Shelby County Recorder's Office - Harlan, IA

06/15/2026

‼️Further clarification from Iowa Dept. of Revenue‼️

✔️Effective immediately Recorders are required to provide the 57-019 (Sales Condition Reporting) form along with the DOV to the public. The hope is that by 7/1 all involved in the use of this form will have the new details and the transition will be smooth.
✔️Recorders are NOT REQUIRED to refuse a filing if they do not submit this new form in a ‘deed package.’
✔️Effective 7/1/2026, the DOV is not required for exceptions 14, 15, and 22.
✔️Effective 1/1/2027, the DOV exception 23 is an added option.

05/22/2026

Have a safe holiday weekend! See you Tuesday!

04/24/2026

The services you rely on every day don’t just happen.

They’re built, maintained, and delivered by counties across Iowa.

Behind the 99 is our mission to bring those stories to the surface, to showcase the value counties provide, celebrate the people behind the work, and strengthen understanding of local government.

Because strong communities start with strong counties.

To learn more about Behind the 99 visit: www.iowacounties.org/behindthe99

04/16/2026

Check out the new options for your DNR hard card!

04/03/2026

The 2026 turkey season is quickly approaching! Be sure to stop in and grab your turkey tags! 🦃

03/23/2026

Need a certified copy of a vital record in Iowa? County Recorder offices can issue certified copies of Iowa birth records (1984–present), Iowa death records (1954–present), and Iowa marriage records (1954–present) at any county Recorder’s office in Iowa. For earlier records or plain paper copies, please contact the county in which the event took place.

02/16/2026

Enjoy this beautiful President's Day and we will see you tomorrow!

02/12/2026

Wedding season is just around the corner! 💍

Getting married in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know!

Marriage applications must be submitted at least 4 days before your wedding date. Iowa law requires a 3-day waiting period, meaning your license is valid on the 4th day after applying.

You may apply as early as you’d like, but the license must be picked up within 6 months of applying or it will be void. Once issued, the license remains valid until it is returned.

When signing the application, both applicants and one witness must present a photo ID. The cost of a marriage application in Iowa is $35.

If you apply for a marriage license in Iowa, your ceremony must take place within the state of Iowa. After the ceremony, the signed license must be returned to the Recorder’s Office where you applied.

Once the signed license is received and processed, you’ll be issued a certified copy of your marriage certificate, which you’ll need for name changes, insurance benefits, passport applications, and more.

01/23/2026

Shelby County: Setting the bar high in Customer Service!

12/30/2025

Stop in today or tomorrow (Wednesday) to get your off road vehicles renewed before the first of the year. Open 8-4:30!