Vermilion County Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Vermilion County go through the County Clerk's office in Danville. Both people must come in together and bring valid photo ID to start the process. The clerk handles all new license requests, keeps past records on file, and can answer questions about what you need to bring. Vermilion County sits in east-central Illinois along the Indiana border, and its residents rely on the Danville office for all marriage license needs. This page covers fees, rules, and steps for getting your license in Vermilion County.

How to Get a Vermilion County Marriage License

Go to the Vermilion County Clerk's office in Danville to apply. The phone number is (217) 554-1900. Both people have to be there at the same time. You cannot send one person alone. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. The IDPH valid ID requirements page lists all forms the state accepts. You will also need your social security number, date of birth, and place of birth. The clerk asks for the full legal names of both parents as well.

Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the county clerk issues the license once both people sign the form and pay the fee. There is no blood test. No residency rule applies. Anyone from any state or country can walk into the Vermilion County Clerk's office and apply for a marriage license, as long as both parties meet the age and legal requirements set by Illinois law.

If you were married before, you must tell the clerk when and where that marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate if the prior marriage ended within the last six months. The Vermilion County clerk will check this before your license is issued.

Vermilion County License Age Rules

Both people must be at least 18 to apply on their own. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, anyone who is 16 or 17 can get a marriage license in Vermilion County if both parents come in and sign a consent form at the clerk's office. No one under 16 can apply in Illinois at all.

Under 750 ILCS 5/212, certain marriages are not allowed. Close blood relatives cannot marry each other. First cousins can only marry if both are over 50 years old, or if one gets a doctor's certificate of permanent sterility. You also cannot get a Vermilion County marriage license if you are still in a prior marriage or civil union that has not been dissolved. The clerk checks for these issues during the application process in Danville. If anything comes up, the clerk will let you know what steps to take next before a license can be given out.

Note: Blood tests have not been needed in Illinois since 1989.

Marriage License Waiting Period in Vermilion County

Illinois has a one-day waiting period. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the marriage license takes effect the calendar day after the clerk issues it. You cannot use it the same day you pick it up in Danville. Plan to visit the Vermilion County Clerk at least two days before your ceremony.

The license stays valid for 60 days from its effective date. If those 60 days pass and you have not used it, the license expires. You would need to go back to the Vermilion County Clerk, fill out a new form, and pay the fee again. Also keep in mind that the license works only inside Vermilion County. A license from Danville cannot be used in Champaign County, Iroquois County, or any other county in Illinois. Make sure the place where your ceremony will happen is within Vermilion County lines before you apply. Couples sometimes miss this detail and end up having to get a second license from the right county, which means more time and more money out of pocket.

Vermilion County Marriage License Resources

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders keeps a full directory of every county clerk office in the state, including the Vermilion County Clerk in Danville. The screenshot below shows the IACCR directory page where you can look up contact details for clerks across Illinois.

Use this directory to confirm the phone number, address, and hours for the Vermilion County office before you go. The clerk's staff can tell you about payment methods and any forms you should bring. A quick call to (217) 554-1900 can save you a wasted trip if you are missing something.

Who Can Perform a Marriage in Vermilion County

Under 750 ILCS 5/209, judges of a court of record, retired judges, mayors, village presidents, and religious leaders from any denomination can all perform weddings in Illinois. This applies to all Vermilion County ceremonies. You do not need witnesses under state law, though many couples choose to have them anyway.

After the ceremony, the officiant must fill out the marriage certificate and return it to the Vermilion County Clerk within 10 days. This deadline is set by state law and applies to every marriage in every county. A late return can cause real problems if you need certified copies for name changes, insurance, or other legal matters. Make sure your officiant knows about the 10-day rule before your wedding day in Vermilion County.

Note: The Vermilion County Clerk in Danville cannot perform ceremonies, as that rule only applies to counties with 2,000,000 or more people.

Certified Copies of Vermilion County Marriage Records

After your marriage is recorded, you can get certified copies from the Vermilion County Clerk's office in Danville. These are the official documents you will need for name changes, bank accounts, and other legal steps. The IDPH marriage records page makes clear that certified copies come from the county clerk, not from the state. For Vermilion County marriages, you go back to the Danville office.

The state can verify a marriage but cannot hand out certified copies. The IDPH Division of Vital Records verifies marriages from 1962 on. A verification costs $5 and 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. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records in Illinois are not public. Access is limited to certain people by law. The Vermilion County Clerk follows these rules and will ask for ID before releasing any certified copy of a marriage license record.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony will be held outside Vermilion County, you need a license from the county where the wedding takes place. These are the nearest counties to Vermilion County.