Vital Records

Marriage Applications

You may apply for a Marriage License at any County Recorder's office in Iowa as long as the ceremony is performed in Iowa. Marriage Applications are accepted in Mills County between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm. To apply for a Marriage License in the Recorder's Office:

  • Party A, Party B, and one witness (must be 18 years or older) must appear in person.
  • All three must present photo identification (driver's license or government-issued identification).
  • The $35 fee includes a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate.

There is a 3-day waiting period before the License is valid and the actual marriage may occur.

Certificate of Marriage

Once the marriage has been performed and the Certificate of Marriage has been returned to the Recorder's office and placed on record, a certified copy will be mailed to Party A or Party B. Either Party may use this certified copy for a name change on social security and driver's license, etc.

Notarized Marriage Applications

Notarized marriage applications may be mailed to our office. Please include your phone number. It will be processed the day it is received and will be ready to be picked up on the fourth day after it is processed. Money orders only - no personal checks will be accepted via mail. The license can be used anywhere in Iowa.

Forms

Requesting a Certified Copy of an Iowa Vital Record

Iowa Vital Records are official registrations of births, deaths, and marriages. Certified copies of Vital Records can be obtained from a County Recorder's office or the Iowa Department of Public Health. Statewide record searches are available from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Filing & Fees

County Recorders file and maintain births and deaths that have occurred in that county and file and maintain marriages of the licenses that were applied for in that county. The fee at the county level is $15 for each certified copy. Entitlement has to be proven before a certified copy can be issued. Use the chart to determine whether to apply at the county or state level for a certified copy.

RecordLocation
Vital Records: 1880 to 1920Mills County Recorder’s Office
Vital Records: 1921 to 1941Iowa Department of Public Health
Vital Records: 1942 to presentMills County Recorder’s Office
Single-parent births before July 1, 1995Iowa Department of Public Health
Single-parent births after July 1, 1995Mills County Recorder’s Office
Legal name changesIowa Department of Public Health
AdoptionsIowa Department of Public Health

Forms