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Marriage Licenses
The County Clerk's office will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 5 due to office construction. The office will reopen on Monday, August 8 at 8:30 a.m.
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Age
Both applicants must be present to obtain a license and be 18 years of age. Marriage applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age may marry in Illinois only when both parents or legal guardians complete a consent form at the time of the license application. Parental consent forms are available from the Clerk's office. Valid identification and the original birth record are required for applicants under the age of 18.
Identification Requirements
Both applicants must present identification and proof of age. A valid U.S. driver’s license, valid U.S. state identification card, valid U.S. passport, or valid U.S. military identification card are accepted.
Applicants must present valid identification displaying the exact name as it will appear on the license. For example, if it's desired to have the full middle name appear on the marriage license, then identification provided must display the full middle name.
If you do not have the above forms of identification, alternative identification accepted includes any two (2) pieces: a certified copy of a birth certificate (certified English translation required for foreign certificates), a valid foreign passport, U.S. naturalization papers, a valid U.S. resident alien card or an official consulate identification card. Personal affidavits are not acceptable.
Previous Marriages / Civil Unions
We must know how a previous marriage or civil union ended, including the date, county and state in which it ended. If a prior marriage or civil union ended within the last six months, the County Clerk's office must see a certified copy (a photocopy is not sufficient) of the death record, dissolution or annulment decree.
Social Security Number (if applicable)
If a social security number has been issued to you, you will be asked to provide the number on your marriage application.
Non-Residents
If either applicant resides in another state, a license will be issued only if the marriage would not be prohibited by the state of residency.
Effective Date
Marriage licenses must be obtained at least one day prior to the marriage. The marriage must take place in Lake County and occur within 60 days of the date the license is issued. After 60 days, any license not completed (no marriage performed), is invalid.
Fee
$35 for Marriage license application
$10 for first certified copy
$4 for each additional certified copy
Payment may be made in cash or by check/money order payable to the Lake County Clerk. Some credit and debit cards are accepted and include an additional processing fee. Certified copies of the completed Marriage License may be ordered and pre-paid at the time the license is issued. Certificates are mailed once the completed license is returned by the officiant.
Medical Examination
No medical tests are required in Illinois.
Clergy
The Clerk’s office is not an agent for any clergy or ministers and cannot provide contact information for those who perform non-sectarian services.
Judge Services
Judges for the 19th Judicial Circuit Court are available to perform marriage ceremonies at the following times. Prior to getting married by a judge, couples must obtain their marriage license from the County Clerk's office. Click here for County Clerk's business hours
The judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit do not schedule appointments and perform ceremonies only after regular court business is completed. If you are planning to have your ceremony near or on a holiday, call Court Administration at 847.377.3600 to confirm the judges’ availability.
You must bring to the ceremony:
Judges require you to provide a third-party interpreter if either person does not speak or understand the English language.
For further information on judge services, please call the Court Administrator's Office at 847-377-3600.
For recorded information about obtaining a marriage license, call 847-377-2401. For additional information, you may contact our staff at 847-377-2411.
Requesting Copies of a Marriage Record
$10 for first certified copy of a completed marriage license
$4.00 for each additional copy
If the record is not found to be on file within this jurisdiction, a certificate of no record found is available for purchase. The cost of the certification is $1.50 payable to the Lake County Clerk’s office.
Marriage Record Request Form (PDF)
Request a Record Via Fax
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- Age
- Identification Requirements
- Previous Marriages / Civil Unions
- Social Security Number
- Non-Residents
- Effective Date
- Fee
- Medical Examination
- Clergy or Judge Services
- Requesting Copies of Marriage Record
- Office Hours & Directions
Age
Both applicants must be present to obtain a license and be 18 years of age. Marriage applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age may marry in Illinois only when both parents or legal guardians complete a consent form at the time of the license application. Parental consent forms are available from the Clerk's office. Valid identification and the original birth record are required for applicants under the age of 18.
Identification Requirements
Both applicants must present identification and proof of age. A valid U.S. driver’s license, valid U.S. state identification card, valid U.S. passport, or valid U.S. military identification card are accepted.
Applicants must present valid identification displaying the exact name as it will appear on the license. For example, if it's desired to have the full middle name appear on the marriage license, then identification provided must display the full middle name.
If you do not have the above forms of identification, alternative identification accepted includes any two (2) pieces: a certified copy of a birth certificate (certified English translation required for foreign certificates), a valid foreign passport, U.S. naturalization papers, a valid U.S. resident alien card or an official consulate identification card. Personal affidavits are not acceptable.
Previous Marriages / Civil Unions
We must know how a previous marriage or civil union ended, including the date, county and state in which it ended. If a prior marriage or civil union ended within the last six months, the County Clerk's office must see a certified copy (a photocopy is not sufficient) of the death record, dissolution or annulment decree.
Social Security Number (if applicable)
If a social security number has been issued to you, you will be asked to provide the number on your marriage application.
Non-Residents
If either applicant resides in another state, a license will be issued only if the marriage would not be prohibited by the state of residency.
Effective Date
Marriage licenses must be obtained at least one day prior to the marriage. The marriage must take place in Lake County and occur within 60 days of the date the license is issued. After 60 days, any license not completed (no marriage performed), is invalid.
Fee
$35 for Marriage license application
$10 for first certified copy
$4 for each additional certified copy
Payment may be made in cash or by check/money order payable to the Lake County Clerk. Some credit and debit cards are accepted and include an additional processing fee. Certified copies of the completed Marriage License may be ordered and pre-paid at the time the license is issued. Certificates are mailed once the completed license is returned by the officiant.
Medical Examination
No medical tests are required in Illinois.
Clergy
The Clerk’s office is not an agent for any clergy or ministers and cannot provide contact information for those who perform non-sectarian services.
Judge Services
Judges for the 19th Judicial Circuit Court are available to perform marriage ceremonies at the following times. Prior to getting married by a judge, couples must obtain their marriage license from the County Clerk's office. Click here for County Clerk's business hours
| Judges are available: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Lake County Courthouse and Administrative Complex 18 North County Street Waukegan, Illinois |
| Saturday | 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | Babcox Justice Center 20 South County Street Waukegan, Illinois |
| Sunday | 9:00 a.m. ONLY | Babcox Justice Center 20 South County Street Waukegan, Illinois |
The judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit do not schedule appointments and perform ceremonies only after regular court business is completed. If you are planning to have your ceremony near or on a holiday, call Court Administration at 847.377.3600 to confirm the judges’ availability.
You must bring to the ceremony:
- Valid marriage license
- $10 cash for the ceremony fee
- Identification documents presented at the time you applied for the marriage license
Judges require you to provide a third-party interpreter if either person does not speak or understand the English language.
For further information on judge services, please call the Court Administrator's Office at 847-377-3600.
For recorded information about obtaining a marriage license, call 847-377-2401. For additional information, you may contact our staff at 847-377-2411.
Requesting Copies of a Marriage Record
$10 for first certified copy of a completed marriage license
$4.00 for each additional copy
If the record is not found to be on file within this jurisdiction, a certificate of no record found is available for purchase. The cost of the certification is $1.50 payable to the Lake County Clerk’s office.
Marriage Record Request Form (PDF)
Request a Record Via Fax