Find Jefferson County Marriage Records

Jefferson County marriage records are filed at the County Clerk office in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. You can search for marriage records, apply for a new license, or order certified copies at this office. Jefferson County has about 36,500 residents, and Mt. Vernon is the county seat and largest town. The clerk handles all marriage license applications and keeps completed marriage records on file. Whether you need a recent record or an older one for genealogy, the Jefferson County Clerk is the right place to start your search.

Jefferson County Clerk Office

The Jefferson County Clerk processes all marriage licenses and stores all marriage records for the county. The office is at 1001 S. 10th St. in Mt. Vernon. Call (618) 244-8020 for information about hours, fees, and what to bring. Staff at the clerk's office take applications, issue licenses, and pull copies of marriage records for anyone who requests them.

When you go to get a marriage license in Jefferson County, both people must show up together. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport will do. If either party has been married before, bring proof that the earlier marriage ended. The Jefferson County Clerk needs to see a divorce decree or death certificate. Under 750 ILCS 5, both people must be at least 18 years old, or 16 to 17 with written consent from a parent. No blood test is required in Illinois. There is also no residency requirement, so you do not need to live in Jefferson County to get a license here.

The Jefferson County website has information about county government departments and services.

The IDPH marriage records page is a useful state-level resource for Jefferson County residents who need records from outside the county.

Getting Jefferson County Marriage Record Copies

Certified copies of Jefferson County marriage records are available from the clerk's office. Visit in person or send a mail request. For walk-in service, bring a photo ID and tell the staff the names on the record and the date of the marriage. The first certified copy costs $15, and additional copies ordered at the same time cost less. The fee schedule follows 410 ILCS 535, the Illinois Vital Records Act.

To request by mail, send a letter to the Jefferson County Clerk at 1001 S. 10th St., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Include the full names of both parties, the marriage date, and a check or money order payable to the Jefferson County Clerk. Add your return address and allow a few weeks for processing. Anyone can request Jefferson County marriage records. You do not need to be named on the record to get a copy.

Note: Certified copies carry the county seal and work for legal purposes such as name changes, immigration cases, and court filings.

Marriage License Rules in Jefferson County

After you apply for a marriage license at the Jefferson County Clerk office, there is a 24-hour wait before you can pick it up. This is a statewide rule under 750 ILCS 5. The license is then valid for 60 days. The wedding must take place in Illinois during that time. If you miss the 60-day window, the license expires and you need to start over.

The officiant who performs your ceremony signs the license and returns it to the Jefferson County Clerk within 10 days. After that filing, the license becomes a permanent marriage record in Jefferson County. This works the same way for civil ceremonies, religious ceremonies, and all other types. Judges, clergy, and other people authorized under Illinois law can perform marriages. The completed record stays on file at the clerk's office in Mt. Vernon, and you can order certified copies any time after that.

Jefferson County Marriage Records and Genealogy

Jefferson County has marriage records going back many years, which makes the clerk's collection useful for genealogy work. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, marriage records that are more than 50 years old are available to anyone for genealogical purposes. You do not need to show a connection to the people on the record. Visit the clerk in Mt. Vernon or send a mail request with the names and approximate date you are looking for.

The Illinois State Archives marriage database has a free online index that covers many Illinois counties. Some Jefferson County records may appear in the results. This index shows names and dates. For a full certified copy, contact the Jefferson County Clerk directly. The Illinois Department of Public Health is another option if you are not sure which county the marriage happened in. IDPH searches a statewide file and can point you in the right direction, though they charge a fee and take several weeks to respond.

Illinois Marriage Law

The laws that govern marriage licenses and marriage records in Jefferson County come from two main state statutes. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5 covers the rules for getting a license, who can marry, the waiting period, and the validity window. The Illinois Vital Records Act at 410 ILCS 535 covers how marriage records are stored, who can request copies, and what fees counties can charge. Both of these are available to read for free on the Illinois General Assembly website.

These laws apply to all 102 Illinois counties, including Jefferson County. Local offices follow the same rules. If you want to understand your rights when requesting records or applying for a license, these statutes are the place to look.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has a handful of communities. Mt. Vernon is the county seat and the biggest town. All towns in the county use the Jefferson County Clerk for marriage licenses and marriage records. There is one clerk office that serves the whole county, and it is at 1001 S. 10th St. in Mt. Vernon. No matter which part of Jefferson County you live in, that is where you go for marriage records.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Jefferson County. If the marriage took place in a neighboring county rather than in Jefferson County, you need to reach out to that county's clerk for records.