Illinois Marriage Records

Recent statistics indicate that the marriage rate in Illinois is lower than the national average. While the U.S. averages about 6.1 marriages per 1,000 people, Illinois's Marriage rate is lower at 5.1 per 1,000 residents. Illinois began maintaining state-wide marriage records in 1871.

Illinois marriage records are official documents that provide legal proof of a marriage. Illinois maintains different types of marriage records, each serving a distinct purpose:

• Marriage Licenses: Marriage licenses are legal documents issued before the wedding granting a couple permission to marry. Marriage licenses are usually issued by the county clerk's office to ensure that the couple meets all legal requirements to marry and is required to be presented at the time of the wedding. A marriage license contains the full legal names, birth dates, ages, date of issuance and expiry date, and license number.
• Marriage Certificates: Marriage certificates are the final, official document issued after the marriage ceremony. After the wedding, the marriage license duly signed by the officiant, witness, and the couple is returned to the clerk of courts who issues the marriage certificates. Marriage certificates serve as legal proof that the marriage took place. It contains the names of the spouses, the date and location of the ceremony, officiant and witness information, certificate number, marriage date, and the official seal and signature of the issuing authority.

Marriage records may also be certified copies or verification copies. A certified copy of a marriage record is an official legal document confirming a marriage. Certified copies of marriage records are useful when changing a last name or settling legal matters. A marriage verification letter is less detailed than a certified copy. It does not include signatures, witness names, or the county's seal. Marriage verification letters, only available for marriages that occurred after 1962, may only be used to confirm that a marriage was registered in the state; it cannot be used for legal purposes.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Illinois?

In Illinois, certified copies of marriage records from 1871 to date are maintained and issued at the county level. Therefore, to look up marriage records, you may contact the county clerk's office in the county where the marriage occurred. Most counties provide an online or downloadable application form for ordering certified copies of marriage records. You may check your county clerk's website for the forms and instructions on completing and submitting them.

Complete the application, include a photocopy of your ID, and pay the fees. You may submit the form in person or mail the application to the courthouse. Older marriage records, typically before 1871, are available at the county archives and the Illinois State Archives.

Are Marriage Records Public in Illinois?

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ensures that governmental records, including marriage records, are available to the public. Therefore, unlike states that keep marriage records confidential for a certain period, Illinois does not impose a waiting period for marriage records, making both recent and historical marriage records accessible to the general public.

How Much Do Illinois Marriage Records Cost?

In Illinois, the fees to obtain a certified copy of a marriage record vary by county. On average, the fee for the first certified copy ranges from about $20 to $30. Additional copies cost around $4 to $5 per copy. Many counties offer expedited services for an extra fee, which is typically between $10 and $15.

Generally, standard processing times also vary per county. However, expect the processing time to take about 7 to 10 business days, excluding mailing time. The records are typically processed on the same day for walk-in requesters. Check with the local county clerk's office for the most accurate fees and processing times.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Illinois?

Marriage records are considered public records in Illinois. To this end, the state does not provide an option to make them confidential or to seal them. Unlike states that allow confidential marriages, Illinois maintains open access to these records, and there is no provision under its FOIA laws allowing an individual to have their marriage record sealed or made confidential.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Illinois Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of Illinois marriage records is crucial for personal, legal, and administrative reasons. You may need to verify your marriage record when applying for visas or citizenships, establishing legal rights to inherit property or assets, claiming Social Security benefits based on a partner's earnings, or filing for divorce.

You can verify the authenticity of your marriage record at the county clerk's office where the marriage license was issued, which is the primary repository for marriage records in every county. Although the Illinois Department of Public Health does not issue certified copies of marriage records, it can verify the facts that a marriage took place. The verification includes information on the spouses, the date of marriage, and the county where the marriage occurred.

Authenticated marriage records, typically available to the persons named on the certificate and their immediate family members, contain security features to prevent fraud. These features include official signatures of the officiant and county clerk, certificate number, filing date, and a raised, embossed, or stamped seal of the issuing county.

Can I Find Illinois Marriage Records Online for Free?

Yes. Free, non-governmental sources can be a great resource when researching Illinois marriage records. While certified copies may be obtained through the county offices for a fee, many websites offer free access to indexes, digitized images, or information copies of historical marriage records. Some of these sources include:

• FamilySearch.org: FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy website that offers searchable indexes and digitized images of Illinois marriage records.
• Illinois State Archives: The Illinois State Archives preserves historical vital records, including marriage records across the state. Many of these records are digitized and available as searchable indexes.
• Third-Party Websites: Third-party websites like PublicRecords.us aggregate public record data from multiple sources. They often include marriage records from Illinois in a searchable format. The platform is a great resource for preliminary research. However, the accuracy of information on such platforms can vary.

What Is Required to Get an Illinois Marriage License?

Per state law, persons obtaining a marriage license in Illinois must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years of age. Applicants 16 or 17 years old may apply for a marriage license if their parents sign a consent form available at the clerk of court's office.
• Be at the courthouse together to apply for the license.
• Must not be blood relatives or legally married to another.
• Present valid identification.
• Provide a copy of the death certificate or divorce decree for previously married persons.
• Pay the marriage license fees. The fees vary per county depending on the county's administrative requirements. Typically, it ranges between $60 and $75.

Marriage licenses become effective 24 hours after they are issued. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If the wedding does not happen within the period, the license becomes invalid, and the couple may reapply for a new marriage license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Illinois?

Yes. You can amend marriage records in Illinois to correct certain types of errors. However, the process of correcting marriage records is limited to clerical or typographical mistakes rather than substantive changes. Generally, you may amend marriage licenses with the following errors:

• Misspellings on the names of either party
• Incorrect or transposed letters in addresses
• Corrections to the date or time when the license was issued if recorded incorrectly
• Mistakes in the recorded location
• Correcting omissions such as omitted middle name

Amending Illinois Marriage License

Errors on marriage licenses may be corrected, especially if the error is caught before the wedding ceremony. To correct the error, reach out to the appropriate county clerk's office since marriage licenses are issued at the county level. Fill out the form with the correct information and gather the required documents, including government-issued ID and documents supporting the need to correct the marriage license. Pay the required fees.

Amending Illinois Marriage Certificate

Amending a marriage certificate varies depending on the nature of the correction and the county where the marriage was recorded. To amend an Illinois marriage certificate, contact the county clerk's office where the marriage certificate was issued.

Most counties provide a downloadable form on their website to amend marriage records. Submit the required documentation, which includes the completed correction request form, valid government-issued photo ID, and proof supporting the correction, such as a birth certificate or a court order. The fees to amend marriage certificates vary by county. Generally, the correction fee is about $15. Similarly, the processing time varies by county. You can ask the county clerk's office for an estimated timeline to process the record.