The first thing to know about getting a marriage license is that you need to apply for it in the county of your ceremony, not where you live or where the reception is located. This is the most common mistake of brides and grooms. Here are the rest of the details.
Requirements:
- Two people of the opposite sex
- At least 18 years of age
- If 16 or 17, must provide sworn consent of each parent, legal guardian, or a judge in person to the county clerk.
- Not blood relatives
- First cousins are allowed if over 50 years old
Identification Required:
One of the following:
- Current, valid U.S. Drivers License
- Current, valid U.S. Passport or U.S. Military Identification Card
- Current, valid Illinois Department of Public Aid card
- If you have none of the above, then two of the following are required: Certified copy of birth certificate, U.S. naturalization papers, valid foreign passport or a baptismal record showing birth date.
Typically the marriage licenses cost between $15-$30 and , most of the time, are required
to be paid in cash. Remember there is a 24 hour waiting periodfrom the time the license is issued. Also, don’t get it too early, marriage licenses are only valid for 60 days. Lastly, make sure to keep the marriage license in a safe place, AND where you will remember where it is. My wife and I almost had a very expensive party without us getting married because we couldn’t find the marriage license the night before our wedding. She accidentally gave it to her sister, because it got stuck in with some baseball tickets we gave her. Typically, you will bring the marriage certificate and give it to the officiant at the rehearsal.
Here are the marriage license websites for the Chicago area counties:
Cook County | DuPage County | Will County | McHenry County | Kane County
