Iowa Marriage License

A marriage license is an important document for couples, who plan to legalize their relationship. In order to get a Marriage License, you need to know about some important parts of it. There are different requirements about the application, documentation, and rules. Before application, make sure you know any detail of a Marriage License.

Who can apply for a Marriage License in Iowa?

The requirements for getting a Marriage License vary in the states. So the requirements of people who can apply for it differ, too. Here are the requirements.

• You must be 18 years old or older in order to obtain a Marriage License.
• People who are competent to enter a civil contract can apply for a license.
• If you are not legally married to someone else or each other you can apply for a license.
• You must not be closely related by blood or you cannot be first cousins in order to get a license in Iowa.
• If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must have parental custodial consent.

If you are under 15 years old, you cannot legally marry in Iowa.

How to apply to obtain a Marriage License?

Before the wedding ceremony, you must obtain a Marriage License, and for that, you must go to the local County Recorder’s office. This refers to any wedding which will take place in Iowa. When you go to apply for a license, you will need to have the following requirements with you.

The requirements during the application

• During the application part, you will need a witness. The witness must be at least 18 years old and know both of you. Your family member can be your witness during the application part.
• Proof of identification for each of you including a witness (it can be a passport, driver’s license, or ID)

Both of you must be present in person during the application part. If you are a mailed application, you should send the payment and it has to be notarized. In this case, anyone can take your Marriage License, as it will not be mailed.

What do you need to fill in your application?

In the application form, you have to provide some information about yourself. Here you will find what you need to fill in your application.

• At first, you must provide your title, whether you are a bride, groom, or spouse.
• Then you need to provide your name in the application.
• Thirdly you will need to present your birth name.
• After that, you have to fill in your name after marriage (if you change your name).
• You need to provide your gender, but it is optional. Gender is required for statistical purposes.
• After that, you must provide information about your residency. You will need to present the city, state, and country.
• In this stage, you have to provide your birth date, which must be the same one as in your identification documents.
• If you have a foreign country or state birth, you will need to provide it too.
• You have to present your parents’ full birth names.
• Here you have to write your phone number.
• After that, you must provide a mailing address. It can be the same one for both applicants.
• Then you need to provide a Social Security Number.
• And lastly, you need to provide the expected ceremony date and an officiant.

Does Iowa Marriage License have a waiting period?

When you apply for a Marriage License consider a waiting time, as there is a waiting time for obtaining an Iowa Marriage License. You must wait three days for your license to become valid. In some situations, a waiting period can be waived. If you are a mailed applicant, your Marriage License will be held in reserve for six months. If you do not take it on time, it becomes valid.

How can I get a certified copy of my Marriage License in Iowa?

When your wedding ceremony takes place, after it you must go to a Recorder’s office and return the Certificate of Marriage. After it, you will get a certified copy in your email. You need to return the Marriage Certificate within 15 days.

How much is a Marriage License in Iowa?

Prices vary from state to state. If you want to get a Marriage License in Iowa you must pay $35. It includes the price for a certified copy of your Marriage Certificate. And the price is nonrefundable.

Where can you use your Marriage License?

If you get your Marriage License in Iowa, you can use it only in that state, as it is valid only there. If you use an Iowa Marriage license, you can get married only in Iowa.

Does an Iowa Marriage License expire?

Unlike many states, in Iowa, a Marriage License does not expire after it is issued.

Do you need a blood test?

You do not need to take a blood test, it is no longer a requirement.

Do you have to provide proof of divorce?

In some states proof of divorces is necessary to provide, but in Iowa, you can leave this part. You must not to provide proof of divorce. If you divorced today, you can marry the same day too.

Can you have a proxy marriage?

In Iowa, you cannot have a proxy marriage. Both of you have to be present in the process.

Does the government allow to have cousin marriages in Iowa?

In Iowa, you cannot marry any relative of yours. It does not matter whether it is your first cousin or your second one.

Can you change your name after the wedding?

It depends on you. If you want to change your name after marriage you are free to do it. But you can change only your middle and last name because of marriage. For changing your first name you must have a court petition.

If you decide to change your name, you have to update all your documents.

• You have to update your bank, investment, and utility accounts.
• You must change your retirement plans.
• After that, you must change your name on your loans and credit card accounts.
• Then you have to update your name on your passport, legal documents, and voter registration.
• After this, you need to change your name on school associations and alumni groups.
• Lastly, you need to change your name on insurance policies and patient information.