License to Marry

Overview

If the Story County Recorder’s Office receives the completed Application to Marry in Iowa before 4:00 p.m. the parties will be able to wait and take their paperwork with them the same day. If the application is received after 4:00, either of the parties to the application may pick up the paperwork after 12:00 p.m. the following day. If the license is not picked up within six months from the date of application, the application is considered null and void. Please note that regardless of when the paperwork is received, it cannot be used before the valid date found on both the marriage license and the marriage certificate.

Holidays may alter the above schedule. If the parties wish to waive the three-day waiting period, they may request a waiver application form from the County Registrar. There is a $5.00 fee payable to the County Registrar to waive the waiting period. The parties are responsible for locating a judge within the judicial district of the county in which they are filing the marriage license to grant the waiver.