Hello Jane, Well, I'll try to answer a couple of your questions. First of all, Iowa has been trying to close their vital records for years. The fact that they want you to get your records from Des Moines suggests that they want the $14 or so that it takes to get a certified copy from the state department of vital statistics. Anyhow, Iowa's vital statistics are no longer housed in the offices of the county clerks. Instead they now reside in the County Recorders office. And yes, you can get copies... Unless you are trying to get a membership in either the DAR or the Society of Mayflower Descendants I think certified copies are a waste of money... a regular old photocopy will work just as well for your needs. The charge for copies has increased dramatically... and varies from county to county. Here in Clarke County If you make the copy yourself I think it is a dollar a page, but if you ask the recorders to make copies it is much more. I can't tell you how much Madison Co.'s copies cost... even though I'm right next door I haven't been there in quite a while... ever since the madness over that absolutely dreadful book and movie. LOL. Best of Luck! Jim Miller, Osceola, IA