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Clay County Marriage License, IA

Local Officiants

Clay County
Marriage License Requirements

Marriage License Fee: $35

300 West 4th Street
Spencer, IA 51301
Ph: (712) 262-1081
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. / M – F

(except for Court Approved Holidays)

Local Wedding Officiants for your wedding or vow renewal ceremony. Submit one form to top-rated marriage officiants in your locality. You choose the best Wedding Officiant.

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Marriage Application Requirement Iowa: Get Copy Of Birth Certificate

  • Party A, Party B, and one witness (must be 18 years or older) must appear in person

  • Party A, Party B, and one witness must present photo identification (driver’s license or government issued ID)

  • Party A, Party B must present Social Security information at the time of signing the marriage license application.

  • $35.00 marriage license 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.

  • Iowa marriage license is valid for 6 months.

  • 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.

Marriage ID Requirement Iowa:

Both parties and the witness will need to provide photo identification. driver’s license or government issued ID)

  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA

Marriage Waiting Period Requirement Iowa:

Iowa has a three (3) business 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.

If you need a 3-day waiver, there is an additional cost of $5.00 and must be signed by a judge.

Received: License Valid:
Monday Friday
Tuesday Saturday (Next bus. day)
Wednesday Sunday (Next bus. day)
Thursday Monday
Friday Tuesday

License is not available for pick-up on weekends or holidays.

Marriage Residency Requirement Iowa:

You do not need to be a resident of Iowa to obtain a marriage license in Iowa.

Previous Marriages: ✔ Search Marriage | Divorce Records

If previously married, the date of divorce or date of spouse’s death must be supplied. If the divorce was within 60 days, a signed copy of the divorce decree will need to be shown.

  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA

Marriage License Fees Iowa:

The fee to obtain a marriage license is $35. This is the same in every county in Iowa.

same-sex marriages are recognized in Iowa.

Proxy Marriages Iowa:

No. However, if one party can’t be present at the Recorder’s office to apply for the license, the absent party can sign the Iowa marriage license application before a Notary Public elsewhere.

Cousin Marriages Iowa:

Cousin marriages are not allowed in Iowa.

Common Law Marriages Iowa:

Yes, common-law marriages are recognized in Iowa.

Under Iowa Code for Revenue and Finance1, common law marriage in Iowa is legal for the purposes of filing income taxes (Administrative Rule, Chapter 39 [701]) and property tax exemptions (Administrative Rule, Chapter 73 [701]).

  • Iowans May Claim
    Common Law Marriage Status If:

    • A present intent of both parties freely given to become married exists

    • Both parties publicly declare themselves as common law married

    • The parties have lived together continuously and consummated the marriage (no special time limit, however)

    • Both parties are legally capable of entering into a marriage relationship; that is, both are of legal age and neither is legally married to someone else at the time.

  • Marriage Certificate Purposes:

    • Only legally solemnized marriage ceremonies per the Code of Iowa, chapter 595, are registered as an Iowa vital event. Such marriages permit the parties to legally change their surname through the marriage certificate. Common law marriages are not registered in the Iowa vital records system.

  • 1 Adm. Rule 701—73.25 (425) Common Law Marriage:

    • A common law marriage is a social relationship that meets all the necessary requisites of a marriage except that it was not solemnized, performed or witnessed by an official authorized to perform marriages. The necessary elements of a common law marriage are: (a) a present intent of both parties freely given to become married, (b) a public declaration by the parties or a holding out to the public that they are husband and wife, (c) continuous cohabitation together as husband and wife (this means consummation of the marriage), and (d) both parties must be capable of entering into the marriage relationship. No special time limit is necessary to establish a common law marriage. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 425.17 [Homestead Tax Credits and Reimbursement: Definitions].

  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA

Marriage Blood Test Requirement Iowa:

No other tests are required in Iowa for a marriage license.

Name Change Iowa:

Getting a marriage license with your new name on it does not mean your name has automatically changed. If you need to change your last name, you can use an online marriage name change kit.

  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA

Marriage Age Requirements Iowa: ✔ Get Copy Of Birth Certificate

Applicants 16 or 17 years of age must have a consent form signed by parents/guardians and a judge in order to obtain a marriage license. This form is also available at the Recorder’s Office.

Marriage Officiants Iowa:

  • Any ordained or licensed clergyman and justices of the peace may act as wedding officiants.

  • 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.

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  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA
  • Clay, Clay County Marriage License, IA

Marriage Witnesses Iowa:

You need to have one witness who is over the age of 18 with you when you apply for the marriage license. The applicants and witness must have a photo I.D.

Expiration Date of Marriage License Iowa:

The Iowa marriage license does not expire unless it is not retrieved from the County Registrar within six months from the date of application, the application is then considered null and void.

Copy of Certificate of Marriage License

Iowa Department of Public Health
321 E. 12th, 4th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
Ph: 515.281.4944

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. For more information regarding Iowa marriage license records please visit Clay County website.

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State Laws marriage requirements to obtain and file a marriage license to receive certified copy of your marriage certificate from clerk’s office upon request.

United States Marriage License Laws