Will County Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Will County are handled by the County Clerk's office. Will County is one of the few Illinois counties that offers three separate office locations where you can apply, which makes it easier for couples across this large county to get their license. The main office is in Joliet, with satellite offices in Plainfield and Crete. Both people must appear together with valid ID. You can search for existing marriage license records or start a new application by contacting the Will County Clerk at (815) 740-4615.

Will County Marriage License Offices

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry runs three offices where you can apply for a marriage license. The main office is at 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432. This is the busiest location and accepts multiple payment types, including cash, checks, and cards. The phone number is (815) 740-4615. Walk in during regular business hours. No appointment is needed at the Joliet office.

The Plainfield Township satellite is at 241 Canterbury Lane, Plainfield, IL 60544. Call (815) 436-8308 for hours. The Crete Township satellite is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM, but you need an appointment. Both satellite offices charge $35 for a marriage license, same as the main office. There is one key difference: the satellite offices accept cash only. No checks, no cards. Bring exact change if you can. This catches some people off guard, so plan for it if you are not going to the Joliet office.

The clerk has said her goal is to "eliminate unnecessary restrictions and barriers so that citizens may receive all of our services with convenience and courtesy." Having three office locations across Will County reflects that approach. Couples in the southern part of the county don't have to drive all the way to Joliet, and those near Plainfield have a closer option too.

Will County Clerk Marriage Page

Below is a look at the Will County Clerk's marriage license page on their official website. It shows office addresses, fees, and what you need to bring.

The site is kept up to date by the clerk's office. Check it before your visit if you want to make sure hours have not changed or if there are holiday closures coming up.

Marriage License Requirements in Will County

Both people must go to the clerk's office together. You cannot send one person alone or use a proxy. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, both applicants must sign the application in front of the clerk. Each person needs valid photo ID. Will County accepts these forms of ID:

• Valid Driver's License
• State ID card
• U.S. Military ID
• U.S. Passport
• Foreign Passport

The Will County Clerk's office updated its accepted ID list on November 4, 2019. You also need to provide your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, address, social security number, and occupation. If you have been married before, bring the date, place, and reason your last marriage ended. A divorce within the past six months means you should bring a certified copy of the decree. Everyone must be at least 18 to apply on their own. Someone 16 or 17 can get a marriage license in Will County only with consent from both parents, signed at the office.

Note: The IDPH valid ID page has the full state list of accepted forms if your ID is not on the county's list.

Waiting Period for Will County Licenses

A one-day waiting period applies to all Illinois marriage licenses. Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the license becomes valid the day after it is issued. You cannot marry the same day you pick it up in Will County. Plan ahead. Get the license at least two days before your ceremony. It is good for 60 days after the effective date. After that, it expires. You would need to pay $35 again and start over.

The license only works inside Will County. A Will County marriage license cannot be used in Cook County, DuPage County, or any other county. Confirm your venue is in Will County before you apply. After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the certificate and return it to the Will County Clerk within 10 days. This is required by 750 ILCS 5/209. A late return causes delays when you try to get certified copies of your marriage license later on.

Will County Marriage Certificates

After your marriage is recorded, you can get certified copies from the Will County Clerk. The marriage certificates page on the clerk's site explains the process. The first certified copy costs $12. Each additional copy is $4. Order a few extras. You will likely need them for name changes at the Social Security office, the DMV, your bank, and insurance companies.

You can request copies in person at the Joliet office or by mail. Mail requests should include a written request with both names, the date of the marriage, and a check payable to the Will County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The IDPH marriage records page confirms that certified copies come only from the county clerk where the marriage took place. The state does not issue certified copies of marriage licenses. IDPH can provide a verification of marriage for $5, but that is just a confirmation of basic facts. It is not the same as a certified copy.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records are not public information in Illinois. Access is limited to certain eligible people. If you need a verification from the state, you can mail a completed Application for Verification of Marriage Record to the IDPH Division of Vital Records in Springfield.

Marriage Ceremonies in Will County

Illinois law allows judges, retired judges, religious leaders, and mayors or village presidents to perform marriage ceremonies. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, a wide range of officiants can solemnize a marriage. No witnesses are required by state law. Some venues or officiants may ask for witnesses anyway, but it is not a legal rule in Will County or anywhere in Illinois.

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders keeps a directory of all county clerk offices across the state. If you need records from a different county or want to compare fees, the IACCR is a good starting point. Will County's $35 fee is common among the larger suburban counties, though it is well below Cook County's $60 charge.

Note: The officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Will County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony.

Cities in Will County

Joliet is the county seat and the largest city in Will County. Bolingbrook is in the northern part of the county. Both cities are served by the Will County Clerk's office for marriage license applications.

Nearby Counties

A marriage license is only valid in the county that issued it. If your ceremony is outside Will County, you need a license from one of these neighboring counties instead.