A Restaurant Wedding in Aurora, Illinois

Before getting married in Chicago or suburban Cook County, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk’s office.
Marriage Equality has been the law in Cook County since February 21, 2014, allowing same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. It took effect throughout all of Illinois on June 1, 2014. For further Marriage Equality information, visit the Clerk’s site at: https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/service/marriage-equality

 You can contact the office of Vital Records:

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.
  • The marriage license fee is $60.
  • Applicants who have divorced must provide the date the divorce was finalized upon applying for a marriage license. Applicants who have divorced within the last six months must provide a certified copy of their divorce decree.

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

The Clerk’s site provides additional information including eligibility, exceptions, and additional information and links.

Courthouse Locations

Cook County Building

Vital Records Division

118 N Clark Street

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

Email: dorr@cookcountygov.com

North suburbs/Skokie

5600 W Old Orchard Road, Rm 149

Skokie, IL 60077

847.470.7233

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

Northwest suburbs/Rolling Meadows

2121 Euclid Ave., Rm 238

Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

847.818.2850

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

West suburbs/Maywood

1311 Maybrook Square, Rm 109

Maywood, IL 60153

708.865.6010

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

South suburbs/Markham

16501 S Kedzie, Rm 238

Markham, IL 60426

708.210.4150

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

Southwest suburbs/Bridgeview

10220 s 76th Ave., Rm 238

Bridgeview, IL 604

708.974.6150

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday