Find Lake County Marriage License Records

Lake County marriage license records are on file at the County Clerk's office in Waukegan. Both people who plan to marry must go to the clerk's office in person to fill out the form and show valid photo ID. The license fee is $35 and the office takes most payment types. Lake County also has extended Friday hours, which helps couples who work during the week. You can search for past marriage license records or start a new one by reaching out to the Lake County Clerk. This page has all the details you need to get a license, check fees, and find the right office in Lake County.

Lake County Marriage License Application

You get your marriage license at the Lake County Clerk's office in Waukegan. The address is 18 North County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085. Call (847) 377-2400 if you have questions before your visit. Both people must show up at the same time. One person alone cannot apply for the license.

Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues a marriage license once both people sign the form and pay the fee. In Lake County, the fee is $35. You will need to bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID. If you were married before and the prior marriage ended within the last six months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The clerk will check your ID and ask for your full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, and social security numbers. Each person must be free to marry, meaning no active marriages or civil unions on file anywhere.

Lake County does not let you send in a mail application. There is no online form to complete the whole process from home. You must walk into the office in Waukegan. This is true for all 102 counties in Illinois. The in-person rule is set by state law, not just local policy.

Note: Both people must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent in Lake County.

Extended Hours for Lake County Licenses

One thing that sets Lake County apart from most other Illinois counties is its Friday schedule. The clerk's office stays open until 7 PM on Fridays. This is a big help for couples who can't take time off work during the week. Most county clerk offices across Illinois close at 4:30 or 5 PM, so having that extra time on Fridays gives Lake County residents more options.

There is one catch. On Fridays before a holiday, the office closes at 5 PM instead of 7 PM. So if you plan to go on a Friday, check the calendar first. Call (847) 377-2400 to confirm the hours for the day you want to visit. Holidays can shift things around. The rest of the week, the office keeps normal business hours. But the Friday late hours are what most people take advantage of when getting a Lake County marriage license.

Marriage License Waiting Period in Lake County

Illinois law sets a one-day waiting period on all marriage licenses. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, your Lake County marriage license takes effect the calendar day after it is issued. That means you cannot get married the same day you pick up the license. Plan to visit the clerk's office at least two days before your ceremony date. A court can waive the wait in rare cases, but do not count on that happening.

The license stays good for 60 days. After 60 days, it expires and you have to start over with a new fee. Also, a Lake County marriage license is only valid inside Lake County. You cannot use it in Cook County, McHenry County, or anywhere else. Make sure your ceremony will take place within Lake County lines before you apply. This is one of the most common things couples miss.

After the ceremony, the person who performed your wedding must fill out the marriage certificate section and return it to the Lake County Clerk within 10 days. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, late returns can cause problems when you need certified copies later.

Lake County Clerk Marriage License Page

The screenshot below shows the Lake County Clerk's marriage license page on their official site. It lists the current fee, hours, and what to bring.

You can call the office at (847) 377-2400 to ask about anything not shown on the site. Staff can tell you about holiday closures, payment methods, and how long the process takes once you are at the counter. Most visits take about 20 to 30 minutes if both people have their documents ready.

Lake County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Lake County is $35. This is on the lower end compared to other Illinois counties. Cook County charges $60 and Peoria County is $75. Lake County's $35 fee puts it in line with Will County and DuPage County.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate have separate costs. The first certified copy is $10 in Lake County. Each one after that costs $4. You will want at least two or three copies for things like name changes at the Social Security office, the DMV, or your bank. The IDPH marriage records page notes that certified copies come from the county clerk in the county where the marriage took place, not from the state. So for Lake County marriages, you always go back to the Waukegan office. You can also request copies by mail. Include a check payable to the Lake County Clerk with your written request and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office typically processes mail requests within a few business days, though times may vary depending on volume.

Note: Fees can change without notice, so call (847) 377-2400 to confirm the current amount before you visit.

What to Bring to the Lake County Office

Both applicants need to show valid photo ID. The IDPH valid ID requirements page lists accepted forms. The most common ones people bring are:

• Driver's license or state ID card
• U.S. passport or passport card
• U.S. military ID
• Foreign passport (accepted in Lake County)

You also need to know your social security number. If you were married before, have the date, county, and state where that marriage ended. Bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate if the prior marriage ended within the past six months. Under 750 ILCS 5/212, you cannot get a marriage license in Lake County or anywhere in Illinois if a prior marriage is still in effect. The clerk will verify this at the time of your visit. Applicants 16 or 17 years old need both parents to come in and sign a consent form at the office. Anyone under 16 cannot apply in Illinois.

Lake County Marriage Records and Verification

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders has a full directory of every county clerk office in the state. This is useful if you need to track down a marriage record from a different county. For Lake County records, the clerk in Waukegan keeps everything on file. The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) governs who can see marriage records in Illinois. They are not public information under the Freedom of Information Act. Only certain people can access certified copies.

The Illinois IDPH can verify marriages that took place from 1962 on. A verification confirms names, dates of birth, the date of the event, and the county. It costs $5 and you can request one with a completed Application for Verification of Marriage Record. Mail it to the IDPH Division of Vital Records at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702. Include a check or money order. Do not send cash.

For a full certified copy, go to the Lake County Clerk. The state only provides verification, not certified copies of a marriage license.

Cities in Lake County

Waukegan is the county seat and the largest city in Lake County. Residents of Waukegan and all other Lake County cities get their marriage license from the clerk's office in Waukegan at 18 North County Street.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony venue is outside Lake County, you need a marriage license from the county where the wedding will take place. These are the counties closest to Lake County.