Advance Directive Form

Iowa’s Advance Directive form specifies an individual’s chosen healthcare proxy and instructions on their health care, treatment, and last will. It must be signed by the individual, proxy, and two witnesses.

How to Order a Death Certificate

In Iowa, only legal representatives and immediate family members of the deceased can request a death certificate. Proof of relation is required.

The following information is necessary to obtain a certificate:

• Deceased’s legal name
• Place and date of death
• Names of deceased’s parents and mother’s maiden name
• Applicant’s name and birthdate
• Applicant’s phone number and address
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased and proof of the fact
• Purpose of request
• Copy of applicant’s government-issued photo ID

Each copy of the death certificate costs $15. Cash is not accepted and fees are non-refundable. A $9 card processing fee applies to certificates ordered by phone.

The application can be mailed to:

Iowa Department of Public Health

Bureau of Health Statistics

Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor

Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

You can complete an application by phone at 515-281-4944 (7:00 am to 4:45 pm, Monday through Friday).

If you want to apply in person you can visit a local health department.

Digital Estate Planning Law

Iowa SF 333 Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill came into effect on April 20, 2017.

Death With Dignity or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

Iowa’s Committee on Human Resources is currently reviewing Iowa Our Care, Our Choice Act. Updates on this bill can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

Iowa’s organ donation registry can be found here.

Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST)

The Iowa Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (IPOST) form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on Iowa’s legislation on a decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in Title XV, Chapter 633: Probate Code.

Estate and Inheritance Tax

Iowa has an inheritance tax of up to 15%. Full information can be found here.