NOTE: EFFECTIVE 07/01/2009 All land transfers with a septic system require a septic system inspection certificate attached to the Groundwater Hazard Statement before the document can be recorded.

-*In addition to the above recording fees, Deeds, Change of Name, Condemnations and Contracts require an additional $5.00 transfer fee for each separate parcel of real estate involved. $50.00 Maximum Fee.
-Documents larger than 11X14 are required to have original sized copies to accompany it.
-A page longer than 14 inches and any attached piece will be considered an additional page.
-Ucc fixture filings are 2 pages and must have the 2nd page addendum with them to file.

Definition of parcel:
Section 1. Section 331.507, subsection 2, paragraph a, code 1985, is amended by striking the paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof the following

1. For a transfer of property made in the transfer records, $5.00 for each separate parcel of real estate described in a deed, or transfer of title certified by the clerk of the district court. However, the fee shall not exceed fifty dollars for a transfer of property, which is described in one instrument of transfer.
   
   
   1. For the purpose of this paragraph, a parcel of real estate includes:
      
      1. For real estate located outside of the corporate limits of a city, all contiguous land lying within a numbered section.
         
      2. For real estate located within the corporate limits of a city, all contiguous land lying within a platted block or subdivision.
         
   2. Within a numbered section, platted block or Subdivision, land separated only by a public street, alley, or highway remains contiguous.
   
   

• The first page of each document shall have a top margin of at least three (3) inches of vertical space from left to right which shall be reserved for the recorder's use. All other margins on the document shall be a minimum of three-fourths of one inch. Nonessential information such as pC1ge numbers or customer notations may be placed in a margin except the top margin.
• All preprinted text shall be at least eight points in size and no more than twenty characters and spaces per inch. All other text typed or computer generated, including but not limited to all names of parties to an agreement, shall be at least ten point in size and no more than sixteen characters and spaces per inch
• Each document shall be of sufficient legibility to produce a clear reproduction.
• Each document shall be on white paper of not less than twenty-pound weight w/without watermarks or other visible inclusions.
• All signatures on a document shall be in black or dark blue ink and of sufficient color and clarity to ensure that the signatures are readable when the document is reproduced. All names shall be typed, printed, or stamped beneath the original signature.
• Embossed or inked stamps shall not cover or otherwise materially interfere with any part of the document.
• Each document that is presented for recording shall have the following information on the first page below the three-inch margin: a) the name, address, and telephone number of the individual who prepared the document; b) the name of the taxpayer and a complete mailing address for any document or instrument of conveyance; c) a return address; d) the title of the document; e) all ' grantors' names; f) all grantees' names; g) any address required by statute; h) the legal description of the property and parcel identification number, if required. If insufficient space exists on the first page for all of the information previously described, the page reference of the document where the information is located shall be noted on the first page.

• A document that was signed before July 1, 2005.
• A military separation document.
• A document that executed outside of the United States.
• A certified copy of a document issued by a governmental agency, including a vital record.
• A document where one of the original parties is deceased or otherwise incapacitated.
• A document formatted to meet court requirements.
• A federal tax lien.
• A filing under the uniform commercial code, chapter 554.
• A plat or surveyor a drawing related to a plat or survey.

On or after July 1. 2005, a document that does not conform to the document formatting standards shall not be recorded except upon payment of an additional recording fee of ten dollars per document or instrument.

Public Service Reminder From Pottawattamie County Recorder

Boats, ATVs, Snowmobiles & Hunting/Fishing

Boats:
All boats registered in Iowa need to be renewed by April 30, 2007. Come in now to license your boat and avoid long lines & delays. If possible, bring your current registration with you.

ATV's & Snowmobiles:
Expires at the end of every calendar year

Hunting and fishing licenses:
Effective July 1st,1999, we no longer sell hunting and fishing licenses, these licenses are available at various vendors throughout the county.

Vital Records

Birth Certificate Information:
To apply for a County certified copy of a birth certificate the charge is $15.00 each. We do not accept personal checks or credit cards. We do accept cash, money orders, or cashier's checks. You must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a birth certificate and have entitlement. You will need the child's complete name at birth, date of birth, place of birth, mother's maiden name, father's complete name. Your relationship to child and purpose for the copy.

Birth records for the year 1921 through the year 1941 are only available at Vital Records in Des Moines, Iowa.

Single parent births prior to July 1, 1995, or if there was an adoption involved, are only available at Vital Records in Des Moines, Iowa.

You may contact the Iowa State Vital Records at 515.281.4944

Effective March 13th, 2006, all mail-in requests require notarized signatures.

To obtain by mail please include a photo copy of your photo ID, your address, your daytime phone number along with your money order. To obtain a copy in person you will need a photo ID, your address, your daytime phone number, and $15.00 in cash, money order or cashier's check.

Death Certificate Information:
Death records for the year 1921 through the year 1941 are only available at Vital Records in Des Moines, Iowa.

To apply for a County certified copy of a death certificate the charge is $15.00 each. We do not accept personal checks or credit cards. We do accept cash, money orders, or cashier's checks. You must be entitled to obtain a death certificate. You will need the deceased complete name, date of birth, place of death, mother's maiden name, father's complete name. Your relationship to deceased and purpose for the copy. To obtain by mail please include a photo copy of your photo ID, your address, your daytime phone number along with your money order. Effective March 13th, 2006, all mail-in requests require notarized signatures.

To obtain a copy in person you will need a photo ID, and $15.00 in cash, money order or cashier's check.

Marriage License Information:
To obtain a Marriage License we do not require a blood test. The cost of a Marriage License is $35.00 we do not accept personal checks or credit cards. We do accept cash, money orders or cashiers checks. There is a 3 working day waiting period to obtain the license. The bride and the groom must be at least 18 years of age and have a photo ID, They need one witness that knows both the bride and the groom that's at least 18 years of age with a photo ID. The Iowa Marriage License requires that the ceremony take place within the state of Iowa.

Wedding Ceremonies are performed Monday through Friday at 11:00 a.m. (per judge availability) on the third floor of the court house, except Courthouse holidays. No appointment is necessary. On the day of the ceremony, report to the Clerk's office on the 3rd floor with your marriage license and two witnesses, age 18 or older. There is no fee for this service during regular working hours, however you are free to offer a gratuity if you like. To make an appointment for weddings at locations other than the Courthouse, you may call District Associate Judge Eveloff at 712.328.5864.

State of Iowa Marriage Instructions
Marriage License Application

Marriage certificates for the year 1921 through the year 1941 are only available at Vital Records in Des Moines, Iowa.

To apply for a County certified copy, the cost is $15.00 each. Again we do not accept personal checks or credit cards,. we do accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. To obtain a certified copy by mail you will need the bride's name before marriage, groom's name, date of event, place of event, relationship to bride or groom, why you need the copy, a copy of your photo ID, your address, your daytime phone number, along with the money order. Effective March 13th, 2006, all mail-in requests require notarized signatures. To obtain a certified copy in person you will need a photo ID and $15.00 cash, money order or cashiers check. Please no personal Checks.

To Request a Certified Copy of an Iowa Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificate:
In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Records. Statewide record searches are available from the state registrar. Local registrars are located in county recorders offices and maintain records of birth and death that have occurred in that county. Marriage records are maintained in the county from which the license to marry was obtained. County registrars, however, do not have code authority to have on record: single- parent births prior to July 1, 1995; adoptions; any record ordered seal by a court of law; or birth, death, and marriages between the years 1921 to 1941.

All applications for certified copies of vital record events must be in writing and completely identify the record, as well as satisfactorily establish entitlement to the record being requested. Entitled persons include the person named on the record or that person�s spouse, children, legal parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, or legal representative or guardian. Legal guardians and representatives must also provide additional proof of guardianship or representation.

Application for a certified copy requires a fee of $15.00 for the record search and includes one certified copy. Each additional copy of the same record is also $15.00. If the record is not located, the applicant receives a notification to that affect. The $15.00 fee is retained for the search. Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the issuing registrar's office (i.e., Iowa Department of Public Health for state-certified, county recorder's office for county-certified).

State Certified Copies:
Certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates may be obtained from the state office of vital records by telephone, in-person, or through a postal service. Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. In-person requests may also be paid in cash. Requests for the purpose of family history take at least 60 days due to the intensive search process.

State Telephone:
You may contact the Iowa State Vital Records at 515.281.4944

This telephone number is for general information, or to order a certified copy. An additional $9.00 fee is charged for the expedited process of credit card usage. The state vital record operator lines are available from 7:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. Genealogy requests are not available through the credit card line because of the intensive search process.

State In-Person:
Walk-in service is available for in-person requests at the state vital records office between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. The office is located at the address listed below, just inside the main north entrance and to the left of the main lobby. The Lucas building is the first state office building east of the state Capitol building, on the south side of Grand Avenue. Written applications must be satisfactorily completed and signed. Applicants must also provide photo identification. Copies may either be picked up after two days or mailed to an entitled person. Genealogy requests are not available within the two-day turnaround time due to the intensive search process.

State Postal Service:
Written requests and fees may be mailed to the address below. Requests must state the relationship to the person named on the record and the purpose for the copy. Filled requests may take up to 30-45 days, depending on mail service. Genealogy requests may take over 60 days to fill due to the intensive search process.

Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Vital Records
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

• This application is for a certified copy of a birth, death or marriage record, if the event occurred in Iowa.
  
• If requesting a birth record, complete all items except 2(A).
• If requesting a death record, complete all items except 2(A) and 7.
• If requesting a marriage record, complete all items, including 2(A).

Application for Certified Copy of an Iowa Vital Record

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF documents.

Reminder

For County Certified Copies Mail to:
Pottawattamie County Recorder
227 S. 6th St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501

No checks or credit cards accepted

For State Certified Copies Mail to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Vital Records
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075

Recorder Contacts: