Get your Iowa Marriage Certificate

Iowa marriage records are generally considered public records. However, access to certified copies may be limited to authorized individuals such as the parties named on the certificate, their family members, or those with a legitimate legal need. Informational or non-certified copies may be available for genealogical research and other purposes. Contact the Iowa vital records office for specific access policies.

A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding that legally authorizes you to marry in Iowa. A marriage certificate is the official record proving your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the appropriate office for filing. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, tax filing, and immigration applications.

You can obtain a certified copy of a Iowa marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

The cost of an Iowa marriage certificate is approximately $15, though fees may vary by county. Contact the county recorder where the marriage license was issued for exact pricing. Additional copies may incur extra fees.

Yes, you can order an Iowa marriage certificate online in many counties through the county recorder website or through an approved service provider. You may also apply by mail or in person at the county recorder office where the marriage license was issued.

In Iowa, eligible requesters include either spouse named on the certificate, immediate family members, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from an authorized applicant.

The government agencies that issue marriage certificate require the submission of certain information to process your request. These fields are marked as "required" when filling out the forms. If you do not have the "required" information available, wait to have it before placing your order. If you cannot obtain the information, you may message the vital records office responsible for the certificate for other options.

The amendment process on an Iowa marriage certificate can differ based on the changes needed. An addendum is created when marriage records need correction or change since the original record must remain unaltered. In Iowa, only the bride or groom can complete an application to amend a marriage record.

Typically, requests to correct or amend certified copies of marriage certificate will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application: Amendment to Iowa Certificate of Marriage form.and get it notarized.
2. Supporting documentation: Include a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID and evidential documents supporting each requested correction.
3. Appropriate fee(s): A $15.00 processing fee and a $15.00 fee for an amended copy of the marriage certificate payable by check or money order to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

If you lose your marriage certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the IDPH- Bureau of Health Statistics.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the IDPH- Bureau of Health Statistics at:
      Iowa Department of Health and Human Services,
      Bureau of Health Statistics,, Lucas State Office,
      Building, 1st Floor 321 E. 12th Street Des Moines,
      Iowa 50319-0075
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. IDPH- Bureau of Health Statistics will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

To obtain an apostille for a marriage certificate issued by the IDPH’s Bureau of Health Statistics, you can submit a request through VRO using our Express Apostille Service or directly through the Secretary of State.

You need an apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of a vital record for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

VRO offers comprehensive apostille services for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees).

To manually mail a request, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. The document to be authenticated (must be the original, notarized document, or in the case of vital records, an official certified copy)
2. The Iowa Secretary of State’s Apostille Request Form
3. A payment of $5.00 per document, which can be made either by check or by providing credit card information in the request form.
4. Optional: a prepaid shipping label (only if you are requesting expedited service)

You must submit or send your request for marriage record apostilles to the address below:

In-person/by mail (standard or express courier):