Jo Daviess County Marriage Records

Jo Daviess County marriage records are held at the County Clerk office in Galena, the historic county seat along the Mississippi River in northwest Illinois. The clerk issues marriage licenses, files returned certificates, and provides copies to those who need them. About 25,489 people call Jo Daviess County home, with Galena and East Dubuque being the best-known communities. You can apply for a new marriage license, search for past records, or request certified copies by visiting or contacting the clerk's office on Bench Street. Older marriage records from Jo Daviess County are also accessible through state archive resources for family research.

Jo Daviess County Clerk Office

The Jo Daviess County Clerk is the office that handles marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. The office sits at 330 North Bench Street in Galena. Staff can assist with new license applications, look up records from past years, and provide certified copies. After a ceremony takes place, the officiant sends the signed license back to the clerk. That is when it becomes the official marriage record on file for Jo Daviess County.

Both people who want to get married must come to the Jo Daviess County Clerk office at the same time. You each need a valid photo ID that shows your date of birth. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. If either person was previously married, bring proof that the earlier marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate is what the clerk will require. Under 750 ILCS 5, both applicants need to be at least 18 years old. Those who are 16 or 17 can apply if a parent appears in person and signs a consent form at the Jo Daviess County office. You do not need to live in the county or in Illinois to get a marriage license here.

Check the Jo Daviess County government website for general county information and office contacts.

How to Get a Jo Daviess County Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Jo Daviess County works the same as anywhere else in Illinois. Both people visit the clerk's office. Bring valid photo IDs. Complete the application form and pay the fee. The clerk hands you the license that day.

But you cannot use it right away. Illinois law sets a 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued. That means no ceremony on the same day you pick it up in Jo Daviess County. Once the waiting period ends, the license stays good for 60 days. If the ceremony does not happen in that window, the license expires. You would have to apply and pay all over again. The license works only for ceremonies held inside Jo Daviess County. A judge, minister, or other authorized person can officiate the wedding. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Jo Daviess County Clerk, and it becomes the official marriage record.

Galena is a popular spot for weddings, so some couples from out of state come to Jo Daviess County just for the ceremony. That is fine under the law since there is no residency rule.

Note: Call the Jo Daviess County Clerk at (815) 777-9384 to confirm hours and fees before making the trip to Galena.

Copies of Jo Daviess County Marriage Records

You can get copies of marriage records by visiting the Jo Daviess County Clerk office in Galena or by mailing in a written request. Certified copies carry the county seal and are accepted for legal purposes. You need a certified copy for things like name changes, insurance claims, and visa applications. A plain copy is fine for personal use but most agencies will not take it for official business.

The Illinois Vital Records Act under 410 ILCS 535 lays out who is eligible to request certified copies of marriage records. The people named on the certificate, their parents, children, or legal agents can make the request. Someone with notarized consent from a named party is also eligible. Jo Daviess County follows these rules. Bring a valid photo ID to the office. For mail requests, include a copy of your ID, a check or money order payable to the Jo Daviess County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The IDPH page below explains how the state handles marriage record verifications, which supports local Jo Daviess County records for events from 1962 forward.

This state-level resource can help if you do not know which county a marriage took place in before contacting the Jo Daviess County Clerk.

Historical Marriage Records in Jo Daviess County

Jo Daviess County has marriage records that date back to the early 1800s. Galena was one of the most important cities in Illinois before the Civil War, and many marriages were recorded at the courthouse during that era. Some of those original documents are still on file. Others have been moved to the state archives.

The Illinois State Archives runs a free Statewide Marriage Index that covers records from 1763 to 1900. Jo Daviess County is included in the database. Search by name and see the date and county of each marriage. For records after 1900, contact the Jo Daviess County Clerk in Galena. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, marriage records that are 50 years old or more may be available for genealogical purposes. These copies may include a notation that they are for genealogy use only. The Jo Daviess County Clerk can tell you what old records they have and what the costs are.

Marriage License Rules in Jo Daviess County

Illinois state law governs who can get a marriage license. The rules in Jo Daviess County are the same as in every other county. Here is what you need to know:

• Both people must be at least 18, or 16-17 with parental consent
• Both must appear at the clerk office together
• Each person needs a valid photo ID with date of birth
• No residency requirement for Jo Daviess County or Illinois
• Proof of divorce or death if a prior marriage ended

The 24-hour waiting period starts when the clerk issues the license. You then have 60 days. If the ceremony does not happen in that time frame, the Jo Daviess County license expires. There is no extension. You can hold the ceremony at any location within Jo Daviess County. The officiant signs the license and sends it back. That is when it becomes an official marriage record in Jo Daviess County.

Jo Daviess County Vital Records

The Jo Daviess County Clerk handles more than just marriage records. Birth and death records are kept at the same office in Galena. All vital records requests go through the clerk.

For statewide marriage searches, the IDPH vital records office holds a central index of marriages from 1962 forward. If you do not know which county a marriage occurred in, the state office can help you search. Jo Daviess County marriages recorded after 1962 should appear in the state index. The Illinois compiled statutes contain the full set of vital records laws that apply to all counties, including Jo Daviess County.

Cities in Jo Daviess County

Jo Daviess County includes Galena, East Dubuque, and a number of smaller towns. City offices do not issue marriage licenses in Illinois. All marriage records for communities in Jo Daviess County go through the County Clerk in Galena. Residents of Galena, East Dubuque, and surrounding areas all apply at the same office on Bench Street.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Jo Daviess County. Make sure your address falls within the right county before you apply. A Jo Daviess County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies held within the county.