Search Cicero Marriage License

Cicero marriage license records fall under the Cook County Clerk's office. As one of the largest towns in Illinois with over 82,000 residents, Cicero generates a steady flow of marriage license applications each year. The nearest Cook County Clerk branch for Cicero residents is in Maywood, just a few miles west. You can also head downtown to the main office at 50 W. Washington St. in Chicago. Both people need to appear together with photo ID and $60 for the fee. Here is everything Cicero couples need to know about the marriage license process.

Cook County Clerk for Cicero

Cicero is in Cook County. That means all marriage licenses come from Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon's office. The clerk operates six locations spread across the county. For Cicero, the Maywood branch is the closest and most practical option. It handles the exact same forms and fees as the main office in Chicago. You do not lose anything by going to a branch. The downtown office sits at 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602. Call (312) 603-0996 with questions about either location.

Check the Cook County Clerk marriage license page for current hours at each office. The Maywood branch tends to have shorter wait times than the busy downtown location, which is a real plus for Cicero couples who want to get in and out fast. All six offices charge the same $60 fee and accept cash, checks, and credit cards.

Cicero Marriage License Requirements

Both parties must come in together. You cannot send one person alone or apply by mail. Each person needs a valid government photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. The IDPH valid ID page shows every accepted form of identification. You also need your Social Security number, date of birth, place of birth, and both parents' full names including maiden names.

Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues a marriage license when both parties appear, sign, and pay. No residency requirement exists. You do not need to live in Cicero or in Illinois. Both people must be 18 or older. No blood test is required. If either person was married before, you need details about how that marriage ended. If it ended less than six months ago, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If longer than six months, just know the date and place.

Under 750 ILCS 5/212, close blood relatives cannot marry in Illinois. First cousins may marry only if both are over 50.

Marriage License Fees for Cicero

The marriage license fee is $60. This applies at all Cook County locations. You pay at the time of your application and the clerk prints the license that same day. There is a one-day waiting period under 750 ILCS 5/207. If you get your license on a Wednesday, you can use it starting Thursday. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Plan your timing so the ceremony falls within that window.

Certified copies of the completed marriage certificate cost extra. Reach out to the Cook County Clerk at (312) 603-0996 for the latest copy prices.

Cicero Town Resources

The Town of Cicero website provides local government information and community services for residents planning events including weddings.

While the town itself does not issue marriage licenses, its site can point you toward local resources and venues. All marriage license business goes through the Cook County Clerk, not through the Town of Cicero government.

Cicero Wedding Ceremony Rules

After you get your marriage license, you need someone to perform the ceremony. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, judges, retired judges, and religious leaders can all officiate. Cook County also allows the county clerk to perform ceremonies since the county population exceeds 2,000,000. This is a perk that no other Illinois county offers. You can get your license and have the ceremony done at the clerk's office in one trip.

Illinois does not require witnesses at the ceremony. The officiant must complete the marriage certificate and send it back to the Cook County Clerk within 10 days. Late filings create headaches. If the paperwork does not come back on time, getting certified copies later gets harder. Make sure whoever performs your Cicero wedding knows about the 10-day deadline.

Cook County started issuing same-sex marriage licenses on February 21, 2014. The rest of the state followed on June 1, 2014. Today the process is the same for all couples who apply in Cicero or anywhere else in Cook County.

Getting Cicero Marriage License Copies

Once your officiant returns the completed certificate, the Cook County Clerk records it. You can then request certified copies at any of the six clerk locations. These copies are your legal proof of marriage. Banks, the Social Security Administration, and insurance companies all want to see a certified copy when you make changes.

The IDPH marriage records page explains that the state does not issue certified copies of marriage licenses. IDPH only provides verification of basic facts for marriages from 1962 onward. A verification costs $5. For the full certified copy of a Cicero marriage license, go through the Cook County Clerk. The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) sets the rules for how these records are stored and who can get them. Illinois marriage records are not public under the Freedom of Information Act.

Note: Keep at least two certified copies of your marriage certificate for name change paperwork and insurance updates.

Illinois Marriage License Directory

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders maintains a directory of all 102 county clerk offices in the state. Cicero falls under Cook County, but if your ceremony venue sits in DuPage County or another neighboring county, you would need to apply there instead. A Cook County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies held inside Cook County lines.

Use this directory to look up hours, phone numbers, and addresses for any county clerk office in Illinois before making the trip.

Nearby Cities

These cities border Cicero or sit nearby in the west suburban area. Each has its own page with local marriage license details.

Cook County Marriage License Office

For full details on all Cook County marriage license locations, fees, and steps, visit the county page.