus brought into this state for final disposition shall be accompanied by a burial transit permit under the law of the state in which the death occurred.
4. A burial transit permit shall not be issued to a person other than a funeral director when the cause of death is or is suspected to be a communicable disease as defined by rule of the department.
93 Acts, ch 139, §5; 97 Acts, ch 159, §20; 2012 Acts, ch 1069, §2
Referred to in §156.2, 331.611, 331.804, 523I.309
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.33 - Bodies brought into state.

144.33 Bodies brought into state.
A burial transit permit issued under the law of another state which accompanies a dead body or fetus brought into this state shall be authority for final disposition of the body or fetus in this state.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2324; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §141.18; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.33]
Referred to in §331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.34 - Disinterment — permit.

144.34 Disinterment — permit.
1. a. Disinterment of a dead body or fetus, without a court order, shall be allowed for the purpose of autopsy or reburial only, and then only if supervised by a funeral director.
b. Disinterment of cremated remains, without a court order, shall be allowed, but only if supervised by a funeral director.
c. The state registrar, without a court order, shall not issue a permit without the consent of the person authorized to control the decedent’s remains under section 144C.5.
2. a. Disinterment of a dead body or fetus for the purpose of reburial may be allowed by court order only upon a showing of substantial benefit to the public, and then only if supervised by a funeral director.
b. Disinterment of a dead body or fetus for the purpose of autopsy by court order shall be allowed only when reasonable cause is shown that someone is criminally or civilly responsible for such death, after hearing, upon reasonable notice prescribed by the court to the person authorized to control the decedent’s remains under section 144C.5, and then only if supervised by a funeral director.
c. Disinterment of a dead body or fetus for the purpose of cremation may be allowed by court order only if supervised by a funeral director. Subsequent to the disinterment, cremation of the body shall only be allowed upon a determination by the state or county medical examiner that the death was due to natural causes.
3. A permit for disinterment shall be issued by the state registrar according to rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A or when ordered by the district court of the county in which such body is buried. A person authorized to control final disposition of a decedent’s remains under section 144C.5 is an interested person and shall be entitled to notice prior to the obtaining of a court order.
4. Due consideration under this section shall be given to the public health, the preferences of a person authorized to control final disposition of a decedent’s remains under section 144C.5, and any court order.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2337, 2338; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §141.21, 141.22; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.34]
2008 Acts, ch 1051, §2, 22; 2020 Acts, ch 1025, §2
Referred to in §144.52, 331.611, 523I.309, 523I.402
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.35 - Extensions of time by rules.

144.35 Extensions of time by rules.
The department may, by regulation and upon such conditions as it may prescribe to assure compliance with the purposes of this chapter, provide for extension of the periods prescribed in sections 144.26, 144.28, 144.29, and 144.31, for filing of death certificates, fetal death certificates, and medical certifications of cause of death in cases in which compliance with the applicable prescribed period would result in undue hardship.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2318; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §141.2(2); C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.35]
91 Acts, ch 116, §2
Referred to in §331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.36 - Marriage certificate filed — prohibited information.

144.36 Marriage certificate filed — prohibited information.
1. A certificate recording each marriage performed in this state shall be filed with the state registrar. The county registrar shall prepare the certificate on the form furnished by the state registrar upon the basis of information obtained from the parties to be married, who shall attest to the information by their signatures. The county registrar in each county shall keep a record book for marriages. The form of marriage record books shall be uniform throughout the state. A properly indexed permanent record of marriage certificates upon microfilm, electronic computer, or data processing equipment may be kept in lieu of marriage record books.
2. Every person who performs a marriage shall certify the fact of marriage and return the certificate to the county registrar within fifteen days after the ceremony. The certificate shall be signed by the witnesses to the ceremony and the person performing the ceremony.
3. The certificate of marriage shall not contain information concerning the race of the married persons, previous marriages of the married persons, or the educational level of the married persons.
4. The county registrar shall record and forward to the state registrar on or before the tenth day of each calendar month the original certificates of marriages filed with the county registrar during the preceding calendar month and the fees collected by the county registrar on behalf of the state for applications for a license to marry in accordance with section 331.605, subsection 1, paragraph “g”.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2421, 2422, 2425; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.36, 144.37, 144.40; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.36]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10048, 10201; 85 Acts, ch 195, §18; 95 Acts, ch 124, §6, 26; 99 Acts, ch 114, §6; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §163
Referred to in §331.611, 595.16A
See also §595.13 regarding certificate return
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.37 - Dissolution and annulment records.

144.37 Dissolution and annulment records.
1. For each dissolution or annulment of marriage granted by any court in this state, a record shall be prepared by the clerk of court or by the petitioner or the petitioner’s legal representative if directed by the clerk and filed by the clerk of court with the state registrar. The information necessary to prepare the report shall be furnished with the petition, to the clerk of court by the petitioner or the petitioner’s legal representative, on forms supplied by the state registrar.
2. The clerk of the district court in each county shall keep a record book for dissolutions. The form of dissolution record books shall be uniform throughout the state. A properly indexed record of dissolutions upon microfilm, electronic computer, or data processing equipment may be kept in lieu of dissolution record books.
3. On or before the tenth day of each calendar month, the clerk of court shall forward to the state registrar the record of each dissolution and annulment granted during the preceding calendar month and related reports required by regulations issued under this chapter.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2421, 2423, 2425; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.36, 144.38, 144.40; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.37; 81 Acts, ch 64, §6; 82 Acts, ch 1100, §1]
83 Acts, ch 101, §23; 83 Acts, ch 186, §10049, 10201; 85 Acts, ch 195, §19; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §76
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.38 - Amendment of official record.

144.38 Amendment of official record.
To protect the integrity and accuracy of vital statistics records, a certificate or record registered under this chapter may be amended only in accordance with this chapter and regulations adopted hereunder. A certificate that is amended under this section shall be marked “amended” except as provided in section 144.40. The date of amendment and a summary description of the evidence submitted in support of the amendment shall be endorsed on or made a part of the record. The department shall prescribe by regulation the conditions under which additions or minor corrections shall be made to birth certificates within one year after the date of birth without the certificate being marked “amended”.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2402, 2404; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.17, 144.19, 144.44, 144.45; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.38]
Referred to in §144.41
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.39 - Change of name.

144.39 Change of name.
Upon receipt of a certified copy of a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction or certificate of the clerk of court pursuant to chapter 674 changing the name of a person born in this state, the state registrar shall amend the certificate of birth to reflect the new name. A fee established by the department by rule based on average administrative cost shall be collected to amend the certificate of birth to reflect a new name. Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the general fund of the state.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.39; 81 Acts, ch 64, §7]
2009 Acts, ch 56, §1
Referred to in §144.41
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.40 - Paternity of children — birth certificates.

144.40 Paternity of children — birth certificates.
Upon request and receipt of an affidavit of paternity completed and filed pursuant to section 252A.3A, or a certified copy or notification by the clerk of court of a court or administrative order establishing paternity, the state registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth to show paternity if paternity is not shown on the birth certificate. Upon written request of the parents on the affidavit of paternity, the surname of the child may be changed on the certificate to that of the father. The certificate shall not be marked “amended”. The original certificate and supporting documentation shall be maintained in a sealed file; however, a photocopy of the paternity affidavit filed pursuant to section 252A.3A and clearly labeled as a copy may be provided to a parent named on the affidavit of paternity.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2406; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.21; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.40; 81 Acts, ch 64, §8]
93 Acts, ch 79, §10; 94 Acts, ch 1171, §4; 2005 Acts, ch 89, §13
Referred to in §144.38, 144.41
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.41 - Amending local records.

144.41 Amending local records.
When a certificate is amended under sections 144.38 through 144.40 the state registrar shall report the amendment to the custodian of any permanent local records and such records shall be amended accordingly.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.41]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §74
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.42 - Reproduction of original records.

144.42 Reproduction of original records.
To preserve original documents, the state registrar may prepare typewritten, photographic, or other reproductions of original records and files in the state registrar’s office. Such reproductions when certified by the state registrar shall be accepted as the original record.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.42; 81 Acts, ch 64, §9]
Referred to in §144.18
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.43 - Vital records closed to inspection — exceptions.

144.43 Vital records closed to inspection — exceptions.
1. To protect the integrity of vital statistics records, to ensure their proper use, and to ensure the efficient and proper administration of the vital statistics system kept by the state registrar, access to vital statistics records kept by the state registrar shall be limited to the state registrar and the state registrar’s employees, and then only for administrative purposes.
2. It shall be unlawful for the state registrar to permit inspection of, or to disclose information contained in vital statistics records, or to copy or permit to be copied all or part of any such record except as authorized by rule.
3. a. The following vital statistics records in the custody of a county registrar may be inspected and copied as of right under chapter 22:
(1) A record of birth.
(2) A record of marriage.
(3) A record of divorce, dissolution of marriage, or annulment of marriage.
(4) A record of death if that death was not a fetal death.
b. The following vital statistics records in the custody of the state archivist may be inspected and copied as of right under chapter 22:
(1) A record of birth that is at least seventy-five years old.
(2) A record of marriage that is at least seventy-five years old.
(3) A record of divorce, dissolution of marriage, or annulment of marriage that is at least seventy-five years old.
(4) A record of death or fetal death, either of which is at least fifty years old.
4. A public record shall not be withheld from the public because it is combined with data processing software. The state registrar shall not implement any electronic data processing system for the storage, manipulation, or retrieval of vital records that would impair a county registrar’s ability to permit the examination of a public record and the copying of a public record, as established by rule. If it is necessary to separate a public record from data processing software in order to permit the examination of the public record, the county registrar shall periodically generate a written log available for public inspection which contains the public record.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.45; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, S81, §144.43; 81 Acts, ch 64, §10; 82 Acts, ch 1100, §2]
88 Acts, ch 1158, §43; 90 Acts, ch 1025, §1; 94 Acts, ch 1171, §5; 97 Acts, ch 159, §21; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §194; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §59; 2018 Acts, ch 1125, §2
Referred to in §144.18, 233.2
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.43A - Mutual consent voluntary adoption registry.

144.43A Mutual consent voluntary adoption registry.
1. In addition to other procedures by which birth certificates may be inspected under this chapter, the state registrar shall establish a mutual consent voluntary adoption registry through which adult adopted children, adult siblings, and the biological parents of adult adoptees may register to obtain identifying birth information.
2. If all of the following conditions are met, the state registrar shall reveal the identity of the biological parent to the adult adopted child or the identity of the adult adopted child to the biological parent, shall notify the parties involved that the requests have been matched, and shall disclose the identifying information to those parties:
a. A biological parent has filed a request and provided consent to the revelation of the biological parent’s identity to the adult adopted child, upon request of the adult adopted child.
b. An adult adopted child has filed a request and provided consent to the revelation of the identity of the adult adopted child to a biological parent, upon request of the biological parent.
c. The state registrar has been provided sufficient information to make the requested match.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if the adult adopted person has a sibling who is a minor and who has also been adopted, the state registrar shall not grant the request of either the adult adopted person or the biological parent to reveal the identities of the parties.
4. If all of the following conditions are met, the state registrar shall reveal the identity of the adult adopted child to an adult sibling and shall notify the parties involved that the requests have been matched, and disclose the identifying information to those parties:
a. An adult adopted child has filed a request and provided consent to the revelation of the adult adopted child’s identity to an adult sibling.
b. The adult sibling has filed a request and provided consent to the revelation of the identity of the adult sibling to the adult adopted child.
c. The state registrar has been provided with sufficient information to make the requested match.
5. A person who has filed a request or provided consent under this section may withdraw the consent at any time prior to the release of any information by filing a written withdrawal of consent statement with the state registrar. The adult adoptee, adult sibling, and biological parent shall notify the state registrar of any change in the information contained in a filed request or consent.
6. The state registrar shall establish a fee by rule based on the average administrative costs for providing services under this section.
99 Acts, ch 141, §19
Referred to in §144.18
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.44 - Permits for research.

144.44 Permits for research.
The department may permit access to vital statistics by professional genealogists and historians, and may authorize the disclosure of data contained in vital statistics records when deemed essential for bona fide research purposes which are not for private gain. The department shall adopt rules which establish the parameters for access to and authorized disclosure of vital statistics and data contained in vital statistics records relating to birth and adoption records under this section.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2406, 2415; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.21, 144.30; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.44]
94 Acts, ch 1171, §6
Referred to in §144.18, 144.46
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.45 - Certified copies.

144.45 Certified copies.
1. The state registrar and the county registrar shall, upon written request from any applicant entitled to a record, issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the registrar’s custody or of a part of a certificate or record. Each copy issued shall show the date of registration; and copies issued from records marked “delayed”, “amended”, or “court order” shall be similarly marked and show the effective date.
2. A certified copy of a certificate, or any part thereof, shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated, provided that the evidentiary value of a certificate or record filed more than one year after the event, or a record which has been amended, shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.
3. The national division of vital statistics may be furnished copies or data which it requires for national statistics, provided that the state be reimbursed for the cost of furnishing data, and provided further that data shall not be used for other than statistical purposes by the national division of vital statistics unless so authorized by the state registrar.
4. Federal, state, local, and other public or private agencies may, upon written request, be furnished copies or data for statistical purposes upon terms or conditions prescribed by the department.
5. No person shall prepare or issue any certificate which purports to be an original, certified copy, or copy of a certificate of birth, death, fetal death, or marriage except as authorized in this chapter.
[S13, §2575-a45; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2349, 2416, 2426, 2429, 2431; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §141.33, 144.31, 144.41, 144.46, 144.48; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.45]
95 Acts, ch 124, §7, 26; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §76
Referred to in §144.18, 144.46, 331.611
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.45A - Commemorative birth and marriage certificates.

144.45A Commemorative birth and marriage certificates.
Upon application and payment of a thirty-five dollar fee, the director may issue a commemorative copy of a certificate of birth or a certificate of marriage. Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the emergency medical services fund established in section 135.25 to support the development and enhancement of emergency medical services systems and emergency medical services for children.
97 Acts, ch 203, §20
Referred to in §144.18
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.46 - Fees.

144.46 Fees.
1. The department by rule shall establish fees based on the average administrative cost which shall be collected by the state registrar or the county registrar for each of the following:
a. A certified copy or short form certification of a certificate or record.
b. A copy of a certificate or record or a vital statistics data file provided to a researcher in accordance with section 144.44.
c. A copy of a certificate or record or a vital statistics data file provided to a federal, state, local, or other public or private agency for statistical purposes in accordance with section 144.45.
d. Verification or certification of vital statistics data provided to a federal, state, or local governmental agency authorized by rule to receive such data.
2. Fees collected by the state registrar and by the county registrar on behalf of the state under this section shall be deposited in the general fund of the state and the vital records fund established in section 144.46A in accordance with an apportionment established by rule. Fees collected by the county registrar pursuant to section 331.605, subsection 1, paragraph “f”, shall be deposited in the county general fund.
3. The department may establish and maintain, and either the state registrar or the county registrar is authorized to collect, a fee for a search of the files or records when no copy is made, or when no record is found on file.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2417, 2418, 2427; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.32, 144.33, 144.42; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, S81, §144.46; 81 Acts, ch 64, §11]
83 Acts, ch 123, §68, 209; 83 Acts, ch 186, §10050, 10201; 94 Acts, ch 1074, §1; 95 Acts, ch 124, §8, 26; 99 Acts, ch 114, §7; 2007 Acts, ch 159, §27; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §164; 2015 Acts, ch 119, §2, 3
Referred to in §144.13A, 144.18, 144.24A, 144.31A, 144.31B, 144.46A, 232.2, 331.611, 600.13
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.46A - Vital records fund.

144.46A Vital records fund.
1. A vital records fund is created under the control of the department. Moneys in the fund shall be used for purposes of the purchase and maintenance of an electronic system for vital records scanning, data capture, data reporting, storage, and retrieval, and for all registration and issuance activities. Moneys in the fund may also be used for other related purposes including but not limited to the streamlining of administrative procedures and electronically linking offices of county registrars to state vital records so that the records may be issued at the county level.
2. Moneys credited to the fund pursuant to section 144.46 and otherwise are appropriated to the department to be used for the purposes designated in subsection 1. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys credited to the fund that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert to any fund but shall remain available for expenditure for the purposes designated.
2005 Acts, ch 175, §83; 2007 Acts, ch 159, §28
Referred to in §144.46
2023 Iowa Code › Title IV - PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 144 - VITAL STATISTICS › Section 144.47 - Persons confined in institutions.

144.47 Persons confined in institutions.
Every person in charge of an institution shall keep a record of personal particulars and data concerning each person admitted or confined to the institution. This record shall include information required by the standard certificate of birth, death, and fetal death forms issued under the provisions of this chapter. The record shall be made at the time of admission from information provided by such person, but when it cannot be so obtained, the same shall be obtained from relatives or other persons acquainted with the facts. The name and address of the person providing the information shall be a part of the record.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2407, 2408, 2409; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §144.22, 144.23, 144.24; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.47]
Referred to in §144.50