Pictured above: The municipal Center in downtown Council Bluffs serves older residents with classes, ballroom dancing, an indoor pool, and more. Wedding The State of Iowa protects the human rights of all by providing marriage equality regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Iowa ranks among the top places on Earth for protecting human rights. BASIC INFO ID Requirement: Picture identification. You need to provide Social Security information. Application Requirement: Both individuals (you and your spouse-to-be) must appear in person at the time of applying. Residency Requirement: You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Iowa to obtain a marriage license that is valid statewide. People from out-of-state are welcome to get married in Iowa. Witness: You need to have one witness (over 18 years of age) with you when you apply for the license. Waiting Period: Three business day waiting period between applying for and receiving your license. To avoid the waiting period, you have to pay $5 and have a judge sign a waiver. After you receive your license you can get married immediately if you wish. Divorced or Widowed Applicants: A divorce must be final and filed before applicants can apply for a license. The date of divorce or date of spouse's death must be provided. Age: You must be at least 18 years of age or older to get married. Applicants 16 or 17 years of age must have parental consent. Other Tests: No other tests. Any two consenting persons of age unrelated by blood or adoption may get married regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Fee: Marriage license fees are $35 in Council Bluffs and across Iowa but sometimes vary from county to county. Accepted forms of payment are cash, money orders or cashiers checks. Ceremony: Wedding Ceremonies are performed Monday through Friday at 11:00 a.m. (per judge availability) on the third floor of the court house, except Court-House holidays. No appointment is necessary. On the day of the ceremony, report to the Clerk's office on the 3rd floor with your marriage license and two witnesses, age 18 or older (see Pottawattamie County Court House address below). There is no fee for this service during regular working hours, however you are free to offer a gratuity if you like. To make an appointment for weddings at locations other than the Court House, you may call District Associate Judge Eveloff at 712-328-5864. Officiants: Ministers ordained by a church may perform marriages. The minister must give a certificate of marriage to you and your spouse. Also, the minister must report the marriage to the clerk of the district court within 15 days after the marriage. Valid: License is valid for 6 months and must be used within the State of Iowa (to get your certificate of marriage). Reminder: While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date, it is important that you verify all information with the county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans since license requirements may occasionally change. This overview is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Council Bluffs and the State of Iowa ban discrimination based on gender, gender identity and sexual orientation in housing, employment, credit, education, and public accommodations. Marriage Certificate and Legally Changing Your Name: Following your wedding ceremony, you will receive a marriage certificate, a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This certificate serves as evidence of your marriage, which you will need when you begin the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc.) Announcements: To announce Engagements, Weddings, and Anniversaries, contact the Council Bluffs newspaper, the Daily Nonpariel, as well as the Gayzette which serves the metro area. Where to Apply for Marriage License: Apply for a marriage license at any County Clerk office in Iowa. In Council Bluffs, you visit the friendly County Clerk staff in downtown Council Bluffs at: Pottawattamie County Recorder Department Pottawattamie County Court House 227 South Sixth St Council Bluffs, IA 51501 712-328-5612 Event Resources: Check out event resources under Shopping & Dining.