Evanston Marriage License Search

Evanston marriage license applications are processed by the Cook County Clerk's office. Evanston sits on the north shore of Cook County, right along the Lake Michigan shoreline and just north of Chicago. The Skokie branch office is the nearest Cook County Clerk location for most Evanston residents, and it is only a few minutes away. You can also apply at the main downtown Chicago office or any of the other four branches across Cook County. Both people must appear in person with proper ID. This page explains fees, what to bring, where to go, and everything else Evanston couples should know about getting their marriage license.

Cook County Clerk and Evanston Licenses

Evanston is part of Cook County. The Cook County Clerk, Monica Gordon, issues all marriage licenses for people who want to marry in the county. Evanston couples have six offices to choose from. The Skokie branch sits just west of Evanston and is the most convenient option for most people here. It is a short trip, usually under 15 minutes from central Evanston.

The main office at 50 W. Washington St. in Chicago is another option, but parking downtown can be tricky and wait times tend to be longer. The Skokie branch gives you the same service with less hassle. Every branch charges the same $60 fee, uses the same forms, and follows the same procedures. There is no advantage to picking one office over another except for convenience.

Check the Cook County Clerk marriage license page for current branch hours before your visit. Hours can change around holidays and during budget adjustments, so a quick check saves you a wasted trip.

Call (312) 603-0996 with any questions. That is the main Cook County Clerk number.

Evanston Marriage License Requirements

Both partners must appear together. You cannot send someone on your behalf. Each person needs a valid government photo ID. Accepted forms include a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. The IDPH valid ID page lists every form of ID the clerk will accept.

You also need your Social Security number, your birth date and place, and the full names of both parents including maiden names. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, both people must be at least 18. There is no residency requirement. You do not have to live in Evanston or even in Cook County. Anyone who is legally eligible can apply here.

If either person had a prior marriage that ended within the past six months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If the prior marriage ended more than six months ago, you just need to know when and where. Under 750 ILCS 5/212, close blood relatives cannot marry each other. First cousins may only marry if both are over 50. No blood test is required. That rule was dropped in 1989.

Evanston Marriage License Fee

The fee is $60. Cash, checks, and credit cards are all accepted. A small processing surcharge may apply to card payments at some locations. The license is printed on the spot and given to you the same day you apply.

Under 750 ILCS 5/207, a marriage license does not become valid until the next calendar day. If you get it on a Monday, Tuesday is the first day you can use it. The license stays good for 60 days from the date it was issued. After 60 days, it expires. Evanston couples need to plan so the ceremony falls within that window. If it doesn't, you pay the $60 again and start over.

Note: The $60 fee is the same at all six Cook County locations.

Who Can Officiate in Evanston

Judges, retired judges, religious leaders, and the mayor of Chicago can all perform wedding ceremonies in Illinois. But Cook County offers something unique. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, the county clerk can solemnize marriages in counties with a population over 2,000,000. Cook County is the only one in the state that hits that mark. So Evanston couples can have the clerk perform a quick ceremony right at the office.

Illinois does not require witnesses at the ceremony. That keeps things flexible for small private weddings. The officiant must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the Cook County Clerk within 10 days. Late submissions cause delays when you try to get certified copies down the road. Make sure whoever performs your ceremony knows about the 10-day deadline.

Evanston has many popular ceremony venues along the lakefront, in local parks, and at historic sites throughout the city. As long as the venue is within Cook County borders, your Cook County marriage license will work. If you pick a venue outside Cook County, you would need to get the license from that county.

Marriage Equality in Evanston

Cook County began issuing same-sex marriage licenses on February 21, 2014, months before the rest of Illinois. Evanston, known for its diverse and inclusive community, saw many couples take advantage of this early start. Today, the process is identical for all couples. Same $60 fee. Same forms. Same rules. The Cook County marriage license portal confirms that everything applies equally.

Certified Copies of Evanston Marriage Licenses

After the officiant returns the completed certificate, the Cook County Clerk records the marriage. You can then order certified copies from any of the six Cook County offices. Mail requests are also accepted. Certified copies are what you need for name changes at the Social Security office, updating your driver's license, changing insurance beneficiaries, and other official paperwork.

The IDPH marriage records page is clear that the state does not issue certified copies. IDPH can only provide a verification letter that confirms basic facts like names, dates, and the county. That costs $5. For the full certified copy of an Evanston marriage license, the Cook County Clerk is the only source. The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) controls how records are stored and who has access.

Note: Illinois vital records are not public under the Freedom of Information Act.

Illinois Marriage License Resources

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders has a full directory of all 102 county clerk offices in the state. While Evanston is in Cook County, the directory is useful if your ceremony venue is in a different county.

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

IDPH also explains what kinds of marriage records the state keeps on file. For Evanston couples, the main takeaway is that your license and certified copies both come from the Cook County Clerk, not the state. The state only has verification records starting from 1962.

This page explains how to request a state verification letter if you need proof of marriage for an out-of-state purpose.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Evanston also fall under Cook County or are close by. Each one has its own marriage license page.

Cook County Marriage License Office

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