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Birth, Death, & Marriage Certificates
Obtaining a Certified Copy
Certified copies of births, deaths, and marriages, which occurred in Dubuque County, may be obtained from this office by immediate family members only. Certified copies are $15 each. Requests may also be received through the mail. Mailed requests must also include a notarized signature and a copy of the applicant’s photo ID.
We accept checks, cash, money orders or credit cards for payment. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Dubuque County Recorder. Credit card payments are subject to an additional fee by the credit card company based on the amount charged.
Available Vital Records
- Birth and Death records are available at the Recorder office for the years 1880 to Present.
- Marriage records are available in the Record office for the years 1839 to Present. You must have applied for a marriage license in Dubuque County for it to be on file in our office.
Exceptions
- Do not have some birth records from 1921 through 1941
- Do not have death records from 1904 through 1907 and from 1917 through 1941
- Do not have adoptions or legal name changes
- Do not have single-parent births prior to January 1, 1986
If these records are needed, please contact the Iowa Department of Public Health.
How to Request
Requesting a Certified Copy of an Iowa Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificate? Please download and complete the Application for Copy of Vital Record form:
Mail the completed application to:
Dubuque County Recorder
720 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 5001
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-5001
Marriage Application
You may apply for a Marriage License at any County Recorder in Iowa as long as the ceremony is to be performed in Iowa. Office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Monday through Friday.
If you mail in the application, PLEASE include your contact information. Marriage Applications are accepted either in person or through the mail at:
Dubuque County Recorder
720 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 5001
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-5001
Payment
We accept checks, cash, money orders or credit cards for payment. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Dubuque County Recorder. Credit card payments are subject to an additional fee by the credit card company.
Notarized
To apply for a Marriage License, both parties and one witness (all must be 18 years or older) must complete the application and sign in front of a notary public. The fee of $35 includes a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate. Iowa law requires a three day waiting period before the marriage license is valid for a ceremony to be performed from the date it is filed in the Recorders Office (i.e. Must be filed on Tuesday to be valid for a Saturday ceremony).
Certified Copy
Once the Certificate of Marriage has been returned to the Recorder’s Office and placed on record, a certified copy will be mailed to the couple.
State Certified Copies
How to Obtain a State Certified Copy of Birth, Death or Marriage
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Recorder
Physical Address
Dubuque County Courthouse
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Mailing Address
Dubuque County Recorder
P.O. Box 5001
Dubuque, IA 52004-5001
Phone: 563-589-4434
Marriage Ceremonies
Marriage ceremonies in the Courthouse are available to schedule (Friday Only) through Court Administration. Please contact Court Administration at: 563-589-4448 to schedule.
If you would like to schedule a ceremony outside of the Courthouse here is a list of Magistrates and Officiants (fees to perform these ceremonies are made at the Magistrate/Officiants discretion):
Magistrates:
- Natalia Blaskovich
Phone: 563-543-4747 - Matt Boleyn
Phone: 563-845-7199