Access Jasper County Marriage License

Marriage license records in Jasper County are managed by the County Clerk's office in Newton. Clerk Amy Tarr handles all marriage license applications and related record requests for the county. If you want to get married in Jasper County, both people need to visit the Newton office together. Jasper County is one of the smaller counties in southeastern Illinois, but all the same state rules apply here as they do in larger counties. This page covers the complete process for applying, the waiting period, what you need to bring, and how to get copies of your marriage record.

Getting a Jasper County Marriage License

Go to the Jasper County Clerk's office in Newton to apply. The phone number is (618) 783-3124. Clerk Amy Tarr and her staff handle all the paperwork. Both people must be in the office at the same time. One person cannot apply alone. Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Check the IDPH valid ID page for the full list of accepted forms.

The clerk needs your social security number, date of birth, place of birth, and current address. You must also give both parents' full legal names. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the Jasper County Clerk issues the license once both parties sign the application and the fee is paid. Illinois does not require a blood test. There is no residency requirement. Couples from Indiana, other counties, or out of state can apply at the Newton office without any proof they live in Jasper County.

Note: The Newton office may have limited hours compared to larger counties, so call (618) 783-3124 before you go.

Jasper County Marriage License Timing

Illinois requires a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the Jasper County marriage license takes effect one calendar day after it is issued. Same-day use is not an option. If you get the license on a Thursday, the first day you can use it is Friday. Visit the Newton office at least two days before your ceremony.

The license stays good for 60 days. Let it lapse and you need a new one. New application, new fee. Your Jasper County marriage license only works inside Jasper County. A license from Newton is not valid in Cumberland County, Crawford County, Clay County, Richland County, or Effingham County. This corner of Illinois has several counties packed close together, and it is common for couples to pick venues near a county border without realizing it. Make sure you know which county your ceremony site is in. One call to the venue clears it up.

Prior Marriages and Jasper County Filing

If either person was married before, the Jasper County Clerk must know. Tell Clerk Amy Tarr when and where that prior marriage ended. The date, county, and state of the divorce or death are required details. When the prior marriage ended within the last six months, you need a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The Newton office will hold up the application until that proof is provided.

Bring everything with you the first time. It saves a second trip to Newton.

Who Can Apply in Jasper County

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Applicants aged 16 or 17 can get a license with parental consent. A parent or legal guardian must go to the Newton office and sign the form in person. Nobody under 16 can marry in Illinois under any circumstances.

Under 750 ILCS 5/212, certain marriages are not allowed in Illinois. You cannot marry if you are still legally married or in a civil union. Close blood relatives are barred. First cousins can marry only if both are over 50, or if one provides a doctor's certificate of permanent sterility. The Jasper County Clerk screens for all of these issues during the application process in Newton. Coming with clear and complete information speeds things up for everybody involved in the process at the clerk's office.

Note: If you have questions about a specific eligibility issue, call (618) 783-3124 and ask Clerk Amy Tarr before making the trip.

Jasper County Marriage Certificate Filing

The officiant must complete the marriage certificate after the ceremony. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, it must be returned to the Jasper County Clerk within 10 days. The Newton office records the marriage once they get the form back. Judges, retired judges, mayors, religious leaders, and village presidents can all perform the wedding in Jasper County. Illinois law does not require any witnesses at the ceremony.

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders has a directory of every clerk in the state, including Jasper County. You can use it to confirm the Newton office address and phone number. Below is a screenshot of the IACCR clerk directory.

Certified copies of a Jasper County marriage license come from the Newton office. The state does not issue certified copies of marriage licenses. The IDPH marriage records page can verify that a marriage took place from 1962 forward for a $5 fee, but for the certified document itself, you must contact Clerk Amy Tarr at the Jasper County office.

Verifying Jasper County Marriage Records

IDPH can confirm that a marriage took place in Jasper County. The verification shows both names, dates of birth, the marriage date, and the county where it happened. The cost is $5. Mail a completed Application for Verification of Marriage Record to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include a check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health and a clear copy of your photo ID.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records in Illinois are not public information. Certified copies are restricted to certain people under the law. The Jasper County Clerk follows these rules and will check your identity before releasing any records from the Newton office. If you need a verification for a name change or legal matter, allow several weeks for IDPH to process the request by mail.

Nearby Counties

Getting married in a neighboring county? You need a license from that county's clerk office instead. Here are the counties next to Jasper County.