Cook County Licenses

Before getting married in Chicago or suburban Cook County, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk's office.

Cook County Marriage License Office Vital Records Division Cook County Building 118 N. Clark Street (Randolph Street Entrance/lower concourse level) P.O. Box 642570 Chicago, IL 60664-2570 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F 9 a.m. to noon Saturday *(for marriage license applicants only)* Call: (312) 603-7790 E-mail: dorr@cookcountygov.com Map/Directions	Chicago - Downtown
	Skokie - North Suburbs
	Rolling Meadows - NW Suburbs
	Maywood - West Suburbs
	Markham - South Suburbs
	Bridgeview - SW Suburbs

Eligibility

Under Illinois law, only eligible persons can marry. Both the bride and groom must:

	be 18 years of age or older
	be of opposite sex
	not be blood relatives

Individuals who reside out of state MAY NOT APPLY for a marriage license in Illinois if such a marriage would not be legal in their home state.

Applying

Couples must appear together at one of the Cook County Clerk's six locations. They must:

	Fill out and sign a marriage license application.
	Present valid identification with proof of age.
	Pay a $30 fee (cash only).

Applicants who have divorced within the last six months must provide a certified copy of their divorce decree upon applying for a marriage license.

Timelines and restrictions

Marriage licenses are:

	issued while you wait
	effective the following calendar day after they are issued
	valid for 60 days
	effective only in Chicago and suburban Cook County

Exceptions

Under state law, first cousins older than 50 years of age may marry.

Under state law, applicants who are 16 and 17 years old may obtain a marriage license with parental consent.

Both parents or legal guardians must:

appear in person

provide sworn consent of the marriage at that time

provide valid identification

If a court-appointed legal guardian is providing consent, a certified copy of the appointment is required.

Applicants who are 16 or 17 must present the following:

a certified copy of their birth certificate

a second form of identification showing their date of birth

After the marriage ceremony occurs

The individual(s) performing the ceremony must complete the bottom portion of the marriage license and mail or deliver it to the Clerk's office.

You may obtain a copy of your marriage certificate upon request.

For more information call or visit their website.

Call: (312) 603-7790
E-mail: dorr@cookcountygov.com

Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Check with your applicable state/county authorities.

updated 3/28/07

COOK COUNTY LOCATIONS

Downtown Location

Cook County Building
Vital Records Division
Cook County Building
118 N. Clark Street

(Randolph Street Entrance/lower concourse level)
P.O. Box 642570
Chicago, IL 60664-2570
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to noon Saturday (for marriage license applicants only)
Call: (312) 603-7790
E-mail: dorr@cookcountygov.com

Suburban Locations

(Located in suburban courthouses)

North suburbs/Skokie
5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 470-7233
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

Northwest suburbs/Rolling Meadows
2121 Euclid Ave., Room 238
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
(847) 818-2850
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

West suburbs/Maywood
1311 Maybrook Square, Room 109
Maywood, IL 60153
(708) 865-6010
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

South suburbs/Markham
16501 S. Kedzie, Room 238
Markham, IL 60426
(708) 210-4150
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

Southwest suburbs/Bridgeview
10220 S. 76th Ave., Room 238
Bridgeview, IL 60455
(708) 974-6150
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday