Detailed Illinois Wedding Law Notes
These notes summarize state marriage-license, ceremony, witness, and officiant guidance for the new map experience.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16+ with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Kinship Restrictions: Second Cousins (exceptions for first cousins if over 50 or infertile)
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18 or older to marry, or 16+ with consent from both parents or guardians. First cousin marriages may be allowed under specific conditions.
Marriage License Requirements
- Who Picks Up: The Couple
- Where Valid: County of Issuance
- Cost: Varies by County
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if finalized within six months
- Blood Test: Not Required
Couples must apply for a marriage license in person at the county clerk’s office. They must provide personal details, social security numbers, and certified divorce decrees if applicable.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Mandatory Waiting Period: 1 Day (can be waived by court)
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days of Ceremony
Marriage licenses are valid only in the county of issuance and must be returned to the issuing clerk within 10 days of the ceremony, even if no marriage occurs.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Officiant’s Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address of Church: Minister’s Home Address
Ministers ordained by Ministries of Love are authorized to officiate weddings in Illinois. Documents required for registration may vary by county; ministers should confirm requirements with the county clerk.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
- Couple’s Consent: Required
- Pronouncement: Required
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16+ with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Kinship Restrictions: Second Cousins (exceptions for first cousins if over 50 or infertile)
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Who Picks Up: The Couple
- Where Valid: County of Issuance
- Cost: Varies by County
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if finalized within six months
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Mandatory Waiting Period: 1 Day (can be waived by court)
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days of Ceremony
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
Couples must be physically present with the minister for the ceremony, which must include a verbal declaration of consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement of marriage. Witnesses are not required.
Final Steps
- Officiant’s Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address of Church: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
- Couple’s Consent: Required
- Pronouncement: Required
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16+ with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Kinship Restrictions: Second Cousins (exceptions for first cousins if over 50 or infertile)
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Who Picks Up: The Couple
- Where Valid: County of Issuance
- Cost: Varies by County
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if finalized within six months
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Mandatory Waiting Period: 1 Day (can be waived by court)
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days of Ceremony
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
The minister must complete the marriage certificate, including the date, place, and their title, ordaining body, and home address. The completed certificate must be returned to the issuing county clerk within 10 days for submission to the Illinois Department of Public Health.