Iowa Wedding Laws
Iowa is representative of the heart of our nation with its vast fields of corn and plains as far as the eye can see. The Hawkeye State has its own set of requirements that both engaged couples and wedding officiants should be aware of before tying the knot. At the Universal Life Church, we can’t think of a better way to start off a life together than by making sure that it’s completely legal. We’ve put in the time and effort to parse through Iowa’s marriage laws and created this easy-to-read guide for the benefit of you and couples wanting to wed in Iowa.
Getting Married in Iowa
- Marriage By Proxy Allowed:
- No
- Minister Required to be Present:
- Yes
- Number of Witnesses Required:
- 1
- Min. Age of Witnesses:
- 18
- Couple's Consent Required:
- Yes
- Pronouncement Required:
- Yes
In general, the state of Iowa is not concerned with the specific details related to wedding customs based on religion or culture. It is up to the celebrants and officiants to make decisions on the ceremony specifics. The only requirement from the state is that each partner formally consent to be wed to one another before a legally authorized officiant and at least one witness over the age of 18. The only exceptions involve partners who are members of certain faiths or religious sects with traditions that do not conform to this requirement.
§ 595.17
The provisions of this chapter, as they relate to procuring licenses and to the solemnizing of marriages are not applicable to members of a denomination having an unusual mode of entering the marriage relation.
Iowa Marriage Requirements
- Min. Age of Couple:
- Age 18 or Age 16 with Guardian Consent
- Residency:
- Not Required
- Min. Distance of Kin Allowed:
- Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality:
- Yes
In Iowa, applicants should be at least 18 years old to marry legally. If any of the applicants falsely claims to be over 18, the state will not declare the marriage void unless someone comes forward to own up to the deception and pursue annulment. Applicants who are at least 16 can be married in the Hawkeye State as long as they provide written consent of at least one of their parents or legal guardians and submit approval from a district court judge who acknowledges that they are fit to marry. One shouldn’t assume that pregnancy alone is a sufficient reason to marry in the eyes of the court. It is up to a judge to make a ruling based on the information presented.
While Iowa law once mandated that marriage must be between one man and one woman, both state and federal law allow marriage between same-sex couples. The state prohibits unions of persons who are closer in relations than second cousins.
I.C.A. § 595.2
Only a marriage between a male and a female is valid.
Additionally, a marriage between a male and a female is valid only if each is eighteen years of age or older. However, if either or both of the parties have not attained that age, the marriage may be valid under the circumstances prescribed in this section.
If either party to a marriage falsely represents the party's self to be eighteen years of age or older at or before the time the marriage is solemnized, the marriage is valid unless the person who falsely represented their age chooses to void the marriage by making their true age known and verified by a birth certificate or other legal evidence of age in an annulment proceeding initiated at any time before the person reaches their eighteenth birthday. A child born of a marriage voided under this subsection is legitimate.
A marriage license may be issued to a male and a female either or both of whom are sixteen or seventeen years of age if both of the following apply:
a. The parents of the underage party or parties certify in writing that they consent to the marriage. If one of the parents of any underage party to a proposed marriage is dead or incompetent the certificate may be executed by the other parent, if both parents are dead or incompetent the guardian of the underage party may execute the certificate, and if the parents are divorced the parent having legal custody may execute the certificate; and
b. The certificate of consent of the parents, parent, or guardian is approved by a judge of the district court or, if both parents of any underage party to a proposed marriage are dead, incompetent, or cannot be located and the party has no guardian, the proposed marriage is approved by a judge of the district court. A judge shall grant approval under this subsection only if the judge finds the underage party or parties capable of assuming the responsibilities of marriage and that the marriage will serve the best interest of the underage party or parties. Pregnancy alone does not establish that the proposed marriage is in the best interest of the underage party or parties, however, if pregnancy is involved the court records which pertain to the fact that the female is pregnant shall be sealed and available only to the parties to the marriage or proposed marriage or to any interested party securing an order of the court.
- If a parent or guardian withholds consent, the judge upon application of a party to a proposed marriage shall determine if the consent has been unreasonably withheld. If the judge so finds, the judge shall proceed to review the application under subsection 4, paragraph “b”.
How to Become a Wedding Officiant in Iowa
- Min. Age of Minister:
- Age 18
- Residency:
- Not Required
- Document(s) Required:
- Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized:
- Yes
- Relevant Office of Registration:
- County Clerk
- Latest Document(s) Submission Date Allowed:
- After the Ceremony
- Minister I.D. # Issued:
- No
Within the Hawkeye State, marriages can be officiated by judges and magistrates. Ordained ministers and other clergy affiliated with a particular religion or faith can also solemnize a marriage as long as they are aged 18 or older.
Ministers who have been ordained through the Universal Life Church’s online program are considered to be religious actors. As such, they are authorized to officiate weddings irrespective of location of residence, gender identity or religion or creed. To be on the safe side, ULC ministers should be ready to provide credentials or a letter of good standing to the applicable county officials upon request.
I.C.A. § 595.10 Marriages may be solemnized by:
A judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court, including a district associate judge, associate juvenile judge, or a judicial magistrate, and including a senior judge as defined in section 602.9202, subsection 3.
A person ordained or designated as a leader of the person's religious faith.
Applying For a Marriage License in Iowa
- ULC-Officiated Ceremony Type:
- Religious
- Mandatory Waiting Period:
- Varies by County
- License Valid For:
- Does Not Expire
- License Must Be Submitted:
- Within 15 Days of Ceremony
Once all information furnished has been confirmed, the county registrar issues a marriage license that becomes valid after three days have passed. Jasper County is the sole exception with a five-day waiting period. The new marriage license is only valid in the county of issuance. Although there is no expiration date for the license, it must be remitted to the applicable county clerk in a time period not to exceed 15 days after the marriage ceremony.
I.C.A. § 595.4.2. Upon receipt of a verified application, the county registrar may issue the license which shall not become valid until the expiration of three days after the date of issuance of the license. If the license has not been issued within six months from the date of the application, the application is void.
How to Get an Iowa Marriage License
- Who Picks Up License:
- The Couple
- Where License is Valid:
- County of Issuance
- Marriage License Pick-Up:
- In Person Only
- Cost of License:
- $35.00
- Accepted I.D. Types:
- Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce Required (If Applicable):
- No
- Blood Test Required:
- No
To get started in obtaining a marriage license, the applicants must visit the county registrar where they will complete and file a verified application. This document must include the social security numbers of both applicants as well as a signed affidavit from at least one witness who is competent and able to attest to the age information provided.
For applicants who have been in prior marriages, a date of marriage dissolution should suffice, unless divorce proceedings took place in the previous 60 days. In this scenario, applicants must also furnish a copy of the decree when applying. The cost to apply is $35 in the state of Iowa.
I.C.A. § 595.4 1. Previous to the issuance of any license to marry, the parties desiring the license shall sign and file a verified application with the county registrar which application either may be mailed to the parties at their request or may be signed by them at the office of the county registrar in the county in which the license is to be issued. The application shall include the social security number of each applicant and shall set forth at least one affidavit of some competent and disinterested person stating the facts as to age and qualification of the parties. Upon the filing of the application for a license to marry, the county registrar shall file the application in a record kept for that purpose and shall take all necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality of the social security number of each applicant. All information included on an application may be provided as mutually agreed upon by the division of records and statistics and the child support recovery unit, including by automated exchange.
Finalizing the Union
- Officiant's Title on Marriage License:
- Minister
- Church/Ordaining Body:
- Universal Life Church Ministries
- Address of Church:
- Minister's Home Address
The authorized officiant must attest to the marriage as indicated on the certificate. You should add details concerning the date and location of the ceremony, as well as the names of the newlyweds and the adult witness. Be sure to add your own details, including your name, title, home address (if requested) and the name of the ordaining organization, which would be the Universal Life Church Ministries. Upon completion, return the marriage certificate to the county registrar who provided the original license no later than 15 days after the ceremony.
§ 595.13
After the marriage has been solemnized, the officiating minister or magistrate shall attest to the marriage on the blank provided for that purpose and return the certificate of marriage within fifteen days to the county registrar who issued the marriage license.