Search Chicago Marriage Records
Chicago marriage records are managed by the Cook County Clerk, not the Chicago City Clerk. This is a common point of confusion for residents looking to get a marriage license or request a certified copy of a marriage certificate. The Cook County Clerk office sits just blocks from City Hall in downtown Chicago and serves over 2.7 million residents across the city. Whether you plan to apply for a new license or need a copy of an old one, the county clerk is where you start your search for Chicago marriage records.
Chicago Quick Facts
Cook County Handles Chicago Marriage Filings
Illinois issues marriage licenses at the county level. Chicago is in Cook County, so the Cook County Clerk handles all marriage license applications and keeps marriage records for the city. The Chicago City Clerk at 121 N. LaSalle St. does not issue marriage licenses or store marriage certificate records. Many people walk into the City Clerk office by mistake. If you need a license or a copy of a marriage record in Chicago, head to the Cook County Clerk instead.
The Cook County Clerk main office is at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, in downtown Chicago. This is less than a five-minute walk from City Hall. The office also runs five suburban locations if you live outside the city center. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, the county clerk must register all marriages that take place in the county. That means every Chicago marriage on file goes through this office. You can reach them by phone at (312) 603-7790 or toll-free at (866) 252-8974.
| Office | Cook County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120 Chicago, IL 60602 |
| Phone | (312) 603-7790 |
| Website | cookcountyil.gov - Marriage Licenses |
| Suburban Offices | Skokie, Maywood, Markham, Rolling Meadows, Bridgeview |
Note: The Chicago City Clerk office at (312) 744-6860 can direct you to the Cook County Clerk but does not handle marriage records.
How to Get a Marriage License in Chicago
Both people must go to the Cook County Clerk office in person to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send someone on your behalf, and you cannot do it by mail. The fee is $60, and the office takes cash, check, or credit and debit cards. An online application is available through the Cook County website to start the process before your visit, but you still must show up in person to finish it.
Each person needs a valid photo ID that proves their age. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. If either person was married before, you need to bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, both parties must be at least 18 years old. People aged 16 or 17 may apply with parental consent and a court order. No blood test is needed in Illinois, and there is no residency rule for getting a Chicago marriage license. Out-of-state couples can apply here too.
After the clerk issues your license, a 24-hour wait period kicks in. The license stays valid for 60 days from the day after it was issued. You can only use a Cook County license for a ceremony in Cook County. If you plan to marry outside the county, you need a license from that county instead. This rule comes from state law under 750 ILCS 5, and it applies to all marriages in Chicago and the rest of Cook County.
The Cook County Clerk website at chicityclerk.com can help point you in the right direction. The screenshot below shows the Chicago City Clerk site, which many people visit first when looking for marriage records in Chicago.
While the City Clerk site is helpful for many city services, it does not process marriage licenses. The Cook County Clerk is the only office in Chicago where you can apply for one.
Chicago Marriage Certificate Copies
You can get certified copies of Chicago marriage records from the Cook County Clerk. The first copy costs $15. Each extra copy ordered at the same time is $4. These are official copies with a raised seal, and most agencies accept them for legal use. You can request them in person at the Clark Street office or at any of the five suburban locations across Cook County.
To request a copy, you need to give the full names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, marriage records on file for 50 or more years may be available for genealogy purposes. The Cook County Genealogy Online portal lets you search older records for free. Uncertified copies for family history research are labeled "For Genealogical Purposes Only" and cannot be used for legal matters. If you need records from before 1962, the county clerk is your only option since the state does not have those files. For marriages from 1962 to the present, the Illinois Department of Public Health can provide a verification of the marriage for $5, but this is not a certified copy.
Marriage Equality took effect in Cook County on February 21, 2014. Same-sex couples married in Chicago since that date can get certified copies of their marriage certificates the same way as any other couple. The Cook County Clerk was one of the first offices in Illinois to issue licenses under the new law.
Marriage Record Fees in Chicago
The fees for Chicago marriage records are set by Cook County. Here is what you can expect to pay:
- Marriage license application: $60
- First certified copy of certificate: $15
- Each additional copy (same order): $4
- Genealogy copies (50+ years): $16.75 for full record
- State marriage verification (IDPH): $5
The Cook County Clerk takes cash, checks, and credit or debit cards at the main office. Suburban offices may have different payment rules, so call first. If you order by mail, send a check or money order made out to the Cook County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. Processing times for mail requests can take a few weeks, so plan ahead if you need your Chicago marriage records by a set date.
Legal Help and Marriage Resources in Chicago
Several groups in Chicago offer help with marriage-related legal matters. These range from free clinics to low-cost attorney referrals. If you have questions about a prenuptial agreement, name change after marriage, or how to get a copy of your marriage certificate, these resources can help.
The Illinois Vital Records Act under 410 ILCS 535 controls who can access marriage records. Only the people named on the record, their children, direct family, legal representatives, or someone with notarized consent can get a certified copy. If you run into trouble getting a record you believe you are entitled to, a legal aid group in Chicago may be able to help. The Chicago Bar Association runs a referral service where the first meeting is low cost, and Legal Aid Chicago can assist people who qualify based on income. You can also search for a family law attorney through the Illinois State Bar referral line.
For genealogy work, the Illinois State Archives keeps a statewide marriage index that goes back to 1763. You can search it for free at the Secretary of State website. The index covers marriages through 1900 and has over one million records. If you find a match, the page tells you which county holds the full record so you can request a copy from the right clerk. This is a good starting point for anyone tracing family roots through Chicago marriage records.
The screenshot below shows the Chicago City Clerk website, which provides general city services and can direct you to the right county office for marriage needs.
The site lists other services like city stickers and business licenses, but for marriage records in Chicago, the Cook County Clerk remains the correct office.
Cook County Marriage Records
Chicago is in Cook County, and every marriage filing in the city goes through the Cook County Clerk. The county handles license applications, maintains official records, and issues certified copies for all of Cook County's 5.1 million residents. For more details on the county clerk offices, fee schedules, and all available services, visit the full Cook County page.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Records
Several cities near Chicago also fall under Cook County for marriage records. Others sit in neighboring counties with their own clerk offices. If you live on the edge of Chicago or in a nearby suburb, one of these locations might be more convenient for you.
Nearby cities with marriage record information:
- Cicero (Cook County)
- Evanston (Cook County)
- Oak Park (Cook County)
- Berwyn (Cook County)
- Skokie (Cook County)
- Des Plaines (Cook County)
All Cook County suburbs use the same clerk office for marriage licenses. The suburban branches in Skokie, Maywood, Markham, Rolling Meadows, and Bridgeview offer the same services as the main downtown Chicago location.