If you're getting married in Illinois, you must first apply for a marriage license.
It'll cost you $15.00 to $75.00, and you'll have to use it within 60 days.
You must apply for an Illinois marriage license at the county clerk's office in the county where the marriage ceremony will take place.
Since June 1, 2011, county clerks have issued civil union licenses to adults aged 18 and over. Marriage and civil union requirements are virtually identical.
An Illinois marriage license costs between $15 and $75, depending on the county.
There are no marriage license residency requirements.
Your marriage license may only be used in the county where you apply, which must be the county where the marriage ceremony will occur.
The marriage license application asks for your name, residence, date and place of birth, race, gender, occupation, marital history, education history, social security number, and parents' addresses, birth names, and birthplaces.
You and your future spouse must apply together and in person. Absentee forms do not exist.
If you're 18 years old or over, you're a legal adult who may marry without parental consent.
If you're 16 or 17 years old, marriage requires sworn consent from your parents, a legal guardian, or a circuit court judge within the same county that you apply in. Consenting parents must bring ID. Consenting guardians must bring guardianship papers.
If you're 15 years old or younger, you cannot lawfully marry.
You'll receive your marriage license immediately. The one-day waiting period has been suspended on May 1, 2020 via executive order 2020-36 and extended until December 11, 2021 via executive order 2021-30.
Note 1: The one-day wait was meant to help prevent reckless, spur-of-the-moment marriages that might be regretted.
Your marriage license will expire 61 days after issuance, which works out to 60 days plus the one-day waiting period.
Bring U.S. issued ID to confirm your name and age, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card, military ID card, or passport. If you lack U.S. issued ID, you must contact your county clerk to determine acceptable alternatives for their specific office.
Showing a certified copy of your birth certificate is mandatory if you're a minor or your ID doesn't show your date of birth. Non-English certificates must be translated into English, certified, and notarized.
The HIV blood test requirement was in effect between 1988 and 1989. Nevertheless, you'll be given pamphlets on STDs, fetal alcohol syndrome, and inherited metabolic diseases.
County clerks are authorized to request a certified copy of your last divorce decree. Come equipped, along with knowledge of when and where it was finalized. The same standard applies to a civil union, annulment, or any form of dissolution.
Some clerks will ask to see a certified copy of your late spouse's death certificate to confirm the date, address, and location of death. Either arrive prepared or contact the clerk's office ahead of time to determine if it's absolutely necessary to bring.
You don't have to bring witnesses to your marriage ceremony.
Your marriage certificate authorizes you to change your name after marriage with essential government and nongovernment institutions. You can make use of an online marriage name change kit to transition to your new name.
Your marriage license must be returned by mail or hand delivery no more than 10 days following your marriage ceremony so that it may be registered.
You can purchase a certified copy of your marriage certificate for $5 from either the county clerk that issued and registered your marriage license or the Illinois Department of Public Health. Other vital records—birth, death, divorce, civil union—are available as well.
Illinois will only legally recognize a common-law marriage that took place before June 30, 1905.
You can marry your first cousin if you're both over 50 or either is permanently sterile. Sterility must be confirmed by a signed certificate from a licensed physician.
Illinois does not allow marriage-by-proxy.
The county clerk can direct you to a judge who will perform your civil ceremony. The fee varies by county, but is usually around $10.