Getting your marriage license may not be the most fun or memorable part of your wedding day, but it is inarguably one of THE most important. Without your marriage license your wedding or elopement literally wouldn’t be possible. So while couples may not look forward to handling this part of the wedding planning process, it’s something that is a must. Thankfully, the Windy City keeps things pretty simple when it comes to the legalities of your wedding day. Here’s everything you need to know about getting your marriage license in Chicago.
What You Need to Apply for Your Marriage License in Chicago
In order to apply for a marriage license in Chicago, there are a few pieces of information you’ll need to present, as well as some requirements that must be met. Both you and your partner must:
- Be Over the Age of 18
- Not be Blood Relatives
- Not be in a Current Legal Marriage
- Provide Valid Forms of ID (Driver’s License, Passport, etc. See the Full List of Accepted ID Forms here)
- Proof of Prior Divorce if Applicable
- Pay the $60 Application Fee
Once you both meet the above criteria and have the necessary documentation gathered, you can take the next steps in your marriage application process.
Where to Get Your Marriage License From
Next on your list is to obtain the marriage license itself, which you need to appear for together in-person. When applying for a marriage license in Chicago you’re more than likely going to apply at the downtown Chicago location, though there are 4 total locations in Cook County to choose from. They are:
- Downtown Chicago: 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602
- North Suburbs: 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
- West Suburbs: 1311 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, IL 60153
- South Suburbs: 16501 S. Kedzie Avenue, Markham, IL 60428
Where Your Marriage License Valid
If you plan on having your wedding or elopement in Chicago, or the surrounding areas of Cook County, it is crucial that you get your marriage license from one of the above locations. That’s because marriage licenses issued in Cook County are only valid in Cook County, and marriage licenses issued outside of Cook County are not valid within. If you’re here reading this article though you’re probably planning to have your wedding or elopement here in Chicago, which is a great choice as there are SO many fantastic places to celebrate your wedding here in the city!
When is Your Marriage License Valid
The only other limiting factor to be aware of when it comes to getting your marriage license in Chicago is the timeline of its validity. After you apply for and receive your marriage license it will:
- Be Valid the Following Day
- Remain Valid for the Following 60 Days
During this 60 day timeframe you must have your wedding/elopement ceremony at which point your marriage license will be signed. After signing, the license must be returned to the Cook County Clerk’s Office either in person or via mail within 10 Days.
Other Details Worth Noting
Online Application
Though you still do need to appear in-person together in order to receive your marriage license, you can start the application process online ahead of time. This will save you a little bit of time ahead of the in-person visit, though it isn’t required by any means. If you’d like to apply online early you can do so through this link.
Self-Solemnization in Illinois
You might have noticed that I haven’t talked about witnesses or officiants yet, and that’s because I first wanted to talk about self-solemnization. Self-solemnization is where a couple is able to sign their marriage license without the need for any witnesses or an officiant. There are a few states throughout the US that allow self-solemnization, and while Illinois doesn’t at the moment that may soon change! At the time of writing there is a bill (IL HB3049) in the works that would allow self-solemnization here in Illinois. If the bill passes this would make weddings, and elopements especially, that much more simple and less stressful to plan.
Officiant and Witnesses
If Illinois does not legalize self-solemnization, things are thankfully pretty simple here already. For starters there is no requirement for witnesses to be present for a wedding/elopement in Illinois. Currently an officiant is still a necessary piece of getting married in Chicago and Illinois, but you have a bit of freedom of choice here. Anyone can become ordained through amm, which will then allow them to officiate your marriage. This is a great option for anyone looking to have someone special officiate their wedding instead of a vendor that you haven’t met before.
That’s everything you need to know (and then some) about getting your marriage license in Chicago. If you’d like to see a closer look at what an elopement in downtown Chicago can look like check out Matt and Tory’s day as they had their ceremony in the Cook County Clerk’s Office! To see more of my work head here, and to book me as your photographer head here.
