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Detailed Iowa Wedding Law Notes
These notes summarize state marriage-license, ceremony, witness, and officiant guidance for the new map experience.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent and court approval)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry or 16–17 with written guardian consent and approval from a district court judge. Same-sex marriages are legally recognized, and marriages closer than second cousins are prohibited.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $35
- Accepted ID: Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if within the past 60 days
- Blood Test: Not Required
Couples must file a verified application in person at the county registrar’s office, including social security numbers and an affidavit signed by a witness. Divorce decrees must be provided if the divorce occurred within the last 60 days.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: 3 Days (5 Days in Some Counties)
- License Validity: No Expiration
- Submission Deadline: Within 15 Days of Ceremony
Marriage licenses are valid only in the county of issuance. They do not expire but must be returned to the issuing county registrar within 15 days of the ceremony.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Ministers may need to present ordination credentials or a letter of good standing, depending on the county.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 1 (18+)
The ceremony must include mutual consent by the couple in the presence of an officiant and at least one adult witness. Ceremonial specifics are left to the couple’s and minister’s preferences, except in certain denominations with alternative customs.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent and court approval)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $35
- Accepted ID: Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if within the past 60 days
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: 3 Days (5 Days in Some Counties)
- License Validity: No Expiration
- Submission Deadline: Within 15 Days of Ceremony
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 1 (18+)
The officiant must complete the marriage certificate, including the ceremony’s date, place, and names of the couple and witness. The certificate must then be returned to the issuing county registrar within 15 days.