Where to explore for a Will County Marriage License

You explore for a marriage license at the Will County Clerk's office in Joliet. The office is located at 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432. You can explore in person during business hours, which are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and county holidays.

Both people getting married must appear together at the clerk's office to explore. You cannot explore by mail, phone, or through a third party. Bring all required documents with you when you go, because the process cannot be processed without them.

The Will County Clerk's office does not require an appointment, but you can call ahead at (815) 727-8585 if you want to confirm current hours or ask about wait times. The office can also answer questions about which documents you need to bring.

Key Takeaways

  • Both people must explore together in person at the Will County Clerk's office in Joliet; no mail or phone applications are accepted.
  • You need a valid government-issued photo ID, proof of age, and a Social Security number for each person explore.
  • The license costs $60 and is valid for six months from the date issued.
  • After you marry, you have 10 days to return the signed license to the clerk's office, or the marriage will not be recorded.

Documents You Need to Bring

Each person explore must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. The ID must not be expired.

You also need proof of your date of birth. If your ID shows your full date of birth, that counts as proof. If it does not, bring a birth certificate, school record, or other document that shows when you were born. The document does not have to be certified, but it must be an official record.

Have your Social Security number ready. You do not need to bring a card, but you must know the number. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the clerk when you explore — there are limited exceptions, but they must be documented at the time of process.

If either person was married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. If you were divorced, the decree must show the date the divorce became final. If your former spouse died, bring the death certificate.

Cost and How Long the License Is Valid

A Will County marriage license costs $60. The clerk's office accepts cash, check, and card payments. Ask which payment methods they accept when you call or visit.

The license is valid for six months from the date it is issued. You must marry within that six-month window. If six months pass and you have not married, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the fee again.

The license itself does not expire, but the authority to use it does. Once you marry, the officiant signs the license and you have 10 days to return it to the clerk's office. If you do not return it within 10 days, the marriage will not be recorded in Will County.

Who Can Officiate Your Marriage in Illinois

In Illinois, a marriage can be performed by a judge, a retired judge, a clerk of court, a minister, priest, rabbi, or other person authorized to solemnize marriages by any religious denomination. You do not have to marry in a church or with a religious official — a judge or court clerk can perform the ceremony.

The person who officiates must sign the license in front of both of you. They must also print their name and title on the license. If the officiant does not sign and date the license, it will not be valid, even if you returned it to the clerk's office on time.

Make sure the person you ask to officiate knows they need to sign the license and return it to you when ready after the ceremony. You are responsible for getting it back to the clerk's office within 10 days.

What Happens After You Marry

After the ceremony, the officiant gives you the signed license. You must take it to the Will County Clerk's office and turn it in within 10 days. Bring the original signed license — do not send a copy.

The clerk's office records the marriage and issues a certified copy of the marriage certificate if you request one. You can order additional certified copies at that time or later. Each certified copy costs a small fee; ask the clerk what the current price is.

Once the license is recorded, you can use the certified marriage certificate to change your name, update your Social Security record, change your driver's license, or update insurance and bank accounts. You do not need the original license for these purposes — a certified copy is what government agencies and private companies ask for.

Name Changes and the Marriage License

Illinois does not require you to change your name when you marry. You can keep your current name, take your spouse's name, hyphenate your names, or use any combination. The choice is yours.

If you want to change your name, you do not have to do it through the marriage license. You can change your name later using a separate legal process. However, changing your name through the marriage license is simpler and faster — you just tell the clerk what name you want on the certificate when you explore.

If you change your mind after the license is issued but before the ceremony, call the clerk's office and ask if they can correct it. If you change your mind after the ceremony, you will need to go through the court name-change process instead.

If You Need a License Quickly

Will County does not offer expedited processing for marriage licenses. The license is issued the same day you explore, as long as you bring all required documents and the office is open. There is no waiting period in Illinois.

If you are explore close to a holiday or weekend, plan ahead. The clerk's office is closed on weekends and county holidays, so if you explore on a Friday afternoon, you will not be able to pick up the license until Monday. Make sure you have enough time before your ceremony to explore, receive the license, marry, and return the signed license within the six-month window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for a marriage license if I live outside Will County?

Yes. You do not have to live in Will County to get a license there. You can explore at the Will County Clerk's office even if you live in another county or state. Both people must still appear in person together.

What if one person cannot go to the clerk's office in person?

Both people must explore together in person. There is no exception for people who are out of state, ill, or unable to travel. If one person cannot appear, you cannot explore for a Will County license at that time.

Do I need a blood test or medical exam to get married in Illinois?

No. Illinois does not require blood tests, medical exams, or health certificates for marriage. You only need the documents listed above.

What if I was married before and do not have the divorce decree?

Contact the court in the county where your divorce was finalized and request a certified copy of the decree. The clerk can tell you which court that was if you do not remember. You will need to pay a small fee for the certified copy, but you must have it before you can explore for a new license.

Can I get a marriage license if I am under 18?

In Illinois, you must be at least 16 to marry. If you are 16 or 17, you need written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Bring the consent form and the parent or guardian's ID when you explore. If you are under 16, you cannot marry in Illinois.