Search Henry County Marriage License Records

Henry County marriage license applications are handled by County Clerk Barbara Link at the courthouse in Cambridge. Both people must appear in person to fill out the form and show valid photo ID. The clerk's office is the only place in Henry County where you can get a marriage license. No online application is available here. Henry County is in northwestern Illinois and has about 48,600 residents. You can search for Henry County marriage license details, find out what the clerk needs from you, and learn about fees and waiting rules on this page.

Applying for a Henry County Marriage License

Go to the Henry County Clerk's office in Cambridge. Both people must show up. You cannot send one person or apply by mail. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The IDPH valid ID page lists all forms of ID that work. You also need your Social Security number and date of birth. The clerk asks for each person's place of birth and parents' full names, including the mother's maiden name. Have this ready before you get to the window.

Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the license after both people fill out and sign the form and the fee is paid. The Henry County Clerk processes the license on the spot during your visit. Once done, you walk out with the license in hand. It takes effect one day later.

No blood test is needed in Illinois. That rule ended in 1989. There is no residency rule either. You do not have to live in Henry County or in Illinois. Anyone can apply for a marriage license here as long as both people come in with proper ID.

Note: Clerk Barbara Link's office can be reached at (309) 937-3480 if you have questions before your visit.

Marriage License Requirements in Henry County

Both people must be at least 18. That is state law. A 16 or 17 year old can apply with consent from both parents under 750 ILCS 5/208. No one under 16 can marry in Illinois. The clerk checks your age at the time of the visit using your photo ID.

Prior marriages need to be reported. You must tell the clerk the date, county, and state where the previous marriage ended. If it ended less than six months ago, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The Henry County Clerk will not process your license without that document. Couples sometimes forget this step and have to come back a second time. Check your paperwork before driving to Cambridge.

Under 750 ILCS 5/212, certain marriages are prohibited. Close blood relatives cannot marry in Illinois. First cousins can marry only if both are over 50, or if one brings a doctor's certificate of permanent sterility. You cannot get a Henry County marriage license if you are still legally married or in a civil union with someone else.

Henry County Marriage License Fees

Fee amounts vary by county. Call the Henry County Clerk at (309) 937-3480 to get the current license fee. Across Illinois, marriage license fees range from about $30 to $90 depending on the county. Some offices accept cash only, while others take checks or credit cards. The clerk's staff can tell you which payment methods they take when you call to ask about the fee.

Certified copies of a recorded marriage certificate have their own cost. You can order copies in person at the Henry County Clerk's office or by mail. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders has a directory of every county clerk in the state. It lists the Henry County Clerk's address and phone number. The screenshot below shows the IACCR's statewide directory page.

Use the directory to verify the Henry County Clerk's mailing address before sending any requests for copies.

Henry County License Wait Time and Validity

One day. That is how long you wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the marriage license takes effect the calendar day after the clerk issues it. So if you pick it up on a Friday, you can use it starting Saturday. A court can waive this wait in rare situations, but most couples just plan ahead. Get your Henry County marriage license at least two days before your ceremony.

The license is good for 60 days from its effective date. Use it or lose it. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you start over. You pay the fee again and fill out a new form at the Henry County Clerk's office. The license is also only valid in Henry County. A license from Henry County cannot be used in Rock Island County, Knox County, or anywhere else in Illinois. Make sure your wedding venue falls within Henry County lines before you apply.

Note: The one-day waiting period cannot be waived by the county clerk, only by a judge in special circumstances.

After Your Henry County Wedding

Your officiant handles the next step. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, the person who performs the wedding must fill out the marriage certificate and return it to the Henry County Clerk within 10 days. Judges, retired judges, religious leaders from any denomination, and mayors can all officiate in Illinois. No witnesses are required by state law, though many couples choose to have them. A late return can cause delays when you try to get certified copies later.

Once the clerk records the marriage, you can order certified copies from the Henry County Clerk's office. The state of Illinois does not hand out certified copies of marriage licenses. That is the county's job. The IDPH marriage records page makes this clear. The IDPH Division of Vital Records can only verify basic facts about a marriage from 1962 to the present for a $5 fee. A verification shows names, dates of birth, the date of the ceremony, and the county. It is not the same as a certified copy.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), vital records are not public information in Illinois. Access is restricted. For a full certified copy of your Henry County marriage license, go to the clerk or send a written request by mail. You can also mail the Application for Verification of Marriage Record to the IDPH in Springfield if all you need is a verification.

Who Can Officiate in Henry County

Illinois law allows several types of people to perform weddings. Judges and retired judges qualify. So do religious leaders from any denomination, Indian Nation, or Native Group. Mayors and village presidents who are in office on the date of the ceremony can also perform marriages. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Illinois since June 1, 2014, and Henry County issues licenses to all qualifying couples.

The IDPH valid ID requirements apply at the clerk's office when you apply, not at the ceremony itself. The screenshot below shows the state's accepted forms of identification for vital records purposes.

Make sure your officiant knows they have 10 days to return the signed certificate to the Henry County Clerk after the wedding.

Nearby Counties

Your marriage license must come from the county where the ceremony takes place. If your venue is not in Henry County, you need a license from one of these neighbors.