Search Peoria County Marriage Records

Peoria County marriage records are kept at the County Clerk's office in downtown Peoria. The clerk handles marriage licenses, certified copies, and older records used for genealogy work. With close to 180,000 residents, Peoria County is one of the more populous counties in central Illinois. You can search for marriage records in person at the clerk's office or start the process online through the county site. The clerk can help with new marriage licenses, copies of past records, and questions about what you need to bring when you visit the Peoria County office.

Peoria County Clerk Marriage License Office

The Peoria County Clerk is the sole office that issues marriage licenses in Peoria County. Both people who plan to get married must come to the office at the same time. You each need a valid form of ID that shows your age. The fee for a Peoria County marriage license is $75. You can pay with cash, a check, or a debit or credit card. If you use a card, there is a $4 service charge on top of the fee. The office is on the first floor of the Peoria County Courthouse at 324 Main Street in downtown Peoria.

Under 750 ILCS 5, Illinois law sets a one-day waiting period after the license is issued. That means the ceremony cannot take place on the same day you pick up the license in Peoria County. The license then stays valid for 60 days. If you do not use it in that time, it expires. You would need to come back and pay the fee again to get a new one. The Peoria County Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. There is also an online application you can fill out before your visit, which saves time at the counter.

The Peoria County marriage license page has full details on what to bring to the clerk's office.

The county site walks you through the full steps for getting a marriage license in Peoria County.

Peoria County Marriage License Requirements

To get a marriage license in Peoria County, both parties must be at least 18 years old. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order. Each person must bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Social Security numbers are also needed. The Peoria County Clerk asks for basic facts like your date of birth, place of birth, and current address. If either party was married before, you must give the date, county, and state where that marriage ended.

There is a special rule for people who got divorced within the last six months. If your divorce was finalized less than six months ago, you need to bring a certified copy of the divorce decree to the Peoria County Clerk. This is a state rule under Illinois law, and the clerk will not issue a new marriage license without seeing the decree. Most people who have been divorced for more than six months just need to know the date and place where the prior marriage was dissolved. The Peoria County office can answer questions about this if you call ahead at (309) 672-6059.

Note: The Peoria County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies held within Illinois.

Marriage Ceremonies in Peoria County

Peoria County offers civil marriage ceremonies performed by a judge. You can have the ceremony done in person at the courthouse or through a Zoom video call. The fee is $10 for either option. You need to make an appointment first by calling (309) 672-6984. This is separate from the marriage license fee. After the ceremony, the signed license goes back to the Peoria County Clerk, where it becomes a permanent marriage record on file.

If you prefer a different kind of ceremony, you can have any ordained minister, judge, or other person allowed under 750 ILCS 5/209 perform the marriage. The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Peoria County Clerk within 10 days. Once the clerk gets the signed license back, the marriage record is complete. If the signed license is not returned, there may be issues with your marriage record in Peoria County. Make sure your officiant knows they are responsible for filing it.

Getting Peoria County Marriage Record Copies

Certified copies of marriage records in Peoria County cost $16 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $7. You can request copies at the Peoria County marriage records page or in person at the clerk's office. Under 410 ILCS 535, only certain people can get certified copies of vital records in Illinois. The list includes the couple named in the record, their children, direct family members, legal representatives, and anyone with notarized consent from the couple.

You need a certified copy of your Peoria County marriage record for things like name changes at the Social Security office or the DMV. Insurance claims, immigration paperwork, and court cases often need a certified copy too. The Peoria County Clerk can issue certified copies with the official county seal. Plain copies without the seal may be available for personal use but won't be accepted for legal matters. Call the office or visit the site to find out which type fits your situation in Peoria County.

Note: Processing times can vary at the Peoria County Clerk's office, so plan ahead if you have a deadline.

Peoria County Marriage Records for Genealogy

Older marriage records in Peoria County can be a strong resource for family history research. The Illinois State Archives has a Statewide Marriage Index that covers the years 1763 to 1900. This free online tool lets you search by name and find the county where a marriage took place. The index includes Peoria County records from the early days of the county. You can search the index at the Illinois State Archives marriage database.

Under 410 ILCS 535/25, marriage records on file for more than 50 years may be available for genealogy use. These copies are marked "For Genealogical Purposes Only" and are not certified. The Peoria County Clerk can help you find old records if you know the approximate date and names. The state also has a Death Index covering records before 1916 and from 1916 to 1950, which can be useful when tracing family lines through Peoria County. Genealogy research often involves pulling records from several offices, and the Peoria County Clerk staff can point you in the right direction if the record you need is not in their files.

State Marriage Record Verification

The Illinois Department of Public Health can verify facts about a marriage that took place in Peoria County. This is not a certified copy. It is a verification that confirms names, dates, and the county where the event happened. The state has records from 1962 to the present. The fee is $5 per search. You send a form and a copy of your ID to the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield. Processing takes about 12 weeks.

Most people who need a copy of a Peoria County marriage record should go straight to the county clerk's office. The state verification is mainly useful when you just need to confirm basic facts about a marriage and do not need the full document. For legal purposes, a certified copy from the Peoria County Clerk carries more weight than a state verification letter.

Cities in Peoria County

Peoria County has several cities and towns. All of them get marriage licenses through the Peoria County Clerk's office at 324 Main Street in Peoria. No matter which part of the county you live in, the clerk handles all marriage records for the area.

Other communities in Peoria County include Peoria Heights, East Peoria, and Pekin. Residents of these areas file for marriage licenses at the Peoria County Clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Peoria County. If you live near the county line, check your address to make sure you apply at the right clerk's office. A Peoria County marriage license is valid for ceremonies held anywhere in Illinois.