How to Get a Marriage License in Iowa
Iowa marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $35 (statewide statutory fee; +$5 per certified copy)
- Waiting period
- 3 days (waivable by a district-court judge for a $5 fee)
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
In Iowa, couples seeking a marriage license must apply at the County Registrar or Recorder's office in any county. The statewide statutory fee is $35, with an additional $5 charge per certified copy. Applicants must present a government-issued photo ID and are required to have an adult witness (age 18 or older) who can vouch on the application. Iowa law imposes a three-day waiting period before the license becomes effective, though this waiting period may be waived by a district-court judge for a $5 fee. Once effective, the license remains valid for six months.
Eligibility requirements include a minimum age of 18 without parental consent. Individuals aged 16 or 17 may obtain a license with parental consent and approval from a juvenile court. Persons under 16 are not permitted to marry. No blood test is required. At the ceremony itself, two witnesses age 18 or older must be present. Before applying, prospective applicants should confirm the current fee structure and all procedural requirements with their county's Registrar or Recorder office or through the state's official resources, as regulations may be subject to change.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Iowa |
|---|---|
| License fee | $35 (statewide statutory fee; +$5 per certified copy) |
| Fee set by | State (statewide) |
| Waiting period | 3 days (waivable by a district-court judge for a $5 fee) |
| License validity | 6 months (effective after the 3-day wait) |
| ID required | government photo ID; one witness (18+) must vouch on the application |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent AND juvenile-court approval; under 16 not permitted |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | 2 witnesses (18+) at the ceremony; 1 adult witness signs the application |
| Online option | no statewide online option; apply at the County Registrar/Recorder |
| Where to apply | County Registrar (Recorder) — statewide fee |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Iowa requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Iowa marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.