Getting a Marriage License in Illinois
Where to apply for a marriage license in Illinois, what to bring, the waiting period, how long it's valid, and the minimum marriage age.
Short answer: Both parties complete and sign the application on the state Department of Public Health form (name, address, Social Security number, birth date and place, prior marriages and how they ended, parents' names, and any relationship between them), both appear before the county clerk, and the… 750 ILCS 5/202, 5/203, 5/207
| Getting a marriage license | Both parties complete and sign the application on the state Department of Public Health form (name, address, Social Security number, birth date and place, prior marriages and how they ended, parents' names, and any relationship between them), both appear before the county clerk, and the license fee is paid. The clerk issues the license on satisfactory proof of age and that the marriage is not prohibited. The license takes effect one day after it is issued (unless a court orders it effective immediately), is effective in the county where issued, and expires 60 days after it becomes effective. The Act does not state the license fee amount. Fees are not set statewide in the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Source: 750 ILCS 5/202, 5/203, 5/207 |
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| Minimum marriage age | Each party must be 18 when the license takes effect, or 16 or 17 with the consent of both parents or a guardian, or with judicial approval. If one parent cannot be located after diligent efforts, the other parent's consent plus an affidavit describing the search counts as both. A court may order a license for a 16- or 17-year-old who has no parent able to consent or whose parent will not consent, but only if it finds the minor can assume the responsibilities of marriage and the marriage is in the minor's best interest; pregnancy alone does not establish best interest. Source: 750 ILCS 5/203(1), 5/208 |
Where to get help in Illinois
More Illinois divorce & family law
- Adopting a Child in Illinois
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Illinois
- Establishing Paternity in Illinois
- Changing Your Name in Illinois
- Child Custody Laws in Illinois
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Illinois
- Divorce Records in Illinois
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Illinois
- How to File for Divorce in Illinois
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Illinois
- All Illinois divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you get a marriage license in Illinois?
Both parties complete and sign the application on the state Department of Public Health form (name, address, Social Security number, birth date and place, prior marriages and how they ended, parents' names, and any relationship between them), both appear before the county clerk, and the license fee is paid. The clerk issues the license on satisfactory proof of age and that the marriage is not prohibited. The license takes effect one day after it is issued (unless a court orders it effective immediately), is effective in the county where issued, and expires 60 days after it becomes effective. The Act does not state the license fee amount.
What is the legal age to get married in Illinois?
Each party must be 18 when the license takes effect, or 16 or 17 with the consent of both parents or a guardian, or with judicial approval. If one parent cannot be located after diligent efforts, the other parent's consent plus an affidavit describing the search counts as both. A court may order a license for a 16- or 17-year-old who has no parent able to consent or whose parent will not consent, but only if it finds the minor can assume the responsibilities of marriage and the marriage is in the minor's best interest; pregnancy alone does not establish best interest.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.