Apply for a Marriage License
You may apply for a marriage license at any County Recorder’s office in Iowa as long as the ceremony is performed in Iowa.
To apply for a Marriage License in the Recorder’s Office:
- The couple and one witness (must be 18 years or older) must appear in person,
- All three must present valid photo identification (driver’s license or government-issued ID).
- The $35.00 fee includes a certified copy of the marriage certificate, payable at the time of the application. We accept cash, checks, money orders, or credit/debit cards (in person) for marriage licenses. There is a 3% card fee.
- To apply by mail, contact our office at 641-923-2464 or email tracy.marshall@hancockcountyia.org, and we can send you the necessary forms or answer any questions.
There is a three-day waiting period before the license is valid and before the actual marriage may occur. The license shall become valid and ready to pick up after the expiration of three calendar days after the date of application acceptance.
Please see the chart below.
| Date of Application | Valid Date of Certificate |
| Monday | Friday |
| Tuesday | Saturday |
| Wednesday | Sunday |
| Thursday | Monday |
| Friday | Tuesday |
After the three-day period, please come back to our office and pick up the necessary documents to get married. If the license is not picked up within six months from the date of application, the application is considered null and void. Once the marriage has been performed and the Certificate of Marriage has been returned to the Recorder’s Office and placed on record, a certified copy will be mailed to the couple. The couple will use this certified copy for any name change after marriage (social security information and driver’s license, etc.).
