Find Des Plaines Marriage License Records

Des Plaines marriage license records are filed through the Cook County Clerk. This city sits in the northwest part of Cook County, close to O'Hare Airport and just south of Arlington Heights. Couples who live here can apply at any of the six Cook County Clerk locations. The Rolling Meadows branch is the closest option for most Des Plaines residents, but the Skokie branch also works well depending on where in the city you are. Both partners need to appear together with valid ID. This page covers requirements, costs, where to go, and how the whole process works for Des Plaines couples.

Des Plaines Marriage License Office

Des Plaines falls under Cook County, so the Cook County Clerk handles all marriage license applications for residents here. County Clerk Monica Gordon oversees the office and its six locations across the county. The main office is at 50 W. Washington St. in downtown Chicago, but for Des Plaines residents, the Rolling Meadows branch is a much shorter drive. The Skokie branch is another solid option, sitting just east of the city.

You can apply at whichever location is most convenient. The process does not change from one office to the next. Same forms, same fee, same rules. Some people prefer the suburban branches because wait times tend to be shorter than downtown. If you want to call ahead and ask about current wait times or check hours, the main number for the Cook County Clerk is (312) 603-0996. That number works for all locations.

The Cook County Clerk marriage license page has the full list of branch addresses and their hours. It is a good idea to check that page before heading out.

What You Need for a Des Plaines Marriage License

Both people must come in together. No exceptions. Bring a valid government photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. The IDPH valid ID page has the full list of what the clerk will accept. You also need to know your Social Security number, your date of birth, where you were born, and your parents' full names.

There is no residency requirement under 750 ILCS 5/203. You don't have to live in Des Plaines. You don't even have to live in Illinois. As long as both parties are at least 18 and meet the basic rules, the clerk will issue the license. If either person was married before and the prior marriage ended within the last six months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If it ended longer ago, you just need the date and location.

No blood test is needed. Illinois ended that requirement in 1989.

Des Plaines Marriage License Cost

A marriage license costs $60 in Cook County. That is what Des Plaines couples pay at any of the six clerk locations. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. A small card processing surcharge may apply at some branches, so cash is the safest bet if you want to keep the total at exactly $60.

The license takes effect the next calendar day under 750 ILCS 5/207. So if you get it on Wednesday, Thursday is the first day you can use it. The license is valid for 60 days after that. If your ceremony doesn't happen within those 60 days, the license expires and you start over. Plan your timeline so the license and the ceremony date line up.

Ceremony Rules for Des Plaines Couples

Cook County has a perk that no other county in Illinois offers. The county clerk can solemnize marriages here. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, that right applies only to counties with a population over 2,000,000. Cook County is the only one. So you can get your license and have the ceremony done in the same visit at the clerk's office. That makes it easy for Des Plaines couples who want something simple and fast.

Other people who can officiate include judges, retired judges, religious leaders, and the mayor of Chicago. Illinois does not require witnesses at the ceremony, which makes small private weddings even simpler. After the wedding, the officiant fills out the marriage certificate and must return it to the Cook County Clerk within 10 days. Late returns create problems when you try to get certified copies later.

Keep in mind that your Cook County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies held inside Cook County. Des Plaines sits well within those borders, so local venues, churches, and parks all work fine. But if you pick a venue in Lake County or DuPage County, you need to get your license from that county instead.

Getting Copies of a Des Plaines Marriage License

After the officiant sends back the completed marriage certificate, the Cook County Clerk records it. You can then request certified copies. Visit any of the six Cook County offices, or send a written request by mail. Certified copies are the legal proof of your marriage. You will need them for name changes, health insurance updates, bank accounts, and other official business.

The state does not issue certified copies. The IDPH marriage records page explains that IDPH can only verify basic facts about marriages recorded from 1962 onward. A verification letter costs $5 and confirms names, dates, and the county where the license was filed. For the actual certified copy of a Des Plaines marriage license, you go through the Cook County Clerk. The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) sets the rules for how these records are kept and who can request them.

Note: Marriage records in Illinois are not open to the public under the Freedom of Information Act.

Illinois Marriage License Resources

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders maintains a directory of all 102 county clerk offices in the state. Des Plaines falls under Cook County, but if your venue is outside Cook County lines, this directory will help you track down the right clerk office quickly.

This directory lists hours, addresses, and phone numbers for every county clerk in Illinois. It is a useful resource if you need to apply in a county other than Cook.

The IDPH website also provides guidance on what records the state maintains versus what stays at the county level. For Des Plaines residents, the short version is: your marriage license and certified copies come from Cook County, not the state.

The IDPH page above covers state-level verification letters and explains the difference between a verification and a certified copy.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Des Plaines are also in Cook County or close by. Each has its own page with local marriage license information.

Cook County Marriage License Office

For complete details on all Cook County marriage license offices, fees, and procedures, visit the county page.