Section 641.98.6. Certificate of marriage.

       98.6(1) At the time the license to marry in Iowa is issued, the county registrar shall also prepare the original copy of the Certificate of Marriage form. The person solemnizing the marriage shall complete the blank items pertaining to the marriage ceremony and obtain the required signatures.

       98.6(2) All participants in the marriage ceremony shall be present at the same time and location within the geographic boundaries of the state of Iowa, including the parties to be married, two witnesses and the officiant. Marriage ceremonies shall not occur by proxy, telephone, or other electronic means.

       98.6(3) After the marriage ceremony:

        a.           The parties married shall sign, at a minimum, their first and last legal name on the Certificate of Marriage form as indicated on the Application for a License to Marry in Iowa form; and

        b.           Two witnesses present at the ceremony and the officiant shall sign and print their names on the Certificate of Marriage form in the spaces provided. If there is more than one officiant, the signature and name of only one of the officiants shall be on the Certificate of Marriage form.

       98.6(4) Photocopies of the certificate of marriage are prohibited prior to registration of the certificate with the county registrar. The officiant shall not affix any kind of seal to the certificate of marriage.

       98.6(5) Within 15 days after the marriage ceremony, the officiant who solemnized the marriage shall file for registration the certificate of marriage with the county registrar that issued the marriage license, except as directed pursuant to Iowa Code section 595.16.

       98.6(6) Upon registration of the certificate of marriage, the application for a license to marry becomes part of the record of marriage, including the three-day waiver and consent to marriage of a minor, if applicable.

       98.6(7) Original certificates of marriage registered by the county registrar shall be forwarded to the state registrar weekly or as directed by the state registrar.

[ARC 0483C, IAB 12/12/12, effective 1/16/13; see Delay note at end of chapter]