Statutes

• Illinois Families Section 5/203, 5/205, 5/207, 5/208 (marriage license)
• Illinois Families Section 5/202, 5/210 (marriage certificate)
• Illinois 5/212 (prohibited marriages)

Requirements: Age, Residency, and Health

To get a marriage license in Illinois without consent, you must be at least 18 years old.

Consent for Underage Marriage

To get a license when you're at least 16, you must show proof of the consent of both of your parents and proof that the marriage isn't prohibited.

Residency Requirements

• Illinois has no residency requirements.

Health Requirements

• Illinois doesn't require a blood test or a physical.
• The law requires that the county clerk must provide a free health information pamphlet to the applicants of the marriage license; the pamphlet contains information on sexually transmitted infections and inherited metabolic diseases.

Information Required for a Marriage License

The application for the marriage license must include the following:

• Demographic information including: name, address, sex, date of birth.
• Any previous marriage data including: information related to divorces, invalid marriages or death of a former spouse.
• Name and address of parents or guardians (if applicable) and
• Whether the applicants are related to each other. If they are related, the relationship must be disclosed.

Process for Obtaining a Marriage License

• Both parties must complete and sign the application.
• The parties then appear in person before the county clerk and pay the fees; the fees vary depending on the county.
• The clerk issues a license to marry and a marriage certificate form.

Waiting Period

• A license to marry becomes effective in the county where it was issued 1 day after the issuance, unless the court orders that the license is effective when issued.
• The only way to waive the 1 day waiting period is through a court order. By filing a petition showing sufficient cause.
• The license becomes effective after 1 day unless the marriage was inadvertently solemnized in a county in Illinois other than the county where the license was issued. The marriage license must be issued where you get married because a license isn't transferrable.

Expiration

The license expires after 60 days. If you don't get married within this time frame, then you must get a new license.