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| Marriage license info(what you need to get married) |
The key: you must get your marriage license from the county you will be married in, regardless of where you live. So, click below on the county in which the marriage will take place (not the one you live in.)
By state law, you can not get your marriage license
- until 60 days before your wedding
- but must have it at least 24 hours in advance.
You need to apply together, in person, and bring the proper identification and money (sometimes cash) with you. If you are divorced, you need to know the date or bring a copy of the divorce decree. Click on the county’s web site, below, that you are getting married in for details.
Bring the marriage license to the rehearsal (if you have one) or the wedding and give to me right away. Make it the best man’s job.
It is a crime — a misdemeanor — if I do not mail it in. It is important to you so I will mail it in.
BTW, the marriage license is not what makes you legally married. It is not valid until signed by a proper official — like me — and returned to the county clerk.
The marriage license is a legal document so be careful with it.
Note that the information below is subject to change. Look over the web site provided for each county carefully for current information. Please let me know if something is out of date on this page.
Cook County (Chicago & many suburbs)
6 locations: |
Downtown Chicago |
Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60664 |
(312) 603-7790 |
N. suburbs — Skokie |
5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie, IL 60077 |
(847) 470-7233 |
NW suburbs — Rolling Meadows |
2121 Euclid Ave., Room 238, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 |
(847) 818-2850 |
W. suburbs — Maywood |
1311 Maybrook Square, Room 109, Maywood, IL 60153 |
(708) 865-6010 |
S. suburbs — Markham |
16501 S. Kedzie, Room 238, Markham, IL 60426 |
(708) 210-4150 |
SW suburbs — Bridgeview |
10220 S. 76th Ave., Room 238, Bridgeview, IL 60455 |
(708) 974-6150 |
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The hours are mostly weekday days (it’s government) |
However, downtown is open on Saturdays from 9:00am to noon. |
The suburbs are open on Wednesdays until 7:00pm. |
DuPage County
One location — DuPage County Clerk’s Office, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 |
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Lake County (IL)
One location — County Clerk’s Office of Lake County, 18 N. County St., Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085 |
Monday - Thursday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Friday, 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM |
Will County
3 locations: |
Joliet |
302 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 (includes Saturdays from 9:00am to noon) |
Bolingbrook |
241 Canterbury Lane, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 |
Crete |
1367 Wood St., Crete, IL 60417 |
Kane County
One location —Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Avenue (Rt. 31), Geneva, 60134. |
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
McHenry County
One location — McHenry County Administration Bldg, 667 Ware Rd., Room 107, Woodstock, IL 60098 |
Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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Marriage certificate/record info
(what you need to prove that you are married for insurance or drivers license)
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How to prove that you are married — so you can add a spouse on to your insurance, for a name change, for voter registration? Get a marriage certificate, sometimes called a marriage record. You get it from the county in which you got married.
It will not automatically come to you — you must fill out another form and make another payment (it’s government). I do not get a copy so I can not send you one either.
Hint: order copies of your marriage certificate/record at the same time as you apply for your marriage license. Only Cook County makes you wait until after you are married.
It’s typically about $10 for first one and $3 for every one ordered at the same time. Order several copies.
You can order it later (i.e. if you did not order at the time you applied for your marriage license). You can apply for it by mail. Unlike your marriage license, you do not need to appear in person.
You will receive a certified copy — with the county’s seal embossed/imprinted in the paper. That proves it is legitimate. (Copying this document on a copier will not be recognized for the seal will be missing.)
It typically takes 4-6 weeks after your wedding to receive.
When you go to the drivers license facility to get an updated drivers license, remember to update your voter registration (or register to vote if you have not done so.) Failure to do so will mean you can not vote in the next election.
Click on the county you got married in for marriage certificate/record info:
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or call me at 630-628-3500 |
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“Bruce and I want to thank-you for being instrumental in our wedding day preparations and execution of such a personalized service.
“Several of our wedding party asked Bruce and I how long we had known you! We had to remind them that considering Bruce lived in Ohio, and I lived in London for our entire courtship and engagement, that it wasn't possible that we could have both 'known' you. This is testament to the energy you put forth to try and 'capture' the true essence of how Bruce and I came to be together and how we intend to live out our relationship in our married life.
“You really did our service justice, and Bruce and I were fortunate to have someone like yourself involved in our wedding, as you demonstrated sincerity, professionalism, guidance in our desire to have our faith represented, and a willingness to go the extra mile for two people who do not know Chicago like you do.
“And all of this was achieved with several e-mail exchanges (I lost count in the end!), and a few phone calls. We appreciated the great tips on such things as rain contingencies, links to restaurants, marriage licenses, and gospel singers too! Thank you so much for your contribution in making our small wedding such a memorable and special occasion.”
— Bruce & Catherine, Rose Garden, Grant
Park, Chicago |
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| more thank you's |
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or call me at
630-628-3500 |
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Thank you’s 
