Marriage license · Iowa
How to Get a Marriage License in Iowa
Everything Iowa couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $35 |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 days (waiver available for $5) |
| License valid for | 6 months |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| ID required | Photo ID + 1 disinterested witness affirmation |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 2 |
| Apply online | Yes (varies by county) |
| Where to apply | Any County Recorder |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Iowa, you apply at any county recorder.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id + 1 disinterested witness affirmation for both partners.
- Apply online or in person. Most Iowa offices charge $35 per license.
- Wait the required 3 days (waiver available for $5). You can't use the license until this period passes.
- Use the license within 6 months. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 2 witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Iowa?
The two dates that matter are the waiting period and the expiration. A Iowa license is good for 6 months and can't be used until 3 days (waiver available for $5) after it's issued. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any county recorder. Check whether your officiant must be registered in Iowa. |
| Earliest you can apply | 6 months before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — clears the 3 days (waiver available for $5) wait with room for a reissue if something is wrong. |
| Wedding week | Risky — a 3 days (waiver available for $5) wait plus office closures can leave you without a valid license. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Iowa
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Iowa couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $35 |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Iowa
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Iowa driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Iowa couples make
- Applying too early. A Iowa license expires after 6 months. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Forgetting the 3 days (waiver available for $5) wait. A license issued the day before the wedding may not be legally usable.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Iowa before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Iowa
Requires a third party witness to sign affirming both applicants' identity.
Common questions specific to Iowa
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Iowa?
- In Iowa the marriage license fee is $35. Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Iowa?
- Yes — Iowa requires a 3 days (waiver available for $5) waiting period after the license is issued before it can be used.
- How long is a Iowa marriage license valid?
- A Iowa marriage license is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Iowa?
- Yes — many Iowa counties accept online applications, though final issuance typically requires an in-person visit.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Iowa?
- Yes — Iowa requires 2 witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Iowa?
- No — Iowa does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Iowa?
- Yes. Iowa issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any county recorder and allow for the 3 days (waiver available for $5) waiting period.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Iowa it costs $35 and is valid for 6 months. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Iowa?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Iowa DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states