Union County Marriage License Records

Marriage license applications in Union County are processed at the County Clerk's office in Jonesboro. Both people who want to get married must visit the clerk in person and bring valid photo ID. Union County sits in the southern tip of Illinois, and the Jonesboro courthouse handles all license requests for the area. The clerk keeps marriage records on file and can provide copies to those who qualify. On this page you will find what you need to know about applying for, using, and getting copies of a Union County marriage license.

Applying for a Union County Marriage License

The Union County Clerk's office in Jonesboro is where you apply. Call (618) 833-5711 for hours and to see if you need an appointment. Both of you must go in at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID will work. The IDPH valid ID page lists every form the state accepts.

You need your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, Social Security number, and the full names of both parents. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the marriage license after both people sign the application and the fee is paid. No blood test is needed. Illinois dropped that requirement in 1989. There is also no residency rule, which is good news for couples from other states who want to get married in southern Illinois.

If either person was married before, the clerk in Jonesboro needs to know when and where that marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate if the prior marriage ended less than six months ago. The Union County Clerk will not issue a new license without it in that case.

Note: Call ahead to (618) 833-5711 to check what forms of payment the office accepts.

Union County License Age and Eligibility

Both people must be at least 18. Under Illinois law, those who are 16 or 17 can apply with written consent from both parents at the clerk's office. No one under 16 is eligible for a marriage license anywhere in the state.

State law also blocks certain marriages. Under 750 ILCS 5/212, close blood relatives cannot marry each other. First cousins can only marry if both are over 50 or one provides a physician's certificate of permanent sterility. You cannot apply if you are still in a prior marriage or civil union that has not been dissolved. The Union County Clerk in Jonesboro will review your application for any of these issues. If something is flagged, the clerk will explain what you need to do before the license can be issued.

Marriage License Waiting Period in Union County

Illinois requires a one-day wait. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the Union County marriage license takes effect on the calendar day after the clerk issues it. You cannot hold your ceremony on the same day you pick up the license. Get the license at least two days before your wedding date to give yourself enough room.

Once effective, the license is good for 60 days. Let those 60 days pass and it expires, which means you start over at the Jonesboro office and pay the fee again. The license also works only inside Union County borders. If you plan to marry in Jackson County or Williamson County, you need a license from that county instead. Southern Illinois has several small counties close together, so it is easy to get confused about where your venue actually sits. A call to the Union County Clerk can help you sort that out if you are unsure.

Union County Marriage License Laws

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act sets the rules that apply to every marriage license in the state. The screenshot below shows a portion of the act that covers the waiting period, validity, and other key details that affect Union County couples.

Reviewing the statute helps you understand what the clerk in Jonesboro will ask for and why. The act covers everything from age requirements to prohibited marriages to the officiant's duty to return the certificate on time. It is the same law in every Illinois county, but each clerk applies it based on local procedures and office setup.

Who Can Officiate in Union County

Under 750 ILCS 5/209, judges, retired judges, mayors, village presidents, and religious leaders from any faith group can perform weddings in Union County. No witnesses are required by state law. You have a lot of options when it comes to picking someone to officiate your ceremony in southern Illinois.

After the wedding, the person who performed the ceremony must fill out the marriage certificate and get it back to the Union County Clerk within 10 days. This 10-day deadline is strict. A late return can delay your ability to get certified copies of the marriage license, which is a problem when you need to change your name, update documents, or handle insurance. Make sure your officiant knows about the deadline before the day arrives. Some couples put a reminder in their phones to follow up with the officiant a few days after the ceremony, just to make sure the form has been mailed back to Jonesboro.

Certified Copies of Union County Marriage Records

After your marriage is recorded at the Jonesboro office, you can request certified copies from the Union County Clerk. These are official documents needed for legal purposes. The IDPH marriage records page confirms that certified copies come from the county clerk where the marriage was filed, not from the state.

The IDPH Division of Vital Records can verify a marriage but does not issue certified copies. A verification costs $5 and covers marriages from 1962 on. It confirms names, dates of birth, date of the event, and the county. Mail a completed verification form to the IDPH office in Springfield with a check or money order and a copy of your ID. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records are not public information in Illinois. The Union County Clerk follows these rules and will check your identification before releasing a certified copy of any marriage license record.

Note: The Union County Clerk's office cannot officiate weddings since that power is limited to counties with 2,000,000 or more residents.

Nearby Counties

Having your wedding outside Union County? You will need a license from the county where the ceremony takes place. Here are the counties closest to Union County.