Junior Rasmussen
If you're planning a wedding in Illinois, there are a few things you should know. First, you must obtain a marriage license from the county where your ceremony will take place, not the county you live in. This can be done online or in person, but both partners must appear together at the county clerk's office to sign the application and present valid identification with proof of age. The license is valid for 60 days and costs $60. Additionally, Illinois marriage laws do not require witnesses or officiant registration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marriage license validity | 60 days |
| Time to get a marriage license | Issued quickly |
| Where to get a marriage license | County clerk's office in the county where the ceremony will be held |
| Cost of marriage license | $60 |
| Validity of marriage license | After 24 hours of issuance |
| Requirements for marriage license | Government ID, proof of age, proof of divorce (if applicable) |
| Officiant registration required | No |
| Witnesses required | No |
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What You'll Learn
Where to get a marriage license in Illinois
If you're getting married in Illinois, you'll need to obtain a marriage license. Unlike other states, in Illinois, you must get your marriage license in the county in which you are getting married, not the county where you live. This can be tricky as the state has 102 counties, and each county clerk's office that oversees the process does things a little differently.
For example, if you're getting married in Chicago or suburban Cook County, you must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk's office. Marriage Equality has been the law in Cook County since February 21, 2014, allowing same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. Couples must appear together at one of the Cook County Clerk's four to six locations. They must fill out and sign a marriage license application, present valid identification with proof of age, and pay a $60 fee. Applicants who have divorced must provide the date of divorce and, if divorced within the last six months, a certified copy of their divorce decree. While some counties let you start your application online, they all require you to appear in person to have it issued. Some counties also require you to have an appointment before you show up.
The state of Illinois marriage license is valid for 60 days, and you need to hold your wedding ceremony within this time frame. The licenses don't become valid until the day after they are issued, so you cannot get married on the same day you acquire the license. Once the wedding happens, you have 10 days to send proof of marriage back to the clerk's office.
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What documents are needed to get a marriage license
To get married in Illinois, you must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office in the county where the wedding will take place. Marriage licenses are issued quickly, but they are only valid for 60 days and only in the county they are issued. Here is a list of documents you will need to get a marriage license:
- Proof of identification: A government-issued ID, such as a valid passport or driver's license, is required. If you do not have these primary forms of ID, you can use two other forms of identification, including a certified copy of your birth certificate and a life insurance policy. The goal is to show proof of age, which must be 18 years or older in Illinois.
- Proof of divorce (if applicable): If either party was previously married, they must provide the date the previous marriage ended and the county or state where the divorce or death was recorded. If the divorce was finalized within the last six months, a certified copy of the divorce decree must be presented.
- Marriage license application: Both members of the couple must appear together at the county clerk's office and fill out and sign the marriage license application. Some counties allow you to start the application process online, but you must still appear in person to have the license issued.
- Marriage license fee: The standard marriage license fee in Illinois is $60, although this may vary by county. Most counties accept cash, check, or credit card (with a small processing fee).
It is important to note that you must obtain your marriage license in the county where your wedding ceremony will be held, not the county where you reside. Additionally, the marriage license does not become valid until the day after it is issued, so you cannot get married on the same day you acquire the license.
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How long is a marriage license valid for
To get married in Illinois, you need a government-issued ID and a marriage license. Marriage licenses are issued quickly in Illinois but are only valid for 60 days and only in the county they are issued. This means you need to hold your wedding ceremony within 60 days of acquiring the license.
Marriage licenses are issued while the couple waits at the county clerk's office. While some counties let you start your application online, they all require you to appear in person to have it issued. Some counties also require you to have an appointment before you show up. These slots can fill up, so prepare well in advance of your wedding. You must get your marriage license in the county in which you are getting married, not the county in which you live.
To get the license, you need your ID and the money to pay the fee. The marriage license fee is $60. Applicants who have divorced must provide the date the divorce was finalized upon applying for a marriage license. Applicants who have divorced within the last six months must provide a certified copy of their divorce decree. The license takes effect the day after it was issued, so you cannot get married the same day you acquire the license.
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What is the cost of a marriage license
To get married in Illinois, you need a government-issued ID and a marriage license. The marriage license fee is $60 in Cook County, and the license is issued on the spot. However, it only becomes valid 24 hours after it is issued, and it is only valid for 60 days. This means that you need to hold your wedding ceremony within 60 days of acquiring the license. Additionally, the license is only valid in the county it was issued, so if you change your venue to a different county, you will need to reapply for a new license.
In Madison County, there is a $10 judge's fee to be married by a judge, and a $20 fee for a certified copy of your marriage license. Additional copies of the same license may be obtained for $8 each.
It is important to note that you need to obtain your marriage license in the county where your ceremony will be held, not the county you live in. When applying for a marriage license, you must appear together at the county clerk's office and fill out and sign a marriage license application. You must also present valid identification with proof of age. If you have divorced within the last six months, you must provide a certified copy of your divorce decree.
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Who can officiate a wedding in Illinois
To get married in Illinois, you need a government-issued ID and a marriage license. The marriage license is valid only in the county of issuance and for 60 days. It is not valid on the same day it is issued.
Now, who can officiate a wedding in Illinois?
Illinois does not require officiant registration or that the officiant be ordained. The only requirement is that the officiant is 18 years or older. So, almost anyone can be the officiant of a wedding. Religious groups may license or ordain people to perform marriages, but it is not a state requirement. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/Pt.II (Marriage), requires that, for a marriage to be legal, it must be licensed, solemnized, and registered. The marriage must then be solemnized by a judge, a retired judge, or an ordained person "in good standing with his or her religious denomination." The couple getting married needs to have confidence in the qualifications of their officiant.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you do not need to register before your wedding in Illinois. However, you must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office in the county where your wedding ceremony will be held.
To apply for a marriage license in Illinois, you must appear in person at the county clerk's office in the county where your wedding will take place. You will need to fill out and sign a marriage license application, present valid identification with proof of age, and pay a fee. The marriage license fee is typically $60, but this may vary depending on the county.
A marriage license in Illinois is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. The license becomes valid 24 hours after it is issued, so you must wait at least one day before getting married.
You must obtain your marriage license from the county where your wedding ceremony will be held, not the county where you reside. Make sure to check the specific requirements and locations for obtaining a marriage license in the county where you will be getting married.
Yes, there are a few other things to keep in mind. If either partner has been previously married, you will need to provide the date the previous marriage ended and, if applicable, a certified copy of the divorce decree or death record. Additionally, if your wedding activities will take place on public land, you may need to obtain a wedding permit.
