Marriage Licenses

You may obtain a marriage license in any county in Iowa as long as the marriage takes place in Iowa. Please keep in mind that any future copies of that marriage license will have to be obtained from the county in which it was applied for and recorded.

MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION:
To apply for a marriage license in Franklin County, please download the Application for a Marriage License. You may fill it out ahead of time, but both parties and a witness need to sign the application either at the Recorder's Office or before a Notary Public.

Application for a Marriage License (2 MB)

ID REQUIREMENT IN IOWA:
Both parties and the witness will need to provide photo identification, such as a drivers license, and Social Security information at the time of signing the marriage license application.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:
You do not need to be a resident of Iowa to obtain a marriage license in Iowa.

PREVIOUS MARRIAGES:
If previously married, the date of divorce or date of spouse's death must be supplied. If the divorce was within 60 days, a signed copy of the divorce decree will need to be shown.

COVENANT MARRIAGE OPTION:
There is no covenant marriage option in Iowa.

WAITING PERIOD:
There is a three (3) business day waiting period between applying for a marriage license and picking up the license and certificate. We will hold the license for six months from the date of application; after which you will have to reapply for a new marriage license. The license is good indefinitely once it has been picked up from the Recorder's Office. If you need the license before the three-day waiting period, you can request a judge waive the three days for an additional $5 fee.

Application for Waiver of 3-Day Waiting Period (19 KB)

FEES:
The fee to obtain a marriage license is $35. This is the same in every county in Iowa.

OTHER TESTS:
No other tests are required in Iowa for a marriage license.

PROXY MARRIAGE IN IOWA:
No. However, if one party can't be present at the Recorder's Office to apply for the license, the absent party can sign the Iowa marriage license application before a Notary Public elsewhere.

COUSIN MARRIAGE:
Cousin marriages are not allowed in Iowa.

COMMON-LAW MARRIAGES:
Yes, common-law marriages are recognized in Iowa.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGES:
Same-sex marriages are recognized in Iowa.

UNDER 18 APPLICANTS:
Applicants 16 or 17 years of age must have a consent form signed by parents/guardians and a judge in order to obtain a marriage license. This form is available at the Recorder's Office.

WEDDING OFFICIANTS:
Any ordained or licensed clergyman and justices of the peace may act as wedding officiants.

WITNESSES:
You need to have one witness who is over the age of 18 with you when you apply for the marriage license.

COPIES OF A CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE:
You many obtain a certified copy of a Certificate of Marriage from the Franklin County Recorder's Office if the license was originally issued in Franklin County. If you are unsure of the the county of record for a Certificate of Marriage, please contact:

Iowa Department of Public Health
321 E. 12th, 4th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-4944
IDPH Vital Records Website

You may send the same application form to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Application for Certified Copy of an Iowa Vital Record (33.9 KB)