You may apply for a Marriage License at any County Recorder’s office in Iowa as long as the ceremony is performed in Iowa. Marriage Applications are accepted in Madison County between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M.

To apply for a Marriage License in the Recorder’s Office:

 Party A, Party B, and one witness (must be 18 years or older) must appear in person,
 All three must present photo identification (driver’s license or government issued ID),
 $35.00 fee includes a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate.

There is a 3-day waiting period before the License is valid and the actual marriage may occur. This does NOT include the day the application is received for processing and will be delayed if there are errors on the application.

You must use the current form of Application for Marriage prescribed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. In order to receive the Application by email, you can either call our office at (515) 462-3771 or send us an email at recorder@madisoncoia.us. You can also apply via regular mail by contacting our office for instructions. Otherwise, you must apply in person at the Recorder’s office.

You must retain an officiant and provide two witnesses for the marriage ceremony. The ceremony must be performed in the state of Iowa.

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 Party A or Party B. Either Party may use this certified copy for a name change on social security and driver’s license, etc.