How to Obtain a Marriage Application in the Recorders Office:

You must use the most current form of Application for Marriage prescribed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. In order to receive the application by mail or email, please call the Recorder's Office at (563) 547-9210 and request the Marriage Application. Otherwise, you must apply in person at the Recorder's Office located at Howard County Courthouse 137 North Elm Street Cresco IA 52136

How to Apply for a Marriage License:

The couple intending to marry and one witness (someone that's acquainted with the couple and is 18 or older) must come into the office and fill out the application. The applicants and witness must have a photo I.D. The Fee is $35.00. The five day waiting period begins the day the application is submitted to the Recorder's Office.

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 and Party B. Either Party may use use this certified copy for a name change on social security and driver’s license, etc.