Access Rock Island County Marriage License

Rock Island County marriage license applications are processed at the County Clerk's office in the city of Rock Island. The county sits along the Mississippi River in western Illinois and includes the Quad Cities communities of Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline. Both people must appear in person to apply. There is a one-day waiting period and the license is valid for 60 days. This page covers everything you need to know about getting a marriage license in Rock Island County, from requirements and fees to certified copies and filing rules.

How to Get a Rock Island County Marriage License

You and your partner both go to the Rock Island County Clerk's office. You cannot send one person alone. Each of you brings a valid photo ID, your Social Security number, and basic personal information including full names, dates of birth, places of birth, addresses, occupations, and parents' names. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the clerk issues the license after both people sign the form and pay the fee.

The Rock Island County Clerk has a marriage licenses page on the county website. This page covers the application process, what to bring, and general instructions. The screenshot below shows the county's marriage license information page.

You can call (309) 558-3560 to check hours or ask questions before you visit. The clerk's office is in the city of Rock Island. Walk-ins are usually welcome, but a phone call first can help you avoid any scheduling issues.

Rock Island County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 years old. Someone who is 16 or 17 can apply with written consent from both parents or legal guardians. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Rock Island County or anywhere in Illinois. You need a valid government-issued photo ID. The IDPH valid ID page lists what the state accepts: driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, and certain other forms.

No blood test is needed. Illinois stopped requiring blood tests in 1989. There is no residency requirement either. Couples from Iowa, other states, or other countries can come to Rock Island County and apply for a marriage license. This is especially relevant in the Quad Cities area where people cross the Illinois-Iowa state line regularly. If you live in Davenport or Bettendorf on the Iowa side, you can still get a Rock Island County marriage license as long as the ceremony takes place in Rock Island County.

If you were married before, bring the date and place where that marriage ended. A divorce in the last six months means a certified copy of the decree is required. Under 750 ILCS 5/212, you cannot get a Rock Island County marriage license if a prior marriage has not been legally ended.

Note: Close blood relatives cannot marry in Illinois, and first cousins can marry only if both are over 50 years old.

Waiting Period for Rock Island County Marriage Licenses

Illinois requires a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the Rock Island County marriage license takes effect the calendar day after it is issued. You cannot have your ceremony on the same day you pick it up. Plan to visit the clerk at least two days before the wedding.

The license stays valid for 60 days after its effective date. After that it expires and you start the process over. Remember that the license works only in Rock Island County. If your venue is across the line in Henry County or Whiteside County, you need a license from that county. Quad Cities couples should pay close attention to which side of a county line their venue sits on before applying.

Marriage License Fees in Rock Island County

Marriage license fees vary by county in Illinois. There is no single state fee. Call the Rock Island County Clerk at (309) 558-3560 to find out the current fee. Ask what payment methods they accept too. Across the state, fees range from around $30 to $90. Some offices accept cash only. Others take checks and credit cards.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate have their own separate fee. You will need at least one or two certified copies for name changes, insurance updates, and other official purposes. The IACCR directory lists the Rock Island County Clerk and every other county clerk in Illinois. Use it to verify the mailing address and phone number if you need to contact the office by mail.

Who Can Perform a Marriage in Rock Island County

Under 750 ILCS 5/209, judges, retired judges, mayors, village presidents, and religious leaders of any denomination can perform weddings. No witnesses are required by Illinois law, although many couples choose to have them. The Quad Cities area has a wide selection of churches, event venues, and independent officiants.

The officiant must fill out the marriage certificate and return it to the Rock Island County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. This is a state law requirement that applies to every county in Illinois. If the form is not filed on time, there will be delays in recording your marriage. That holds up certified copies and can create headaches for name changes and other legal matters. Make sure your officiant knows the 10-day deadline well before the wedding day in Rock Island County.

Certified Copies of Rock Island County Marriage Records

Once the marriage is on file, certified copies come from the Rock Island County Clerk. The IDPH marriage records page says the state does not issue certified copies. The county is the only source for the full document. IDPH can verify basic facts about a marriage from 1962 onward, but that is just a verification letter confirming names, dates, and the county of the event.

A state verification costs $5. Mail the verification form to IDPH in Springfield with a check or money order and a readable photo ID. For the certified copy of your Rock Island County marriage license, contact the county clerk at (309) 558-3560 or visit the office in person.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records are not public in Illinois. Access is restricted to the parties named on the record, their legal representatives, and other authorized individuals as defined by law. The Rock Island County Clerk follows these same rules when handling requests for certified copies of marriage license records.

Note: For legal purposes like name changes and insurance claims, the certified copy from Rock Island County is what most agencies will accept.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony is outside Rock Island County, you need a marriage license from that county instead. These neighboring counties each have their own clerk's office and fees.