Obtaining an Illinois Marriage License

The Information You'll Need to Tie the Knot

Originally published in ChicagoStyle Weddings' 2015 Spring Supplement Magazine

REQUIREMENTS
Both partners must appear together in person at the time of application.

WHO MAY APPLY
Unmarried people who are 18 years of age or older and not blood relatives can apply for a marriage license, as can first cousins 50 years or older. If either partner is a resident of another state, the marriage license will not be granted if your state of residency prohibits it. People 16 and 17 years of age must provide the following information: sworn consent, in person, from each parent or legal guardian before the county clerk at the time of application, as well as a certified copy of their birth certificate and a second form of identification to show their date of birth. Those giving consent must provide proper identification, including a valid driver’s license, state ID, or a valid US passport. If the legal guardian is giving consent, a certified copy of the guardianship papers must be provided.

WHAT TO PROVIDE
You must provide one of the following pieces of information to receive your license: valid U.S. driver’s license or state ID, valid U.S. passport, or U.S. Armed Forces identification card. If the above is not available, you must provide two of the following: a certified copy of your birth certificate, U.S. naturalization papers or resident alien card, a valid foreign passport, a baptismal record showing the birth date of the applicant, or all consulate identification cards. Some counties may require divorce decrees and/or death certificates of former spouses. Counties may vary in forms of acceptable ID. Call your county clerk to verify.

CIVIL UNIONS AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGES
Civil unions are still legal and valid in Illinois. If couples would like to convert their civil union into a marriage, they can apply for a marriage license and have a ceremony within the 60-day time limit. If couples wish to forego the ceremony, civil unions can be converted into a marriage from June 1, 2014 until May 31, 2015 at no cost. For this option, couples apply for a marriage license using the date of their civil union as the date of their marriage.
Illinois now recognizes out-of-state same-sex marriages. If you do not live in Illinois ­during the time of your marriage and don’t intend to move to Illinois, it is recommended that you work with an attorney to determine the validity of a marriage prior to applying for your license.

COST
Depending on your county, the cost to obtain a marriage certification is $20-$60. Some offices only take cash. Fees will be waived for civil unions being converted to marriages from June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015.

WAITING PERIOD/EXPIRATION OF LICENSE
A marriage license becomes effective twenty-four hours after it is issued. Licenses are only valid for 60 days from the issued date and must be obtained in the county where the ceremony will take place.

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