Marriage records in Des Moines County, Iowa, can be accessed through several channels. DesMoinesCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Des Moines County Recorder's Office, which issues marriage licenses and maintains historical marriage files. Records are available in person at the courthouse, by mail, and — for state-level requests — through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services online portal.
Des Moines County Marriage Records Search
The Des Moines County Recorder is the official custodian of marriage records for the county. Under Iowa law, the county recorder issues marriage licenses and files completed marriage certificates once they are returned by the officiant. The office holds marriage records for applicants who applied in Des Moines County, with records dating back to 1839. The collection includes original marriage license applications, returned marriage certificates, and historical indexes that can be useful for genealogical research. To search for a specific record, you can contact the Recorder's Office directly or visit in person.
Contact the office to confirm current hours before visiting, as schedules may change for holidays or staffing reasons.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Des Moines County
The Des Moines County Recorder charges the following fees for marriage record services. These fees are set by the county in accordance with Iowa Code.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a marriage record | $15.00 |
| Marriage license application fee | $35.00 |
Fees are per copy. Payment methods accepted may vary — contact the Recorder's Office to confirm whether they accept cash, check, money order, or credit/debit cards. If you need a marriage record and are unable to visit the county office, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Vital Records, also maintains statewide marriage records and can issue certified copies for its own fee.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Des Moines County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Des Moines County:
Online
The Des Moines County Recorder's Office does not currently operate its own online ordering portal for marriage records. However, you can order Iowa marriage certificates through the Iowa HHS vital records request process, which accepts online orders through an authorized third-party vendor. Processing times and additional service fees may apply for online orders.
In Person
Visit the Des Moines County Recorder's Office at the courthouse in Burlington. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search records and issue certified copies while you wait, subject to availability and office workload.
By Mail
To request a marriage record by mail from the county, send the following to the Recorder's Office:
- A completed vital record request form — available on the Recorder's forms page
- The $15.00 fee per certified copy (check or money order payable to the Des Moines County Recorder)
- A copy of your valid photo ID
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Include the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the marriage to help the office locate the record. Alternatively, you can mail requests for Iowa marriage records to the state vital records office:
Make checks or money orders payable to the "Iowa Department of Public Health." Requests received by 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are typically processed the same day, according to Iowa.gov.