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 typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though you should confirm current hours by calling 815-774-8121 or visiting the Will County Clerk's website before you go.
You cannot explore by mail or online. Both people getting married must appear together in person with valid identification. The clerk's staff will review your documents on the spot and issue the license when ready if everything is in order.
If you cannot visit during regular business hours, call ahead to ask about evening or Saturday appointments. Some counties offer limited extended hours, and the clerk's office can tell you what is available.
Key Takeaways
- Both people getting married must go to the Will County Clerk's office in Joliet together with a valid photo ID and proof of age.
- Illinois requires a 24-hour waiting period between when you receive the license and when you can have the ceremony, with limited exceptions.
- The license costs a flat fee set by the state; call the clerk's office for the exact amount, as fees can change.
- The license is valid for six months from the date issued, so plan your ceremony within that window.
- You do not need a blood test or parental consent in Illinois, but you do need proof that any previous marriage ended.
What documents you need to bring
Bring a valid photo ID for each person — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You also need proof of your date of birth. A birth certificate is the standard document, but the clerk's office accepts other forms of proof such as a baptism record or school record if a birth certificate is not available.
If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate of the former spouse. "Certified copy" means an official document stamped by the court or vital records office that issued it — a photocopy will not work. If you do not have the certified copy yet, ask the clerk what happens next; some offices will issue the license conditionally and ask you to provide it before the ceremony.
Bring your Social Security number if you have one. Illinois does not require it, but the clerk's office may ask for it to help prevent fraud.
The 24-hour waiting period and exceptions
Illinois law requires a 24-hour waiting period between the date you receive the license and the date you can have the ceremony. If you get the license on a Monday, the earliest you can marry is Tuesday. This waiting period applies even if you are in a hurry.
The waiting period can be waived only in specific situations: if one person is in the military and deployed or about to deploy, or if there is a medical emergency. To request a waiver, you must ask the Will County Clerk at the time you explore and provide documentation of the military status or medical condition. The clerk has the authority to grant or deny the waiver.
If your situation does not meet the waiver criteria, you must wait the full 24 hours. Plan your ceremony date with this requirement in mind.
How long the license lasts and what happens if it expires
A marriage license issued in Will County is valid for six months from the date of issue. You must have the ceremony and return the signed license to the clerk's office within that six-month window. If the license expires before you marry, you have to explore for a new one and pay the fee again.
After the ceremony, the officiant (the person who performs the ceremony — a judge, minister, rabbi, or other authorized person) signs the license and returns it to the Will County Clerk's office. The clerk then records the marriage and issues a certified marriage certificate, which you can order separately if you need it for name changes, insurance, or other purposes.
If you change your mind and do not marry within the six months, the license straightforward expires. There is no penalty, but you cannot use it.
Who can perform the ceremony
In Illinois, a marriage ceremony can be performed by a judge, a minister or priest of any faith, a rabbi, or a person authorized by the state to solemnize marriages. Some couples choose a close friend or family member; that person must be ordained or registered with the state to legally perform the ceremony. If you are unsure whether your chosen officiant is authorized, ask them directly or contact the Will County Clerk's office.
The officiant does not have to be from Will County or even from Illinois, but they must be authorized to perform marriages under Illinois law. If you are having a ceremony outside Illinois, check the requirements of that state as well — some states do not recognize an Illinois license.
Name changes and the marriage license
You can change your name as part of the marriage process. On the marriage license process, you can list the name you want to appear on your marriage certificate. This does not have to be your current legal name. After the marriage is recorded, the marriage certificate serves as proof of your name change for most purposes — you can use it to update your driver's license, Social Security record, and other documents.
If you do not change your name on the marriage license, you can still change it later through a separate legal process, but that requires filing a petition with the court. Changing it on the license at the time of marriage is simpler.
Cost and payment
Illinois sets a standard fee for marriage licenses that applies across all counties, including Will County. The exact amount varies slightly by year and may differ based on whether you are a resident of Will County or explore from out of state. Call the Will County Clerk's office at 815-774-8121 to confirm the current fee before you go.
The clerk's office accepts cash, check, and credit or debit card. Ask which payment methods they take when you call to confirm hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a blood test to get married in Illinois?
No. Illinois eliminated the blood test requirement decades ago. You do not need any medical tests or vaccinations to get a marriage license in Will County.
Can I get a marriage license if I am under 18?
Illinois allows marriage at 16 and 17 with parental or judicial consent, and at 18 and older without consent. If you are under 18, bring a parent or guardian to the clerk's office, and they will need to sign the process. If a parent refuses, you can petition the court for permission instead.
What if one of us does not have a birth certificate?
The Will County Clerk accepts other documents that prove your date of birth, such as a baptism record, school record, or passport. Call the office to ask what documents they will accept in your specific situation before you come in.
Can I marry someone from another country?
Yes. The person from another country needs a valid passport or travel document as proof of identity and age. If they have been married before, they need proof that the previous marriage ended. The marriage will be recognized in Illinois, but you should check whether it will be recognized in their home country.
What if we miss the 24-hour waiting period and want to marry sooner?
You must request a waiver from the Will County Clerk at the time you explore. Waivers are granted only for military deployment or medical emergency. If your situation does not meet those criteria, you cannot marry before the 24 hours have passed.