County Marriage Records

Question by Dude: What questions are asked when you apply for a marriage license in Cook County, IL?
Just want to know what to be prepared for.

Best answer:

Answer by *Sunshine*
Hope this answers your question:

Applying For A Marriage License
Before getting married in Chicago or suburban Cook County, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk’s office.

Eligibility
Under Illinois law, only eligible persons can marry. Both the bride and groom must:

be 18 years of age or older

be of opposite sex

not be blood relatives

Individuals who reside out of state may not apply for a marriage license in Illinois if such a marriage would not be legal in their home state.

Exceptions
Under state law, first cousins older than 50 years of age may marry.

Under state law, applicants who are 16 and 17 years old may obtain a marriage license with parental consent.

Both parents or legal guardians must:

appear in person

provide sworn consent of the marriage at that time

provide valid identification

If a court-appointed legal guardian is providing consent, a certified copy of the appointment is required.

Applicants who are 16 or 17 must present the following:

a certified copy of their birth certificate

a second form of identification showing their date of birth

Applying
Couples must appear together at one of the Cook County Clerk’s six locations. They must:

Fill out and sign a marriage license application.

Present valid identification with proof of age.

Effective June 2, 2008, the marriage license fee will increase by $ 5 to $ 35 (cash only).

Applicants who have divorced within the last six months must provide a certified copy of their divorce decree upon applying for a marriage license.

Timelines and restrictions
Marriage licenses are:

issued while you wait

effective the following calendar day after they are issued

valid for 60 days

effective only in Chicago and suburban Cook County

After the marriage ceremony occurs
The individual(s) performing the ceremony must complete the bottom portion of the marriage license and mail or deliver it to the Clerk’s office.

You may obtain a copy of your marriage certificate upon request.

For more information
Call: (312) 603-7790

E-mail: vitalrecords@cookcountygov.com

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by lahlahdipsypo: How can I find Illinois marriage records on-line?

Best answer:

Answer by Jenny C
You can check here http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/marrsrch.html

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by Angelique: How do you find marriage and divorce records from around 1944?
My father was married for a short time before he married my mother, and my half sister has never known when he and her mother were married, or divorced. They married in Texas. I’d like to help her find this info. Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by mysticfrogy82
Ancestry.com is a good place to start. My father and I have been doing work on our family since I was a child so we are quite familar with helpful tips. Although the website listed may provide you with the answer you need there is no way to tell whether or not some one has placed that information about your family there through their work but the website does charge a fee. If you know the county in which they lived or at least the city you can look up the information at the local courthouse and library. The best information you can get is from your living family. If that is not an option and you have a name or a partial one it is an easier search in the courthouse. Also you can hire a certified genealogist or find one who will help you (they are usually hanging around the courthouse records). Good luck to you and I hope you find what you are looking for.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by melissa r: Marriage licenses are public records, right?
How do you do searches for this information?

Best answer:

Answer by legallyred76
Many sites will charge you…..try not to fall for that. It takes more time and work but you can find it for free or at a mini mun cost.

Google

Go to the public records department on line for your state, then county. Some have it that you can obtain it on line, others you have to go in person. It depends on how advance the computer system is set up for that county.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by : Are marriage records or legal name changes made in the US. also public in Canada?
In my state they said only if you’re marriage is 50 years old or more is made public…and if a spouse is deceased.But what about name changes? Can the Canadian embassy or other authorities in canada find out about name changes?

Best answer:

Answer by Lil Olady
You have some bad information. Public records are public records–in the US and Canada.

In order to protect these public records, they must be placed under seal, by court order. This is done, for example, in the Witness Protection Program.

But unless there is a compelling reason to protect them, the records are public and accessible to anyone, including the Canadian Embassy.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by psalms1192532: Is there a free way to look up marriage and divorce records?
I have been trying to look up a marriage certificate (I do not know the county it was from, because it could have been in one of three states). I have all the information on the groom, the date of the marriage, and the first name of the bride. Every “free” record search I try, then goes on to as me to pay a fee to join or for the records. Anyone know of one that is really free?
As I said, I don’t know the county, so just going to the court house is not an option.

Best answer:

Answer by firefly
I don’tthink there are any free sites. The only options are to pay or go to the court house in the city the couple married/divorced.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by zahrahparker: can I view california marriage records online?

Best answer:

Answer by Orthodox_Ted
I don’t believe so as those records remain confidential outside of the courthouse.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!