Find Mason County Marriage License

Mason County marriage license applications are handled at the County Clerk's office in Havana, Illinois. If you plan to marry in Mason County, both of you must go to the clerk's office together to apply. The clerk takes care of new applications, keeps past records, and issues certified copies when you need them later. Mason County has a population of about 12,745, and the Havana office is your only stop for a marriage license here. This page walks you through everything from the $75 fee to the ID you need to bring and the rules that apply under Illinois law.

Getting a Marriage License in Mason County

Visit the Mason County Clerk's office in Havana to start. Call (309) 543-6661 ahead of time to check hours and ask about payment methods. Both of you must show up together. One person cannot apply alone. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. The IDPH valid ID requirements page lists every form of ID that Illinois accepts.

The fee for a Mason County marriage license is $75. Ask the clerk's office if they take credit cards or if you need cash or a check. Some smaller county offices in Illinois only accept certain forms of payment, so calling first saves you a trip. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the clerk issues the license after both people sign the form and pay in full.

You will fill out an application with your full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, current address, and the full names of both parents. No blood test is needed. There is no residency rule in Illinois, so you do not have to live in Mason County or even in the state to apply for a license here.

Note: If either person was married before and that marriage ended within the last six months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate.

Mason County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be 18 or older. If someone is 16 or 17, both parents must come to the Havana office and sign a consent form. No one under 16 can apply in Illinois. These age rules are the same in all 102 counties.

Illinois law puts limits on who can marry. Under 750 ILCS 5/212, close blood relatives cannot marry each other. First cousins can only marry if both are over 50, or if one provides a physician's certificate of permanent sterility. You cannot get a Mason County marriage license while a prior marriage or civil union is still in effect. The clerk checks for all of this at the time you apply. If there is an issue, the staff in Havana will walk you through what needs to happen before a license can be issued.

Waiting Period for Mason County Marriage License

There is a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, your Mason County marriage license takes effect the day after it is issued. You cannot marry on the same day you pick up the license. Come to the Havana office at least two days before your planned ceremony.

The license is good for 60 days from its effective date. Miss that window and it expires. You would need to go back, fill out a new application, and pay the $75 fee again. The license is only valid in Mason County. A license from Tazewell County or Logan County cannot be used for a wedding in Mason County. Check which county your venue is in before you apply. In rural parts of central Illinois, county lines are not always obvious, and this mistake happens more often than you might think.

A court can waive the one-day waiting period in rare cases. Most couples cannot get this waiver.

Mason County Marriage License Records

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders keeps a directory of every county clerk office in Illinois, including Mason County. The IACCR page below can help you confirm the phone number and mailing address for the Havana office.

Use this directory to verify details before your visit. A quick call to (309) 543-6661 can also confirm current hours and whether the office has changed its fee or payment policy since this page was last updated.

Who Can Perform a Marriage in Mason County

Illinois law lets a range of people officiate weddings. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, judges, retired judges, mayors, village presidents, and religious leaders from any faith can all solemnize a marriage. This applies to every ceremony in Mason County. No witnesses are required by state law, though most couples still choose to have them at the ceremony.

After the wedding, the officiant has 10 days to complete the marriage certificate and return it to the Mason County Clerk in Havana. A late return creates problems down the line. You may need certified copies for a name change at the Social Security office, or to add a spouse to your insurance. If the certificate is not on file yet, the clerk cannot issue those copies. Make sure your officiant knows the deadline well before the big day. In a county like Mason, the office is small and responsive, but the officiant still has to do their part.

Note: The officiant must be legally authorized on the date of the ceremony for the marriage to be valid in Mason County.

Certified Copies and Verification in Mason County

Once your marriage is recorded, you get certified copies from the Mason County Clerk's office in Havana. These are the official documents you need for legal steps like updating your name, your tax filing status, or your insurance. The IDPH marriage records page confirms that certified copies come only from the county where the marriage was recorded.

The state can verify basic facts but does not issue full certified copies. A verification from IDPH costs $5 and covers marriages from 1962 to the present. It confirms names, dates of birth, the date of the event, and the county where the marriage took place. To request one, mail a completed Application for Verification of Marriage Record to the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield with a check or money order. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records are not public in Illinois. The Mason County Clerk will verify your identity before giving out any copies.

Nearby Counties

If your wedding will be held outside Mason County, you need to get your license from the county where the ceremony takes place. Here are the counties closest to Mason County.