Find Peoria County Marriage License Records

Peoria County marriage license records are held by the County Clerk's office in downtown Peoria. Both people must go to the clerk in person to fill out the form and show valid ID. The county also lets couples fill out a pre-application online, which can save time at the window. Peoria County is one of the few places in Illinois that offers Zoom wedding ceremonies for couples who hold a valid license. You can search for Peoria County marriage license details, check fees, and learn what to bring on this page.

How to Get a Peoria County Marriage License

Both people must go to the Peoria County Clerk's office at the same time. You can walk in, but filling out the online pre-application first will speed things up. The clerk's staff will pull up your form when you get there. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID. The IDPH valid ID page has the full list of what counts. You also need your Social Security number, date of birth, and place of birth. The clerk will ask for your parents' full names, including your mother's maiden name.

The Peoria County Clerk marriage license page lists the full set of rules and forms. The screenshot below shows the county's online portal for marriage license information.

Once both of you sign the form and pay the $75 fee, the clerk hands you the license. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the license after both people complete and sign the application. It takes effect one day later. Plan your visit at least two days before your ceremony date in Peoria County.

Peoria County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Peoria County costs $75. Cash and checks are both fine. The clerk also takes debit and credit cards, but there is a $4 processing fee for card payments. If you want to skip the extra charge, bring cash or a check made out to the Peoria County Clerk.

Certified copies of a recorded marriage certificate cost $16 for the first one and $7 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. These copies come from the Peoria County Clerk after the officiant returns the signed license. You can order them in person or by mail. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders keeps a directory of all clerk offices in the state, including Peoria County's contact info and mailing address.

Note: Peoria County fees can change, so call (309) 672-6059 to confirm before your visit.

Marriage License Requirements in Peoria County

Illinois law sets the rules. Both people must be at least 18 years old to apply on their own. Under 750 ILCS 5/208, a 16 or 17 year old can get a license with consent from both parents. No one under 16 can apply anywhere in Illinois. There is no blood test. There is no residency rule, so people from outside Peoria County or out of state can apply here.

If you were married before, the Peoria County Clerk needs to know how that marriage ended. You must provide the date, county, and state of the divorce or death. If the prior marriage ended within the last six months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The clerk will not move forward without that document. This is a common hold-up for couples with recent divorces, so make sure you have the paperwork in hand before your appointment at the Peoria County Clerk's office.

Under 750 ILCS 5/212, close relatives cannot marry. First cousins can marry only when both are over 50. You also cannot get a Peoria County marriage license if you are still in a prior marriage or civil union. The clerk checks this during the application.

Peoria County License Waiting Period

There is a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the marriage license takes effect the calendar day after it is issued. You cannot use it on the same day you pick it up. A court can waive the wait in rare cases, but most couples should plan to get their Peoria County marriage license at least one day before the wedding.

The license stays good for 60 days from its effective date. If 60 days pass and you have not used it, the license expires. You would need to go back to the Peoria County Clerk, fill out a new form, and pay the $75 fee again. The license is only valid in Peoria County. A license from Peoria cannot be used in Tazewell County or anywhere else. Make sure your ceremony venue is in Peoria County before you apply.

After your wedding, the person who performed the ceremony must fill out the marriage certificate and mail it back to the Peoria County Clerk within 10 days. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, this deadline applies across all of Illinois. A late return can cause problems when you try to get certified copies of your Peoria County marriage license.

Peoria County Zoom Marriage Ceremonies

Peoria County is one of the few places in Illinois where you can get married by a judge over Zoom. The Circuit Clerk Civil Division handles these virtual ceremonies. They cost $10. You need to call (309) 672-6984 to schedule a time. Both people must already have a valid Peoria County marriage license before the Zoom ceremony can take place.

In-person ceremonies performed by a judge are also an option. The same $10 fee applies. Judges, retired judges, religious leaders, and mayors can all officiate a wedding in Peoria County under 750 ILCS 5/209. No witnesses are required by state law, though many couples choose to have them present. The Zoom option is especially helpful for couples where one person is out of the area or has a scheduling conflict. Just make sure both people appear on screen during the ceremony.

The IDPH keeps a central index of marriages across Illinois. The IDPH marriage records page confirms that certified copies of marriage records come from the county clerk where the ceremony took place, not from the state. The screenshot below shows the state's marriage records information page.

After your Zoom or in-person ceremony in Peoria County, the officiant still must return the signed certificate to the clerk within 10 days.

Note: Zoom ceremonies through the Circuit Clerk are only available on select days, so call ahead to book your slot.

Peoria County Marriage License Copies

Once the officiant returns the signed marriage certificate to the Peoria County Clerk, the marriage is recorded. You can then request certified copies. The first copy costs $16. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $7. You can get copies in person at the clerk's office or by mail.

The state does not hand out certified copies. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), the IDPH Division of Vital Records can verify basic facts about a marriage from 1962 onward, but that is just a verification, not a full certified copy. It costs $5 and confirms names, dates of birth, the date of the event, and the county. For a full copy of your Peoria County marriage license, contact the Peoria County Clerk directly. Their phone number is (309) 672-6059. They can tell you about processing times and any mailing fees that might apply to your order.

Cities in Peoria County

Peoria is the largest city in Peoria County and the county seat. Residents of Peoria use the Peoria County Clerk's office for marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

If your wedding venue is outside Peoria County, you need a license from that county. Each neighboring county has its own clerk and fees.