Rhiannon Hendricks
Iowa has strict marriage laws that couples and officiants must follow for a legitimate wedding ceremony. These include requirements for the couple, the officiant, and witnesses, as well as a detailed process for obtaining a marriage license. Same-sex marriage is permitted in Iowa, but marriages between relatives closer than second cousins are prohibited. Minors aged 16 or 17 can marry with parental consent and a judge's approval.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marriage license required | Yes |
| Application fee | $35 |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Minors allowed with | Special permission from a judge and written consent from a parent or legal guardian |
| Officiants | Ordained ministers, judges, and magistrates |
| Witnesses | Minimum of 1 over the age of 18 |
| Same-sex marriage | Allowed |
| Marriages between relatives | Allowed if not closer than second cousins |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding restrictions ease in Iowa during summer 2021
As of summer 2021, weddings in Iowa are allowed to take place, but there are several restrictions in place that couples should be aware of.
Firstly, Iowa has specific requirements for obtaining a marriage license. Both parties must fill out an application with the county registrar in the desired county, along with a witness over the age of 18 who personally knows both parties. All parties must present government-issued photo IDs or passports. There is a $35 fee and a three-day waiting period after processing the application before the marriage can take place.
For minors seeking to marry, additional steps are necessary. Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old must provide written consent from at least one parent or legal guardian and obtain approval from a district court judge. The judge will assess whether the minor is fit to marry and prepared to assume marital responsibilities. If parents or guardians do not consent, a judge may overrule this if the refusal is deemed unreasonable.
Iowa also has laws regarding who can officiate weddings. Ordained ministers, judges, and other clergy affiliated with a particular religion or faith can solemnize a marriage as long as they are 18 or older. Ministers of the Universal Life Church who officiate may need to provide an Ordination Credential or a Letter of Good Standing, depending on the county.
After the marriage ceremony, the officiant must return the completed marriage certificate to the issuing county registrar within 15 days. This certificate includes the names of the couple and the witness, the location, and the date. The officiant must also attest to the marriage for it to be legally recognized.
While these are the key restrictions that have been eased in Iowa as of summer 2021, it is important for couples and officiants to stay informed about any updates or changes to marriage laws in the state.
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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds broadens mask mandate
Marriages in Iowa require a marriage license, which can be obtained by filling out an application with the county registrar in the county where the marriage will take place. After receiving the license, there is a 3-day waiting period before the marriage ceremony can take place. For the marriage to be valid, the couple, the officiant, and at least two witnesses must be physically present at the same time and location. People who are 16 or 17 years old may marry in Iowa with special permission from a judge and written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Now, onto the topic of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and her expansion of mask requirements. After months of rejecting calls for a broad mask mandate, Gov. Reynolds announced on November 16, 2020, that all individuals ages 2 and older must wear a face-covering when in an indoor public space if they are unable to maintain a safe social distance from non-household members for 15 minutes or more. The mandate included several exemptions, such as for individuals eating or drinking at bars and restaurants and those with medical conditions preventing them from wearing masks. The proclamation also banned indoor gatherings of more than 15 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 30 people.
Gov. Reynolds delivered a live televised address, stating that the proclamation was not about mandates or government enforcement but about Iowans doing the right thing to protect their state. She asked Iowans to buckle down with the new mask requirements to reduce the virus' spread and expressed hope that families could gather again by Christmas. The mandate went into effect on November 17, 2020 and was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing it as a half-measure and others expressing concern over the impact on businesses.
In addition to the mask mandate, Gov. Reynolds' proclamation included restrictions on bar and restaurant hours and clearer guidelines for mask-wearing and social distancing within these establishments. The new rules stated that customers must wear masks when not seated, and groups of more than eight individuals could not sit together unless they were from the same household. These restrictions aimed to combat the accelerating spread of COVID-19 in Iowa and alleviate the strain on the state's healthcare system.
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Hospitals must reserve 10% of ICU beds for COVID-19 patients
To get married in Iowa, you must first obtain a marriage license by submitting an application to the county registrar in the county where you want the license to be issued. After the license is issued, there is a 3-day waiting period before it becomes valid. Same-sex marriage is legal in Iowa, and marriages can be officiated by judges, magistrates, ordained ministers, and clergy affiliated with a particular religion. Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old may marry with special permission from a judge and written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
In terms of COVID-19 measures, Iowa has implemented various public health initiatives. Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, which includes directives for hospitals and healthcare providers. This proclamation states that hospitals must reserve at least 10% of intensive care unit (ICU) beds and medical/surgical beds for COVID-19 patients. They must also continue to accept and treat COVID-19 patients without transferring them to create capacity for elective procedures.
The COVID-19 situation in Iowa has been dynamic, with hospitalizations rising and falling over time. In November 2020, Iowa experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases, leading to a shortage of ICU beds and staffing challenges in hospitals. Healthcare workers urged people to follow pandemic safety rules to mitigate the spread. However, more recent data from November 2023 indicates that Iowa saw a rise in hospitalizations, with a 10% increase in the week ending in September 2023. This trend aligns with increases observed in other Midwest states, including Indiana, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The impact of COVID-19 hospitalizations on ICU bed capacity in Iowa has been a concern at various points during the pandemic. The state has taken measures to address this issue, such as requiring hospitals to reserve a portion of ICU beds for COVID-19 patients and continuing to monitor and adjust their procedures as needed.
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Iowa State University plans for 50% capacity at football games
In Iowa, weddings are allowed as long as they comply with the state's marriage rules and regulations. To be legally married in Iowa, couples must fill out an application with the county registrar in the county where they want the marriage license to be issued. After receiving the license, there is a 3-day waiting period before it becomes valid. The marriage ceremony must then take place with the couple, officiant, and at least two witnesses physically present. Iowa law allows marriages between individuals of the same sex but prohibits unions between individuals who are closer in relation than second cousins. People who are 16 or 17 years old may marry with special permission from a judge and written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Regarding Iowa State University's plans for football games, the university has announced that it is considering three options for limiting capacity at Jack Trice Stadium. The first option would limit attendance to student-athletes' family and friends only. The second option, a "split season" ticket, would limit capacity to 25%, allowing season ticket holders to attend three out of the six scheduled home games. The third option is to operate at 50% capacity for all six home games by reseating the entire stadium to maximize social distancing between attendees. Iowa State Athletics stated that it expected to finalize COVID-19 mitigation and capacity plans by September 1, 2020, with the director of athletics, Jamie Pollard, announcing that fans would be required to wear face coverings at all times and that concessions would be limited to water and soda only.
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Iowa's COVID-19 death toll exceeds 2,000
Marriages in Iowa require a marriage license, which can be obtained by filling out an application with the county registrar in the county where the couple intends to be married. After receiving the license, there is a three-day waiting period before the marriage can take place. The marriage ceremony must be performed by an authorized officiant, such as a minister, judge, or magistrate, and witnessed by at least two people. Iowa law allows marriages between individuals as young as 16 with parental consent and judicial approval. Same-sex marriages are also recognized in the state.
As for the COVID-19 situation in Iowa, the state has faced significant challenges. By January 2021, Iowa had surpassed 4,000 deaths from COVID-19, with a reported 61 deaths in a 24-hour period on January 6, 2021. The pandemic has disproportionately affected the elderly, with 59% of deaths occurring in individuals aged 80 and above, and 22% between ages 70 and 79. Men accounted for 52% of the deaths, and the majority of the deceased were White, non-Hispanic or Latino individuals. COVID-19 became one of the leading causes of death in the state, surpassing the annual number of suicides and even influencing policy decisions regarding business reopenings.
To comply with Iowa's marriage laws and ensure weddings are lawful, several requirements must be met. Couples must obtain a marriage license and observe the waiting period. The presence of the couple, officiant, and witnesses is essential, and virtual ceremonies are not permitted. Iowa's COVID-19 death toll highlights the impact of the pandemic and the vulnerability of specific demographics. The state's response to the pandemic, including the governor's decisions, has been a topic of discussion and scrutiny.
While Iowa has specific requirements for marriages, it also faced a public health crisis with COVID-19. The death toll exceeding 4,000 by January 2021 and the demographic breakdown of the deceased provide valuable insights into the severity of the pandemic's impact. The state's marriage laws outline the necessary steps for a valid wedding ceremony, and the COVID-19 situation underscores the importance of considering health and safety measures during such gatherings.
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Frequently asked questions
To be legally wed in Iowa, couples must obtain a marriage license from their county registrar and wait three days before the license becomes valid. After receiving the license, the couple must have a marriage ceremony where the couple, officiant, and two witnesses are physically present. The officiant must file for registration of the Certificate of Marriage within 15 days of the ceremony.
Ordained ministers, judges, and magistrates can officiate weddings in Iowa. Ordained ministers must be 18 or older and may need to provide an Ordination Credential or a Credential in addition to a Letter of Good Standing.
Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old can marry in Iowa with written consent from a parent or legal guardian and approval from a district court judge.
Yes, same-sex couples can marry in Iowa.
