The Circuit Court of Cook County Oversees Marriages and Civil Unions

​The Circuit Court of Cook County oversees marriage and civil union ceremonies, over which court judges preside. Couples must apply for and obtain a marriage license before the wedding in Chicago or Cook County’s suburbs from the Cook County Clerk's office.

Couples can visit one of six locations. They must present their valid IDs and proof of age, fill out the marriage license applications, and pay a fee in person. Divorcees must furnish their finalized divorce date. If they finalized the divorce within the past half year, they must also provide a certified copy of the decree. Since 2014, same-sex couples may also file marriage license applications, and the court will wed them.

Issued while couples wait, marriage licenses become effective the next calendar day and remain valid for 60 days. Court ceremonies for Chicago couples take place in-person and virtually via Zoom, which requires no prior scheduling. They take place each Wednesday at the central court location at 119 W. Randolph St., from 9 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm.

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