[LabRat]

Monday is the day...here's info for anyone interested.

April 27th is the first day that gay and lesbian couples will be able to apply for marriage in the state of Iowa as we become the third state in the nation to grant full marriage equality. There are lots of questions flying about, so I have gathered as much information as I could about the subject.

You must apply for marriage in the county you live in: If you live in Iowa City, you are in Johnson County and apply at the County Recorder’s office at 913 S. Dubuque St. in Iowa City. They are open from 8 – 5. (319) 356-6093 Fax: (319) 339-6181 Their website has all the documents and information you will need: http://www.johnson-county.com/recorder/index.shtml

Also, there will be a new application form available on Monday which will change the language to be gender neutral. You may use either the old form, or the new one.

From Kim Painter, our County Recorder:

“Important Points to Remember for Same-Sex Couples Regarding April 27th and the Issuing of Licenses to Marry in Johnson County, Iowa

The ability to issue licenses will not start on the 27th until issuance of procedendo, an order from the Iowa Supreme Court to the District Court to carry out its ruling. This will strike down the “one man/one woman” wording in the Code of Iowa, allowing all 99 recorders to immediately begin to issue licenses to same-sex applicants. We hope and expect it will occur early the morning of the 27th, but we do not know and cannot be certain. [Yes, in theory this means you could be here at 8:00, and wait until 8:30 or even 11:00 a.m.]

A mandatory three-day waiting period after application is still the law in Iowa. In Johnson County, in order to properly process the volume of applications we receive, we traditionally ask all couples to pick up their licenses and certificate in three days (only one spouse, with ID, needs to return). You also have the option of having us mail the licenses and certificate to you after the three-day wait. The marriage paperwork, by law, is not effective for three days even if you have it in your hands. This means you will not be able to get a license and have a marriage ceremony on Monday without a waiver from a judge.

Waiver forms (if you wish to make your case to a judge for bypassing the 3-day waiting period) are obtained immediately after applying in the office of recorder.

The opportunity to have a judge sign a waiver occurs only between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., M-F, at the Courthouse. In Johnson County, the Courthouse and the County Admin Building (where the County Recorder is, 913 S. Dubuque St. Iowa City) are not the same building – they are approximately 4-5 blocks apart). The Johnson County Courthouse is located at:

Both prospective spouses, and one witness (a person who can attest to the age and identity of both parties to the marriage) must appear if applying in person, preferably with valid state-issued photo ID or US passport. Each party and witness must be at least 18 years of age. The fee is $35.00. Check or cash only – no credit or debit options are currently available for payment.”

From Matt Fender, Lambda Legal and One Iowa:

“Marriage Resource Kit:"

One Iowa has an online marriage resource kit. It can be accessed at: http://www.one-iowa.org/web/marriage/ . The resource kit is a very thorough collection of pages, including Tips for Couples Getting Married, FAQs from Lambda Legal, and Marriage Events. It's sort of a one-stop-shop for all things marriage.