Request Cook County Marriage Certificates

This page helps users handle Marriage Records in Cook County, Illinois, including certified marriage certificates, request forms, online ordering, mail requests, and office contact options.

The Cook County Clerk’s Bureau of Vital Records keeps official records of marriages that occur in Chicago and suburban Cook County. A certificate can be issued after the officiant files the completed marriage license with the Clerk’s office.

Cook County marriage certificates

For certified copies, use the Cook County Clerk’s marriage certificate service. Marriage certificates are not automatically sent to couples after the ceremony.

Start with the Cook County Clerk marriage certificate page to review the official request options.

You will need key details about the record before ordering online or by form.

• Place of marriage or civil union, such as the city, town, or village in Cook County.
• Partners’ names, including maiden name if applicable.
• Date of marriage or civil union.

After confirming the record details, choose the request method that fits how quickly and how you want to receive the certified copy.

• Confirm the marriage took place in Chicago or suburban Cook County.
• Choose a standard, wallet, or commemorative certificate.
• Order online, by phone, by mail, in person, or through a local Currency Exchange when available.
• Include photo identification and payment when required for the chosen method.

Ways to order a standard certificate

Standard certified marriage certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.

Mail requests and the request form

For mail orders, complete the Marriage or Civil Union Record Request Form. Mail orders average 20 working days from the date the request is received, excluding holidays and weekends.

• Completed marriage certificate request form.
• Photocopy of current photo identification.
• Check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk.
• Self-addressed stamped envelope.
• Phone number with the mail request.

Mail requests go to Cook County Clerk’s Office, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, IL 60690.

Certificate types and fees

Cook County offers several marriage certificate options. Legal-use needs usually call for a certified standard certificate or wallet certificate.

Wallet certificates are not available online. Order them in person or by mail.

Online ordering through VitalChek

VitalChek is the online ordering option for Cook County Clerk vital records. It can be used for marriage certificates from events that occurred in Cook County within the last 50 years.

Online orders require the marriage location, partners’ names, and date of marriage or civil union. After approval by VitalChek and the Vital Records department, regular mail processing averages 10 to 15 business days. UPS orders average 5 to 10 days. A signature might be required at delivery.

Marriage licenses versus marriage certificates

A marriage license is used before the ceremony. A marriage certificate is the certified record available after the ceremony and after the officiant returns the completed license to the Clerk’s office.

Before getting married in Chicago or suburban Cook County, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk’s office within 60 days of the ceremony. Couples may begin the application online, but they still must appear together at a Clerk location to finish and sign the application, show valid identification with proof of age, and pay the $60 fee.

The license is issued while you wait, becomes effective 1 day after issuance, is valid for 60 days, and is valid only for ceremonies performed in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

ID and in-person service

For vital record requests, current and valid identification is required. One accepted form includes a current U.S.-issued driver’s license or state ID, U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. military ID, U.S. naturalization certificate, U.S. immigration card, foreign passport with current U.S.-issued visa, consulate ID, FOID card, or Global Entry card.

Other requests may be supported by a combination of two listed ID documents, such as a Social Security card, voter registration card, current-year W-2, recent bank statement, recent utility bill, vehicle registration card, work photo ID, school photo ID, or other listed records.

For office addresses and phone numbers, use the Clerk’s hours and locations page.

Special certificate and record services

A person who is currently married may request a nongendered copy of a marriage certificate. A married couple may also request changes to gender identifiers on a marriage certificate using the affidavits and instructions provided by the Clerk.

Electronic certified certificates purchased through the Clerk’s E-Certify Document Service can be verified by entering the unique reference code through the Clerk E-Certify verification service.

The Cook County Clerk’s Bureau of Vital Records can make certain changes to birth, marriage, and death records. Some changes must be handled by another local registrar, by the Illinois Department of Public Health, or within a specific timeframe.

Cook County marriage records contacts

Use these contacts for marriage certificate requests, mail orders, and Vital Records questions.

• Cook County Clerk’s Office Bureau of Vital Records, 118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602
  Phone: (312) 603-7790
  Fax: (312) 603-4899
  Email: [email protected]
• Cook County Clerk’s Office Bureau of Vital Records mail requests, P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, IL 60690
• VitalChek phone ordering
  Phone: (866) 252-8974
• Currency Exchange location information
  Phone: (847) 759-8905