Getting Married in
the State of Illinois |
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Friendly Information Sheet |
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Eligibility
& Requirements |
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Age: |
Under Illinois law,
persons that are 18 years of age who are not blood relatives,
first cousins older than 50 years of age, and persons who are
16/17 years of age with sworn consent from each parent, each legal
guardian, or a judge, appearing in person before the county clerk
and providing proper identification may be married in the State
of Illinois. |
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Identification: |
Identification and
proof of age are required. Both requirements can be satisfied
with a valid U.S. driver's license, U.S. state identification
card, U.S. passport, U.S. military identification card, or Illinois
Department of Public Aid card (both ID & medical card).
If you do not have any of these forms of identification, you must
present two secondary forms of identification. Acceptable
secondary forms of identification include a certified copy of
a birth certificate, baptismal record (with date of birth on record),
valid foreign passport, U.S. naturalization papers, life insurance
policy that has been in effect for at least one year (with date
of birth on policy), and all consulate identification cards.
Those applicants under the age of 18 must provide a certified
copy of their birth certificate and secondary form of identification
showing the date of birth, in addition to sworn consent. |
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Blood
Tests &
Medical Exams: |
No blood tests or
medical exams are currently required in Illinois. |
Applying
for Your Marriage License |
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You
MUST apply for your Marriage License in the county in which
your marriage will take place, even if this is not the county
in which you reside. |
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Cook County |
Where
to Apply: |
You MUST apply for
your license at a Cook County Clerk's Office. You may do
so at the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago,
IL 60602 (312-603-5656), or at any of the suburban offices located
at the Bridgeview Courthouse, Markham Courthouse, Maywood Courthouse,
Rolling Meadows Courthouse, and Skokie Courthouse. |
Who Applies: |
Both the bride and groom must
appear in person and present proof of age and proper identification. |
Fees: |
The fee for a marriage license,
which must be paid at the time of application, is $40 cash. |
Special
Conditions: |
If an applicant is recently divorced
(within six months prior to applying), a certified copy of the
final divorce decree will be required. |
Application
Period: |
Your marriage license must be
obtained at least 24 hours prior to the marriage ceremony and
is valid for up to 60 days after issuance. |
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DuPage County |
If you're marrying
in DuPage County, please contact the DuPage County Clerk's Office
at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630-682-7035) for
specific information about requirements, procedures and fees.
You may also visit the DuPage County Clerk's website for further
contact information. |
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Will County |
Where
to Apply: |
You MUST apply for your marriage
license at the Will County Clerk's Office, Marriage Department,
302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432 (815-740-4626).
Satellite offices at which you may also obtain your Will County
marriage license are the DuPage Township Office Building, 241
Canterbury Lane, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (630-759-1317) and Crete
Township Office Building, 1367 Wood Street, Crete, IL 60410 (708-672-8279). |
Who Applies: |
Both the bride and groom must
appear in person and present proof of age and two forms of proper
identification. One of these two forms of identification
must be a certified birth certificate (issued by the county, state or country of birth – no photocopies or hospital records) and one of the following: passport, valid driver’s license, state I.D., draft cards, firearms registration, application for insurance, military I.D. or other documents showing date of birth. |
Fees: |
The fee for a marriage license,
which must be paid at the time of application, is $28 payable
by cash or check. |
Special
Conditions: |
If an applicant's marriage has
been dissolved by the death of a spouse, a certified death certificate
if required. If an applicant's marriage has been dissolved
by divorce, certified copies of the Final Judgment of Dissolution
are required. |
Application
Period: |
Your marriage license must be
obtained at least 1 calendar day prior to the marriage ceremony
and is valid for up to 60 days after issuance. |
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