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Iowa birth certificates

Change detected, under review. An official source this page relies on changed recently. Part of this page may be out of date until we review it.

  • Page changed: Senate File 418 (2025), enrolled (2026-10-05) · #133
  • Page changed: How to Request a Certified Record (2026-10-05) · #131
Update your name
YesAfter your legal name change
Gender markerThe sex or gender field (M, F, or X) printed on an ID document or stored in an agency's record.
NoCannot be changed right now

Since July 1, 2025, Iowa does not change the sex on Iowa birth certificates for any reason. SF 418 removed the process from the law. You can still add a court-ordered name change to an Iowa birth certificate ($15 plus $20 per copy); the certificate will show both your former and new names.

Main cost
$15
Apply
By mail or in person
Typical wait
4 to 6 weeks

Draft from official sources, September 24, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

This applies only if you were born here. Birth certificates follow your birth state, not where you live now. Choose your birth state

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Steps
  3. Costs and fee waivers
  4. Forms
  5. Requirements
  6. After you finish
  7. Tips
  8. Laws and other guides
  9. Sources

How it works

Before July 1, 2025, Iowa Code § 144.23 let the state registrar issue a new birth certificate when a physician swore that "by reason of surgery or other treatment" a person's sex designation had changed. SF 418 struck that subsection. The law now says every Iowa birth certificate must show sex as defined in Iowa Code § 4.1A: male or female "as observed or clinically verified at birth." There is no court-order route, no nonbinary option, and no exception for people who already have a court order from another state.

Certificates amended before July 1, 2025. SF 418 does not say it applies retroactively and does not void earlier amendments. One Iowa's reading is that previously amended certificates remain valid and will not be reissued. No HHS statement on this was found.

Name changes still work. After a name change under Iowa Code chapter 674, the clerk of court sends an abstract of the decree to Iowa HHS, which updates the certificate. Iowa law requires the new certificate to show your former name as well (Iowa Code § 674.9).

This guide applies only if you were born in Iowa. If you were born in another state, that state's rules control your birth certificate, and many states still allow sex marker changes.

Steps

  1. Understand that the sex marker cannot be changed[1][2][7]

    Iowa HHS will not accept a physician's affidavit, a court order, or any other document to change the sex on an Iowa birth certificate filed or requested after July 1, 2025. If your Iowa certificate was already amended before then, keep your certified copies; no law voids them.

  2. For a name change, file the abstract with the clerk[4][3][8]

    After your name change decree is signed, complete form 470-5446 and give it to the clerk of district court in the county where the decree was granted, with the fee payment. The clerk forwards it to Iowa HHS with a certified copy of the decree. If your name was changed by a court in another state, mail a certified copy of that order directly to the Bureau of Health Statistics.

    Cost
    $15 administrative processing fee to add a legal name change; $20 certified copy of the birth certificate (each)

  3. Wait for HHS to amend the record[4]

    HHS aims to finish within about 4 to 6 weeks and notifies you in writing. Both names will appear on the record with a note about the court order.

    Time
    4 to 6 weeks

Costs and fee waivers

No fee waiver is available for this step.[5]

WhatCostNotes
Administrative processing fee to add a legal name change[4][5]$15
Certified copy of the birth certificate (each)[4][6]$20Free replacement if you send back a previously issued certificate with the request. VitalChek adds its own fee for online or phone orders.

More detail

Forms2 forms

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Abstract to Change Registrant's Legal Name on Birth CertificateSometimes required: For adding a court-ordered name change to an Iowa birth certificate.

For adding a court-ordered name change to an Iowa birth certificate. You (or your attorney) complete Parts 1 and 2 and give it to the clerk of district court with a check or money order; the clerk certifies it and mails it to Iowa HHS with a certified copy of the decree.

How to fill it out

  • Type or print clearly; do not use all capital letters.
  • The court order must state both the former name on your birth record and your new name, exactly.
  • Proofread: an error on the abstract costs another $15 to correct.
  • Include a check or money order payable to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services ($15, plus $20 for each certified copy you want). The clerk cannot take cash or cards for this.

Open the form[4]

Iowa Vital Record Application (certified copy request)Optional

To order more certified copies later by mail. The application must be notarized and include a copy of your photo ID.

Open the form[6]

RequirementsTimeline
Other
Only people born in Iowa. Iowa HHS does not process name or sex changes for people born elsewhere.
How long it takes

About 4 to 6 weeks for a name amendment after HHS receives the abstract.

After you finishWith your updated certificate, update any records that ask for a birth certificate (school, employer, passport).

With your updated certificate, update any records that ask for a birth certificate (school, employer, passport). The sex on it will remain as originally recorded. Your Iowa driver's license sex marker follows your identity document, so it also cannot be changed if your only document is an unamended Iowa birth certificate.

Tips2 tips from people who have done this
  • If you have an Iowa birth certificate that was amended before July 1, 2025, order a few extra certified copies now in case policy changes later.
  • Questions about your record go to the Bureau of Health Statistics at 515-281-4944.
Laws and other guides4 laws, 2 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

8 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. Iowa Code 2026, § 144.23, State registrar to establish new certificate of birthIowa Legislature, Law. accessed
    “Pursuant to section 4.1A, a new certificate of birth established under subsection 1 shall include a designation of sex of the person at birth.”
  2. Senate File 418 (2025), enrolledIowa Legislature, Law. accessed
    “Strikes "A notarized affidavit by a licensed physician and surgeon ... stating that by reason of surgery or other treatment by the licensee, the sex designation of the person has been changed."”
  3. Iowa Code 2026, § 144.39, Change of nameIowa Legislature, Law. accessed
    “The state registrar shall amend the certificate of birth to reflect the new name.”
  4. Form 470-5446, Abstract to Change Registrant's Legal Name on Birth Certificate (07/26)Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Form. accessed
    “Processing the amendment request should be completed within approximately 4-6 weeks after receipt, unless additional supporting documents are required.”
  5. Vital RecordsIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Official page. accessed
    “Administrative processing fees at the state level are $15 as of July 1, 2019.”
  6. How to Request a Certified RecordIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Official page. accessed
    “Each copy of a certified record costs $20.00.”
  7. Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act Implementation GuideOne Iowa, Organization. accessed
    “We do not believe it is retroactive. Those whose birth certificates have already been changed will not be reissued.”
  8. Iowa Identity DocumentsAdvocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed
    “As of July 1, 2025, the Iowa Health and Human Services Department is no longer issuing gender marker amendments on birth certificates under the passing of SF418.”