Applying For A Marriage License

Couples getting married in Kane County must obtain a marriage license from the Kane County Clerk's office.

Timelines and restrictions

Marriage licenses are:

• effective only in Kane County
• issued while you wait
• effective the following calendar day after they are issued
• valid for 60 days

Eligibility

Under Illinois law, only eligible persons can marry. Both the bride and groom must:

• be 18 years of age or older
• be of opposite sex
• not be blood relatives
• Individuals who reside out of state may not apply for a marriage license in Illinois if such a marriage would not be legal in their home state.
• Not enter into a marriage prior to dissolution of a marriage or civil union or substantially similar legal relationship

Exceptions

• Under state law, first cousins older than 50 years of age may marry.
• Under state law, applicants who are 16 and 17 years old may obtain a marriage license with parental consent.

  Both parents or legal guardians must:

  • appear in person
  • provide sworn consent of the marriage at that time
  • provide valid identification
  • If a court-appointed legal guardian is providing consent, a certified copy of the appointment is required.

  Applicants who are 16 or 17 must present the following:

  • a certified copy of their birth certificate
  • a second form of identification showing their date of birth

Applying

Couples must appear together at:

Kane County Clerk
719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. B
Geneva, IL 60134
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am-8:00pm

Keep in mind, marriage license applications take 30 minutes to process. Please plan accordingly.

(630) 232-5950

They must:

• Fill out and sign a marriage license application.
• Present valid identification with proof of age.
• Pay a $27 fee (cash only).
• Applicants who have divorced within the last six weeks must provide a certified copy of their divorce decree upon applying for a marriage license.

Marriage

• Marriage in Illinois may be performed by either a person of the clergy or a judge.
• Witnesses are not required by Illinois law.
• Effective December 01, 2011 all couples purchasing their marriage license and having their ceremony at the courthouse will need to call ahead (after purchasing the marriage license) and schedule an appointment. Judges are available during the hours of 1:30pm to 3pm, Monday through Friday.
• Couples wishing to have a judge perform their marriage outside the court system, must make special arrangements in advance. Please contact the clerk’s office for a list of retired judges.

After the marriage ceremony occurs

• The individual(s) performing the ceremony must complete the bottom portion of the marriage license and mail or deliver it within 10 days of the date of marriage to:

Kane County Clerk
719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. B
Geneva, IL 60134
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am-8:00pm
(630) 232-5950

• If, for any reason, you do not get married within the 60 day time period, it is your responsibility to return the license to the Clerk's office to be filed.
• Under no circumstances should a license be destroyed after it is issued.
• You may obtain a copy of your marriage certificate upon request.

For more information call: (630) 232-5950

(*) = Documents Require Adobe Acrobat Reader

Kane County Clerk's Office, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. B, Geneva, IL 60134
For information call: (630) 232-5950 | En Español llama: (630) 232-5991 | CountyClerk@co.kane.il.us