641—96.7 (144) Direct tangible interest accessibility. Certified copies of vital records may be issued or made at county level, upon the payment of the required fee for certification and demonstration of a verifiable direct and tangible interest. Uncertified copies of all vital records may be issued or made at county level, upon payment of a reasonable charge and demonstration of a verifiable direct and tangible interest.
The following persons shall be considered to have a direct tangible interest in requested records:
1. The registrant, a member of the registrant’s immediate family, legal representative or agent. Other persons may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when it is shown the information needed is for the determination or protection of a personal or property interest.
“Legal representative” shall include an attorney, physician, funeral director, abstractor, insurance agent or an agent acting on behalf of the registrant or the registrant’s immediate family.
2. Applicants or their agents conducting family research satisfactorily demonstrating to the local custodian the existence of a direct and tangible interest. This is accomplished by substantiating a line of direct lineal consanguinity.
Direct lineal consanguinity is the existence of a line of descent in which one person is descended in a direct lineal relationship to another; as between a particular person and the person’s parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, and so upward, in the direct ascending line; or between a particular person and the person’s child, grandchild, great-grandchild and so downward in the direct descending line and any siblings of those persons. The county custodian shall require sufficient identification, such as name, address and relationship of all applicants requesting access under the criteria of direct and tangible interest. A written attestation by the applicant as to the applicant’s right to uncensored access may be required by the county custodian.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 144.3.