Free Guide
How to Get an Illinois Marriage License
To get an Illinois marriage license, both partners apply together at the county clerk in the county where you will marry. The license takes effect the next day and lasts 60 days. In northern Illinois, fees run from $30 to $60.
Last updated: October 2026
Lock In Your Venue and Officiant First
An Illinois license is meant for the county that issues it. Confirm where your ceremony will happen, book your officiant, and then apply in that county.
Check your date with SchwaWhat Are the Basics of an Illinois Marriage License?
- 1 Both partners apply together, in person, at the county clerk's office.
- 2 Apply in the county where your ceremony will happen. An Illinois license is meant to be used in the county that issued it.
- 3 The license takes effect the day after it is issued. You cannot marry on the day you apply.
- 4 It expires 60 days after it takes effect. Some counties count from the issue date, so plan your wedding well inside that window.
- 5 Illinois law requires you to be 18, or 16 or 17 with parental consent.
- 6 No witnesses are required. Illinois law does not ask for any.
How Is Illinois Different From Wisconsin?
Your license is tied to one county
In Wisconsin, you can apply in any county and marry in any county (see the Wisconsin marriage guide). Illinois works the other way. Apply in the county where your venue sits. A Rockton wedding needs a Winnebago County license. A Freeport wedding needs a Stephenson County license.
The wait is one day
A Wisconsin license is issued at least three days after you apply. An Illinois license takes effect the day after it is issued.
No witnesses needed
Wisconsin requires two adult witnesses. Illinois requires none, which makes a small elopement even simpler.
Wisconsin couples need an Illinois license
Getting married at an Illinois venue? Your Wisconsin county cannot issue the license. Apply at the county clerk in the Illinois county where your ceremony will happen. You do not need to live in Illinois.
What Do You Need to Apply for an Illinois Marriage License?
- A current photo ID for each partner. Each county sets its own ID rules, so check your county's page.
- Each partner's Social Security number, date and place of birth, address, and parents' names.
- Details of how any prior marriage ended, if either of you was married before.
- Divorced in the last 6 months? Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties ask for a certified copy of the divorce decree.
- Applying in Boone County? Bring a divorce decree with the judge's signature for any past divorce, and a birth certificate for anyone 21 or younger.
- Need an interpreter? Boone and Lake counties require a third-party interpreter if either partner does not speak English.
- The fee, in a form your county accepts. Boone County takes cash only.
How Much Is a Marriage License in Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, and Stephenson Counties?
Find your venue's town below. That tells you which county clerk to visit. Schwa officiates in all five counties linked here, from Waukegan to Freeport.
| County | Fee | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago Rockford, Rockton |
$40 | 404 Elm St., Room 104, Rockford | Apply online first, then book through the emailed link. Cash, credit, or debit. |
| Stephenson Freeport |
$55 | 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport | Applications 8:30am to 4pm. Card fee applies. You must marry in Stephenson County. |
| Boone Belvidere |
$30 | 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 103, Belvidere | Cash only. Apply online, then call (815) 544-3103 for an appointment. |
| McHenry Woodstock, Crystal Lake |
$30 | 667 Ware Rd., Suite 107, Woodstock | Weekdays 8am to 4pm. Reservations strongly encouraged: (815) 334-4242. Valid 60 days from the issue date. |
| Lake Waukegan, Gurnee, Lake Forest |
$35 | 18 N. County St., Room 101, Waukegan | Weekdays 8:30am to 4pm. Print the completed application before you go. Card fee applies. |
| Cook Chicago |
$60 | Several offices. Check the Cook County Clerk's site. | Start online, finish in person. Valid only in Chicago and suburban Cook County. |
Fees and hours checked against each county clerk's website in October 2026. Counties change their fees, so confirm with the clerk before you go.
What Happens After the Wedding Ceremony?
Your Officiant Returns the Certificate
Illinois law gives your officiant 10 days to complete the marriage certificate and return it to the county clerk. Schwa Potter handles this for every couple he marries.
Order Certified Copies From the County
Certified copies come only from the county clerk in the county where you married. The Illinois Department of Public Health can verify a marriage, but it does not issue certified copies.
Copy fees in October 2026
- McHenry: $12 for the first copy, $4 for each additional
- Lake: $10 for the first copy, $4 for each additional
- Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, and Cook: check the county clerk's site for current copy fees
"We hired Schwa to officiate our micro civil ceremony, and it was a wonderful experience! Schwa is professional, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable on the process, getting our signed license back to the courthouse the next day. We would 100% recommend him!"
- Rachel Longo, Google ReviewWho Can Officiate a Wedding in Illinois?
Illinois law allows judges, certain public officials, and clergy in good standing with their religious denomination to perform marriages (750 ILCS 5/209). Officiants do not register with any government office in Illinois. The law does not mention online ordination directly, and many county clerks accept it under the religious denomination category. Schwa Potter has been ordained through the Universal Life Church since 2012.
Illinois Marriage License FAQ
Where do you get a marriage license in Illinois?
Both partners apply together, in person, at the county clerk in the county where the ceremony will happen. An Illinois license is meant to be used in the county that issued it.
Is there a waiting period for an Illinois marriage license?
Yes, one day. An Illinois marriage license takes effect the day after it is issued and expires 60 days after it takes effect (750 ILCS 5/207). Some counties, such as McHenry, count the 60 days from the issue date.
Do you need witnesses to get married in Illinois?
No. Illinois law does not require any witnesses.
How much does a marriage license cost in northern Illinois?
As of October 2026: Boone $30, McHenry $30, Lake $35, Winnebago $40, Stephenson $55, and Cook $60.
Do you have to live in Illinois to get an Illinois marriage license?
No. Winnebago County says your residence is not a consideration. Boone County will not issue a license to non-residents if the marriage would be void in their home state.
Can a Wisconsin couple use a Wisconsin license for an Illinois wedding?
No. A Wisconsin license covers ceremonies in Wisconsin only. Apply at the county clerk in the Illinois county where the ceremony will happen.
Does Illinois recognize common-law marriage?
No. Illinois law treats common-law marriages formed in the state after June 30, 1905 as invalid (750 ILCS 5/214). You need a license and a ceremony.
Who returns the marriage certificate in Illinois?
The officiant completes the marriage certificate and returns it to the county clerk within 10 days (750 ILCS 5/209). Schwa Potter handles this for every couple he marries.
Does Schwa Potter officiate weddings in northern Illinois?
Yes. Schwa offers both the Quickie Ceremony ($300) and the Signature Ceremony ($950) in Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, and Stephenson counties. Travel is free within 30 miles of Milwaukee. Small travel fee beyond that.
Getting Married in Northern Illinois?
Schwa Potter has performed over 500 ceremonies and has 2026 weddings booked in Rockton and Freeport. He offers both ceremonies in Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, and Stephenson counties. Every couple gets a phone or Zoom call before booking. Travel is free within 30 miles of Milwaukee. Small travel fee beyond that.
Quickie Ceremony
$300
5-7 minutes. A short, pre-written nonreligious ceremony. Add your own vows if you like. Tuesday at noon. Sunday afternoon. 9am before work.
Quickie Ceremony DetailsSignature Ceremony
$950
15-25 minutes. Written from scratch for the two of you: religious, spiritual, or nonreligious. Your history, your inside jokes, your people. All of it goes in. Unlimited edits.
Signature Ceremony Details