Voter ID in Iowa

Iowa is a non-strict voter ID state.

You will need to present an acceptable ID to vote in person unless another registered voter in the precinct swears to your identity.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

Any registered Iowa voter may request an absentee ballot.

You must include ID information when you apply for your ballot.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!


Changing Your Legal Name

To begin Iowa’s name-change process, you will need to get a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Then you must file a formal request with your local court to change your legal name. You may complete a name-change petition on the e-file system or at a courthouse.

Subject to the court’s discretion, you may need to publish notice of your name change in a newspaper for a set period of time

If the court approves your name change, you will receive a court order that can be used to update the name on your ID documents.

Submit a request to Iowa’s Vital Records office to amend your birth certificate.

To change the name on your Iowa birth certificate, you will need to provide:

  • signed and notarized Amendment to Iowa Certificate of Birth form (PDF)*
  • certified copy of name-change court order
  • certified copy of original birth certificate
  • copy of current government-issued photo ID
  • payment of applicable fees

* You need to contact Iowa Department of Public Health to get an Amendment form. Call the vital records staff and request one at 515-281-4944.

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

You must update your name with the Social Security Administration before you can change it on an Iowa-issued ID.

Visit an Iowa DOT office to change the name on Iowa driver’s license or state ID card.

You must provide an acceptable document (original or certified copy) showing your name change. Examples include an amended birth certificate or name-change court order.


Updating Gender Markers

Contact the Iowa Department of Public Health to request a packet of materials and forms for amending the gender marker on your birth certificate. You can call the vital records staff at 515-281-4944.

You will need to submit a notarized statement certifying that you meet the state’s medical requirements. This statement must be signed by the physician who performed your gender affirmation surgery or provided other medical care for the purpose of your gender transition.

To apply for an updated Iowa birth certificate, you will need to provide:

  • notarized affidavit from physician
  • signed and notarized Amendment to Iowa Certificate of Birth form (PDF)*
  • certified copy of original birth certificate
  • copy of current government-issued photo ID
  • payment of applicable fees

* Request an Amendment form from Iowa Department of Public Health

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

Requests to update the gender marker on an Iowa driver’s license or state ID must be mailed (with supporting documents) to the Department of Transportation:

Driver & Identification Services
Iowa Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 9204
Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9204

If you were born in Iowa, you must provide a certified copy of your birth certificate (with amended gender marker) in order to update the gender marker on driver’s license or state ID.

There are additional options if you were born outside of the state. Examples of acceptable documents include:

  • certified copy of a birth certificate from another state (with amended gender marker)
  • a notarized affidavit from physician that confirms you meet the state’s medical requirements