Illinois makes getting married simple compared with many states: no blood test, no residency requirement, a one-day wait and a license that costs between $32 and $60 depending on the county. The catch is that an Illinois marriage license is only valid in the county that issued it, so you need the license from the county where the ceremony happens, not where you live. This guide covers the five counties where most Chicago-area weddings take place, plus how to arrange a courthouse ceremony. We photograph and film weddings across Chicagoland and have been through these offices with many couples; still, fees and hours change, so confirm on the county page linked in each section before you go.
The rules that apply everywhere in Illinois
- Both of you apply in person at the county clerk, with valid government photo ID. Some counties let you start the application online and finish in person.
- You must be 18, or 16–17 with parental consent in person.
- The license becomes effective the day after it is issued and expires 60 days later. There is no way to waive the one-day wait in most counties.
- The license is valid only in the issuing county. A Cook County license cannot be used for a ceremony in Lake County.
- Any judge, retired judge, county clerk (in some counties), or a minister or officiant of a religious denomination can perform the ceremony; a friend ordained online counts. Illinois does not require witnesses.
- After the ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the clerk within 10 days; certified copies are ordered from the same office.
Cook County (Chicago)
The Cook County Clerk, Bureau of Vital Records, issues licenses at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, in the Loop, with suburban offices in Skokie, Markham and Maywood. The fee is $60. The license is effective the next day and valid for 60 days, for ceremonies anywhere in Cook County.
Courthouse ceremony: Cook County judges marry couples at the Marriage and Civil Union Court on the lower level of 119 W. Randolph Street (the Daley Center complex), six days a week, for couples who do not have their own officiant; some sessions are by appointment, so call ahead. Suburban district courthouses also perform ceremonies. Sources: Cook County Clerk, Circuit Court of Cook County.
DuPage County (Wheaton, Naperville, Oak Brook)
The DuPage County Clerk is at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. The fee is $35 (plus a $1 card fee). The license is effective the day after issuance, cannot be waived, and is valid for 60 days in DuPage County only. Courthouse ceremony: judges perform ceremonies at the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton; register through the Circuit Clerk’s online wedding system before applying for the license. The Clerk’s office does not officiate. Source: DuPage County Clerk.
Lake County (Waukegan, Libertyville, Lake Forest, Barrington)
The Lake County Clerk is at 18 N. County Street, Room 101, Waukegan. The fee is $35; the license is valid from the day after issuance for 60 days. Courthouse ceremony: judge ceremonies have normally been offered on weekday afternoons at the main courthouse and on Saturdays at the Court Tower for a $10 cash fee, but the Clerk’s page has recently noted that judges are not available; call Court Administration at 847-377-3600 before you plan on it. Source: Lake County Clerk.
Will County (Joliet, Naperville south, Plainfield, Bolingbrook)
The Will County Clerk is at 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, with satellite offices in Crete, Bolingbrook and Plainfield; appointments are required at all locations. The fee is $35; effective the next day, valid 60 days. Courthouse ceremony: a sitting judge marries couples at the Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson Street, Room 102, for $10, on weekday late mornings and Saturday mornings (arrive by 8:30 am); no appointment or witnesses needed. Source: Will County Clerk.
Kane County (Geneva, St. Charles, Aurora, Elgin)
The Kane County Clerk, Vital Records, is at the Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Avenue, Building B, Geneva, with satellite offices in Aurora and Elgin. The fee is $32, cash only; effective the following calendar day, valid 60 days. Courthouse ceremony: the 16th Judicial Circuit performs ceremonies at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles (Monday–Thursday from 3:30 pm) and the Geneva courthouse (Fridays 2–4 pm); book with your license number once the license is issued. Source: Kane County Clerk.
At a glance
| County | Fee | Effective | Courthouse ceremony |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook | $60 | Next day, 60 days | Marriage and Civil Union Court, 119 W. Randolph, six days a week |
| DuPage | $35 + $1 card | Next day, 60 days | Judges at Wheaton courthouse; register online first |
| Lake | $35 | Next day, 60 days | Normally weekdays and Saturdays, $10; check availability |
| Will | $35 | Next day, 60 days | Joliet courthouse Room 102, $10, no appointment |
| Kane | $32 cash | Next day, 60 days | St. Charles Mon–Thu, Geneva Fri |
Photographing a courthouse or City Hall wedding in Chicago
Courthouse ceremonies are short, so the pictures that matter are mostly before and after: walking in together, the signing, the first kiss and the walk out onto the plaza. At the Daley Center, the plaza, the Picasso and the Loop streets around Randolph and Clark give you a complete portrait session within two blocks, and Millennium Park and the Riverwalk are a ten-minute walk. Our half-day coverage ($1,500) covers the ceremony, a celebration lunch and portraits around the city; see Chicago wedding photography and Chicago wedding videography. Getting married in Wisconsin instead? Read our Wisconsin marriage license guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marriage license cost in Chicago?
A Cook County marriage license costs $60. The suburban counties are cheaper: $35 in DuPage, Lake and Will, and $32 in Kane.
Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Illinois?
One day. The license is effective the day after it is issued and valid for 60 days. Most counties cannot waive the one-day wait.
Can I use a Cook County marriage license in another county?
No. An Illinois license is valid only in the county that issued it. Get the license from the county where the ceremony will take place.
Do we need witnesses to get married in Illinois?
No. Illinois does not require witnesses for a marriage ceremony; only the officiant signs the license.
Can we get married at the courthouse in Chicago the same day we get the license?
No, because the license is not effective until the next day. Apply one day, come back for the ceremony the next, or any day within the 60-day window.
Can a friend officiate our wedding in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois recognizes officiants of any religious denomination, including friends ordained online, as well as judges and certain public officials.
VIDART photographs and films weddings across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan: $1,500 for a half day, $3,000 for a full day, photo and video together from $3,000, no travel fee.
Related reading
- How to Elope in Wisconsin: Courthouse, State Park and Micro-Wedding Options (and What They Cost)
- How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in Wisconsin? (2026 Guide)
- Wedding Day Timeline for Photos and Video: Hour-by-Hour Samples That Actually Work
- The Best Time of Year to Get Married in Wisconsin: Weather, Light and Prices by Month
Marrying in Chicagoland? See our Chicago wedding photographers and Chicago wedding videographers pages.
