Bolingbrook Marriage Records
Bolingbrook marriage records are held by the Will County Clerk since the village sits mostly in Will County. With over 74,000 residents, Bolingbrook is one of the larger communities in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. If you want to search for a marriage license or get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Bolingbrook, you start at the county level. The county clerk is the office that handles all marriage license applications and keeps the official records on file. Some parts of Bolingbrook fall in DuPage County, so where you apply may depend on which side of the village you live on.
Bolingbrook Quick Facts
Where Bolingbrook Residents Get Marriage Licenses
Bolingbrook is a split village. Most of it sits in Will County, but a portion extends into DuPage County. This split matters when you apply for a marriage license because Illinois law puts the county clerk in charge of issuing licenses under 750 ILCS 5, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. You can apply at any county clerk office in the state, but most Bolingbrook couples go to the Will County Clerk in Joliet since it is the closest office for the majority of the village. If you live on the DuPage side, the DuPage County Clerk in Wheaton is another option.
The Will County Clerk office handles marriage licenses for most Bolingbrook residents. You and your partner must both appear in person to apply. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. If you were married before, you need proof of how the prior marriage ended. A divorce decree or death certificate will work. The license fee at the Will County Clerk is $30, which is lower than many counties in the state. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old, or 16 with a court order under Illinois law.
| Office | Will County Clerk - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 302 N. Chicago Street Joliet, IL 60432 |
| Phone | (815) 740-4615 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | willcountyclerk.gov |
There is no waiting period in Illinois for a marriage license. Once the clerk issues it, you can use it right away. The license stays valid for 60 days. If you don't get married within that window, the license expires and you need to apply again. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the county clerk who then files the marriage certificate. That filed certificate becomes the official marriage record for Bolingbrook couples.
How to Search Bolingbrook Marriage Records
To find a marriage record for someone in Bolingbrook, you need to know which county holds the file. The Will County Clerk keeps marriage records for ceremonies where the license was issued through their office. You can visit the Will County Clerk website for details on how to request copies. DuPage County keeps its own marriage records separately if the license came from that office.
Certified copies of marriage certificates serve as legal proof of marriage. You might need one for a name change at the Social Security office, to add a spouse to insurance, or for immigration paperwork. In Bolingbrook, certified copies come from the county clerk that issued the original license. The fee for a certified copy at the Will County Clerk is typically $18. You can request copies in person at the Joliet office or by mail. Include the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of the marriage, and a check or money order for the fee.
The Village of Bolingbrook does not issue marriage licenses or keep marriage records. The village clerk at 375 W. Briarcliff Rd. handles village business like vehicle stickers and local permits. If you call the Bolingbrook Village Clerk at (630) 226-8411 asking about marriage records, they will direct you to the Will County Clerk in Joliet. This is a common point of confusion for Bolingbrook residents who assume the village handles these records.
The village website at bolingbrook.com lists local services but does not have a marriage records section.
You can also check the village site for links to county offices and other government services that help Bolingbrook residents track down vital records like marriage certificates.
Bolingbrook Marriage License Requirements
Illinois sets the rules for marriage licenses at the state level, and Bolingbrook follows these rules through the Will County Clerk. Under 750 ILCS 5, both people must appear in person at the clerk office. You cannot send someone else to apply on your behalf. Each applicant needs a government-issued photo ID. Social Security numbers are required on the application but are kept confidential and do not appear on the public marriage record.
No blood test is needed in Illinois. That requirement was dropped years ago. There is also no residency requirement. You do not have to live in Bolingbrook, Will County, or even Illinois to get a marriage license here. Out-of-state couples who want to marry in Bolingbrook can apply at the Will County Clerk in Joliet and have the ceremony anywhere in Illinois. The license is valid statewide for 60 days from the date of issue.
If either person was married before, you must bring documentation showing how the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree or an annulment order is what the clerk needs. In the case of a deceased former spouse, a death certificate works. The clerk will not issue a new marriage license in Bolingbrook without this proof. These rules protect both parties and keep the marriage records accurate for Will County.
Note: Bolingbrook couples who apply for a marriage license on the DuPage County side should contact the DuPage County Clerk in Wheaton for their specific fee schedule and hours.
Marriage Record Fees in Bolingbrook
The cost of a marriage license through the Will County Clerk is $30. This is one of the lower fees in the Chicago metro area. You pay the fee when you apply in person at the Joliet office. Cash, checks, and money orders are typically accepted. Some county clerk offices in Illinois also take credit cards, so call (815) 740-4615 to ask about payment options before you go.
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost extra. The Will County Clerk charges around $18 per certified copy. You can order copies at any time after the marriage is recorded. Additional copies ordered at the same time usually cost less per copy. These certified copies of Bolingbrook marriage records carry the county seal and are accepted by courts, government agencies, and other institutions that need proof of marriage.
The Illinois Vital Records Act under 410 ILCS 535 governs how marriage records are maintained and who can get copies. The county clerk must keep a permanent record of every marriage license issued. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, certified copies are available to the people named in the record, their legal representatives, or anyone with a proper written request. Bolingbrook residents who need a copy of their own marriage certificate can get one quickly in person at the Will County Clerk office.
After the Wedding in Bolingbrook
Once you get married in Bolingbrook, the officiant has 10 days to return the signed marriage license to the county clerk. This is a state requirement. When the clerk receives the signed license, they record it and create the official marriage certificate. This certificate is the permanent marriage record. Bolingbrook couples should follow up with the Will County Clerk if more than two weeks pass without any confirmation that the certificate was filed.
Many Bolingbrook residents need their marriage certificate soon after the wedding for practical reasons. Changing your name on a driver's license at the Illinois Secretary of State office requires a certified copy of your marriage certificate. The Social Security Administration needs one too before they update your card. Banks, employers, and insurance companies may also ask for a certified copy. Plan to order at least two or three certified copies of your Bolingbrook marriage record so you have enough for all the agencies that ask.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also keeps a statewide index of marriages from 1962 forward. However, the IDPH does not issue certified copies for marriages that took place at the county level. They can verify that a marriage occurred, which helps when a Bolingbrook couple needs a simple confirmation rather than a full certified copy. For the actual certified document, you still go back to the Will County Clerk.
Legal Help for Bolingbrook Marriage Records
If you need legal help with a marriage-related matter in Bolingbrook, there are a few places to start. The Will County Legal Aid office helps low-income residents with family law issues. Prairie State Legal Services covers the Bolingbrook area and offers free consultations for people who qualify based on income. They handle issues like name changes after marriage, prenuptial agreements, and other matters tied to marriage records.
The Will County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral program that can connect Bolingbrook residents with a family law attorney. A first consultation is usually offered at a reduced rate. You can also contact the Illinois State Bar Association's lawyer finder tool online to search for attorneys in the Bolingbrook area who specialize in family law or vital records issues. For questions about marriage record corrections or amendments, the Will County Clerk at (815) 740-4615 can explain what forms you need and whether a court order is required to make changes to your Bolingbrook marriage record.
Will County Marriage Records
Bolingbrook sits primarily in Will County, and most marriage licenses for Bolingbrook residents are issued through the Will County Clerk in Joliet. The county handles records for dozens of cities and villages. For full details on the Will County marriage license process, fees, and how to get certified copies, visit the Will County marriage records page. Bolingbrook residents on the DuPage County side can also check the DuPage County marriage records page for that office's procedures.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Bolingbrook where you can find marriage records and related services: