Official State of Iowa Website

Accessing Adoption Records  

There are various reasons you may want to obtain your adoption records or those of a relative, including your child or parent. Adoption records can only be obtained, though, in certain cases and through certain processes. The process can differ depending on your relation to the adopted person, when the person was adopted, and how you intend to use the records. 

Iowa Code sections 600.16, 600.16A, and 600.24 all provide additional details on adoption records. The Iowa Department of Human Services also provides information on accessing adoption records.