Franklin County Marriage License Search

Franklin County marriage license records are kept by County Clerk Paris Dunk at the courthouse in Benton. Both people who plan to marry must visit the clerk's office in person. You fill out the form, show valid ID, and pay the fee. Franklin County is in southern Illinois and has about 37,300 residents. Benton is the county seat and the place where all marriage license applications are filed. This page walks you through what you need to bring, how the process works, and how to get copies of your Franklin County marriage license after the ceremony.

Getting a Franklin County Marriage License

Both people go to the Franklin County Clerk's office in Benton. No exceptions. You cannot send just one person or apply through the mail. Clerk Paris Dunk's office processes all marriage license applications during normal business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. The IDPH valid ID page shows every accepted form.

You need your Social Security number, date of birth, place of birth, and your parents' full names. Your mother's maiden name is part of the form. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the license after both people complete the application and pay. It is handled in a single visit. You leave with the license in hand.

No blood test is needed. Illinois stopped requiring one in 1989. There is no residency rule. Couples from outside Franklin County or out of state can apply here without issue.

Franklin County Marriage License Requirements

You must be 18 or older to apply on your own. Under 750 ILCS 5/208, a 16 or 17 year old can get a marriage license with consent from both parents. Nobody under 16 qualifies in Illinois. The clerk checks your age using the photo ID you bring.

Prior marriages require extra documents. The Franklin County Clerk needs to know the date, county, and state where the previous marriage ended. If it ended within the past six months, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Without that document, the clerk will not process your application. This is a statewide rule. It applies at every county clerk's office in Illinois. Get the paperwork together before you drive to the courthouse in Benton so you do not waste a trip.

State law bars certain marriages. Under 750 ILCS 5/212, you cannot apply if you are still in a marriage or civil union. Close blood relatives cannot marry. First cousins can marry only if both are 50 or older, or one has a doctor's certificate of permanent sterility. These rules apply across Illinois.

Note: Call Clerk Paris Dunk's office at (618) 435-9800 with questions about your specific situation before visiting.

Marriage License Fees in Franklin County

Each county in Illinois sets its own fee. For Franklin County's current rate, call (618) 435-9800. Statewide, the cost of a marriage license runs from about $30 to $90. Payment methods differ too. Some clerks take only cash. Others accept checks or credit cards. A few add a small card processing fee. Ask the clerk's office what they accept before you go so you are not stuck at the window without the right payment.

Certified copies of the recorded marriage certificate cost extra. You can order them from the Franklin County Clerk in person or by mail after the officiant returns the signed license. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders keeps a statewide directory of all county clerk offices. Use it to find the Franklin County Clerk's mailing address if you need to send a written request.

Franklin County License Wait and Validity

There is a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the Franklin County marriage license takes effect the calendar day after it is issued. You cannot use it the same day. A court can waive the wait, but that is extremely rare. Most couples pick up the license at least two days before the ceremony.

The license stays good for 60 days from its effective date. If you do not use it in time, it expires. You would need to go back to Benton, fill out a new form, and pay the fee over again. The license is only valid in Franklin County. It cannot be used in Williamson County, Jefferson County, or any other county in Illinois. Know which county your ceremony venue is in before you apply. Southern Illinois counties can border each other closely, and venues near county lines sometimes confuse people about which jurisdiction they are in.

After Your Franklin County Wedding

The person who performed the ceremony must fill out the marriage certificate and return it to the Franklin County Clerk within 10 days. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, this deadline applies statewide. Judges, retired judges, religious leaders, mayors, and village presidents can all officiate. No witnesses are required under Illinois law. A late return will delay your certified copies, so make sure your officiant knows the rules.

After the marriage is on file, you order certified copies from the Franklin County Clerk. The state does not issue them. The IDPH marriage records page confirms that certified copies are available only from the county clerk where the marriage took place. The screenshot below shows the IDPH's marriage records information.

The IDPH can verify a marriage from 1962 onward for $5. A verification confirms names, dates of birth, the date of the event, and the county. It is not a full certified copy. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), vital records in Illinois are not public. To get a state-level verification, mail the Application for Verification of Marriage Record to the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield with a $5 fee.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Illinois since June 1, 2014. Franklin County issues licenses to all couples who meet the state requirements. The screenshot below shows the Illinois counties by population page for reference.

For all questions about Franklin County marriage license records, contact Clerk Paris Dunk's office at (618) 435-9800.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony is not in Franklin County, you need a marriage license from the county where the wedding will take place.