How to Obtain a Marriage Application

You must use the most current form of Application for Marriage prescribed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. To receive the application by mail, please call the Recorder's Office at 641-754-6323 and request the Marriage Application. To apply in person, visit the Recorder's Office located on the 3rd Floor of the Marshall County Courthouse.

Download an Application for an Iowa Marriage License

How to Apply for a Marriage License

The couple intending to marry and one witness (someone that’s acquainted with the couple and is 18 or older) must come into the office and fill out the application. The applicants and witness must have a valid photo I.D. The fee is $35.00. There is a 3-day waiting period to be married that begins the day after the application is submitted and accepted in the Recorder's Office. The 3-day waiting period may be waived by a district judge with an additional application and a $5 fee.

Both parties intending to marry;(1) Must be 18 years of age or older;(2) Cannot already or still legally be married to someone else or each other;(3) Cannot be closely related by blood or first cousins;(4) Must be legally competent to enter into a civil contract.

Minors

Applicants aged 16 and 17 may marry only with special permission from a judge and should request a "Consent to Marriage of a Minor" form when applying for their marriage license and present it to a judge within the same judicial district. Return the signed form to complete the marriage application process. 

 Additional Information

Applicant Instructional Handout

Officiant Brochure

Common Law in Iowa

 In addition to persons ordained or designated as a leader of a religious faith, the following are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies locally:

[Iowa Code (595.10)]

 By appointment only – 

 1)         John Haney, District Court Judge
            To make an appointment, call:  641.754.1615

2)         Kevin O’Hare, Magistrate          
            To make an appointment, call:  641.752.8800

 3)         Barry Kaplan, Magistrate
            To make an appointment, call: 641.753.5549

 4)         Bethany Currie, District Court Judge
            To make an appointment, call: 515.382.7434
            (Upon request, will perform ceremony in Spanish)

5)          Merrill Swartz, Magistrate          
            To make an appointment, call:  515.994.5004

Authorized judges may charge the marrying couple a reasonable fee for time and expenses if the ceremony takes place outside of normal judicial working hours. [Iowa Code (595.12)]

 Authorized ministers may charge a reasonable fee as agreed upon by him/her and the marrying couple.