Find St. Clair County Marriage License

St. Clair County marriage license applications are handled by the County Clerk's office in Belleville. Situated in the Metro East area across the river from St. Louis, St. Clair County is one of the most populated counties in southern Illinois. Both people must appear in person to apply. The license takes effect the next day and stays valid for 60 days. This page explains how to apply for a marriage license in St. Clair County, what you need to bring, and where to get certified copies of your marriage records.

How to Get a St. Clair County Marriage License

Both you and your partner must go to the St. Clair County Clerk's office together. No exceptions. You each bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The application asks for full names, dates of birth, places of birth, current addresses, occupations, and parents' names. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the license once both people sign the form and pay the fee. The license is printed while you wait.

The St. Clair County Clerk's office is in Belleville. You can call (618) 277-6600 to check hours and ask about payment types. The county has a dedicated Get Married page on its website with details about the marriage license process. The screenshot below shows that page.

St. Clair County also lists vital records information on a separate page. The county's vital records page covers marriage certificates, birth records, and death records handled by the clerk. Having both pages makes it easier to find what you need, whether you are applying for a new marriage license or looking for a copy of an older record in St. Clair County.

St. Clair County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be 18 or older. A 16 or 17 year old needs written consent from both parents or guardians. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in St. Clair County. You need a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. The IDPH valid ID page has the full list of accepted forms.

No blood test is needed. Illinois ended that in 1989. No residency requirement either. People from Missouri, other states, or other countries can apply for a St. Clair County marriage license. This is useful for couples in the St. Louis metro area who want to marry on the Illinois side. The process is the same regardless of where you live.

If you were married before, bring information about when and where that marriage ended. A divorce within the last six months means you need a certified copy of the decree. Under 750 ILCS 5/212, you cannot marry if you are still in a prior marriage or civil union. Close relatives cannot marry. First cousins can only marry if both are over 50.

Note: Couples from Missouri do not need Illinois residency to apply for a St. Clair County marriage license.

Waiting Period for St. Clair County Marriage Licenses

There is a one-day waiting period. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, your St. Clair County marriage license takes effect the calendar day after it is issued. You cannot use it the same day. A court can waive this in special situations, but that is rare. Get your license at least two days before your wedding date.

The license is valid for 60 days. After that, it expires and you must reapply. It works only in St. Clair County. If your venue is in Madison County, Monroe County, or anywhere else, you need a license from that county. Double-check your ceremony location before visiting the St. Clair County Clerk's office in Belleville.

Marriage License Fees in St. Clair County

Each county in Illinois sets its own fee for marriage licenses. There is no uniform state price. Fees across the state range from about $30 to $90. Call (618) 277-6600 to confirm what St. Clair County currently charges. Ask about payment methods too. Some counties take only cash. Others accept checks, money orders, and credit cards. The St. Clair County Clerk can tell you exactly what they accept.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate have their own cost, separate from the license fee. You will want at least one for name changes and other official uses. The IACCR directory lists the St. Clair County Clerk and every other county clerk in Illinois, so you can verify phone numbers and office locations.

Who Can Officiate a Marriage in St. Clair County

Illinois law allows many people to perform weddings. Judges, retired judges, mayors, village presidents, and religious leaders can all officiate. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, no witnesses are needed by state law. The officiant must return the completed marriage certificate to the St. Clair County Clerk within 10 days.

This filing deadline matters. If the certificate does not come back to the clerk's office in Belleville within those 10 days, there could be delays in recording your marriage. That means you cannot get certified copies until the paperwork is filed. Make sure your officiant knows the rule and is ready to submit the form promptly after your St. Clair County wedding ceremony.

Certified Copies of St. Clair County Marriage Records

After the officiant returns the certificate, the St. Clair County Clerk records the marriage. Certified copies are available from the clerk's office in Belleville. The IDPH marriage records page explains that certified copies come from the county, not from the state. IDPH can only verify basic marriage facts for events from 1962 onward. That verification costs $5.

The screenshot below shows the St. Clair County vital records page where you can learn more about requesting copies.

To get a state-level verification, mail a completed verification form to the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield with a $5 check or money order and a readable photo ID. This confirms names, dates, and the county of the event. For the full certified copy of your St. Clair County marriage license, contact the clerk at (618) 277-6600.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records are not public records in Illinois. Access is limited to specific parties. The St. Clair County Clerk follows these restrictions when processing requests for certified copies of marriage records.

Note: For most legal uses like name changes and insurance, you need the certified copy from St. Clair County, not a verification from IDPH.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony takes place outside St. Clair County, you need a marriage license from the county where the wedding will happen. These neighboring counties each have their own clerk and fees.