Search Joliet Marriage Records

Joliet marriage records are held at the Will County Clerk office in downtown Joliet. The city sits as the county seat of Will County, with about 150,000 people calling it home. Marriage licenses in Illinois come from county clerks, not city offices. So if you want to get a marriage license or look up past marriage records in Joliet, you go through the Will County Clerk. The clerk office is right in Joliet, which makes it easy for local residents to handle marriage filings in person. You can also reach out by phone or fax to start the process.

Joliet Marriage License Office

The Will County Clerk handles all marriage licenses for Joliet residents. The office is at 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet, just a short walk from the Will County Courthouse. Both people who plan to marry must show up at the same time. You need a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Illinois law under 750 ILCS 5 sets a 24-hour waiting period once you get the license. You can't use it for a ceremony on the same day. After that wait, the marriage license stays good for 60 days. It can only be used in Will County.

If you had a past marriage, bring proof that it ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree works. The clerk may ask for dates and details of when and where the prior marriage was dissolved. Call the Will County Clerk at (815) 740-4615 to check what you need before you go. Getting your paperwork in order ahead of time saves a trip back to the Joliet office.

Note: Both parties must appear in person at the Joliet office to pick up the marriage license.

How to Search Marriage Records in Joliet

There are a few ways to search for Joliet marriage records. The most direct path is to contact the Will County Clerk, since all marriage licenses filed in Will County stay on record there. You can call or visit to ask for a copy. For older records, the Illinois State Archives has a statewide marriage index that covers records from 1763 through 1900. You can search that index free at ilsos.gov. This is a good tool for genealogy research on Joliet families who married long ago.

The Illinois Department of Public Health can verify that a marriage took place. This is not a certified copy. It just confirms names, dates, and the county where the marriage happened. IDPH holds verification data for marriages from 1962 to the present. The fee is $5 per search. You mail in a form along with a copy of your ID and a check made out to the Illinois Department of Public Health. It takes about 12 weeks to get the result back. For anyone who needs a quick answer about a Joliet marriage record, going to the Will County Clerk in person is faster.

The Will County Circuit Clerk keeps court records that may relate to marriage. If there was a legal name change tied to a marriage, or a civil union filing, those records sit with the circuit clerk. The circuit court also handles cases that can affect a marriage, such as annulments. For basic marriage license records in Joliet, though, the county clerk is the right place to start.

Joliet Marriage Records Resources

The Illinois Department of Public Health provides an overview of how marriage records work across the state. Their marriage records page explains the verification process and links to the application form.

This page applies to Joliet residents who need a state-level verification. For certified copies, you still go through the Will County Clerk office in Joliet. The IDPH site also lists the forms you need and the types of ID they accept.

Courthouse Weddings in Joliet

Will County offers courthouse wedding ceremonies in Joliet. A judge performs the ceremony at the Will County Courthouse. The schedule runs Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with Saturday ceremonies at 8:30 AM. The fee for a courthouse wedding in Joliet is $10, paid to the Circuit Clerk. You must already have your marriage license from the Will County Clerk before you show up for the ceremony.

Keep in mind the 24-hour wait. You can't get the license and marry on the same day. Many couples in Joliet pick up their license one day and come back the next for the ceremony. That said, you can get the license weeks before and still use it, as long as the ceremony falls within the 60-day window. Under 410 ILCS 535, the person who performs the ceremony must file a certificate of marriage with the county clerk within 10 days. The clerk then records it as part of the official marriage records for Will County.

Marriage Record Fees in Joliet

Fees for marriage-related services in Joliet go through the Will County Clerk. The cost of a marriage license varies, so call (815) 740-4615 to get the current amount. Some counties in Illinois charge as low as $30, while others charge $75 or more. Will County sets its own rates. Payment options may include cash, check, or card, but you should confirm with the office before your visit.

Certified copies of marriage certificates also have a fee. The first copy and each extra copy have set costs that the county clerk can quote you over the phone. If you order through VitalChek, a third-party service, expect to pay the county fee plus an added processing charge. For the most affordable route, go in person to the Joliet office. If cost is a concern, IDPH's $5 verification is the cheapest option, though it only confirms basic facts and does not give you a certified copy of your Joliet marriage record.

Note: Fees can change at any time, so always call the Will County Clerk to verify the current rates before you visit.

Marriage Records and Illinois Law

Illinois marriage records fall under the Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535. This law says that marriage records are not public records in the usual sense. Only certain people can get certified copies. That list includes the couple named in the record, their children, direct family, legal agents, or someone with notarized consent from the couple. If you don't fall into one of these groups, you can still get a non-certified verification from IDPH for $5.

For records that are more than 50 years old, the rules ease up. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, marriage records on file for 50 or more years may be released for genealogical purposes. These copies come with a label that says "For Genealogical Purposes Only." The Illinois State Archives is the best source for these older Joliet area records. Their free online index covers marriages from 1763 to 1900, and in-person requests can sometimes pull records beyond that range.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Records

Several cities near Joliet also handle marriage filings through their own county clerks. Aurora is about 25 miles northwest of Joliet and falls mainly in Kane County. Naperville sits north and straddles DuPage and Will counties. Bolingbrook, also in Will County, uses the same clerk office as Joliet. If you live in one of these areas, your marriage license comes from the county where you plan to hold the ceremony, not where you live.

• Aurora (Kane County)
• Naperville (DuPage/Will County)
• Bolingbrook (Will County)

Bolingbrook residents use the same Will County Clerk office in Joliet that local residents do. If you and your partner live in different counties, pick the county where the wedding will take place. The license must be used in the county that issued it.

Will County Marriage Records

Joliet is the county seat of Will County, and all marriage records for the area are managed by the Will County Clerk. The county serves more than 700,000 residents across dozens of cities and towns. For a full look at Will County marriage license requirements, fees, and filing details, check the county page.

View Will County Marriage Records →