Marriage License in Marion County

Marion County marriage license applications are processed at the County Clerk's office in Salem. Both people must be present in the office with valid photo ID to fill out the form and pay the fee. The county sits in south-central Illinois and has about 37,000 residents. Salem is the county seat and the location of the courthouse where the clerk handles all marriage license filings. On this page you will find what documents to bring, how the waiting period works, and how to order certified copies of your Marion County marriage license after the wedding.

How to Apply in Marion County

Walk into the Marion County Clerk's office at the courthouse in Salem. Both of you must be there at the same time. Bring valid 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 everything that qualifies. You also need your Social Security number, full legal name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. The clerk asks for both parents' full names, and that includes your mother's maiden name.

Fill out the form, sign it, pay the fee, and the Marion County Clerk hands you the license. That is the whole visit. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the license once both people complete the application and the fee is paid. The license does not take effect right away. Illinois has a one-day wait. So you cannot use it the same day you get it. Plan your trip to Salem at least two days before your ceremony.

Marion County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 years old. Under 750 ILCS 5/208, a 16 or 17 year old can apply with consent from both parents. No one under 16 can marry in Illinois. There is no blood test requirement. Illinois ended that in 1989. There is no residency requirement either. Couples from outside Marion County or outside Illinois can apply at the Salem courthouse with no problems at all.

If either person had a prior marriage, the clerk needs to know about it. You must provide the date, county, and state where it ended. Here is where people run into trouble: if the prior marriage ended within six months of your application date, the Marion County Clerk requires a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. No exceptions. Without that document, the clerk cannot process your marriage license. It is worth double checking your records before you make the drive to Salem.

Under 750 ILCS 5/212, close blood relatives cannot marry. First cousins can marry only if both are over 50. You cannot apply if you are still legally married to another person or in an active civil union. The Marion County Clerk checks all of this during the application.

Note: Call the Marion County Clerk at (618) 548-4141 to ask about any special situations before you visit.

Marriage License Fees for Marion County

Every county in Illinois sets its own marriage license fee. For the current cost in Marion County, call (618) 548-4141. Across the state, fees range from about $30 to $90. Payment rules vary too. Some offices take cash only. Others accept checks, debit, or credit cards. A small card processing fee may be added on top. Ask when you call so you come prepared with the right form of payment.

Certified copies of your recorded marriage certificate are a separate fee. The Marion County Clerk's office handles these after the officiant returns the signed form. You can request copies in person at the courthouse in Salem or by mail. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders keeps a full directory of all clerk offices in the state. Look up Marion County to confirm the current mailing address before sending a written request. The screenshot below shows the IACCR directory page.

Fees can change, so always confirm the amount before your visit.

Marion County License Waiting Period

Illinois law requires a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the marriage license takes effect the calendar day after the clerk issues it. You cannot get married the same day you pick it up from the Marion County Clerk. Only a judge can waive this wait, and that rarely happens. Plan ahead.

Your Marion County marriage license stays valid for 60 days from its effective date. After 60 days it expires. You have to go back to Salem, submit a new form, and pay the fee all over again. The license also only works within Marion County. A license from Marion County is not valid in Jefferson County, Clinton County, or anywhere else. Before you drive to the courthouse, confirm that your ceremony venue is actually located in Marion County. This matters most for venues near county borders where the line may not be obvious.

After Your Marion County Ceremony

The officiant has responsibilities after the wedding. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, the person who performed the ceremony fills out the marriage certificate form and returns it to the Marion County Clerk within 10 days. Late returns can slow down your ability to get certified copies. Remind your officiant about this deadline. Judges, retired judges, religious leaders from any faith group, and mayors or village presidents can all officiate in Illinois. No witnesses are needed by state law.

Once the marriage is recorded, you can request certified copies from the Marion County Clerk. The state of Illinois does not hand out certified copies of marriage licenses. The IDPH marriage records page explains that certified copies come only from the county clerk where the ceremony took place. The IDPH Division of Vital Records can verify basic facts about a marriage from 1962 onward for a $5 fee. A verification shows names, dates of birth, the date of the event, and the county. That is all.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), vital records are not public information in Illinois. Access is limited. For a full copy, go through the Marion County Clerk in Salem. If you only need a verification from the state, mail the Application for Verification of Marriage Record to the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield with a $5 check or money order.

The screenshot below shows the IDPH's marriage records page for reference.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Illinois since June 1, 2014. Marion County issues licenses to all qualifying couples.

Note: Keep your certified copy of the marriage license in a safe place once you receive it from the Marion County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

The license must come from the county where your ceremony takes place. If your venue is outside Marion County, apply at the right county clerk's office below.