Wapello County Courthouse Records

Wapello County Courthouse

Court & Fourth Streets

Ottumwa, IA 52501

Phone (641) 683-0060

On July 1, 1880, legislation established the State Board of Health thus creating the Iowa Vital Records System. Registration responsibilities were not well defined resulting in poor record keeping in some areas. A few events were recorded in the individual counties prior to 1880 but little information is included in those records.

Early Iowa birth records contain only minimal data - name, date, place of birth, and names of parents. Death certificates prior to 1904 do not include the names of the parents of the deceased. At the county level, all vital records (with the exception of fetal death, adoptive records, and out of wedlock births) are open to the public. Information from these records may be obtained by personal inspection or by a written request to the Clerk of the District Court or County Recorder in the county where the event occurred. The records vary greatly from county to county, so I recommend calling to find out what is available (and the fee) before writing. A fee is usually charged for each copy.

As of July 1, 1997 ALL birth, death and marriage records have been moved to the office of County Recorder.

Vital records maintained at the state level are not open to the public. Copies of these records are issued only to the registrant or the legal parents, grandparents, spouse, siblings, children or respective legal representatives. An applicant must have a direct and tangible lineal relationship to a registrant. The purpose for which a certificate is needed should also be provided. Certificates can be ordered by credit card over the phone or by written request.
A fee of $10.00 is required for each record search conducted by the state office and one copy of a located certificate is provided. Keep in mind the $10.00 fee is for EACH index searched. Provide as much information about the event as possible. The fee is not refundable.

do not perform genealogical searches.

All requests for research are forwarded to the Wapello County Genealogical Society.

You may visit and research at the courthouse on Tuesday thru Friday, HOWEVER, they are understaffed and may decline to assist you.

Birth Records: [now at Recorders Office]

Beginning July of 1880 (1903-06 and 1921-41) are at Vital records in Des Moines, Iowa. Then from 1941 to current date. July 1880 thru 1917 are on index cards and 1918-21 are in book form. Death records: [now at Recorders Office]

Beginning July of 1880 (1903-06 and 1921-41) are at Vital records in Des Moines, Iowa. Then from 1941 to current date. July 1880 thru 1919 are on index cards. Marriages: [now at Recorders Office]

Beginning 1844 to current date. 1844-66 in printed book form, 1866-78 on index cards and 1880-1905 in printed books. Probate:

Beginning 1844 to current date. Naturalization:

Immigration & Naturalization Service

2312 East Bannister Road

Kansas City, Missouri 64131

District Court:

1844 to current date (Divorces, Civil cases and law) Will Index:

1844 to current date. Book with name of deceased, date of death & date probated. Costs for copies: (Please check with courthouse as rates may have changed)

Probate, District Court, Wills and Naturalization are 25 cents each page.

Microfilm copies are $1.00 each page.

Birth Records | Cemetery's | Census Microfilm | Printed Census Records

Church Records & Histories | City Directories |County & Town Histories

Death & Probate | Family Histories, Charts, Biographies | Land Records

Maps & Plats | Marriage Records | Naturalizations

Newspaper Microfilm | Newspaper Indexes | Newspaper Clippings

Obituaries | Surnames | School Records & Histories

Veteran Records | Place Names

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This page was last updated Sunday, 23-Jan-2005 12:29:35 MST