The words “Groom” and “Bride” on Iowa marriage applications are now “Party A” and “Party B.” All Iowa county recorders now have electronic versions of the final revised marriage paperwork. The changes have been made because the Iowa Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. Iowa will begin issuing marriage licenses to couples of the same gender as early as Monday.
Specifically, where the old paperwork said “Application to Marry in Iowa” listed “Groom’s Information,” the new forms say “Party A – Information.” “Bride’s Information” is now “Party B – Information.” References to “groom-to-be” and “bride-to-be” were changed to “first applicant” and “second applicant.”
Iowans who do not want to be gender-neutral do have the option of checking a box that will identify them as “Bride,” “Groom” or “Spouse.”
For more information, see the April 22, 2009 edition of the DesMoines Register.
