Illinois Marriage License Requirements

If you're getting married in the state of Illinois you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Let's begin…

Cost of Your License

How much does a marriage license cost?

The marriage license fee is $15.00 to $30.00, cash only. Accepted forms of payment are cash.

Residency Requirement

Are there any special residency conditions for in-state or out-of-state residents?

There are none. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Illinois to obtain a marriage license that will be valid statewide.

Waiting Period

After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license?

There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.

Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date I'm allowed to actually marry?

Yes, after you receive your license, there is still a mandatory 1 day waiting period before you can actually get married.

License Expiration

How long will my marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?

Your license will expire 60 days from the date it is issued. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married.

What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it?

Unfortunately, you'll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage.

Age Requirement

How old must I be to get married?

You must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.

What if one or both of us is younger than 18?

If either partner is under 18, parents or legal guardians must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry.

Blood Test

Are blood tests and physical exams required?

No blood test or physical exam is required.

Divorced or Widowed Applicants

What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?

If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse's death must be provided. If the divorce or spouse's death had taken place within the last 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you.

Marriage Name Change

How do I legally change my name before or after I get married?

When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).

There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. It's applicable for Illinois or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process.

Proxy Marriage

What is a proxy marriage?

A proxy marriage, also known as a "proxy wedding," is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone "stand in" for them and serve as their "proxy."

Can I get married by proxy if I'm unable to to be present for the ceremony?

No, getting married by proxy is not allowed in Illinois. There are actually only five states left that do allow marriage by proxy.

Common Law Marriage

What is a common law marriage?

The term "common law marriage" refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual Illinois marriage license.

Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage?

No, common-law marriages are not allowed in Illinois. This is unsurprising as only one-fifth of the country currently recognizes common law marriage.

Cousin Marriage

Can I get married to my cousin?

Yes, cousin marriages (first, second, etc) are allowed to take place. Cousins may marry as long as both are over the age of 50.

Same Sex Marriage

Are same sex marriages legal?

Yes, same-sex marriages are allowed and legally recognized in Illinois.

Where to Go

Where do I physically need to go to get my marriage license?

Illinois has 102 offices where a marriage license can be acquired. Simply choose a location below to visit. Phone numbers as well as map and accompanying driving direction links are provided for every address.

Adams County Vital Statistics
521 Vermont St
Quincy, IL 62306
217-277-2162
Alexander County Clerk
2000 Washington Ave
Cairo, IL 62914
618-734-7000
Bond County Clerk
203 W College Ave
Greenville, IL 62246
618-664-0449
Boone County Clerk 601 North Main St
Suite 202
Belvedere, IL 61008
815-544-3103
Brown County Clerk
200 W Court St, # 4
Mount Sterling, IL 62353
217-773-3421
Bureau County Clerk 700 S. Main St
P.O. Box 336
Princeton, IL 61356
815-875-2014
Calhoun County Clerk
102 County Road
Hardin, IL 62047
618-576-2351
Carroll County Clerk
P.O. Box 152
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
815-244-0221
Cass County Clerk 100 E Springfield St
Cass County Courthouse
Virginia, IL 62691
217-452-7217
Champaign County Clerk
1776 E Washington St
Urbana, IL 61801
217-384-3720
Christian County Clerk
101 S Main St
Taylorville, IL 62568
217-824-4969
Clark County Clerk Clark County Courthouse
501 Archer Ave, # 4
Marshall, IL 62441
217-826-8311
Clay County Clerk
Clay County Bldg Rm 106
Louisville, IL 62858
618-665-3626
Clinton County Clerk 891 Fairfax St
County Courthouse
Carlyle, IL 62231
618-594-2464
Coles County Recorder
7th & Monroe
Charleston, IL 61920
217-258-0501
Cook County Clerk
118 N Clark St, #434
Chicago, IL 60602
312-603-5656
Crawford County Clerk
1 Public Square
Robinson, IL 62454
618-546-1212
Cumberland County Clerk
P.O. Box 146
Toledo, IL 62468
217-849-2631
DeKalb County Clerk
110 East Sycamore St
Sycamore, IL 60178
815-895-7149
DeWitt County Clerk
201 W Washington St
Clinton, IL 61727
217-935-2119
Douglas County Clerk
401 S Center St
Tuscola, IL 61953
217-253-2411
DuPage County Recorder 421 North County Farm Road
P.O. Box 936
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-682-7035
Edgar County Clerk
115 W Court St, # J
Paris, IL 61944
217-465-4151
Edwards County Clerk
50 E Main St
Albion, IL 62806
618-445-2115
Effingham County Clerk
101 N 4th St, # 201
Effingham, IL 62401
217-342-6535
Fayette County Clerk
221 S 7th St
Vandalia, IL 62471
618-283-5000
Ford County Recorder
200 W State St Room 101
Paxton, IL 60957
217-379-2721
Franklin County Recorder
202 W Main St
Benton, IL 62812
618-439-3403
Fulton County Clerk
100 N Main St
Lewistown, IL 61542
309-547-3041
Gallatin County Clerk
W Lincoln Blvd
Shawneetown, IL 62984
618-269-3025
Greene County Clerk
519 N Main St, # 6
Carrolton, IL 62016
217-942-5443
Grundy County Clerk
111 E Washington St
Morris, IL 60450
815-941-3222
Hamilton County Clerk
Hamilton County Courthouse
Mcleansboro, IL 62859
618-643-2721
Hancock County Clerk
P.O. Box 39
Carthage, IL 62321
217-357-3911
Hardin County Clerk
Main St
Elizabeth Town, IL 62931
618-287-2251
Henderson County Clerk
Corner 4th & Warren St
Oquawka, IL 61469
309-867-2911
Henry County Clerk
100 S Main St
Cambridge, IL 61238
309-937-2426
Iroquois County Clerk
1001 E Grant St
Watseka, IL 60970
815-432-6960
Jackson County Clerk
1001 Walnut St, # 1
Murphysboro, IL 62966
618-687-7360
Jasper County Clerk
100 W Jourdan St
Newton, IL 62448
618-783-3124
Jefferson County Clerk
100 S 10th St, # 105
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
618-244-8007
Jersey County Clerk
201 West Pearl St
Jerseyville, IL 62052
618-498-5571
Jo Daviess County Clerk
330 N Bench St, # 3
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-0161
Johnson County Clerk
400 Court Square
Vienna, IL 62995
618-658-3611
Kane County Clerk
719 S. Batavia Ave
Geneva, IL 60134
630-232-5996
Kankakee County Clerk
189 East Court St
Kankakee, IL 60901
815-937-2990
Kendall County Clerk
111 West Fox Rd
Yorkville, IL 60560
630-553-4104
Knox County Clerk
200 S Cherry St
Galesburg, IL 61401
309-345-3815
LaSalle County Clerk
707 Etna Road
Ottawa, IL 61350
815-434-8202
Lake County Clerk
18 N County St Room 507
Waukegan, IL 60085
847-360-3610
Lawrence County Clerk
1100 State St
Lawrenceville, IL 62439
618-943-2346
Lee County Clerk
112 E 2nd St
Dixon, IL 61021
815-288-3309
Livingston County Clerk
112 West Madison St
Pontiac, IL 61764
815-844-2006
Logan County Clerk
601 Broadway St, # 20
Lincoln, IL 62656
217-732-4148
Macon County Clerk
141 S Main St, # 104
Decatur, IL 62523
217-424-1305
Macoupin County Clerk
157 N Main St, # 109
Carlinville, IL 62026
618-692-7030
Madison County Clerk
P.O. Box 308
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618-692-7030
Marion County Clerk 100 E Main St, # 201
Main And Broadway
Salem, IL 62881
618-548-3400
Marshall County Clerk
122 North Prairie St
Lacon, IL 61540
309-246-6325
Mason County Recorder
125 N Plum St
Havana, IL 62644
309-543-6661
Massac County Clerk
1 Superman Sq., # 2a
Metropolis, IL 62960
618-524-5213
McDonough County Clerk
1 Court House
Macomb, IL 61455
309-833-2474
McHenry County Clerk 2200 N Seminary Ave
County Government.Center
Woodstock, IL 60098
815-334-4242
McLean County Clerk
104 West Front, Room 708
Bloomington, IL 61701
309-888-5190
Menard County Recorder
P.O. Box 465
Petersburg, IL 62675
217-632-2415
Mercer County Clerk
100 SE 3rd St
Aledo, IL 61231
309-582-7021
Monroe County Recorder
100 S Main St, # 226
Waterloo, IL 62298
618-939-8681
Montgomery County Clerk
1 Courthouse Square
Hilsboro, IL 62049
217-532-9530
Morgan County Clerk
300 W State St
Jacksonville, IL 62651
217-243-8581
Moultrie County Clerk
10 S Main St
Sullivan, IL 61951
217-728-4389
Ogle County Recorder Ogle County Courthouse
4th And 5th St
Oregon, IL 61061
815-732-3201
Peoria County Recorder Of Deed
300 Main St
Peoria, IL 61602
309-672-6090
Perry County Clerk
P.O. Box 438
Pickneyville, IL 62274
618-357-5116
Piatt County Recorder P.O. Box 558
101 W Washington
Monticello, IL 61856
217-762-9487
Pike County Recorder
Pike County Court House
Pittsfield, IL 62363
217-285-6812
Pope County Recorder
P.O. Box 216
Golconda, IL 62938
618-683-4466
Pulaski County Recorder
P.O. Box 218
Mound City, IL 62963
618-748-9360
Putnam County Recorder
P.O. Box 236
Hennepin, IL 61327
815-925-7129
Randolph County Clerk
#1 Taylor St
Chester, IL 62233
618-826-2510
Richland County Recorder
Richland County Courthouse
Olney, IL 62450
618-392-3111
Rock Island County Recorder
210 15th St
Rock Island, IL 61201
309-786-4451
Saline County Clerk
10 W Poplar St
Harrisburg, IL 62946
618-253-8197
Sangamon County Clerk P.O. Box 669
200 S 9th St, # 101a
Springfield, IL 62705
217-753-6700
Schuyler County Clerk
102 S Congress St
Rushville, IL 62681
217-322-4734
Scott County Clerk
101 E Market St
Winchester, IL 62694
217-742-3178
Shelby County Clerk
301 E Main St
Shelbyville, IL 62565
217-774-4421
St Clair County Clerk P.O. Box 543
10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62222
618-277-6600
Stark County Clerk
130 W Main St
Toulon, IL 61483
309-286-5911
Stephenson County Clerk
15 North Galena Ave
Freeport, IL 61032
815-235-8266
Tazewell County Clerk
11 S 4th St
Pekin, IL 61554
309-477-2264
Union County Clerk
311 W Market St
Jonesboro, IL 62952
618-833-5711
Vermilion County Clerk
6 North Vermilion St
Danville, IL 61832
217-431-2615
Wabash County Clerk P.O. Box 277
401 N Market St
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
618-262-4561
Warren County Clerk
100 W Broadway
Monmouth, IL 61462
309-734-8592
Washington County Clerk
Courthouse
Nashville, IL 62263
618-327-8314
Wayne County Recorder
P.O. Box 187
Fairfield, IL 62837
618-842-5182
White County Recorder
P.O. Box 339
Carmi, IL 62821
618-382-7211
Whiteside County Recorder
200 E Knox St
Morrison, IL 61270
815-772-5189
Will County Recorder
302 North Chicago
Joliet, IL 60431
815-740-4615
Williamson County Recorder
P.O. Box 1108
Marion, IL 62959
618-997-1301
Winnebago County Recorder 400 West State St
Recorder Of Deeds
Rockford, IL 61101
815-987-3050
Woodford County Recorder
P.O. Box 38
Eureka, IL 61530
309-467-2822