Are you searching for Illinois marriage records to further your genealogy research? Maybe you are missing a name on a family tree or want to know about someone's previous marriage history. To find marriage records, the greatest place to start is by doing a search through the internet, as many websites, particularly state ones can provide you with tons of information. Some people opt to search through Illinois state libraries and archives which will also give helpful information to aid in your research.
Illinois marriage records are available through a statewide vital records database provided by the Illinois State Archives. Anyone searching for records between the date of 1763 and 1900 can access a marriage index. Beginning in 1985 the Illinois State Genealogical Society worked with the state archives to put together an index that includes over 1 million marriages and 2 million names. The information provided inside of the database index has been pulled from county clerk's marriage records, private individuals and genealogical societies.
When using the index located on the Illinois State Archives to find marriage records, know that the dates that show up when your search results come could be either a date of the marriage or the date that the marriage licenses was issued. Any marriages that were performed in Illinois were not required to be performed in the county where the bride or groom lived. If your search results show up to a county that you weren't expecting, there is an option to search statewide.
The Illinois Department of Public Health doesn't provide copies of Illinois marriage records, however they will redirect you to a list of county and clerk offices. However, the department of public health does have a statewide index of marriages that occurred from 1962 to the present. These marriage records can be searched through and a fee of $5 can help you to verify the facts of the marriage record or find out which county in Illinois the marriage took place in.
An application to perform such a search is required to be filled out and then sent back to the office either by mail, fax or in person. The application to fill out for verification of marriage record files lets you fill out any possible information about the groom, bride and place of marriage. A non-refundable fee for the search through the Illinois department of public health is $5 whether or not a record is actually found.
If you cannot find a marriage record during your first initial search, try again in another area. Sometimes you can find marriage records or other people searching sites by typing the name of the person on the marriage record into a search engine. If you also add the date of the marriage, this can narrow the search down which could possibly result in what you are looking for. If you are trying to find marriage records for the purpose of building up your genealogy or family history you could look up information through the surname of one of the couples on the marriage certificate.
If you would like to secure a copy of an Illinois marriage certificate, follow the instructions below:
Step 1.
Download the Illinois Application for Verification of Marriage Record form.
Step 2.
Complete all information on the form. Make a copy of your valid photo ID to include as well.
Step 3.
Mail or fax the completed form to the address below, and include the fee of $5 payable by check, money order, or credit card. Fax orders must be paid by credit card information included on your request form. Note that credit card orders will include an $8.50 handling charge and a $19.50 UPS charge.
More information is available through the following agency:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgley Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Fax: (217) 523-2648
Where to Find Illinois Marriage Records
In Illinois, the County Clerk maintains all of the marriage records that occur within those county's borders. If you would like copies of marriage records, then you must place your request directly with the specific County Clerk in question. However, if you are simply looking for a verification of facts present on a marriage record, then the state's Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records can provide this data for you for marriages from 1962 to the present.
Restrictions Regarding Illinois Marriage Records
Illinois laws have made marriage certificates confidential records. You may only obtain a certified copy or verification of marriage records if you are specifically named on the marriage certificate, or if you can prove that you have a tangible interest in the person or persons in the certificate.
Where to Request Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage records may be requested directly with the County Clerk's office where the marriage took place. You may go to the Illinois Dept. of Public Health website to find a list of all county clerks and courts in Illinois.
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