Cook County (Chicago) offers one of the more flexible application processes in the country, including a fully virtual, video-call marriage license option in addition to standard in-person and online-plus-in-person routes.
| License fee | $60. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 24 hours after issuance (Illinois statewide rule), waivable by petitioning the court. |
| Documents / ID required | Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants. No Illinois residency required, but you must obtain the license from the county where your ceremony will take place. |
| License validity | 60 days, beginning one day after the date of issuance (Illinois statewide rule). |
| Where & how to apply | Three options: (1) begin the application online and finish signing in person at a Clerk’s office, (2) apply fully in person, or (3) use the Virtual Marriage License video-call program, by appointment, Monday–Friday between roughly 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. |
| Office hours | Standard office hours apply for in-person visits; virtual video appointments run weekdays, one per half-hour, 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
Special notes
Frequently asked questions
Can we really get a Cook County marriage license entirely online?
Largely yes — Cook County’s Virtual Marriage License Issuance program lets you complete the application by scheduled video call rather than visiting an office in person, which is uncommon nationally.
How to get a marriage license in Cook County, step by step
- Decide how you want to apply: start the application online and finish signing in person, apply fully in person, or use the Virtual Marriage License video-call program.
- If you are going the virtual route, pre-register on the Clerk’s website first; appointments run weekdays, roughly 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., one per half-hour.
- Appear — in person or by video call — with valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants.
- Applicants age 16–17 must also bring a certified copy of their birth certificate and a second ID showing their date of birth.
- Pay $60 and receive the license immediately.
- Wait 24 hours before the ceremony, unless you have petitioned the court for a waiver, then marry within 60 days (the clock starts the day after issuance).
What to bring to the Cook County office
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants
- For applicants age 16–17: a certified birth certificate plus a second ID showing date of birth
- $60 for the license fee
- For the virtual video-call option: whatever ID or documents the Clerk’s pre-registration process asks you to have ready
When to apply for your Cook County license
Illinois requires a 24-hour wait after the license is issued before you can marry, so apply at least a day ahead — more if you want a buffer — unless you have petitioned the court to waive it. The license is valid for 60 days starting the day after issuance, so most couples apply a few weeks before the ceremony rather than far in advance.
After the ceremony: filing your Cook County license and getting certified copies
The officiant must return the completed license to the Cook County Clerk’s Office within 10 days of the ceremony, by mail or in person. The marriage is only recorded, and certified copies only issued, once that return happens. (Filing rules checked October 2026.)
You will need a certified copy for name changes and other paperwork — see our guide to what to do after the wedding.
Certified copies in Cook County
$15 for the first certified copy, $4 for each additional copy
| Issued by | Cook County Clerk, Bureau of Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Fee details | $15 first copy, $4 each additional copy of the same record. Online orders add $13.45 (VitalChek processing and standard postage). |
| How to order | In person at a Clerk location, online through VitalChek, or by mail (form, photocopy of photo ID, self-addressed stamped envelope, check or money order). |
| Timing | Mail averages 20 working days; online by regular mail 10 to 15 business days, by UPS 5 to 10 days after approval. |
| Who can request | Mail requests need a photocopy of photo ID. |
| Heads up | An older version of the Clerk's page listed a $12.45 online fee; the current page says $13.45. |
Source: Cook County Clerk - Marriage Certificates · checked October 2026 · How many copies do you need?
Local tips for Cook County
- Cook County is one of the few large counties that offers a fully virtual marriage license by video call — if getting to an office in person is difficult, pre-register for that program instead of booking an in-person visit.
- The Clerk also operates suburban courthouses in addition to the downtown Chicago office; call ahead to confirm current suburban hours and which locations currently issue marriage licenses, since the Clerk’s own pages have listed different suburban offices over time.
- Bring a certified birth certificate for any applicant who is 16 or 17 — Cook County enforces this document requirement on top of the standard photo ID.
More questions about getting married in Cook County
Can we get a marriage license in Cook County without visiting an office?
Largely yes. Cook County’s Virtual Marriage License program lets you complete the application by a scheduled video call instead of an in-person visit, after you pre-register.
How long after our wedding does the officiant have to return our Cook County license?
Within 10 days of the ceremony, by mail or in person. The marriage is not recorded until the office receives it.
Can the 24-hour waiting period be skipped in Cook County?
Only by petitioning the court for a waiver. Otherwise, the 24-hour wait after the license is issued applies statewide in Illinois.
Waiting periods by state → What licenses cost by state →
Last verified: August 2026
Read our general step-by-step guide →
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