Process for Obtaining an Illinois Marriage License

To be married legally in the State of Illinois, you must first obtain an Illinois marriage license. Application rules vary from county to county, and may also change over time. So please note that before you actually apply for an Illinois marriage license, you need to verify the rules again from the County Clerk of Court's office.

Also keep in mind that an Illinois marriage license is valid for 60 days, so apply in good time (usually a month before the date of your wedding ceremony) but not too early.

For an Illinois marriage license, any of the following identification documents are accepted: You may provide a valid US passport, driver's license, state or military identification card, or the Illinois Department of Public Aid card.

If you don't have these, any two of the following may also be provided when you are submitting an application: a certified copy of your birth certificate, valid US resident alien card or naturalization papers, valid foreign passport or consulate identification cards (not affidavits), baptismal record (with birth date of applicant) or life insurance policy in effect for one 1 year (with applicant's birth date). In all, at least two confirmations of your birth date including a certificate is required.

At least one parent of any applicant under the age of 18 must be present when the application is being submitted. Besides proof of identification and age, required documents may also include final divorce papers from a previous marriage.

You will need a witness to your application, so bring your maid of honor or best man along. Brides need to specify the married names that will go on their marriage certificates when they apply for their Illinois marriage license.

As of now, non-residents cannot obtain an Illinois marriage license. There is also a 1-day waiting period. Illinois marriage license fees are $15-30, depending on the county, and are payable in cash. You might also be glad to know that blood tests are not required.

As for the legal age when applying for an Illinois marriage license, opposite sex couples who are older than 18 years of age and are not blood relatives need no parental consent, though they must always both be present. Those who are between 16 and 17years of age must submit a sworn consent from each parent or legal guardian or a judge, who must also be present at the County Clerk’s office when the application is being presented.

Those giving consent must provide identification papers (the same as applicants), and legal guardians need certified copies of guardianship documents. First cousins older than the age of 50 may marry in Illinois, but proxy marriages are not allowed.

Your Illinois marriage license is not proof of marriage! This can happen only after the authorized civic official has completed, signed and sent it to the State Department of Health. In a church marriage, the minister authorized by the church to perform marriages will do the same.

A newly married couple receives one certified copy of the marriage certificate after paying the Illinois marriage license fee. The certificate will be sent to the couple by mail, 60-120 days after the marriage has been performed. If needed sooner, a couple may apply for one or more additional certified copies.