Lee County Marriage License

Lee County marriage license applications are filed at the County Clerk's office in Dixon, the county seat. Both parties must appear in person at the office to complete the application and show valid photo ID. Lee County is in northwestern Illinois, and Dixon sits along the Rock River. You do not have to live in Lee County or in Illinois to get a license here. This page covers how to apply, what to bring, the waiting period, who can perform the ceremony, and how to request certified copies of your Lee County marriage license after the wedding.

Applying for a Lee County Marriage License

Go to the Lee County Clerk's office in the courthouse in Dixon. Both you and your partner walk in together. You fill out the application, hand over your IDs, and pay the fee. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the clerk issues the license after both people sign and the fee is paid. One person cannot handle this for the other.

Call the Lee County Clerk at (815) 288-3309 before you drive out. Ask about the current fee, office hours, and what they accept for payment. Smaller county offices sometimes have limited hours or close early on certain days. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders lists Lee County in their directory as well, which can help if the phone line is busy.

The whole process usually takes about 20 minutes once you are at the counter. Get there with plenty of time before the office closes, and make sure you have every document ready. A second trip is no fun for anyone.

Note: Lee County does not have an online marriage license application, so you must do everything at the clerk's office in person.

Lee County License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18. Minors aged 16 or 17 need written consent from both parents at the office. Nobody under 16 qualifies anywhere in Illinois. You need a valid government-issued photo ID to apply for a Lee County marriage license. A driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. Check the IDPH valid ID page for the full list of what the state accepts.

The form asks for your full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, current address, and occupation. You also give your parents' full names. No blood test is needed. That has not been a thing in Illinois since 1989. There is no residency rule either. Couples from Iowa, Wisconsin, or any other place can apply in Lee County without issue.

If you were married before, bring the date, county, and state where it ended. A divorce within the last six months means a certified copy of the decree must come with you. Under 750 ILCS 5/212, you also cannot get a license if you are still in a prior marriage or civil union. Close blood relatives cannot marry in Illinois.

Waiting Period and Lee County Validity

There is a one-day wait under 750 ILCS 5/207. Your Lee County marriage license takes effect the day after the clerk issues it. You cannot get married on the same day you pick up the license. Get it at least two days before the ceremony so there is no risk of a timing issue.

The license is valid for 60 days from its effective date. After that, it expires. You would need a new application and a new fee. The license only works in Lee County. If your venue is in Ogle County or DeKalb County, you need to get a license from that county instead. Always confirm the county of your ceremony location before you apply.

Marriage Ceremony Rules in Lee County

Judges, retired judges, mayors, village presidents, and religious leaders can all perform weddings in Lee County. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, religious leaders from any denomination or faith tradition may solemnize a marriage. The mayor of Dixon can officiate while holding office. Illinois does not require witnesses at the wedding.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage certificate and sends it back to the Lee County Clerk within 10 days. This deadline comes from state law. A late return will delay your access to certified copies. Talk to your officiant about this before the big day.

The screenshot below shows sections of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. This statute covers the rules for issuing and returning marriage licenses in Lee County and every other Illinois county.

The Lee County Clerk does not perform wedding ceremonies. That rule only applies in Cook County.

Lee County Marriage Records

Once the clerk records the returned marriage certificate, you can get certified copies from the Lee County Clerk in Dixon. These are the official proof of your marriage. You will need them for name changes, legal filings, insurance updates, and other things that come up after a wedding. Call (815) 288-3309 for current certified copy fees and to ask if they accept mail requests.

The IDPH marriage records page explains that the state health department can verify a marriage from 1962 onward for $5. This confirms names, dates, and the county. It is not the same as a certified copy. For the actual document, the Lee County Clerk is your source. Vital records are not public in Illinois under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535). Only people on the record, their legal agents, and certain other parties can access them.

Note: To request a state verification, mail a completed Application for Verification of Marriage Record to IDPH in Springfield with $5 and a copy of your photo ID.

Cities in Lee County

Lee County includes Dixon, Amboy, Ashton, Franklin Grove, and Paw Paw. No city in Lee County has a population over 50,000. All residents go to the Lee County Clerk's office in Dixon for marriage licenses. Dixon is the only place in the county where you can apply.

Nearby Counties

Getting married outside Lee County? You need a license from that county's clerk. A Lee County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies in Lee County.