Iowa Marriage Records Search

It is recommended that married couples hold at least two copies of their marriage documents at all times. People need marriage records in Iowa for numerous reasons: legal, financial, genealogies, and statistical. In particular, Iowa marriage records are required when needed to change the name on all legal documents after getting married. 

Additionally, you must submit Iowa marriage records when deciding to immigrate or travel together. Another reason would be purchasing a property as a married couple would require you to submit Iowa marriage records. 

However, marriage records in Iowa are important for the couple and help keep track of the population for government and religious institutions, allowing them to build statistics and maintain a health database. This article will examine how to find marriage records online in Iowa. Additionally, it will help you understand how to run a free marriage records search.

Types of Iowa Marriage Records

Before running a free marriage records search, you need to understand the essence and types of marriage records in Iowa. Generally, marriage records are represented by a marriage license obtained before the marriage and a marriage certificate issued right after the ceremony. 

The importance of the marriage license lies in that it legally authorizes the couple to wed, showing there are no impediments in terms of age and marital status and that the bride and the groom are not relatives. Once the couple gets married in about 60 days from the time the marriage license was filed, they obtain a marriage certificate with the following data inside:

- Names of the Spouses
- Birth Dates of the Spouses
- Addresses (Residence)
- Occupation of the Spouses
- Parent`s Full Names
- Witnesses' Names
- Name of Officiating Minister of Registrar
- Religious Denomination of the Spouses
- Place and Date of the Ceremony

In most cases, when you are asked to show official proof of the marriage, you would be asked to present a certified copy of the marriage certificate.

Who is Eligible to Run an Iowa Marriage Records Online?

Most states allow you to run a free marriage records search if the party is older than 18 years. The same goes for the Iowa marriage records online. According to Iowa Code 144.43, once you file a written request to run an Iowa marriage records search, you should be granted access if you are eligible. However, there are a few factors you need to comply with before running an Iowa marriage records search:

- Make sure you are older than 18 years
- File a written request to run an Iowa marriage records search:

Remember that you would be requested to mention the following information on the written request:

• Personal and Contact Information of the requestor
• Personal Data of the party whose name is on the record
• Relationship between the requestor and the party on the record (e.g., father, mother, son, daughter, husband, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, legal guardian, etc.)
• The reason for the request (e.g., insurance proceeds, authentication, death benefits, private purposes, etc.)
• The date of marriage
• The place of marriage
• Scope of search required (statewide or county limited)
• ID photo

How to Find Marriage Records Online in Iowa?

If you checked that you are eligible to find Iowa marriage records online, you could answer the question "how to find marriage records online in Iowa." Generally, there is always a possibility to run free marriage records search online, in-person, via mail, or by phone. However, if you are interested in finding marriage records online, the best recommendation is to use a few websites at a time:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website | (cdc.gov)

CDC website is one of the best tools to use when intending to run a free marriage records search. The website redirects you to the Iowa Department of Public Health with all the information you need to know, such as the fee amount and contact information.

Iowa Department of Public Health`s Website | (idph.iowa.gov)

Iowa Department of Public Health`s Website offers the possibility to find Iowa marriage records online, paying as little as $15 per download. Additionally, it is possible to request to change Iowa marriage records online if required.

Independent Platform | (backgroundcheck.co)

Independent platforms, such as backgroundcheck.co would complement an Iowa marriage records search as they would provide you with the background information on the parties mentioned on the record:

· Employment and Education History
· Contact Information
· Civil and Criminal Court Records (if applicable)

Key takeaways: This article has explained how to find marriage records online in Iowa. Make sure you are older than 18 years to run an Iowa marriage records search and have your ID ready. 

If there are no legal restrictions for you to run an Iowa marriage records search, you should be able to download them after completing all the requirements.

If you have more questions about finding marriage records online in Iowa, contact the vital records office via phone or email.