Marriage License

If you’re planning a wedding in Chicago or anywhere in suburban Cook County, you’ll need to understand how the Cook County IL Marriage License works before you book your venue or officiant. This guide walks you through eligibility rules, identification requirements, in-person and virtual application options, timelines, what your officiant must do, and how to get your marriage certificate afterward. Everything here is based on information from the Cook County Clerk’s Office so you can plan with confidence and avoid last-minute surprises.

Know the basics before you apply for a Cook County marriage license

Before any ceremony in Chicago or suburban Cook County, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk’s Office Bureau of Vital Records. The license is what authorizes your marriage ceremony to legally take place.

A few core points to keep in mind:

Your marriage license is only valid for ceremonies performed in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

The license is issued while you wait, but it becomes effective one day after issuance.

Once effective, it is valid for 60 days.

After your ceremony, the completed license must be returned to the Clerk’s office within 10 days by mail or in person.

For the most up-to-date instructions and any policy changes, you can always review the official Cook County Clerk’s Marriage Licenses information on the Clerk’s website through the dedicated marriage licenses page.

Check your eligibility: who can get a marriage license in Cook County

Understand the core legal requirements

Under Illinois law, only certain people are legally allowed to marry. To qualify for a marriage license in Cook County, both partners must:

Be 18 years of age or older, unless qualifying under the minor rules described below
Not be blood relatives
Not already be legally married to someone else or to each other

There are limited exceptions:

First cousins who are over 50 years of age may marry.

Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old may marry with parental or legal guardian consent, plus additional documentation.

If either applicant has been married before:

You must provide the date the prior marriage ended when you apply.

If the divorce was finalized within the last six months, you must present a certified copy of the divorce decree.

Special rules for 16- and 17-year-old applicants

If one or both applicants are 16 or 17 years old:

All parents listed on the applicant’s birth certificate (or legal guardian) must:
Appear in person
Provide sworn consent to the marriage
Present valid identification

The minor applicant must provide:
A certified copy of their birth certificate
A second form of identification showing their date of birth

These additional steps exist to make sure minors are fully protected under state law and that the consent is clearly documented.

Gather the right identification for your marriage license appointment

Follow the special ID rules for marriage licenses

Cook County has specific identification standards for marriage and civil union licenses. You’ll need to show current, valid ID that proves your identity and age. The Clerk’s office recognizes two main pathways:

One form of ID is enough if it’s one of these:

State-issued driver’s license or state ID (U.S.-issued)
U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
U.S. Military Identification Card
Foreign passport
Driver’s license issued by a U.S. territory
Non-driver ID card issued by a U.S. territory
Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card
Global Entry card

Or, bring any combination of two of these forms of ID:

Certified copy of birth certificate (with notarized English translation if needed)
U.S. Naturalization Certificate
U.S. Resident Alien Card
Baptismal record (showing date of birth)
Consulate Identification Card (Matricula/Tarjeta Consular)
U.S. Employment Authorization Card
Native American tribal document
Temporary Visitor Driver’s License

Because identification rules are detailed and can change, it’s smart to double-check the official ID requirements for marriage and civil union licenses listed on the Clerk’s site. You can review those standards on the official ID requirements page.

Apply in person: step-by-step Cook County marriage license process

Go together to a Clerk’s Vital Records location

All couples must appear together in person at one of the Clerk’s Vital Records locations to obtain a marriage license. You can choose from the downtown Chicago office or several suburban locations.

When you arrive, here’s what typically happens:

Check in at the Bureau of Vital Records counter.

Present your valid identification showing age and identity for both applicants.

Provide prior marriage information, including dates and, if required, a certified divorce decree for recent divorces.

Fill out the marriage license application, either on paper or finalized from your online start (described below).

Review and sign the application in front of the clerk.

Pay the marriage license fee of $60.

The license is issued while you wait, but remember the one-day waiting period before it becomes effective.

If you want to confirm which locations handle Vital Records services, business days, or any seasonal updates, you can find that information on the Clerk’s official hours and locations page.

Start online, finish in person: using the marriage license online application

Save time by beginning your application online

To streamline your visit, Cook County allows couples to begin their marriage license application online. You enter your information in advance, then complete the legal steps in person at a Vital Records office.

The typical process looks like this:

Complete the online marriage application through the Clerk’s website.
Schedule your visit or go to a Vital Records location together.
Tell the clerk you already filled out your application online.
Present your valid identification with proof of age.
Review the information, sign the application, and pay the $60 fee.

Starting online doesn’t replace the in-person requirement. You still need to appear together so the Clerk’s office can verify your identity, witness signatures, and issue the license.

For complete application details, including links to begin the process and any service updates, visit the official marriage licenses page.

Explore virtual marriage license issuance by online video call

Take advantage of video appointments if you qualify

Cook County also offers Virtual Marriage License Issuance via Online Video Call. This process is by appointment only and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to calendar availability.

To use this option, couples must:

Meet all standard marriage license eligibility requirements.

Have valid identification that meets the Clerk’s standards.

Attest to being physically located in a jurisdiction in Illinois where the marriage is legally allowed to occur under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

Complete an online marriage application before the virtual appointment.

You’ll also need basic technology:

A valid email address

Internet access

A computer (or compatible device) with:
Working two-way audio and video
Access to Zoom or similar online meeting software

The ability to print, sign, scan, and email documents during the process

On the day of your appointment:

You join the scheduled virtual meeting at your assigned time.
The Clerk’s team reviews your documents and sworn application.
You complete any required signatures under oath via video.
The license is issued once everything is verified and approved.

The marriage license fee for this process is $60, payable by credit or debit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express). A small convenience fee applies when paying by card.

Complete criteria, prerequisites, scheduling details, and the online questionnaire are explained on the Clerk’s official virtual marriage license issuance page.

Watch your marriage license timeline: waiting period, expiration, and return

Understand when your marriage license becomes valid

Although your license is issued while you wait at the Clerk’s office, it does not become instantly usable. Instead:

Your marriage license becomes effective one day after issuance.
You must schedule your ceremony on or after that effective date.

This built-in waiting period means you shouldn’t plan to walk straight from the Clerk’s counter to a ceremony that same day.

Track your 60-day window and avoid expiration

Once effective, your marriage license is:

Valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
Valid only for ceremonies performed in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

If your ceremony happens after the expiration date, the marriage is not legally valid. If your plans change and you miss the 60-day window, you’ll need to apply for a new marriage license and pay the fee again.

Return the license within 10 days after the ceremony

After the ceremony is performed:

The officiant completes the bottom portion of the marriage license.
The completed license must be mailed or delivered to the Cook County Clerk’s Office.
The Clerk’s office requests that the license be returned within 10 days of the ceremony.

Returning the license promptly ensures your marriage is officially recorded and prevents delays when you later request marriage certificates.

Choose how to get married: judges, courts, and other officiants

Get married by a judge at the Marriage and Civil Union Court

If you don’t have your own officiant, Cook County offers an easy in-house option. Couples can be joined in marriage (or civil union) by a Cook County judge at the Marriage and Civil Union Court, located in the lower level of 119 W. Randolph St. in the City Hall/County Building.

Key points:

Marriages and civil unions are normally performed six days a week.

You should check the court’s website or call in advance to confirm current hours and any appointment requirements.

Use suburban municipal district courthouses

Ceremonies are also performed at suburban municipal district courthouses. Each courthouse has its own:

Times
Availability
Restrictions
Appointment rules

Because these details vary, couples should always call ahead or check local information before finalizing plans.

Bring your own officiant if you prefer

You can also be married by your own qualified officiant instead of a judge. In Illinois:

Wedding officiants are not required to register with any government office before performing a marriage.

The Illinois state government does not have a separate office for officiant licensing or registration.

However, your officiant must still follow all requirements for completing and returning the marriage license to the Clerk’s office.

Make sure your officiant completes the marriage license correctly

Once your ceremony has taken place, the officiant plays a key role in finishing the legal paperwork.

Your officiant must:

Accurately complete the bottom portion of the marriage license, including:
Date of the ceremony
Location of the ceremony
Names of both spouses
Their own information as officiant

Sign the license as required.

Mail or deliver the completed license to the Cook County Clerk’s Office within the expected timeframe.

If the license is not properly completed and returned, your marriage may not be recorded correctly, which can cause complications when you try to obtain certified copies or prove your marital status.

Plan your next steps: marriage certificates, verification, and records

Order certified copies of your marriage certificate

After your marriage license has been returned and recorded, you can request certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Clerk’s office. These certificates are what most institutions ask for when you need to:

Change your name with government agencies, employers, or financial institutions
Add a spouse to health insurance or benefits
Prove marital status for legal or immigration matters

Cook County offers several types of marriage records, including standard certified copies and keepsake formats. To see current fees, ordering methods (online, by mail, in person), and processing times, visit the official marriage certificates page.

Verify electronic certified marriage certificates

If you receive a certified electronic copy of a marriage or civil union certificate through the Clerk’s E-Certify Document Service, you or a third party can confirm its authenticity online.

The Clerk’s Clerk E-Certify tool allows you to:

Enter a unique reference code from the document
Complete a quick verification step
Confirm that the certificate was actually issued by the Cook County Clerk’s Office

This is useful for employers, schools, or agencies that want to validate a document quickly. You can access this verification tool via the official verify certified marriage and civil union certificates page.

Update your voter registration after a name or address change

If your marriage results in a change of name or address, don’t forget to update your voter registration. The Cook County Clerk’s Office provides an online path to:

Check your current voter registration status
Register to vote
Update your information after you move or change your name

You can handle these updates using the online tools on the Clerk’s voter registration page.

Use official FAQs when you have detailed marriage license questions

For additional questions about marriage licenses, marriage certificates, fees, processing times, or related vital records, the Cook County Clerk maintains a detailed collection of frequently asked questions.

Topics include:

Ways to order birth, death, and marriage records
Fees and payment types
Typical processing times for mail orders
How to obtain records for genealogy or dual citizenship purposes
General information about licenses, certificates, and related services

Before calling or visiting in person, you may find the answer you need on the official vital records FAQs page.

Visit the Clerk’s Office: where to go for a marriage license in person

When you are ready to apply in person for a marriage license, you’ll visit one of the Clerk’s Vital Records locations. These offices serve residents of Chicago and suburban Cook County and are the places where:

You submit your application
Your identity and eligibility are verified
Your marriage license is issued

To see current hours, service options, and any requirements such as appointments or holiday schedules, always confirm through the Clerk’s official hours and locations page.

Marriage license offices and contact information

Downtown Chicago – Vital Records
118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-7790

North Suburbs – Skokie
5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 470-7233

South Suburbs – Markham
16501 S. Kedzie Avenue, Room 238, Markham, IL 60428
(708) 232-4150

West Suburbs – Maywood
1311 Maybrook Drive, Room 104, Maywood, IL 60153
(708) 865-6010

Cook County Marriage License FAQs

What eligibility rules should we know before applying?

To qualify in Cook County, each partner must be at least 18, not already married, and not closely related by blood. State law allows narrow exceptions: 16- and 17-year-olds may apply only with in-person consent from all listed parents or a court-appointed guardian, and first cousins may marry if both are over 50. Full eligibility details are outlined in the Clerk’s official marriage license information.

What identification do we need to bring for the license?

The Clerk has special ID rules just for marriage and civil union licenses. One strong photo ID (such as a U.S. state driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, or foreign passport) is usually enough. If you don’t have one of those, you can instead bring two approved documents, such as a certified birth certificate plus another qualifying ID. Younger applicants (16–17) must also show a certified birth certificate and a second ID with date of birth. See the Clerk’s detailed ID requirements for marriage licenses.

Where do we go to apply and what actually happens at the counter?

Both partners have to show up together at a Vital Records office listed on the Clerk’s hours and locations page. You can either complete the application once you arrive or start it online in advance and finish it in person. At the visit, you’ll present your IDs, provide any required prior-marriage information, sign the application in front of staff, and pay the $60 marriage license fee.

How long is the license good for, and when must it be returned?

The license is issued the day you apply but doesn’t become usable until the next calendar day. It can only be used for a ceremony held within Chicago or suburban Cook County and stays valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. After the ceremony, your officiant must complete the license and see that it is mailed or delivered back to the Clerk’s office within 10 days so it can be recorded.

Can we get the license virtually and later verify our electronic certificate?

Couples who meet the prerequisites can complete the process by appointment through video conferencing instead of appearing in person. You’ll need valid ID, a completed online application, and access to email, a printer/scanner, and Zoom or similar software. Step-by-step criteria are listed under Virtual Marriage License Issuance via Online Video Call. After your license is returned and recorded, electronic certified copies ordered through the Clerk’s e-certify service can be confirmed using the online verification for certified marriage and civil union certificates.