Bureau County Marriage License

Bureau County marriage license applications go through the County Clerk's office in Princeton. County Clerk Matt Eggers and his team handle all marriage license work, from the initial form to the final recording of the certificate. Both people must visit the office together and bring valid photo ID. Bureau County is in north-central Illinois, and the clerk serves all towns in the county. This page covers fees, requirements, and how to get copies of your Bureau County marriage license. You can reach the office at (815) 875-2014 to check hours or ask about the process.

Getting a Marriage License in Bureau County

Both you and your partner must show up at the Bureau County Clerk's office in Princeton. You fill out the marriage license form together. The clerk will check your IDs and ask for basic info like your Social Security number, date and place of birth, and your parents' full names including the mother's maiden name. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the clerk issues the license once both parties sign and the fee is paid. It is a straightforward visit that should take about 15 to 20 minutes if you come prepared.

Bureau County is a smaller county, so the clerk's office may keep limited hours. Call (815) 875-2014 before you drive out to Princeton. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders lists the Bureau County office with its full address and phone number. That directory covers all 102 county clerk offices in the state and is a useful reference if you need contact details fast.

The IACCR county clerk directory shown below is a quick way to find Bureau County's office info along with every other clerk in Illinois.

Walk-ins are common in Bureau County, but checking ahead never hurts.

Bureau County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be 18 or older. If you are 16 or 17, both parents need to give written consent at the clerk's office. Under 750 ILCS 5/208, no one under 16 can apply for a marriage license anywhere in Illinois. This rule applies in Bureau County just like every other county in the state.

You need a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. The IDPH valid ID page has the full list. Make sure your ID is current and not expired. The Bureau County Clerk will not accept an expired document. Some counties also take a foreign passport, but call the office to confirm if that applies in Bureau County.

There is no blood test. That went away in 1989. There is no residency rule in Illinois. You do not have to live in Bureau County or even in the state. Anyone can apply. If you were married before, the clerk needs to know when and where it ended. A recent divorce within the last six months requires a certified copy of the divorce decree. Without that document, the Bureau County Clerk will not issue your marriage license.

Marriage License Fees in Bureau County

Marriage license fees change from county to county across Illinois. There is no single state-set amount. Call the Bureau County Clerk at (815) 875-2014 to confirm the current fee before your visit. Bring cash or check, and ask the staff whether they accept card payments. Some small-county offices in Illinois are cash only, and showing up with just a credit card can mean a wasted trip.

Certified copies of a recorded marriage have a separate fee. The Bureau County Clerk can tell you the exact cost when you call. You can request copies in person or by mail. The clerk also handles copies of older marriage records on file with the county.

Note: Always call ahead to confirm fees, as they can change without much notice.

Bureau County License Waiting Period

Illinois law requires a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the marriage license takes effect the calendar day after the clerk issues it. You cannot use it on the same day you pick it up from the Bureau County Clerk. A court can waive the wait in special cases, but that almost never happens. Plan to get your license at least two days before your wedding.

The license is valid for 60 days from its effective date. If the 60 days pass and you have not used it, the license expires. You would need to go back to Princeton, fill out a new form, and pay again. The Bureau County marriage license only works inside Bureau County. A license from LaSalle County or Henry County cannot be used here, and a Bureau County license cannot be used anywhere else. Double-check that your ceremony spot is inside Bureau County lines before you apply.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Bureau County Clerk within 10 days. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, this deadline applies statewide. A late return can cause delays when you need copies later.

Who Can Officiate in Bureau County

State law spells out who can perform a wedding. Judges, retired judges, mayors, and village presidents can all officiate. Religious leaders of any faith or denomination are also allowed. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, no witnesses are required by Illinois law, though most couples invite people to watch. The Bureau County Clerk's office does not perform ceremonies since that power belongs only to Cook County where the population tops 2,000,000.

If you need someone to marry you in Bureau County, contact the circuit court in Princeton or look for a local justice of the peace. Some couples bring their own officiant, whether it is a pastor, rabbi, or a friend who was ordained online. As long as the person fits the state rules, the ceremony is valid. The key thing is making sure they send the form back to the Bureau County Clerk on time.

Certified Copies of Bureau County Marriage Licenses

After the officiant files the signed certificate with the Bureau County Clerk, the marriage is recorded. You can then request certified copies. These are the legal documents that prove you are married. You might need them for a name change at the Social Security office, to update your insurance, or for other legal needs.

The IDPH marriage records page makes clear that certified copies come from the county clerk, not from the state. The Illinois Department of Public Health can only verify basic facts about a marriage from 1962 onward. A verification costs $5 and confirms names, dates of birth, date of the event, and the county. It is not a certified copy. For the real thing, contact the Bureau County Clerk in Princeton.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage license records are not public in Illinois. Only the people named on the form or their legal representatives can get certified copies. The Bureau County Clerk follows these rules and will ask for ID before releasing any records. The state page below shows how IDPH handles marriage record verification requests for all counties.

For a full certified copy, always go through the Bureau County Clerk's office in Princeton.

Cities in Bureau County

Bureau County includes Princeton, Spring Valley, DePue, Tiskilwa, and a number of other small communities. No city in the county has a population over 50,000. All residents go to the Bureau County Clerk's office in Princeton for marriage license services. The same process and fees apply no matter which town you call home.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony takes place outside Bureau County, you must get a marriage license from that county. Each neighbor has its own clerk and fees.