Monroe County Marriage License

Monroe County marriage license applications are processed at the County Clerk's office in Waterloo, the county seat. Both people must show up together to sign the form and present valid photo ID. Monroe County sits in southwestern Illinois, just south of the St. Louis metro area. You do not need to be a Monroe County resident to apply for a license here. This page explains how to apply, what documents to bring, the waiting period, fees, and how to get certified copies of your Monroe County marriage license after you marry.

Applying for a Monroe County License

The Monroe County Clerk's office in Waterloo handles all marriage license applications. Both of you go in together. You fill out the form, present your IDs, and pay the fee. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the clerk issues the license after both parties sign and the fee is paid. One person cannot do this alone. The whole visit is usually quick if you have everything ready.

Call the Monroe County Clerk at (618) 939-8681 before you go. Check the hours, ask about the fee, and find out what payment methods they accept. Monroe County is smaller, so hours may be more limited than what you find in bigger counties like St. Clair across the border. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders has Monroe County listed in their directory with contact info and office location.

Monroe County Marriage License Requirements

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. This can be a driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. The IDPH valid ID page has the full list of accepted identification types. Your ID must be current and readable. An expired or damaged ID will not be accepted at the Monroe County Clerk's office.

Both people must be at least 18 years old. Minors aged 16 or 17 can apply with written consent from both parents, who must be present in the office. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Illinois. You also need to bring your full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, current address, and your parents' full names. If you had a previous marriage, the clerk needs the date, county, and state where it ended.

There is no blood test needed. No residency rule either. Couples from Missouri, other states, or even other countries can apply for a Monroe County marriage license in Waterloo. Monroe County's location near the St. Louis area makes it a common pick for couples who want to marry in Illinois but live across the river in Missouri.

Note: If your prior marriage ended within the last six months, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate to Monroe County.

Waiting Period for Monroe County

The license takes effect one day after the clerk issues it. This comes from 750 ILCS 5/207. You cannot get married the same day you pick up your Monroe County marriage license. Get it at least two days before the ceremony so there is no rush. A court can waive this wait, but that almost never happens in practice.

Your Monroe County license stays good for 60 days. Use it or lose it. After 60 days, you need a new application and a new fee. The license only works inside Monroe County. If your ceremony is in Randolph County or St. Clair County, go to that county's clerk instead. Always check your venue address to make sure it falls within Monroe County lines.

Marriage Ceremony in Monroe County

Under 750 ILCS 5/209, judges, retired judges, religious leaders, and mayors can officiate weddings in Monroe County. The mayor of Waterloo or any other village president in the county can perform the ceremony while in office. No witnesses are required. The Monroe County Clerk cannot officiate since that rule only applies to counties with over 2,000,000 people.

The officiant fills out the marriage certificate after the ceremony and sends it back to the Monroe County Clerk within 10 days. This deadline is set by state law and applies everywhere in Illinois. A late return will delay your ability to get certified copies. Remind your officiant about the 10-day rule well before the wedding.

The screenshot below shows a section of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which lays out the rules for marriage license issuance and return in Monroe County and all other Illinois counties.

Couples who want a courthouse ceremony in Waterloo should ask the local circuit court if a judge is available to officiate.

Monroe County Marriage Records

Once the clerk records the marriage, certified copies are available from the Monroe County Clerk's office. Call (618) 939-8681 for current copy fees and how to request them. Certified copies serve as the official proof of your marriage. You will need them for name changes, insurance updates, and various legal matters.

The state does not give out certified copies. The IDPH marriage records page explains that the Illinois Department of Public Health can verify a marriage from 1962 to the present for $5. This verification confirms names, dates, and the county but is not the same as a full certified copy. For the real thing, the Monroe County Clerk in Waterloo is where you go.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records are not public in Illinois. Only the people on the record, their legal representatives, and a few other categories can access them. The Monroe County Clerk follows these rules on every request.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County includes Waterloo, Columbia, Valmeyer, Hecker, and Maeystown. No city in Monroe County has a population over 50,000. All residents use the Monroe County Clerk's office in Waterloo for marriage license applications. Columbia is the largest city in the county, but the clerk's office is only in Waterloo.

Nearby Counties

Planning a ceremony outside Monroe County? You will need a marriage license from that county's clerk. These counties sit near Monroe County.