How can I view an Iowa marriage/divorce?

Question

These records should be public, yet the county recorder's office offers a certified copy only to persons listed in the record or direct relatives. Furthermore, they require photocopied ID and a notarized signature on the app. form. It is impractical for me to travel there personally and I don't trust those online paysites. It occurred in the late fifties, so isn't listed in any free databases I've found.

Answer 1

I have yet to see any 'full' divorce file in any place on the internet/ database.  MARRIAGES are public records. Divorce records can involve information relating to minors, and that is logical to be protected.  As for it being in the late 50s.. the reality is that older records are normally MORE open to viewing, due to privacy laws. I agree that there could be some discussion as to how and when that privacy law is applied.  It may also involve the fact that they believe you want a certified copy, and not a non certified one (usually used for research, not legal purpose).  

An alternate comment- having researched ancestry, etc for over 25 yrs.. something I see a lot today is defining the idea of "public".  There are literally millions of court documents, which are totally public.  Not to be insulting towards you.. but many persons today confuse "public" with an expectation that they should be on the internet.  That just is not factual.

Assuming you are a direct relative, it seems you would have valid reason to have access.  But it may be that their decision for requiring you to personally go there, is possibly the only way you will get them.