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Get Your Certified Illinois Marriage Certificate

Order your official Illinois marriage certificate online without the hassle. Whether for a name change or legal documentation, our service simplifies the process. We prepare and file your application with the Illinois vital records office, helping avoid delays. Start now and receive your certificate by mail.

Order Illinois Marriage Certificate

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Vital Records Online is not affiliated with any government agency. We provide a secure online service to help customers file applications for certified vital records to the appropriate state or county office. Free application forms are available directly from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Illinois Marriage Certificate

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Illinois Marriage Certificate Overview

Learn how to order a Illinois marriage certificate from the Illinois Department of Public Health - Division of Vital Records (IDPH - DVR). The current processing time and fees vary by the county where the marriage occurred. Authorized individuals include the certificate holder, immediate family members, and authorized third parties.

Where to Get an Illinois Marriage Certificate

Illinois marriage certificate is available from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which maintains statewide marriage records from January 1, 1962 to the present. You can order a certified copy online, by mail, or in person at the IDPH office in Springfield. The state fee is $15 for a certified copy. Visit the Illinois Vital Records website for details.

For marriages before 1962, or for faster in-person service, contact the County Clerk in the county where the marriage license was issued. Illinois has 102 counties, each maintaining local marriage records. Cook County (Chicago) handles a significant portion of all Illinois marriages.

For a fast, guided experience, order your Illinois marriage certificate online through VRO with document verification and order tracking.

Is an Illinois Marriage Certificate Issued by the State or County?

Illinois issues marriage certificate at both levels. The County Clerk is the original recording authority — after the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed certificate to the county clerk that issued the license. The county then forwards a copy to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Certified copies from either source are legally valid. The IDPH only has records from 1962 onward, so for older marriages, the county clerk is the only option. The state charges $15 per copy. County fees vary but are typically $5 to $12. County clerk offices often offer same-day walk-in service.

Cook County Marriage Certificate and Chicago Marriages

Cook County, home to Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, accounts for a large share of all Illinois marriages. The Cook County Clerk's Office maintains marriage records for the county and provides certified copies both in person and by mail. Due to the high volume, Cook County has a dedicated vital records division.

If you were married in Chicago or elsewhere in Cook County, you can request your marriage certificate directly from the Cook County Clerk at their downtown Chicago office or the suburban Skokie location. The Cook County Clerk also offers an online ordering system for added convenience.

For marriages in the City of Chicago specifically, the ceremony may have been officiated by a judge at the Daley Center or by a religious officiant at another venue. Regardless of who performed the ceremony, the marriage certificate is filed with the Cook County Clerk and can be obtained from either the county or the state IDPH (for marriages from 1962 onward).

How to Order a State of Illinois Marriage Certificate

You can order an Illinois marriage certificate through the VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order marriage certificate. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the county for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your marriage certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the county that recorded the marriage. You can search the directory of record-issuing agencies for all Illinois counties, including locations, contact details, and online applications. Ensure you check the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times before finalizing the order.


Person ordering a marriage certificate with a phone using VRO

Ordering with VRO

Requesting a marriage certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.

  1. Complete the online application.
  2. Upload your documents.
  3. Process your order. ✔️

Starting from

$29+ state fees

Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO

  • 5 minutes process
  • No waiting in lines
  • No handling paperwork or mail
  • Simplified application process
  • 24 hour service
  • Online assistance by specialists
  • Verification and error-checking
  • Order tracking
  • Online notary
  • Pay online by credit card
  • Remote processing time

Get Started Online

required documents

What Documents Are Required to Order State of Illinois Marriage Certificate?

When requesting certified copies of marriage records, applicants must provide proof of identity to the Illinois County Clerk. The IDPH - Division of Vital Records requires all applicants to verify their identity with a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, a state-issued photo ID, or a passport.

If your ID expires in less than six months, you may submit it along with an additional secondary form of identification. If you do not have a photo ID, you must submit two secondary forms of identification.

The table below outlines the information and documents required to order a marriage certificate in Illinois.


Primary ID Requirements Options

Secondary ID Requirements Options

State Issued Driver’s License or State ID (U.S.-issued)
U.S. Passport / U.S. Passport Card
U.S. Military Identification Card
Foreign Passport
Driver’s License Issued by a U.S. Territory
Non-Driver Identification Card Issued by a U.S. Territory
Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) Card
Global Entry Card

Medical Card
Auto Insurance Card
Voter’s Registration Card
Paycheck Stub with Imprinted FULL Information
Bank, Financial, or Credit Card Statement
Current Utility Bill
Phone Bill
Bill for Services You Have Received

Cost & fees

What Are the Costs and Fees Associated with Replacing a Marriage Certificate in Illinois?

The total cost of ordering your Illinois marriage certificate depends on the county's fee, the method you use to submit your application. The county's fee for replacing the marriage certificate varies.


State Fee

Varies by county


Rush Processing

Not offered


Additional Copy

1 x varies by county

Processing time

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Marriage Certificate in Illinois?

The processing time for replacing a marriage certificate in Illinois varies by the county, the number of requests, and your application method for the marriage certificate. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Processing Time

Varies by the county

Rush Processing Time

Not offered



Authorization

Who is Authorized to Order an Illinois Marriage Certificate?

The individuals on record can request a certified copy of their Illinois marriage record with proof of identity and the application. A third party, such as a parent or legal representative of the individual on record, can legally order a certified copy of a marriage certificate declared by the IDPH – Division of Vital Records. To obtain a marriage record for someone else, you must first review the eligibility criteria for a marriage certificate to confirm that you're authorized to apply on their behalf.



Authorized People


  • Anyone with written, notarized consent from the bride or groom.
  • A legal representative of the person named in the record.
  • An immediate family member of the bride or groom.
  • The bride and groom are listed on the marriage certificate.
  • The parents of the bride or groom are listed on the certificate.

Do I Need a Notary for My Illinois Marriage Application?

The Illinois Department of Public Health – Division of Vital Records generally does not require you to obtain a notarized statement as part of your application for Illinois marriage records. Check the county clerk’s office for notary requirements when requesting a marriage certificate.



Tracking

How to Track the Status of Your Marriage Certificate

When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online while it is being handled. VRO verifies your documents before forwarding them to the Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Vital Records IDPH-DVR for further processing. Additionally, you can request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's journey to the health department for extra verification.

If you are mailing your marriage certificate application manually, it is recommended that you send it using first-class mail with tracking information to know when it arrives at IDPH-DVR.

IDPH-DVR does not provide mail tracking for the delivery of your vital records certificates to your address. Once the records leave the state office, the state is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.

frequently asked questions

Other FAQs


  • What Is the Difference Between a Illinois Marriage Certificate and a Marriage License?

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    A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding that legally authorizes you to marry in Illinois. A marriage certificate is the official record proving your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the appropriate office for filing. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, tax filing, and immigration applications.

  • Where Can I Get a Copy of a Marriage Certificate in Illinois?

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    You can obtain a certified copy of a Illinois marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

  • How Much Does an Illinois Marriage Certificate Cost?

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    The cost of an Illinois marriage certificate varies by county. In Cook County, a certified copy costs approximately $15 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy. Other counties may have different fee structures. Contact your local county clerk for exact pricing.

  • Can I Order an Illinois Marriage Certificate Online?

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    Yes, you can order an Illinois marriage certificate online in many counties through their official websites or approved service providers. You can also apply by mail or in person at the county clerk office where the marriage license was issued.

  • Can Someone Else Request My Illinois Marriage Certificate?

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    In Illinois, eligible requesters include either spouse named on the certificate, immediate family members, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may submit a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from an authorized applicant.

  • How To Obtain an Apostille for an Illinois Marriage Certificate

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    An apostille is typically needed when filing a birth certificate with a foreign government. Apostilles are issued for birth certificates initially filed with the Division of Vital Records. Apostilles for Illinois birth records can be obtained online through VRO or the Secretary of State Index Department.

    VRO provides apostille services for all 50 U.S. states, is recognized by governments and organizations, and is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO provides apostille services for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, all with professional support. The cost for the apostille service starts at $149 (plus government fees).

    1. Complete the VRO Apostille Express online application.
    2. Submit the required documents for approval.
    3. Receive your apostille document.

    Once your apostilled Illinois vital records are ready, we will mail them to you via FedEx or DHL. It doesn’t matter if you live in the U.S. or not—we use recognized shipping companies to deliver your documents anywhere in the world.

    If you are manually sending your certificates to the Secretary of State Index Department, you will need to submit the following documents:

    • Your certified copy of your vital records certificate.
    • A completed Application for Authentication or Apostille stating in which country the certificate will be used.
    • A payment of $2.00 per document can be either a check or a money order made payable to the Secretary of State.
    • A self-addressed, stamped return envelope – if you use prepaid Express Mail, Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS, or Airborne Express, you must include a prepaid bill receipt and pre-printed shipping label from that carrier.

    For Express or standard courier:


    For in-person, walk-in service:



  • Are Illinois Marriage Certificate Open to the Public?

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    Illinois Marriage certificate is not public information or part of the Freedom of Information Act. Access to the records depends on the type of record and the year the marriage occurred. Numerous third-party websites can assist you in researching Illinois marriage records. These websites, typically not limited by geographic location, can be an excellent reference point when analyzing records. However, the data on third-party sites may vary from official government records. To find the certificate on a third-party website, the person requesting must provide the following:

    • The location of the record you're looking for, including the city, county, or state where it was recorded.
    • The name of the person on record.
  • How Do I Correct or Amend an Illinois Certificate?

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    The IDPH Division of Vital Records’ process for correcting or amending an individual's marriage certificate is straightforward. The forms required depend on the information that needs to be amended. When Illinois marriage records are changed, an amendment is necessary.


    To correct or amend an Illinois marriage record, you will need:

    1. A completed amendment application: State of Illinois Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request. The form must be signed in the presence of a notary public.
    2. Supporting documentation: A copy of a non-expired, government-issued photo ID of the person requesting the correction. Visit the IDPH website http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/correctioninfo.htm for more information on the types of documents needed.
    3. Appropriate fee(s): A $15.00 check or money order made payable to IDPH.
  • How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Illinois Marriage Certificate

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    You can get a replacement for a lost or stolen Illinois Marriage Certificate. Below is the process to follow after losing it and how to get a replacement:

    If you lose your marriage certificate:

    1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through the issuing county. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the issuing county clerk’s office.
      1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the correct County Clerk’s office during hours of availability.
      2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the issuing county clerk’s office. Check the Directory of Counties for the requirements and address:
        Illinois County Directory
    2. The issuing county will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.