Marriage and Civil Union

Couples interested in being joined in marriage or civil union may obtain a valid marriage or civil union license from the Cook County Clerk

Marriages and civil unions are performed in Chicago and all of the suburban municipal district courthouses. 

A valid marriage or civil union license and a $10 administrative fee are required. Couples must obtain a marriage or civil union license at least one (1) day, but no longer than 60 days, prior to the ceremony.

Couples should arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to closing. Times and restrictions vary by location, so it is recommended that couples call in advance to confirm location details.

Courthouse Information

    1st District - Chicago

    In-person and virtual (Zoom) marriage and civil union ceremonies are available for couples in Chicago. 

    For those interested in an in-person marriage or civil union, no prior scheduling is required. Ceremonies are held Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. In-person ceremonies are held at 119 W. Randolph St. (Lower Level). 

    For couples who would prefer a virtual ceremony (Zoom), please call (312) 603-5660 to schedule a ceremony. 

    Parties are required to have a license from the Cook County Clerk, a valid form of identification and the $10 administrative fee. Additional information is available in General Administrative Order 2023-03.

    DayHoursScheduling
    Mondays9 a.m. - 4 p.m.Virtual (Zoom) - Call for Appointment
    Tuesday - Friday

    9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

    2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

    In-Person - No Appointment Needed
    Saturdays9 a.m. - 12 p.m.By Appointment Only
    Sundays and 
    Court Holidays
    Closed 

    2nd District - Skokie

    Marriage and civil union ceremonies are available by appointment only at the Skokie Courthouse. To make an appointment, call the Office of the Presiding Judge at (847) 470-7200 or visit the Skokie Courthouse in person.

    Appointments are available Monday through Friday. Couples must check in no later than 2:30 p.m. on the day of their ceremony. No appointments are available on Saturdays, Sundays or court holidays

    Parties should check into Room 219 of the Skokie Courthouse and then are assigned an available courtroom for the ceremony. Licenses may be obtained from the Clerk in Room 149. 

    Up to 15 guests are permitted to attend. Picture taking is allowed only in the room where the ceremony is performed.

    Special Requests

    • For couples requesting to have a ceremony performed by a judge at a location other than the Second Municipal District courthouse, the court can provide the phone number for the Illinois Judge's Association for retired judge contact information.
    • For military weddings, the Office of the Presiding Judge will facilitate the paperwork required by the County Clerk’s Office to have it completed on the same day.

    3rd District - Rolling Meadows

    Marriage and civil union ceremonies are available by appointment only at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse.

    Scheduled Monday through Friday at 3 p.m., check in by 2:30 p.m. in Room 205L

    Closed Saturday, Sunday and court holidays.

    At Marriage and Civil Union Court, couples are joined in marriage or civil union by a Cook County judge.

    A valid marriage or civil union license and a $10 (cash only) administrative fee are required.

    There is no Cook County Clerk's office at the Third Municipal Courthouse. Marriage and civil union licenses may be obtained at the Cook County Clerk's offices at courthouses in Skokie, Maywood or downtown. After the ceremony, the license is returned to the couple, and they can bring it back to the courthouse where it was obtained to be recorded. 

    After couples have obtained their license, they may schedule an appointment through the Presiding Judge’s Office. To make an appointment, call (847) 818-2286.

    Picture taking is allowed ONLY in the courtroom where the ceremony is being performed. No video cameras are allowed.

    4th District - Maywood

    Marriage and civil union ceremonies are available by appointment only at the Maywood Courthouse. To make an appointment, call the Office of the Presiding Judge at (708) 865-6060. 

    Appointments are available Monday through Friday. No appointments are available on Saturdays, Sundays or court holidays

    Appointments will only be accepted for couples with their license. A marriage and civil union license may be obtained at the Whitcomb Building, 1311 Maybrook Drive, Maywood.

    Ceremonies are held in the Maywood Courthouse. Picture taking and videotaping are allowed only in the courtroom in which the ceremony is being performed.

    Certified copies of the license or certificate are available from the Whitcomb Building 10 to 14 business days after the date of the ceremony.

    5th District - Bridgeview

    Marriage and civil union ceremonies are available by appointment only at the Bridgeview Courthouse. To make an appointment, call the Office of the Presiding Judge at (708) 974-6290. 

    Appointments are available Monday through Friday. Couples must check in no later than 2:30 p.m. on the day of their ceremony. No appointments are available on Saturdays, Sundays or court holidays.

    Appointments will only be accepted for couples with their license. Couples are responsible for bringing their marriage or civil union license and a $10 (cash only) fee on the day of the ceremony.

    Ceremonies are held in the Bridgeview Courthouse. Picture taking is allowed only in the courtroom in which the ceremony is being performed. No video cameras allowed.

    6th District - Markham

    Marriage and civil union ceremonies are available by appointment only at the Markham Courthouse. To make an appointment, call the Office of the Presiding Judge at (708) 232-4169. 

    Appointments are available Monday through Friday at 2:30 p.m. No appointments are available on Saturdays, Sundays or court holidays.

    Appointments will only be accepted for couples with their license. Couples are responsible for bringing their marriage or civil union license on the day of the ceremony.

    Licenses may be obtained through the Cook County Clerk's Office located in Room 238 of the Markham Courthouse.

    Ceremonies are held in the Markham Courthouse, Room 299. Picture taking is allowed only in the courtroom in which the ceremony is being performed. No video cameras allowed.