Marriage Records & Licenses

The Iowa County Recorder has marriage records for those applicants who applied in our county, beginning in 1863.  Each certified copy is $15.00. Those requesting certified copies must prove entitlement (immediate family) before acquiring a copy.

Marriages from 1954 to the current date are available electronically in all counties in Iowa, regardless of where the event occurred. 

When requesting a certified marriage record by mail, all completed applications must be notarized and a photocopy of the applicant's valid driver's license or other government-issued picture ID is required. We accept a check or money order made payable to the Iowa County Recorder. All certified copies are $15 each.

• Vital Record Application
• Identity Documents for Notarization/Proof of Entitlement

If the event occurred in Iowa County, and you would like us to process it, please mail your completed application to:

Iowa County Recorder
901 Court Ave.
Marengo, IA 52301

To order a marriage record via phone through the IDHHS, please follow the instructions on their website.

Iowa Department of Health & Human Services
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075

Marriage License Application

You may apply for a Marriage License at any County Recorder’s office in Iowa if the ceremony is performed in Iowa. You must use the most current form of Application for Marriage prescribed by Iowa Health and Human Services. In order to receive the application by mail or email, please call the Recorder's Office and request the Marriage Application. Otherwise, you must apply in person at the Recorder's office. Marriage Applications are accepted in Iowa County until 4 p.m. daily. 

To apply for a Marriage License in the Recorder’s Office:

• The couple and one witness (must be 18 years or older) must appear in person,
• All three must present valid photo identification (driver’s license or government-issued ID),
• $35.00 vital record fee can be paid by cash, check, money order or credit card (additional 3% fee)

IDPH requires marriage applications to be picked up in person or a personal request be made to the County Recorder for the application form to be mailed out.  

There is a waiting period before the License is issued and before the actual marriage may occur. Please see the chart below.

Once the marriage has been performed and the Certificate of Marriage has been returned to the Recorder’s office and placed on record, a certified copy will be mailed to the couple. The couple will use this certified copy for any name change after marriage (social security information and driver’s license, etc.)