Get a Marriage License in O'Brien County, IA

Three days before it is valid

The licence “shall not become valid until the expiration of three days after the date of issuance” (§ 595.4(2)). A district court judge may validate it sooner “in cases of emergency or extraordinary circumstances”: apply through the recorder, and the application is $5.00, which the court waives if you are unable to pay (§§ 595.4(3), 331.605(1)(g)). If no licence is issued within six months of the application, the application is void (§ 595.4(2)).

One witness when you apply, two at the ceremony

When you apply:the application “shall set forth at least one affidavit of some competent and disinterested person stating the facts as to age and qualification of the parties” (Iowa Code § 595.4(1)) — a witness who signs the application with you, at the office or before a notary.At the ceremony:the Code requires that the certificate “be signed by the witnesses to the ceremony and the person performing the ceremony” (§ 144.36(2)) without saying how many. The number is in the Department of Health and Human Services' rule: everyone must be present “at the same time and location within the geographic boundaries of the state of Iowa, including the parties to be married, two witnessesand the officiant”, and the two witnesses sign and print their names on the certificate (641 IAC 98.6(2), (3)(b)) Rule ↗. Ceremonies “shall not occur by proxy, telephone, or other electronic means” (98.6(2)), and the officiant returns the certificate to the county registrar within fifteen days (§ 144.36(2)).