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Marriage Laws United States Iowa IA Wedding Officiants

Marriage license Laws in the state of Iowa, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the Iowa marriage laws before filling out the Iowa marriage license form.

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In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

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Iowa Residency and ID Requirements:

You do not have to be a resident of Iowa. Picture identification is required. You also need to provide Social Security information.

Previous Marriages:

If either of you were previously married, you will need to show the date of divorce or date of spouse's death. If the divorce was within 60 days, a signed copy of the divorce decree will need to be provided.

Same Sex Marriage in Iowa:

Yes, same sex marriages are legal in Iowa. The law became effective April 27, 2009.

Iowa Waiting Period:

Iowa has a three (3) business day waiting period.

Fees for Marriage Licenses in Iowa:

$30+ -- cash only. The fee and acceptance of checks or credit cards varies from County to County.

Other Tests in Iowa:

No other tests are required in Iowa for a marriage license.

Proxy Marriage in Iowa:

No. However, if one of you can't be present at the Recorder's Office to apply for the license, the absent party can sign the Iowa marriage license application before a Notary Public.

Cousin Marriage in Iowa:

No.

Common-Law Marriage in Iowa:

Yes.

Under Iowa Code for Revenue and Finance1, common law marriage in Iowa is legal for the purposes of filing income taxes (Administrative Rule, Chapter 39 [701]) and property tax exemptions (Administrative Rule, Chapter 73 [701]).

Iowans may claim Common Law Marriage status if:

• a present intent of both parties freely given to become married exists
• both parties publicly declare themselves as common law married
• the parties have lived together continuously and consummated the marriage (no special time limit, however)
• both parties are legally capable of entering into a marriage relationship; that is, both are of legal age and neither is legally married to someone else at the time.

For marriage certificate purposes:

• Only legally solemnized marriage ceremonies per the Code of Iowa, chapter 595, are registered as an Iowa vital event. Such marriages permit the parties to legally change their surname through the marriage certificate. Common law marriages are not registered in the Iowa vital records system.

1 Adm. Rule 701—73.25 (425) Common Law Marriage

• A common law marriage is a social relationship that meets all the necessary requisites of a marriage except that it was not solemnized, performed or witnessed by an official authorized to perform marriages. The necessary elements of a common law marriage are: (a) a present intent of both parties freely given to become married, (b) a public declaration by the parties or a holding out to the public that they are husband and wife, (c) continuous cohabitation together as husband and wife (this means consummation of the marriage), and (d) both parties must be capable of entering into the marriage relationship. No special time limit is necessary to establish a common law marriage. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 425.17 [Homestead Tax Credits and Reimbursement: Definitions].

Under 18 in Iowa:

Applicants 16 or 17 years of age need to have parental consent.

Wedding Officiants in Iowa:

Any ordained or licensed clergymen, and justices of the peace.

Witnesses:

You need to have one witness (over 18 years of age) with you when you apply for the license.

Term of Validity For Marriage License:

An Iowa marriage license is valid for 6 months.

Copy of Certificate of Marriage:
Iowa Department of Public Health
321 E. 12th, 4th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-4944

Miscellaneous:

Marriage License Application  Marriage Information

Performing Marriages in Iowa  Consent to Marry a Minor Application

It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com.  Please include the state and county information.

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Iowa County Recorder's Office

Adair County Recorder Greenfield, IA 515.743.2411	Adams County Recorder Corning, IA 515.322.3744	Allamakee County Recorder Waukon, IA 319.568.2364
Appanoose County Recorder Centerville, IA 515.856.6103	Audubon County Recorder Audubon, IA 712.563.2119	Benton County Clerk Vinton, IA 319.472.3309
Black Hawk County Recorder Waterloo, IA 319.291.2472	Boone County Recorder Boone, IA 515.433.0514	Bremer County Recorder Waverly, IA 319.352.0401
Buchanan County Recorder Independence, IA 319.334.4259	Buena Vista County Rcdr. Storm Lake, IA 712.749.2539	Butler County Recorder Allison, IA 319.267.2735
Calhoun County Recorder Rockwell City, IA 712.297.8121	Carroll County Recorder Carroll, IA 712.792.3328	Cass County Recorder Atlantic, IA 712.243.1692
Cedar County Recorder Tipton, IA 319.886.2230	Cerro Gordo County Recorder Mason City, IA 515.421.3056	Chickasaw County Recorder New Hampton, IA 515.394.2336
Clay County Recorder Spencer, IA 712.262.1081	Clayton County Recorder Elkader, IA 319.245.2710	Clinton County Recorder Clinton, IA 319.244.0223
Crawford County Recorder Dennison, IA 712.263.3643	Dallas County Recorder Adel, IA 515.993.5804	Delaware County Recorder Manchester, IA 319.927.4665
Des Moines County Rcdr. Burlington, IA 319.753.8221	Dickenson County Recorder Spirit Lake, IA 712.336.1495	Dubuque County Recorder Debuque, IA 319.589.4434
Emmet County Recorder Esterville, IA 712.362.4115	Fayette County Recorder West Union, IA 319.422.3687	Floyd County Recorder Charles City, IA 515.257.6154
Franklin County Recorder Hampton, IA 515.456.5675	Fremont County Recorder Sidney, IA 712.374.2315	Greene County Recorder Jefferson, IA 515.386.3716
Grundy County Recorder Grundy Center, IA 319.824.3234	Guthrie County Recorder Guthrie Center, IA 515.747.3412	Hamilton County Recorder Webster City, IA 515.832.9535
Hancock County Recorder Garner, IA 515.923.2464	Hardin County Recorder Eldora, IA 515.939.8178	Harrison County Recorder Logan, IA 712.644.2545
Henry County Recorder Mt. Pleasant, IA 319.385.0765	Humboldt County Recorder Dakota City, IA 515.332.3693	Ida County Recorder Ida Grove, IA 712.364.2220
Iowa County Recorder Marengo, IA 319.642.3622	Jackson County Recorder Maquoketa, IA 319.652.2504	Jasper County Recorder Newton, IA 515.792.5442
Jefferson County Recorder Fairfield, IA 515.472.4331	Kossuth County Recorder Algona, IA 515.295.5660	Lee County Recorder Fort Madison, IA 319.372.4662
Lee County Recorder Keokuk, IA 319.524.1126	Linn County Recorder Cedar Rapids, IA 319.398.3441	Louisa County Recorder Wapello, IA 319.523.5361
Lucas County Recorder Chariton, IA 515.774.2413	Lyon County Recorder Rock Rapids, IA 712.472.2381	Madison County Recorder Winterset, IA 515.462.3771
Mahaska County Recorder Oskaloosa, IA 515.673.8187	Marion County Recorder Knoxville, IA 515.828.2211	Marshall County Recorder Marshalltown, IA 515.754.6355
Mills County Recorder Glenwood, IA 712.527.9315	Mitchell County Recorder Osage, IA 515.732.5861	Monona County Recorder Onawa, IA 712.423.2575
Monroe County Recorder Albia, IA 515.932.5164	Montgomery County Recorder Red Oak, IA 712.623.4363	Muscatine County Recorder Muscatine, IA 319.263.7741
Obrien County Recorder Primghar, IA 712.757.3045	Osceola County Recorder Sibley, IA 712.754.3345	Page County Recorder Clarinda, IA 712.542.3130
Palo Alto County Recorder Emmetsburg, IA 712.852.3701	Plymouth County Recorder Le Mars, IA 712.546.4020	Polk County Recorder Des Moines, IA 515.286.3160
Pottawattamie County Rcdr. Council Bluffs, IA 712.328.5612	Poweshiek County Recorder Montezuma, IA 515.623.5434	Sac County Recorder Sac City, IA 712.662.7789
Scott County Recorder Davenport, IA 563.326.8621	Shelby County Recorder Harlan, IA 712.755.5640	Sioux County Recorder Orange City, IA 712.737.2229
Story County Recorder Nevada, IA 515.382.7230	Tama County Recorder Toledo, IA 515.484.3320	Wapello County Recorder Ottumwa, IA 515.683.0045
Warren County Recorder Indianola, IA 515.961.1089	Washington County Recorder Washington, IA 319.653.7727	Webster County Recorder Fort Dodge, IA 515.576.2401
Winnebago County Recorder Forest City, IA 515.582.2094	Winnesheik County Recorder Decorah, IA 319.382.3486	Woodbury County Recorder Sioux City, IA 712.279.6528
Worth County Recorder Northwood, IA 515.324.2734	Wright County Recorder Clarion, IA 515.532.3204

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