Kendall County Marriage License

Kendall County marriage license applications are handled by the County Clerk and Recorder office in Yorkville. Both people must come to the office together to fill out the form and show valid photo ID. Kendall County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Illinois, so the clerk's office stays busy with new applications each week. You can learn about fees, the waiting period, who can officiate, and how to get certified copies of your marriage license on this page. The office also handles civil union licenses under the same process. Call ahead to check hours before your visit.

How to Get a Kendall County Marriage License

The Kendall County Clerk and Recorder office is the only place to apply for a marriage license in Kendall County. It sits in Yorkville, the county seat. Both you and your partner must go in person. You cannot send just one person or have someone else apply on your behalf. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the license once both parties sign the form and pay the fee. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have all your documents ready.

The Kendall County website was not loading when we last checked, so calling the office at (630) 553-4183 is the best way to confirm current hours, fees, and any changes to the process. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders also lists Kendall County contact info in their statewide directory. Staff there can tell you what forms of payment they accept and whether you need an appointment or can walk in.

The IACCR directory below lists all county clerk and recorder offices across the state, which is a good backup when a county website is down.

If you plan to marry in Kendall County, get your license from Yorkville first. A license from a different county will not work here.

Kendall County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent. If you are 16 or 17, both parents must give written consent at the clerk's office. No one under 16 can apply for a marriage license in Kendall County or anywhere in Illinois. You need a valid government-issued photo ID. Accepted forms include a driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. The IDPH valid ID requirements page lists every form of identification the state accepts.

There is no blood test. Illinois dropped that rule back in 1989. There is also no residency rule, which means anyone from any state or country can get a Kendall County marriage license. You will need your Social Security number, full legal name, date and place of birth, and current address. The clerk also asks for your parents' full names.

If you were married before, bring the date, county, and state where that marriage ended. A divorce within the past six months means you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The clerk cannot issue your Kendall County marriage license without it when the prior marriage ended recently.

Note: Under 750 ILCS 5/212, close blood relatives cannot marry, and first cousins may only marry if both are over 50.

Waiting Period for Kendall County Licenses

Illinois has a one-day waiting period. Your Kendall County marriage license takes effect the calendar day after the clerk issues it. This is set by 750 ILCS 5/207. You cannot use it the same day you pick it up. A court can waive the wait in rare cases, but that almost never happens. Plan to get your license at least two days before your ceremony.

The license stays valid for 60 days from its effective date. After that, it expires and you must apply and pay again. It also only works inside Kendall County. A license from Will County or Kane County cannot be used for a ceremony in Kendall County, and vice versa. Make sure you know which county your wedding venue is in before you apply.

Who Can Officiate a Marriage in Kendall County

Under 750 ILCS 5/209, several types of people can perform a wedding in Kendall County. Judges of a court of record and retired judges are both allowed. The mayor of Yorkville or any other town in Kendall County can officiate while in office. Religious leaders of any denomination or faith group may also solemnize a marriage. Illinois does not require witnesses at the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the officiant must fill out the marriage certificate and return it to the Kendall County Clerk within 10 days. This 10-day deadline comes from state law and applies in every county. A late return can slow down your ability to get certified copies of your Kendall County marriage license later on. Make sure your officiant knows about this deadline before the wedding day.

Note: The Kendall County Clerk's office is not authorized to perform ceremonies since that rule only applies to counties with over 2,000,000 residents.

Kendall County Marriage License Copies

Once your marriage is recorded, you can get certified copies from the Kendall County Clerk's office. These are the official documents that prove your marriage took place. You may need them for name changes, insurance, or other legal purposes. Call the clerk at (630) 553-4183 to ask about certified copy fees and how to request them by mail or in person.

The IDPH marriage records page confirms that certified copies come from the county clerk, not from the state. The state can only verify basic facts about a marriage. A verification from IDPH costs $5 and covers marriages from 1962 to the present. It confirms names, dates of birth, date of the event, and the county. But it is not the same thing as a certified copy of your Kendall County marriage license.

The IDPH marriage records portal shown below explains how the state handles marriage record verification requests.

To get a state verification, mail a completed Application for Verification of Marriage Record to the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield. Include a $5 check or money order and a readable photo ID. Do not send cash.

Marriage Records and Privacy in Kendall County

Vital records are not public in Illinois. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), access to marriage license records is limited. Only certain people can get certified copies, typically the people named on the record or their legal representatives. The Kendall County Clerk follows these state rules on who can request copies and what information can be shared.

The clerk sends a copy of each recorded marriage to the Illinois Department of Public Health within 45 days after the close of the month. This builds the state's central index. But the full original record stays with Kendall County. If you need a copy of your marriage license for any reason, the county clerk in Yorkville is your first stop. The state office in Springfield handles only verifications, not full certified copies.

Cities in Kendall County

Kendall County includes communities like Yorkville, Oswego, Plano, and parts of Joliet and Aurora. No city in Kendall County has a population over 50,000, so all residents apply for their marriage license at the Kendall County Clerk's office in Yorkville. The same rules and fees apply regardless of which town you live in.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony takes place outside Kendall County, you need a license from that county instead. Each neighboring county has its own clerk's office and may have different fees.