Find Marriage License in Decatur

Decatur marriage license applications are processed by the Macon County Clerk's office. Decatur is the county seat of Macon County, so the clerk's office is right in town. Both people must appear together to fill out the application. You will need to bring valid photo ID and some personal details. The clerk's office can be reached at (217) 424-1305 for questions about hours and what to bring. This page covers the full process for getting a marriage license in Decatur, the waiting period, who can officiate, and how to get certified copies after your wedding.

Macon County Clerk Handles Decatur Marriage Licenses

Decatur is in Macon County. The Macon County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses for all couples planning to hold their ceremony somewhere in the county. The office is in the Macon County Office Building in downtown Decatur. Call (217) 424-1305 for current hours and to find out if you should make an appointment.

Both people have to show up together. You cannot send just one person or have a friend pick up the license on your behalf. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the marriage license once both parties complete and sign the application and the fee gets paid. The license is printed on the spot. Most visits take around 20 to 30 minutes. It goes faster if you have all your information ready before you walk in.

Note: A Macon County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies held within Macon County borders.

Decatur Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be 18 or older. Applicants who are 16 or 17 can apply with consent from both parents, who must sign the form at the clerk's office. No one under 16 can get a license in Illinois. There is no residency rule. You can live anywhere and still apply in Macon County, but the wedding must take place in the county.

You need a valid government photo ID. The most common choices are a state driver's license or state ID card. A U.S. passport or military ID works too. The IDPH valid ID page has the full list. You also need your Social Security number, your date and place of birth, your parents' full legal names including your mother's maiden name, and your parents' states of birth. If either person was married before, you must know when and where it ended. If that prior marriage ended less than six months ago, bring the certified divorce decree or death certificate as proof.

No blood test is needed. Illinois has not required one since 1989. The clerk will also hand you a brochure about sexually transmitted diseases and inherited metabolic conditions as required by 750 ILCS 5/204.

Marriage License Fees in Decatur

Call the Macon County Clerk at (217) 424-1305 to confirm the current fee. Marriage license fees in Illinois range from about $30 to $90 depending on the county. Ask what payment methods they accept. Some counties take cash only. Others take checks and credit cards too. If you are not sure, bring cash to be safe.

Certified copies of your completed marriage certificate cost extra. You will want a few copies for name changes, bank updates, insurance, and other records. Order them at the time of your visit if you can since buying multiple copies at once is typically cheaper than coming back later. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), the Macon County Clerk is the sole source for certified copies of a marriage certificate filed in the county.

Decatur Marriage License Waiting Period

Illinois has a one-day waiting period. Your Decatur marriage license takes effect the calendar day after the clerk issues it. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, this means you cannot get your license and have your wedding on the same day. If you get the license on Monday, Tuesday is the first day you can use it. The license then stays good for 60 days.

After 60 days it expires. An expired license cannot be used. You would have to start over with a new application and pay the fee again. Most Decatur couples apply two or three days before the ceremony to stay on the safe side.

Decatur City Resources

The City of Decatur website offers information on local government services and community resources that may be helpful as you plan your wedding.

The city does not issue marriage licenses directly, but the site can point you to local event venues and city permits you may need for an outdoor ceremony in a Decatur park.

Who Can Perform a Wedding in Decatur

Several people can legally officiate a wedding in Decatur under 750 ILCS 5/209. That includes judges and retired judges, the mayor of Decatur, and religious leaders in good standing with their faith group. Witnesses are not required at the ceremony in Illinois. This makes small, private weddings easy to arrange.

The officiant must complete the marriage certificate and mail or deliver it to the Macon County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. If it does not get returned on time, your marriage record might not be filed properly and getting certified copies later becomes much harder. Remind your officiant about this 10-day deadline well before the wedding so nothing falls through the cracks.

Certified Copies of a Decatur Marriage License

After the officiant sends back the completed certificate, the Macon County Clerk records the marriage. You can then request certified copies. Go to the clerk's office in person or send a written request by mail. These certified copies serve as legal proof that you are married. You will use them for name changes at the Social Security office, at the DMV, and at your bank.

The IDPH marriage records page makes clear that the state does not issue certified copies. IDPH can only verify basic facts about marriages from 1962 onward. A verification costs $5. But it is not a certified copy. For the real thing, the Macon County Clerk's office is the only place to go for Decatur marriages. Vital records in Illinois are not public under the Freedom of Information Act, so only authorized people can access them.

Illinois Marriage License Directory

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders maintains a directory of all 102 county clerk offices across the state. If your ceremony venue is actually in a county next to Macon, this directory can help you find the right clerk. A license from Macon County only works within Macon County.

The IDPH page shown above explains the difference between a state marriage verification and a county-issued certified copy.

Nearby Cities

Bloomington, Springfield, and Champaign are the closest large cities to Decatur. Each falls in a different county with its own clerk's office and fee schedule.

Macon County Marriage License Office

For full details on Macon County marriage license procedures, fees, and office hours, visit the county page.