Iowa legislation · 91st General Assembly
Iowa SF2136: A BILL FOR An Act relating to marriage license requirements by requiring premarriage legal counseling
Status: In committee, January 29, 2026
An Act relating to marriage license requirements by requiring premarriage legal counseling.
What the bill says
A bill FOR An Act relating to marriage license requirements by requiring premarriage legal counseling.
From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:
A BILL FOR An Act relating to marriage license requirements by requiring premarriage legal counseling. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: TLSB 5640XS (2) lh/jh S.F. 2136 Section 1. Section 595.3, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION. 6. Where the parties have not submitted documentation with the application for a marriage license demonstrating the parties attended one hour of premarriage legal counseling provided by an attorney. The judicial branch, in consultation with a private legal organization representing lawyers in this state, shall prescribe the required content of the premarriage legal counseling, including but not limited to basic legal information about common marriage, dissolution of marriage, and child custody issues. EXPLANATION The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation's substance by the members of the general assembly. This bill requires parties applying for a marriage license to complete one hour of premarriage legal counseling provided by an attorney. The bill directs the judicial branch, in consultation with a private legal organization representing lawyers in this state, to prescribe the content of the counseling, including basic legal information concerning common marriage, divorce, and child custody issues. A marriage license will not be issued unless the parties submit documentation confirming completion of the required counseling. LSB 5640XS …
Sponsors
- Jesse Green (R, 24) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Subcommittee: Green, Bisignano, and Webster. S.J. 171 .
- : Introduced, referred to Judiciary. S.J. 156 .
Subjects: counseling, attorneys, domestic relations, marriage, judicial branch
Common questions
- What is SF2136?
- SF2136 is a bill in the Iowa Legislature (91st General Assembly): A BILL FOR An Act relating to marriage license requirements by requiring premarriage legal counseling.
- What does SF2136 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR An Act relating to marriage license requirements by requiring premarriage legal counseling.
- What is the status of SF2136?
- In committee as of January 29, 2026. Latest action: Subcommittee: Green, Bisignano, and Webster. S.J. 171 . (January 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored SF2136?
- Jesse Green (R, 24).
- Where is the official record for SF2136?
- On the Iowa Legislature website: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF+2136&ga=91
Source: official Iowa record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.