Marriage Records & Licenses

The Cedar County Recorder has marriage records for those applicants who applied in our county, beginning in 1839.  Each certified copy is $15.00. Those requesting certified copies must prove entitlement (immediate family) before acquiring a copy.

Marriages from 1954 to the current date are available electronically in all counties in Iowa, regardless of where the event occurred. 

When requesting a certified marriage record by mail, all completed applications must be notarized and a photocopy of the applicant's valid driver's license or other government-issued picture ID is required. We accept a check or money order made payable to the Cedar County Recorder. All certified copies are $15 each.

Vital Record Application

If the event occurred in Cedar County, and you would like us to process it, please mail your completed application to:

Cedar County Recorder
400 Cedar St., Suite 105
Tipton, IA 52772

Uncertified copies of marriage records are available in the office for a fee of $0.25 per record. Those out-of-county or out-of-state persons wishing to secure genealogical information can contact the office directly at 563-886-2230 to discuss options on how to obtain the requested record and fees. Office hours for Genealogical research are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Cedar County has limited records from 1921 to 1941. The application may be brought into the Cedar County Recorder's office for ordering or mailed to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) address in Des Moines, Iowa:

Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

To order a marriage record via phone through the IDPH, please follow the instructions on the back of the Vital Record Application or on their website with the link below.

Request a Record

Marriage License Application

You may apply for a Marriage License at any County Recorder’s office in Iowa as long as the ceremony is performed in Iowa. 

To apply for a Marriage License in the Recorder’s Office:

• The couple and one witness (must be 18 years or older) must appear in person,
• All three must present valid photo identification (driver’s license or government issued ID),
• $35.00 fee includes a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate. Cash, Check, Money Order or Credit Card (additional 3% fee) accepted for vital records. 

IDPH requires marriage applications to be picked up in person or a personal request be made to the County Recorder for the application form to be mailed out.  

There is a 3-day waiting period before the License is issued and before the actual marriage may occur. The waiting period is 3 full calendar days after the date of acceptance to the Recorders office. Please see the chart below.

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 the couple. The couple will use this certified copy for any name change after marriage (social security information and driver’s license, etc.).