Marriage License & Applying to Get Married

To apply for an Iowa marriage license, both parties and a witness (18 or older and knows both parties) must sign an application in the presence of a notary. 

Our office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Please arrive by 4:00 p.m. to ensure the marriage application will be processed the same day.

There is a $35 fee and a three-day waiting period before the marriage can take place. The three day waiting period begins the day after the application is processed.

Waiving Three Day Waiting Period

A three day waiver can be applied for at the Clerk of Court’s Office after printing and completing the 3- Day Marriage Waiver Application (PDF).  A copy of the application can also be picked up at the Recorder's Office. Once the waiver is approved by a judge, the applicant must submit the waiver to the Linn County Recorder’s Office and complete the marriage application process. The Clerk of Court telephone number is 319-398-3411. The Clerk of Court is located at 51 3rd Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

"Courthouse Marriages"

The Clerk of Court is only performing marriage ceremonies on Mondays. Please call the Civil Division at 319-398-3411 and ask to speak to the scheduler, who will assign you a time on the next available Monday. Our office does not perform marriages. You will need find an authorized Officiant to perform your ceremony. The Officiant Brochure (PDF) provides additional information.

Application and Forms

How to Submit a Marriage Application

Return the completed, notarized application, address form, and $35.00 to our office in person, by mail, or drop the items off in an envelope marked Recorder’s Office with your contact information in the white dropbox in front of the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center at 935 2nd St SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.

If returning your application by mail, send it to this address:
Linn County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
PO Box 1406
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

Upon receiving the completed, notarized application, address return form, and fee, we will mail the completed request within one to two business days. Or, if applying at the counter, we will typically be able notarize signatures and process the paperwork to give you the same day.

Make checks and money orders payable to Linn County Recorder. We also accept cash or credit card payment.

Marriage Certificate

After you are married, the signed certificate of marriage will need to be returned to this office. Once the marriage certificate has been returned, we will issue a certified copy to the couple. The certified copy may be used to change driver’s licenses, insurance, and social security information.

We will mail you back the certificate of marriage and additional instructional information for filing the paperwork. If you are submitting the certificate of marriage in person, you will typically receive the certified copy the same day.