Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In Iowa, bigamy is prohibited under Iowa Code section 726.1, which makes it illegal for any person, having a husband or wife living, to marry another person. This law effectively criminalizes the act of marrying someone while already being legally married to another individual. Bigamy in Iowa is classified as a Class D felony, which can result in severe penalties including imprisonment and fines. Polygamy, which involves having more than one spouse simultaneously, is also not recognized or permitted under Iowa law, and engaging in polygamous relationships would fall under the prohibition against bigamy. Therefore, both bigamy and polygamy are illegal practices in the state of Iowa.