Marriage license · Illinois
How to Get a Marriage License in Illinois
Everything Illinois couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $15–$75 (varies by county) |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 1 day |
| License valid for | 60 days |
| Minimum age | 18 (16 with consent) |
| ID required | Photo ID |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 1 |
| Apply online | Yes (varies by county) |
| Where to apply | County Clerk in the county of marriage |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Illinois, you apply at county clerk in the county of marriage.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id for both partners.
- Apply online or in person. Most Illinois offices charge $15–$75 (varies by county) per license.
- Wait the required 1 day. You can't use the license until this period passes.
- Use the license within 60 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 1 witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Illinois?
The two dates that matter are the waiting period and the expiration. A Illinois license is good for 60 days and can't be used until 1 day after it's issued. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for county clerk in the county of marriage. Check whether your officiant must be registered in Illinois. |
| Earliest you can apply | 60 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — clears the 1 day wait with room for a reissue if something is wrong. |
| Wedding week | Risky — a 1 day wait plus office closures can leave you without a valid license. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Illinois
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Illinois couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $15–$75 (varies by county) |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Illinois
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Illinois driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Illinois couples make
- Applying too early. A Illinois license expires after 60 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Forgetting the 1 day wait. A license issued the day before the wedding may not be legally usable.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Illinois before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Illinois
Must marry in the same county where the license was issued.
Wedding costs in Illinois
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in Illinois metros:
- Average wedding cost in Chicago — $48,000 average, $195 per guest
Common questions specific to Illinois
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Illinois?
- In Illinois the marriage license fee is $15–$75 (varies by county). Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Illinois?
- Yes — Illinois requires a 1 day waiting period after the license is issued before it can be used.
- How long is a Illinois marriage license valid?
- A Illinois marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Illinois?
- Yes — many Illinois counties accept online applications, though final issuance typically requires an in-person visit.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Illinois?
- Yes — Illinois requires 1 witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Illinois?
- No — Illinois does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Illinois?
- Yes. Illinois issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at county clerk in the county of marriage and allow for the 1 day waiting period.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Illinois it costs $15–$75 (varies by county) and is valid for 60 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Illinois?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Illinois DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states