Fayette County Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Fayette County are handled by County Clerk Jessica Barker at the clerk's office in Vandalia. Both people who plan to marry must visit the office together with valid photo ID. Vandalia served as the state capital long ago, and the courthouse still stands as the center of county business today. The Fayette County Clerk processes new marriage license requests, stores old records, and answers questions about what couples need to bring. This page walks you through fees, rules, and the full process for getting a marriage license in Fayette County, Illinois.

Applying for a Fayette County Marriage License

Go to the Fayette County Clerk's office in Vandalia. The phone number is (618) 283-5000. Both people must appear in person. You cannot send a friend or family member on your behalf. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. The IDPH valid ID page shows the full list of accepted forms.

Clerk Jessica Barker and her staff will walk you through the form. You need your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, Social Security number, and current address. The clerk also asks for the full names of both parents. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the license once both people sign the application and pay the fee. There is no blood test in Illinois. No residency rule applies either, so out-of-state couples can get a Fayette County marriage license without any issues.

If either person was married before, the clerk needs to know when and where that marriage ended. When a prior marriage ended within the last six months, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Have this ready before your visit to the Vandalia office.

Note: Call (618) 283-5000 before your trip to check hours and accepted payment methods.

Fayette County License Requirements and Eligibility

Both applicants must be at least 18. Anyone who is 16 or 17 can apply in Fayette County if both parents come in and give consent. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Illinois at all. Bring your ID, your Social Security number, and be ready to answer basic questions about your personal history.

Under 750 ILCS 5/212, certain marriages are prohibited by state law. Close blood relatives cannot marry each other. First cousins can only marry if both are over 50 or if one has a doctor's certificate of permanent sterility. You cannot get a Fayette County marriage license while you are still in a prior marriage or civil union that has not been legally dissolved. The clerk in Vandalia checks for these things before any license goes out the door. If there is a problem, the staff will let you know what paperwork or legal steps you need to take care of first.

Fayette County Marriage License Waiting Period

Illinois has a one-day waiting period for all marriage licenses. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the license takes effect the calendar day after the clerk issues it. You cannot use it the same day. Come to the Fayette County Clerk at least two days before your ceremony to make sure everything lines up with your plans.

Your Fayette County marriage license is valid for 60 days from its effective date. After that, it expires. You would need to go back to Vandalia, start over, and pay the fee again. The license also works only inside Fayette County. A license from Shelby County, Effingham County, or Montgomery County will not work for a wedding in Fayette County. Make sure the place where your ceremony will happen is within Fayette County lines. This is a common mistake for couples who live near a county border. If you are not sure which county your venue falls in, the clerk's office in Vandalia can help you figure it out.

Fayette County Marriage License Forms and Resources

The IDPH marriage records page has useful details about how Illinois handles marriage license records at the state level. Below is the state portal that explains the role of county clerks and the IDPH Division of Vital Records.

For Fayette County, the clerk's office in Vandalia is your main source for everything related to your license. The state office in Springfield can verify a marriage but does not give out certified copies. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders also lists the Fayette County Clerk in their statewide directory if you need to look up the address or phone number.

Who Can Officiate in Fayette County

Under 750 ILCS 5/209, several types of people can perform a marriage in Fayette County. Judges of a court of record and retired judges qualify. The mayor of Vandalia or any village president in Fayette County can officiate while in office. Religious leaders from any denomination or faith group may also perform the ceremony. Illinois does not require witnesses to be present.

Your officiant must fill out the marriage certificate and return it to the Fayette County Clerk within 10 days after the ceremony. This 10-day rule comes from state law. If the officiant is late, it can hold up your ability to get certified copies of the Fayette County marriage license. Certified copies are what you need for name changes, bank updates, insurance, and other legal matters. Talk to your officiant well before the wedding so they know to send the form back to Vandalia right away. Some officiants forget, especially when they travel out of the area after a ceremony.

Certified Copies of Fayette County Marriage Records

After the marriage is recorded, you get certified copies from the Fayette County Clerk's office. Call (618) 283-5000 to ask about copy fees and how to request them. You can visit in person or ask about mail requests. These are the official documents that prove your marriage took place in Fayette County.

The IDPH Division of Vital Records can verify a marriage but cannot hand out certified copies. A state verification costs $5 and covers marriages from 1962 on. It confirms names, dates of birth, date of the event, and the county. Mail a completed verification form to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737 with a check or money order. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records in Illinois are not public. The Fayette County Clerk follows these privacy rules and will check your ID before handing over any certified copy of a marriage license.

Note: The Fayette County Clerk cannot perform wedding ceremonies since that authority is limited to counties with over 2,000,000 residents.

Nearby Counties

Getting married outside of Fayette County? You will need a license from the county where the ceremony takes place. These neighboring counties are closest to Fayette County.