Search LaSalle County Marriage License

LaSalle County marriage license applications go through the County Clerk's office in Ottawa. The office also serves as the county recorder, so the clerk handles both issuing new marriage licenses and keeping records on file. Both people must appear in person with valid photo ID. LaSalle County sits in north-central Illinois and covers a large rural area with several small towns. You can find details on the application process, fees, required documents, and how to get certified copies of your marriage license below. Call the office at (815) 434-8202 if you need to confirm anything before your visit.

Getting a LaSalle County Marriage License

The LaSalle County Clerk's office is the sole place to apply for a marriage license in this county. The office is in the courthouse in Ottawa. Both you and your partner must appear together. No exceptions. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the clerk issues the marriage license after both parties sign the application and pay the fee. You will fill out a form with your legal names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and parents' names.

The LaSalle County marriage license information page has the current fee and office hours posted online. The county website is a good first stop before you drive to Ottawa. Karen L. Miller serves as the LaSalle County Recorder, and the IACCR directory lists her as the county's representative in the statewide association. The screenshot below comes from the LaSalle County website and shows their marriage license details.

The license is printed at the time of your visit. You take it home and give it to your officiant before the ceremony.

Note: Call the LaSalle County Clerk at (815) 434-8202 to ask about payment methods before you go.

LaSalle County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must be at least 18. If either person is 16 or 17, both parents must consent in writing at the clerk's office. Bring a valid photo ID. Accepted forms include a driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID card. The IDPH valid ID page has the full list. Foreign passports are also accepted at most Illinois clerk offices.

There is no blood test needed. Illinois got rid of that requirement in 1989. There is no residency rule either. You do not have to live in LaSalle County or even in Illinois to apply for a marriage license here. Anyone can apply. You just need to hold your ceremony within LaSalle County borders since the license is only good in the county that issued it.

If a previous marriage ended within the past six months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The LaSalle County Clerk will not issue a new marriage license without proof that the prior union is dissolved. For divorces older than six months, you only need the date, county, and state where it was finalized.

Waiting Period and Validity in LaSalle County

Illinois law requires a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the LaSalle County marriage license takes effect the calendar day after it is issued. You cannot use it on the same day you get it. So if you pick up the license on a Friday, the earliest your ceremony can take place is Saturday. Plan ahead. Get your license at least two days before the wedding.

The license is good for 60 days. Once those 60 days pass, the license expires. You would need to go back to the LaSalle County Clerk, apply again, and pay the fee a second time. The license also works only inside LaSalle County. A license from Kendall County or Bureau County will not work for a ceremony held in LaSalle County, and the reverse is also true.

Note: A court can waive the waiting period, but this is rare and usually only granted in extreme circumstances.

Who Can Perform Marriages in LaSalle County

Several types of people can officiate a wedding in LaSalle County. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, judges, retired judges, and the mayor of any city or village in the county can all solemnize a marriage while they hold office. Religious leaders from any denomination or faith group are also allowed. Illinois does not require any witnesses at the ceremony, though many couples choose to have them.

After the wedding, the person who performed the ceremony must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the LaSalle County Clerk within 10 days. This return deadline is strict. A late return means the marriage is not recorded on time, and it can cause delays when you try to get certified copies. Make sure your officiant knows this rule well before your ceremony date.

Certified Copies of LaSalle County Marriage Licenses

Once the officiant returns the completed certificate, the LaSalle County Clerk records the marriage. You can then request certified copies from the same office in Ottawa. Certified copies serve as the official legal proof that your marriage took place. Call (815) 434-8202 to ask about the fee for certified copies and whether you can order them by mail.

The state does not issue certified copies. The IDPH marriage records page makes this clear. The Illinois Department of Public Health can only verify the basic facts of a marriage from 1962 onward. A verification costs $5 and confirms names, dates of birth, the marriage date, and the county. For a full certified copy of your LaSalle County marriage license, you must go through the county clerk in Ottawa.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records are not public information in Illinois. Only certain people can request certified copies. Typically that means the people named on the license or their legal representatives. The LaSalle County Clerk follows these state rules for every request.

Marriage Record Verification Through the State

If all you need is a verification of your LaSalle County marriage, the IDPH Division of Vital Records can help. Mail a completed verification form to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include a $5 check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Also include a clear copy of your photo ID. Do not send cash.

A verification is not the same as a certified copy. It only confirms that a marriage happened and lists basic details. For most legal and official purposes, you will want the full certified copy from the LaSalle County Clerk instead.

Cities in LaSalle County

LaSalle County includes Ottawa, Peru, LaSalle, Streator, Mendota, and several other towns. No city in the county has a population over 50,000. All residents go to the LaSalle County Clerk's office in Ottawa to apply for a marriage license. The same rules and fees apply no matter which town you call home.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony takes place outside LaSalle County, you need a marriage license from that county. Each has its own clerk's office and fees.