Search Adams County Marriage Records

Adams County marriage records are kept at the County Clerk office in Quincy, which sits along the Mississippi River in western Illinois. The clerk handles marriage license applications, stores certificates after ceremonies take place, and issues certified copies to those who qualify. With about 64,754 residents, Adams County is the largest county in this part of the state. Quincy serves as the county seat and is where all marriage record requests are processed. Whether you need a fresh license or a copy of a record that is decades old, the Adams County Clerk office on Vermont Street is the place to go.

Adams County Clerk Marriage Office

The Adams County Clerk is the one office in the county that issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. The vital records division at 507 Vermont Street in Quincy handles all requests. Staff can help you apply for a new license, search for old marriage records, and get certified copies of certificates. The office has served Adams County residents for well over a century, and records dating back to the 1800s are still accessible.

Both parties must come to the Adams County Clerk office in person to apply for a marriage license. You each need a valid photo ID showing your date of birth. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. If you were married before, bring proof that the marriage ended. Under 750 ILCS 5, both people must be at least 18 years old. Applicants aged 16 or 17 can apply if a parent comes along and signs the consent form in front of the clerk. There is no residency requirement for Adams County or for the state of Illinois, so couples from out of state can apply here if they plan to hold the ceremony within Adams County.

The Adams County marriage license page has details on what to bring and how to apply.

The IDPH page above shows how the state handles marriage record verifications that can supplement local Adams County records.

Adams County Marriage License Steps

Applying for a marriage license in Adams County takes about 20 to 30 minutes at the clerk's office. Both people come in together. You fill out the application, show your IDs, and pay the fee. The clerk checks everything and issues the license. But you cannot use it right away.

Illinois law requires a 24-hour waiting period. The license does not become active until a full day after it is issued. After the wait, the Adams County marriage license stays valid for 60 days. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, the license expires and the couple must start fresh with a new application and new fee. The license can only be used for a ceremony held within Adams County. Once the wedding takes place, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Adams County Clerk. That returned document becomes the official marriage record on file.

Note: No blood test is required, and there is no residency rule for Adams County.

Marriage Record Copies in Adams County

You can request copies of Adams County marriage records in person at the clerk's office or by mail. Certified copies have the county seal. You need them for legal tasks like name changes, visa applications, and insurance claims. Plain copies are good for personal reference but will not be accepted by most agencies.

Under 410 ILCS 535, the Vital Records Act determines who can get certified copies of marriage records. The people named on the certificate can request copies, along with their parents, children, or legal agents. Anyone with notarized written consent from a named party can also make a request. Adams County follows these state rules for every request. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. For mail requests, send a photocopy of your ID, a completed application, and a check or money order made out to the Adams County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail the copy back to you.

The Illinois Department of Public Health can verify that a marriage took place through their central index. IDPH records go back to 1962. For a certified copy of an Adams County marriage record, though, you must contact the county clerk in Quincy.

Historical Adams County Marriage Records

Adams County was established in 1825, making it one of the older counties in Illinois. Marriage records from this county go back to the early days of settlement. Early records include marriage bonds and licenses filed at the courthouse in Quincy. Many of these survive and are available for research.

The Illinois State Archives maintains a free Statewide Marriage Index covering 1763 to 1900. Adams County is well represented in this database. You can search by name and find the date, county, and names of both parties. This is a great starting point for genealogy work focused on Adams County. For records after 1900, contact the clerk in Quincy directly. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, marriage records that are 50 years old or more may be available for genealogical purposes. These copies carry a special stamp and may cost less than standard certified copies from Adams County.

Marriage License Rules in Adams County

The rules for marriage licenses in Adams County come from state law. The Illinois compiled statutes set the framework that the clerk must follow. The main requirements are simple:

• Both applicants must be 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent
• Both must appear at the Adams County Clerk office together
• Each needs a valid photo ID with date of birth
• Proof of prior marriage ending if applicable
• 24-hour wait before the license becomes active
• License valid for 60 days within Adams County

The Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act under 750 ILCS 5 is the key statute. Adams County applies these rules without exception. If the ceremony does not take place within 60 days, the license expires. There is no extension. Couples must file a new application and pay again. The officiant who performs the ceremony is responsible for signing the license and returning it to the Adams County Clerk, which creates the official marriage record.

Adams County Vital Records

The Adams County Clerk stores more than just marriage records. Birth records, death records, and other vital records are kept at the same office in Quincy. If you are doing family research, these records can fill in gaps alongside marriage records from Adams County.

For statewide searches, IDPH keeps a central index of Illinois marriages from 1962 to the present. If you do not know which county a marriage took place in, the state office can help narrow things down. Adams County marriages from 1962 onward should appear in the state index. The state can verify that a marriage happened but cannot issue certified copies. For those, you always go back to the Adams County Clerk.

Cities in Adams County

Adams County's main city is Quincy, which is also the county seat. City offices in Illinois do not issue marriage licenses. All marriage records for Adams County go through the County Clerk office in Quincy. Residents of Quincy and every other community in Adams County apply for licenses and request copies at the clerk office on Vermont Street.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Adams County in western Illinois. If you are not sure which county covers your location, check with the clerk before you apply. Your marriage license must be from the county where the ceremony takes place.