Frequently Asked Questions
Resources & Services
Birth Records Death Records Forms History of the Recorder's Office Hunting & Fishing Licenses Marriage Records & Licenses Military Records Passports Real Estate Documents & Recording Fees Recorder's Index Inquiry Recreational Vehicles Transfer Tax Calculator FAQ Department HomeDo you have property abstracts on file?
No. Abstracts are not filed in our office.
Does your office handle Divorce Records?
No. The Cedar County Clerk of Court can help you with divorce records. You may contact them at (563) 886-2101.
How do I add or take somebody off the title of my property?
You can file a deed in our office. We do not have blank forms available in our office. Many people have a lawyer create one. All documents recorded must meet Iowa document formatting standards.
What are your hours of business?
General office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays).
Passport appointment times are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Appointments for new passports must be made via phone. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at (563) 886-2230.
Real Estate recordings presented after 3:30 p.m. will be recorded the next business day, in the order it was received.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Checks, Credit Cards (additional 3% transaction fee) and Money Orders.
New Passport Applications require a check or money order that will be sent in with the application.
Where are you located?
On the first floor of the courthouse, Suite 105.
Cedar County Courthouse
1st Floor
400 Cedar Street, Suite 105
Tipton, IA 52772
Who can get a copy of a Military Record?
Veterans and individuals with entitlement. For more information, please contact our office at (563) 886-2230.
Can I get my birth record if I was born overseas?
Birth records of persons born in foreign countries who are citizens at birth may write to:
Passport Services Correspondence Branch
US Department of State
1111 19th Street NW Suite 510
Washington DC 20522-1705
How do I get my birth certificate?
To obtain a copy of your birth certificate, you can make an appointment to come in person or apply by mail. We should have your record if you were born in Cedear County, your parents were married at the time of your birth and you were not adopted. We also have single parent birth's after July of 1995 through present day. We may not have your birth certificate if you were born in the years 1921 through 1941, but we can foward your request to the state. If you apply in person, you will need to fill out an application, bring your photo I.D., and $15.00 cash/check. If you apply by mail, complete and sign* the Vital Record Application. Please enclose the $15.00 fee in the form of cash, check, credit card (additional 3% fee) or money order.
*All signatures must be notarized. If the request is by mail, the applicant must sign in front of a Notary Public and include a clear photocopy of the applicant's current government-issued photo identification.
I was not born in Cedar County. How can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
The Iowa Department of Public Health has birth certificates for all Iowa births. Vital Chek can process your request by phone at (866) 809-0290. For Iowa births, we can also forward your request to the state or correct county. If you have any questions please call the recorder's office at (563) 886-2230. For births outside of Iowa, you will need to contact the vital records department in the state of your birth or go to https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm.
What's the difference between a certified copy and an uncertified copy?
A certified copy has what most refer to as a “raised seal” and states that the copy is a true and correct reproduction of the original record from the state or county. An uncertified copy or a “plain” copy has no seal or verbiage indicating authenticity. An uncertified copy also has a stamp noting “not for legal purposes”.
Can a marriage license be applied for in Cedar County if the marriage ceremony is to take place in a different county?
Yes, the license is valid in any county in the state of Iowa. It is not valid outside of Iowa.
Can we change our names through marriage?
Yes. In fact, a marriage provides the opportunity to legally change your name. Because of this, it is important to complete the application correctly and in full. Do not use initials or nick names unless you wish them to become your legal name.
Do we need a blood test to get married?
No.
What is the legal waiting period for remarrying after a divorce?
None. A marriage can take place at any time once a divorce is final. However, you may not apply for the marriage license until the divorce is final.
Who is legally able to perform a marriage ceremony in the state of Iowa?
A leader of a religious institution or an Associate District or District Judge. The fees and availability for each Judge may vary. For more Officiant Information click here.
How long does it take to get a passport?
Processing times can vary depending on workload and occasional unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters.
For more information on passports and/or processing times please go to www.travel.state.gov.
Do we process licenses for the DNR?
The Recorder’s Office processes transactions for the Department of Natural Resources. This includes: boat, snowmobile, ATV & ORV titles/registrations. Also included is hunting and fishing licenses, deer and turkey tags.
For more information, go to www.iowadnr.gov.
