Marriage License

If you plan to be married in Winnebago County, Illinois, you need to purchase a marriage license from the Winnebago County Clerk’s Office. Where you live now or where you plan to live in the future are not considerations for being married in Winnebago County.

YOUR LICENSE MUST BE OBTAINED IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH YOU ARE BEING MARRIED.

WHERE DO WE GET OUR MARRIAGE LICENSE?

Both bride and groom must come to the Winnebago County Clerk’s Office located in the Winnebago County Administration Building at 404 Elm Street, Room 104, Rockford, Illinois to apply for the license.

WHEN CAN WE GET THE LICENSE?

Marriage Licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. You can not use the license the same day you purchase it. There is a one day waiting period before you can use your license to get married. After the one-day wait, you will have 60 days to use the license. After 60 days the license is no longer valid to use for marriage and you will need to purchase a new license if you are still planning to marry in Winnebago County.

HOW MUCH DOES A LICENSE COST?

The fee for the license is $15.00 until June 1, 2008 and it must be paid in CASH ONLY. June 1, 2008 and after the fee increases to $20.00 cash.

WHAT ARE THE AGE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A LICENSE?

To be married without parental or guardian consent, both the male and female applicant must be 18 years of age by the date the marriage license is effective. All persons under 21 years of age will be asked to provide additional proof of age and two forms of identification showing date of birth are required.

MUST WE HAVE PROOF OF OUR AGE?

Persons who are 21 years of age or over must show proof of age. A valid driver’s license is acceptable identification. All persons under 21 years of age will be asked to provide additional proof of age. Any one of the following will be acceptable as an additional form of proof: a certified birth certificate; a baptismal certificate, if the baptism took place before the age of 7; a military ID; or a passport.

I’M LESS THAN 18 YEAR OF AGE, CAN I STILL GET MARRIED?

Yes, those 16 and 17 years of age may obtain a license with proper approval and documentation. One of the following conditions must be met:

1. You must have the approval of BOTH PARENTS. This can be done by having the parent(s) appear with you in the County Clerk’s Office to fill out and sign the proper waivers when you obtain your license.
2. If one or both of you have a legal guardian, the guardian will have to give consent in person in our office, as described in number (1) above. Certified guardianship papers must be brought with you when you come to apply for your license.

WHAT IF ONE OR BOTH OF US ARE DIVORCED?

Since you are being married in the State of Illinois you must follow the requirements of this State. Illinois law states that if one of you obtained a divorce in a state that requires a six or more month waiting period, such as Wisconsin, you will not be allowed to marry in Illinois until that time period of waiting has passed. (NOTE: This does not apply if both parties are residents of Illinois at the time they obtain their marriage license.)

It is not necessary for you to bring in copies of your divorce papers. You will need to know the month and year that you were divorced for your marriage application.

ARE THERE REASONS THAT WE MAY NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET MARRIED?

Yes, here are some circumstances that may prohibit you from getting married under Illinois law.

1. A marriage entered into prior to the dissolution of an earlier marriage of one or both of the parties.
2. A marriage between an ancestor and a descendant or between a brother and a sister, whether the relationship is by the half or the whole blood or by adoption.
3. A marriage between an uncle and a niece or between an aunt and a nephew, whether the relationship is by the half or the whole blood. Cousins of the first degree, exception when parties are 50 years of age and older or one is permanently and irreversibly sterile. A doctor’s certificate is required before the license is issued.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT OBTAINING YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE:

1. The license fee until June 1, 2008 is $15 and it must be paid in CASH. On June 1, 2008 the fee increases to $20 cash.
2. You cannot use the Winnebago County Marriage License in any other county or state.
3. The license “CANNOT BE USED FOR ONE DAY FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE” and must be used within 60 days of the day that you obtain it.
4. No blood test required.

FOR QUESTIONS OR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING MARRIAGE LICENSES, CALL THE WINNEBAGO COUNTY CLERK’S VITAL RECORDS OFFICE (815) 987-3050