State guide
Illinois
Illinois marriage licenses are issued by county clerks, but license fees and courthouse-ceremony logistics vary by county. Illinois also has a distinctive self-solemnization path in its marriage statute, alongside judge, mayor, county-clerk, and religious-officiant ceremonies.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who issues licenses
- county clerk
- Waiting period
- 1 day
- License valid for
- 60 days after effective date
- Witnesses
- not required
- License fee
- varies by county; official pages found $35-$75
Official resources in Illinois
Illinois Department of Public Health - Marriage Records
State page directing residents to the county clerk for certified marriage records and to the county-clerk list.
Cook County Clerk - Marriage Licenses
Official county clerk page with Cook County application rules and fee.
DuPage Circuit Court Clerk - Wedding Ceremony Registration
Official court-clerk ceremony page for DuPage courthouse weddings, fees, and logistics.
Key facts for Illinois
- Illinois licenses become effective one day after issuance unless a court orders immediate effect.
- Illinois licenses expire 60 days after they become effective.
- County clerks issue marriage licenses in Illinois.
- Illinois law lets a county clerk solemnize marriages only in counties with 2,000,000 or more inhabitants.
- The official county fees found ranged from $35 to $75.
- Illinois statute allows both parties to complete the certificate if no individual acting alone solemnized the marriage.
Courthouse ceremonies in Illinois
| County | Details |
|---|---|
| Cook County | Circuit Court performs marriage and civil union ceremonies in Chicago and suburban municipal district courthouses. |
| DuPage County | Official wedding registration page for ceremonies at the DuPage County Judicial Center; published ceremony fee is $10.00 plus online convenience fee. |
| Will County | 12th Judicial Circuit publishes courthouse wedding protocol and civil-ceremony information. |
| Winnebago County | 17th Judicial Circuit schedules courthouse marriage and civil union ceremonies in Rockford. |
What to do next
- Apply at least one day before the ceremony unless you have a court order waiving the waiting period.
- Check your county’s fee before appearing; official county pages found different prices.
- If you want a courthouse ceremony, reserve with the court or judge after obtaining the license, because ceremony scheduling is separate from license issuance in many counties.
Helpful guides
- How to get married at the courthouse
- What to bring when you apply for a marriage license
- Marriage license waiting periods and expiration dates
- Do you need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?
Do you serve Illinois? Get a featured listing for $30/month, clearly labeled as a paid placement.