Find Marriage Records in Rock Island County
Rock Island County marriage records are held by the County Clerk at 1504 Third Avenue in Rock Island. The clerk issues marriage licenses, stores completed records, and gives out certified copies to those who qualify. Rock Island County is in the far western part of Illinois, right along the Mississippi River. With about 143,000 residents, the county covers a large part of the Quad Cities area on the Illinois side. You can visit the clerk's office in person to get a marriage license or request copies of past marriage records filed in Rock Island County.
Rock Island County Quick Facts
Rock Island County Clerk Marriage Office
The Rock Island County Clerk is the only office that issues marriage licenses in Rock Island County. Both parties must come to the office together. The fee for a marriage license is $35, and the office accepts cash only. No cards, no checks. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Under 750 ILCS 5, there is a 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license stays valid for 60 days and can only be used for a ceremony in Rock Island County.
Each person must bring a valid driver's license or state ID. The Rock Island County Clerk also needs your dates of birth, state of birth, Social Security numbers, current occupations, and your parents' full names and home addresses. This is more detailed than what some counties ask for, so come prepared. If either person was married before, you must give the date, county, and state where that prior marriage ended. The clerk will ask for these facts at the time of your visit to the Rock Island County office.
The Rock Island County marriage license page covers the full set of requirements for getting a license.
The county site lists each step and what you need to bring to the Rock Island County Clerk's office.
| Address |
1504 Third Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (309) 558-3569 |
| Fax | (309) 786-7381 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | rockislandcountyil.gov |
Rock Island County Marriage License Requirements
Both parties must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in Rock Island County without any extra steps. If someone is 16 or 17, they can still get a license but both parents must be present at the clerk's office to give consent. Under 750 ILCS 5/208, a judge must also approve the marriage for anyone under 18. This adds time to the process in Rock Island County.
The information you need to bring to the Rock Island County Clerk includes:
- Valid driver's license or state ID for both parties
- Dates of birth and state of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Current occupations
- Parents' full names and addresses
If either party had a prior marriage, the Rock Island County Clerk needs to know when and where it ended. Bring the date, county, and state of the dissolution. Anyone divorced in the past six months must have a certified copy of the divorce decree in hand. The 24-hour wait can be waived by a court order in certain cases, but this is rare. Most people who apply for a Rock Island County marriage license pick up the license the next business day after they submit the application.
Getting Rock Island County Marriage Records
After a ceremony takes place, the signed marriage license is returned to the Rock Island County Clerk. The clerk records it, and it becomes a permanent marriage record on file. You can request copies of this record from the clerk's office. Under 410 ILCS 535, only certain people have legal access to certified copies of vital records in Illinois. This includes the couple named in the record, their children, direct family members, legal representatives, and anyone with notarized consent.
Certified copies of Rock Island County marriage records carry the official county seal. You need this type of copy for legal matters like name changes, passport applications, or immigration paperwork. Plain copies without the seal can be used for personal reference but will not be accepted by most government offices. The Rock Island County Clerk can tell you which type of copy fits your needs. Contact the office at (309) 558-3569 if you have questions about getting marriage records from Rock Island County.
This section of the Rock Island County site explains the steps for requesting marriage records.
Note: The Rock Island County Clerk only has records for marriages that were licensed in Rock Island County.
Rock Island County Marriage Fees
Rock Island County charges $35 for a marriage license. This is one of the lower fees among Illinois counties. The catch is that the office only takes cash. You cannot pay with a credit card, debit card, or personal check. Make sure you have the exact amount or close to it when you go to the Rock Island County Clerk's office. There is no ATM inside the building, so plan ahead.
Fees for certified copies of marriage records vary. Call the Rock Island County Clerk at (309) 558-3569 to ask about the current fee for copies. The cost depends on how many copies you need and whether you want certified or plain versions. Certified copies with the county seal cost more than plain ones. If you order more than one copy at the same time, the price per copy usually drops. The Rock Island County staff can walk you through pricing when you visit or call.
Rock Island County Marriage Records and Genealogy
People doing family history research can find old marriage records through the Rock Island County Clerk's office. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, marriage records that have been on file for more than 50 years may be released for genealogy purposes. These copies are labeled "For Genealogical Purposes Only" and are not certified. They still show the same facts as the original record, which makes them useful for building a family tree that passes through Rock Island County.
The Illinois State Archives also runs a free Statewide Marriage Index online. It covers the years 1763 to 1900 and includes records from Rock Island County and most other Illinois counties. You can search the index by name at the Illinois State Archives marriage database. The index gives you the names, the date of the marriage or license, and the county. From there, you can contact the Rock Island County Clerk or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository to get a copy of the original record.
State Marriage Verification
The Illinois Department of Public Health can verify that a marriage took place in Rock Island County. This service covers marriages from 1962 to the present. The fee is $5 per search. A verification is not a copy of the marriage record. It is a letter that confirms basic facts: the names on the record, dates of birth, the date of the event, and the county. You send a form and photo ID to the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield.
Processing takes about 12 weeks. For most people who need a Rock Island County marriage record quickly, going to the clerk's office in person is the better choice. The state verification works well when you only need to confirm that a marriage happened and do not need the full document. It also helps when the Rock Island County Clerk cannot find a record and you want to check the state index as a backup.
Cities in Rock Island County
Rock Island County has several cities and towns that make up part of the Quad Cities region. All of them get marriage licenses through the Rock Island County Clerk's office at 1504 Third Avenue. Major communities include Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline. Residents of these cities file for marriage licenses at the county clerk and all marriage records are kept at the same office in Rock Island County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Rock Island County. A marriage license from Rock Island County can only be used for a ceremony within Rock Island County. If you live near the county line, make sure you apply at the right clerk's office for where the ceremony will take place.