City guide · Ankeny, Iowa · Details last checked Oct 30, 2026

Ankeny, Iowa document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, fax, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Ankeny, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Not affiliated, not legal advice. Errand Desk isn't affiliated with the City of Ankeny, the Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, Polk County, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa Secretary of State, the Iowa Judicial Branch, the State of Iowa, USPS, The UPS Store or the U.S. Department of State. This is general information, not legal advice. Prices and hours change; check the linked source before you go.

Which offices serve Ankeny: the Census Bureau's 2020 place-by-county file lists Ankeny in Polk County ^[1]. Ankeny has no county office of its own on these pages: the Polk County Recorder is in downtown Des Moines at 111 Court Avenue and handles vital records, passports and recording ^[2]. The public library is the Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, part of the City of Ankeny's website ^[3].

Short version: library printing and copying is 25¢ black and white and 50¢ color, with the first 50¢ of printing free each day; staff send faxes for $1 per transaction ^[3][4]. The library has notaries on staff, by appointment where possible ^[5]. The passport locator lists 1 Ankeny facility, with photos ^[6]. Certified birth, death and marriage copies at the Polk County Recorder are $20 ^[7].

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library

Printing and copying: 25¢ per page black and white and 50¢ per page color; the first 50¢ of printing from a computer or device is free each day. Printers are on the first floor by the Holds area and the second floor by the computers ^[3]. The fee policy lists the same prices per side ^[4].
Paying: the printing kiosk takes nickels, dimes, quarters, $1, $5 and $10 bills, and debit/credit cards; a $10 hold is placed on cards until the job's cost is finalized, which can take several business days ^[3].
Wireless printing: upload documents from home, a phone or a laptop; jobs are held for 24 hours ^[3].
Fax: library staff can send faxes for $1 per transaction. "The library cannot receive faxes for you" ^[3][4].
Scanning: scanning documents to an email address is free on both printers ^[3].

The UPS Store: it lists 1 location in Ankeny: 2310 SE Delaware Ave, Ste. G, (515) 965-8412. Its city page says they offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[8]. We didn't find prices on the store pages; The UPS Store's site says products, services, prices and hours may vary by location ^[9].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Ankeny

Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library: the library has several notaries on staff and strongly encourages appointments; notaries are generally available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and aren't always available whenever the library is open. Wait for the email confirming your appointment. Questions: library@ankenyiowa.gov or 515-965-6460, option 5 ^[5]. We didn't find a notary fee on the library's pages.
Walk-ins: you can stop by without an appointment, but the library can't guarantee a notary will be available ^[5].
Library rules: the library doesn't provide witnesses (bring your own, with photo ID) and doesn't offer remote or electronic notarization. Everyone must show ID and sign in front of the notary. It can't notarize I-9 forms; copies of birth or death certificates or other public records; marriage, divorce and other court records; or deeds other than quit-claim deeds ^[5].
Other options the library lists: Ankeny City Hall and other public libraries may have notaries on staff; call first ^[5].
Fees (statewide): the Iowa Secretary of State's notary handbook says "A notary in Iowa may charge a reasonable fee for the notary's services," and that a notary "cannot refuse to perform a service because a person is not a client/customer" ^[10]. We didn't find a per-act maximum fee in the handbook, so ask what a notary charges before you go. The $30 on the Secretary of State's fee page is what a notary pays for a commission, not what you pay for a notarization ^[11].
ID and remote notarization (statewide): the handbook says signers must personally appear (or appear by approved audio-video technology for a remote online notarization) and lists acceptable ID as a passport, driver's license or government-issued nonoperator ID that is current or expired not more than three years. Iowa notaries may notarize only within Iowa; a remote online notary must be in Iowa but may notarize for a signer elsewhere in the U.S. (or abroad, if certain conditions are met). The handbook also says Iowa doesn't require a notary bond ^[10].

Passports in Ankeny

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 1 facility with an Ankeny address, and lists it as taking photos on site ^[6]:

Facility	Address and phone	Passport hours (locator)	Photos
Ankeny Post Office (USPS)	1011 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA 50023. 515-963-8387	Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (closed 1–2); Sat 10 a.m.–noon	Listed as on site

Appointments: the locator says to schedule a passport appointment or check other acceptance times at usps.com ^[6].
Nearby, in Des Moines: the Polk County Recorder also accepts passport applications, at 111 Court Avenue ^[2].
Polk County Recorder (appointment only): passport applications by appointment only; call 515-286-3160. The office won't process applications after 3:00 p.m. The $35 acceptance (agent) fee and photo fee can be paid by cash, check or card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) to the Polk County Recorder; the application fee must be a check, money order or bank draft to the Department of State ^[12][13].
Photos (sources differ): Polk County says, "Photos are provided for $15.00" ^[12], while the locator data doesn't list the Recorder as taking photos ^[6]. Ask when you book.
Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[14].
Faster service (national): the State Department's 1–3 business day return delivery is $26.87, for passport books only ^[15].
State Department fees (national): for a first passport or other in-person (DS-11) application, the application fee for an adult (16 and older) is $130 for a book, $30 for a card or $160 for both; for a child under 16 it is $100, $15 or $115. A $35 acceptance fee is paid separately to the acceptance facility, and expedited service is $60 more ^[15].

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth, death and marriage certificates: Iowa HHS (statewide)

Fee (statewide): "At both the county and state level, a fee of $20.00 is required for each record search conducted, with a copy issued if one is found." If no record is found you get a no-record letter and the fee isn't refunded ^[16]. County recorders can issue certified copies of births from 1986 on and of deaths and marriages from 1954 on; for earlier events, order from the county where the event happened (marriages: where the application was made) ^[17].
Who can order (statewide): you must be the person named on the record or have "a lineal relationship" to that person, "such as a legal parent, grandparent, spouse, brother, sister, child, legal guardian, or legal representative." County requests must be in writing and state the purpose; the state also takes telephone requests paid by credit card. Bring a valid, current government-issued photo ID (a legible photocopy by mail). HHS notes that some county recorders "may only accept cash or money orders for in-person requests and money orders for mail-in requests" ^[16].
State office (statewide): the Iowa HHS Bureau of Vital Statistics takes in-person requests at the Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday; requests received by 2:00 p.m. are processed in 2 hours. Mail applications must be notarized. VitalChek is its only authorized online and phone vendor and adds its own fee, starting at $14.00 an order online and $9.00 by phone. Questions: 515-281-4944 ^[17][16].

Birth and death certificates: Polk County Recorder

Fee: "Effective July 1, 2026 the fee for certified copies (birth, death, and marriage) of vital records increased from $15 to $20." Pay by cash, check, card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover) or money order ^[7][18].
Which records: Polk County has all Iowa birth records from 1985 on, and Polk County births before that, except single-parent births and records with legal action; it doesn't have births from 1921 through 1941. It has no death records before July 1, 1941. For records it doesn't hold, contact Iowa HHS at 515-281-4944 ^[7][18].
How: in person (same-day vital records service ends at 3:30 p.m.; the office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday) or by mail with the request form and a photocopy of your ID to 111 Court Avenue, Suite 245, Des Moines, IA 50309. Mailed requests go out the day after they arrive. Mailed signatures must be notarized ^[7][19].

Marriage licenses: Polk County Recorder

Fee: $35. Both of you and one witness who knows you and is 18 or older come in with photo ID and fill out the application. If you can't come in, the office can mail the application, which must be signed before a notary. The application isn't online; call 515-286-3781 ^[20].
When it's valid: Polk County excludes the day of application and counts 4 days after that, weekends included. The license is void if it isn't picked up within six months of the application. People aged 16 and 17 need a judge's consent ^[20].
Certified copies: $20 each, by mail or in person, for licenses applied for in Polk County. Judges who perform weddings outside court hours and facilities may charge up to $200 ^[20].
Fee and waiting period (statewide): Iowa Code § 331.605 sets the fee for filing a marriage license application at $35, which "includes payment for one certified copy" of the marriage certificate after it is filed ^[21]. Under § 595.4, a license "shall not become valid until the expiration of three days after the date of issuance," a judge can authorize early validation in an emergency, and an application is void if no license is issued within six months ^[22]. Early validation carries a separate $5 application fee ^[21].

Recorded documents: Polk County Recorder

Recording: the Recorder's fee page says the $12.00 fee for deeds, changes of name, condemnations and contracts includes a $5.00 transfer fee for each parcel; add $5.00 for each additional parcel ($50.00 maximum). A document with more than one transaction is $7.00 more per transaction ^[23]. We didn't find the rest of the fee table in the page text.
Copies: real estate documents from Jan. 1, 1992 on are free to view and print online. Otherwise, in-office copies are $0.50 a page; mailed copies $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page; emailed copies $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. A certified copy is $5.00 more. Imaging: 515-286-3175 ^[24].
Recording fees (statewide): Iowa Code § 331.604 sets a $5 fee "for each page or fraction of a page" recorded, plus $1 per recorded transaction for records management and $1 per transaction for the county land record information system ^[25].

Court copy fees (statewide; sources differ)

Iowa Judicial Branch: its Civil Court Fees page lists "Certification and seal of court document" at $50 under Iowa Code § 602.8105(2)(b), and copies at $0.50 a page, with the note "Court fees updated to reflect Iowa Legislature 2026 changes" ^[26].
Iowa Code 2026 text: the Legislature's posted Iowa Code 2026 version of § 602.8105, dated Dec. 12, 2025, says the clerk collects "For a certificate and seal, thirty dollars" ^[27]. That file predates the 2026 session the Judicial Branch cites, so the $50 figure may reflect a later change. Confirm the amount with the clerk of district court before you pay.

Apostilles (statewide)

Who: the Iowa Secretary of State issues apostilles and certifications confirming that the Iowa notary or elected official who signed a document was commissioned or serving at the time. Since 2025 it uses a single certificate format for every country, Hague member or not. It can certify only documents signed by Iowa notaries or Iowa officials; for a federal document such as a federal background check, it refers you to the U.S. Department of State ^[28].
Fee: "$5.00 per apostille or certification," by check (payable to Iowa Secretary of State), Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover; "Do not mail cash" ^[29].
How: same-day walk-in service 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday–Friday (except holidays) at the Lucas Building, First Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines; or mail the request form and a copy of the document to that address; or upload one multi-page PDF through Fast Track Filing. You need one copy of the document for each certificate. Certificates come back by USPS unless you include a prepaid shipping label. Phone 515-281-5204 ^[28][29].
Processing time: not posted for mail or uploads; uploads are "reviewed and issued in date order" ^[28].

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[30]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

Free events: we didn't find a free document shred event for 2026 or 2027 on the official City of Ankeny, Polk County or Metro Waste Authority pages we checked.
City guidance: the City says you can drop off confidential documents at Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off sites for shredding, or check with your bank or credit union ^[31].
Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, Bondurant (ongoing, paid): Metro Waste Authority's accepted-items table lists paper shredding at $.50/lb, accepted at the Bondurant drop-off only, not at Grimes and not by houseside collection ^[32]. The drop-off is at 1105 Prairie Drive SW, Bondurant, 515-967-5512, open Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon, closed on major holidays ^[33].
Recycling shreds: shredded paper can go in your recycling cart, contained in a paper product such as a cereal or cardboard box or a paper sack ^[31].
The UPS Store: its Ankeny page lists shredding ^[8]. We didn't find prices.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

How much does printing cost at the Ankeny library?

25¢ per page black and white and 50¢ color, after the first 50¢ free each day ^[3].

Can I fax at the Ankeny library?

Yes, staff can send faxes for $1 per transaction, but the library can't receive faxes ^[3].

Can I get something notarized at the Ankeny library?

Yes. Appointments are strongly encouraged; notaries are generally available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ^[5].

Where do I apply for a passport in Ankeny?

The locator lists the Ankeny Post Office at 1011 N. Ankeny Blvd.; schedule at usps.com ^[6]. The Polk County Recorder in Des Moines takes applications by appointment ^[12].

Where do I get an Ankeny birth certificate or marriage license?

At the Polk County Recorder in Des Moines: certified copies are $20 ^[7], and a marriage license is $35 ^[20].

Where do I get an apostille?

From the Iowa Secretary of State in the Lucas Building in Des Moines: $5.00 per apostille or certification (statewide), same-day walk-in 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, or by mail or upload ^[28][29].

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Oct 30, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

U.S. Census Bureau, "2020 Place by County relationship file, Iowa": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/place_by_cou/st19_ia_place_by_county2020.txt (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Polk County, "County Recorder": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, "Computers, Printing & Fax": ankenyiowa.gov/688/Computers-Printing-Fax (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, "Fines and Fees Policy (revised Jan. 15, 2026, PDF)": ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/423/Fines-and-Fees-Policy (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, "Notary Services": ankenyiowa.gov/531/Notary-Services (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Iowa): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
Polk County, "Birth Records": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/vital-records/birth-records (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Ankeny, Iowa": locations.theupsstore.com/ia/ankeny (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
The UPS Store, "Notary Services Nationwide": theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Secretary of State, "Handbook for Iowa Notaries Public (2023, PDF)": sos.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/notaryhandbook.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Secretary of State, "Notary Forms and Fees": sos.iowa.gov/notaries/notary-forms-and-fees (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Polk County, "Passports": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/passports (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Polk County, "Passport Fees": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/passports/passport-fees (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, "Vital Records": hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/vital-records (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, "How to Request a Certified Record": hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/vital-records/how-request-certified-record (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Polk County, "Death Records": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/vital-records/death-records (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Polk County, "Vital Records": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/vital-records (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Polk County, "Marriage Records": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/vital-records/marriage-records (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Legislature, "Iowa Code 2026, section 331.605, Other fees (PDF)": legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/331.605.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Legislature, "Iowa Code 2026, section 595.4, Age and qualification, verified application, waiting period (PDF)": legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/595.4.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Polk County, "Recording Fees": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/real-estate-department/recording-fees (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Polk County, "Get a Copy": polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/imagingmicrofilm-department/get-a-copy (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Legislature, "Iowa Code 2026, section 331.604, Recording and filing fees (PDF)": legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/331.604.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Judicial Branch, "Civil Court Fees": iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/civil-court-fees (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Legislature, "Iowa Code 2026, section 602.8105, Fees for civil cases and other services (PDF)": legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/602.8105.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Secretary of State, "Apostilles and Certifications": sos.iowa.gov/notaries/apostilles-and-certifications (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Iowa Secretary of State, "Apostille or Certification Request Form (Rev. 10/25, PDF)": sos.iowa.gov/business/pdf/APCERT.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
City of Ankeny, "Trash & Recycling": ankenyiowa.gov/411/Trash-Recycling (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Metro Waste Authority, "Residential Hazardous Waste: Accepted Items": mwatoday.com/waste-recycling/hazardous-waste/residential/accepted-items (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Metro Waste Authority, "Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Offs": mwatoday.com/locations/metro-hazardous-waste-drop-offs (last checked Oct 30, 2026)

Des Moines, Iowa document errands
Cedar Rapids, Iowa document errands
Davenport, Iowa document errands
Where to get something notarized, and what it costs: banks, credit unions, libraries, AAA, The UPS Store and online notary, plus state fee limits.
US passport application checklist: what to bring, fees, forms and photocopy rules from the State Department.
How to get a certified copy: birth, death, marriage, property and court records from the offices that issue them.
Free notary options
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