Kane County Marriage Records Lookup
Kane County marriage records are available through the County Clerk office, which operates three locations in Geneva, Aurora, and Elgin. With a population of over 517,000, Kane County is one of the larger counties in Illinois and handles thousands of marriage license applications each year. The clerk accepts cash only for license fees, so plan ahead before your visit. You can also use the online pre-registration tool to save time at the office. Whether you need a new license, a certified copy of an existing marriage certificate, or records for genealogical research, the Kane County Clerk has options for in-person, mail, and online requests.
Kane County Quick Facts
Kane County Clerk Marriage License Office
The Kane County Clerk is the official source for marriage licenses and marriage records in the county. Unlike most Illinois counties that have a single office, Kane County runs three locations. The main office is in Geneva. Branch offices are in Aurora and Elgin. All three can issue marriage licenses and process record requests. This setup is helpful for a county that stretches across a wide area.
The Kane County marriage license page has the full rundown on what you need to bring and how the process works. Under 410 ILCS 535, the county clerk serves as the local registrar of vital records. That means Kane County keeps all marriage licenses on file permanently. The clerk staff can search these records for you when you visit or call.
The Kane County Clerk site walks you through the license application process at any of the three office locations.
That screenshot shows the marriage license section of the Kane County Clerk website with current requirements and office details.
| Geneva Office |
719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. B Geneva, IL 60134 |
|---|---|
| Aurora Office |
5 E. Downer Place, Unit F Aurora, IL 60505 |
| Elgin Office |
2170 Point Blvd., Suite 600 Elgin, IL 60123 |
| Phone | (630) 232-5950 | Spanish: (630) 232-5991 |
| Fax | (630) 232-5866 |
| CountyClerk@co.kane.il.us | |
| Hours | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Wed: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Must be in by 4:00 PM (7:30 PM on Wed) |
How to Get a Kane County Marriage License
Both people must show up at the Kane County Clerk office to apply. No exceptions. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. If you were married before, you need to know the date your prior marriage ended. The clerk will ask. Applications take up to 30 minutes, so do not arrive right at closing time. You must be in the door by 4:00 PM on most days, or by 7:30 PM on Wednesdays.
The marriage license fee in Kane County is $32. Cash only. The office does not take cards or checks for this fee. This is worth knowing before you make the trip. Under 750 ILCS 5, there is a 24-hour waiting period after you get the license. You cannot use it the same day. The license is valid for 60 days and can only be used for a ceremony in Kane County. If you want to get married in a different county, you need to apply there instead.
Kane County has an online pre-registration tool that lets you fill out most of the application before your visit. This can cut your time at the office by quite a bit. You still need to appear in person to finish the process and pay the fee.
The online pre-registration system for Kane County marriage licenses can save you time at the clerk office.
That page is where you start the online portion of the Kane County marriage license application.
Applicants must be 18 or older. Those who are 16 or 17 need written parental consent under Illinois law. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Kane County.
Courthouse Ceremonies in Kane County
Kane County offers courthouse wedding ceremonies at two locations. The Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles holds ceremonies Monday through Thursday at 3:30 PM. The Geneva courthouse does them on Fridays from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. You need an appointment for either location.
Bring your Kane County marriage license and two witnesses who are at least 18. The ceremony is brief. A judge performs it, and the signed license goes back to the clerk office to become your official marriage record. These courthouse weddings are a popular choice in Kane County for couples who want a quick, simple ceremony without the cost of a large event. Call (630) 232-5950 to schedule your ceremony.
Kane County Marriage Certificates
You can order certified copies of marriage certificates from the Kane County Clerk. The cost is $16 for the first copy and $6 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. You can pick them up in person at any of the three offices, request them by mail, or order through VitalChek. Certified copies have the county seal and are accepted for legal purposes like name changes, immigration paperwork, and insurance claims.
The Kane County marriage certificates page has full details on how to order. For mail requests, send a written letter with the names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, your contact info, and a check or money order to the Geneva office. Under 410 ILCS 530/3, the county clerk has the legal authority to issue certified vital record documents in Kane County. The Illinois Department of Public Health can verify marriage facts from 1962 to present but does not issue certified copies.
The Kane County Clerk website explains the fees and process for ordering certified marriage certificates.
That screenshot shows the certificates section of the Kane County Clerk site with current pricing and ordering instructions.
Note: VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the standard copy cost for Kane County marriage certificate orders.
Searching Kane County Marriage Records
If you need to find an existing marriage record in Kane County, there are a few options. Walk into any of the three clerk offices and ask the staff to search by name. Give them the full names of both spouses and the approximate year if you know it. The clerk can pull records and make copies for you on the spot in most cases. Older records may take a bit longer to find.
Mail and VitalChek requests work too, as described above. For genealogical research, Kane County has records going back many years. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, vital records that meet a certain age threshold become available for public access. This means researchers can get uncertified copies of older Kane County marriage records without proving a family link. The clerk office can tell you which records qualify when you call or visit.
Illinois Marriage Laws for Kane County
Marriage records in Kane County follow Illinois state law. The Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535, controls how the clerk stores, protects, and shares vital records. It covers who can get copies and what types of copies are available. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5, sets the rules for who can marry, the waiting period, and what makes a marriage valid in the state.
One thing that sets Kane County apart is that marriage licenses issued here are valid only in Kane County. Some other Illinois counties issue licenses that can be used anywhere in the state. If you plan to hold your ceremony outside Kane County, you will need to get a license from that county instead. The clerk staff can help explain this rule if you have questions about where your Kane County marriage license can be used.
Cities in Kane County
Kane County includes several cities and towns, all served by the same County Clerk for marriage licenses and records. The three office locations make it easy for residents across the county to access marriage record services.
Other communities in Kane County include Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, and Carpentersville. Residents of these areas use the Kane County Clerk offices for marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Kane County. Remember that a Kane County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies held in Kane County. If you plan to marry in a neighboring county, apply for a license there instead.