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When a state contains a location called ‘Garden of the Gods,’ you just know it is going to make the perfect elopement location. It features gorgeous rock formations and hills with the best views you could imagine.
Illinois is a Great Lake state, and like the others, it has definite seasonal weathers. Illinois will be very cold in the winter months and likely snowy. If a winter wonderland style of wedding is your thing, Illinois could make a great location! Summer is hot and humid, so could make a better time for an outdoor wedding or elopement.
All states require a marriage license, so you need to ensure that you understand all of the requirements very early in the planning process. Luckily, it’s fairly straightforward in most cases as long as you meet the criteria and follow the state requirements.
Here is what you need to know about getting a marriage license in Illinois.
Yes! Same sex marriage is recognized in all states, and at a federal level, under the Respect for Marriage Act which was signed into law in December 2022.
No. Blood tests have been abolished as part of marriage license applications in all 50 states, so don’t worry if you’re afraid of needles!
Once you’ve gotten the admin out of the way, you can get to the part you’ve been dreaming of: the wedding ceremony!
As you’d expect, each state has different requirements to make a marriage legal. Make sure you follow the guide below to get your marriage legally recognized.
An officiant is required to solemnize a marriage in Illinois. Those who may perform this role include: judges (including retired judges), a city, village or town mayor, a county clerk in a county containing at least 2,000,000 residents. For religious leaders, Illinois law allows marriages “in accordance with the prescriptions of any religious denomination,” including the practices of any Indian Nation or Tribe. If those religious wedding practices require an officiant, then they must be someone who is considered to be in good standing. Ministers ordained online are qualified to perform marriage ceremonies, which is the route couples often take if they want a friend or family member to perform their wedding ceremony.
Illinois’ officiant requirements do not automatically invalidate a marriage if the officiant was not legally qualified, so long as the couple at the time, believed them to be. In other words, once you’re marriage license is signed, sealed and delivered, your marriage is likely to remain valid.
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