View source for How to Find Illinois Marriage Records

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| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]] 
| link3=[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find U.S. Marriage Records]]
| link4=[[Illinois Vital Records|Illinois Vital Records]]
| link5=[[How to Find Illinois Marriage Records|How to Find Illinois Marriage Records]]
}}

== Finding Illinois Marriage Records  ==

*Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county 
*1962 - county clerks began sending copies to the state

{{Tip|'''Chicago''' and '''Cook County''' keep marriage records separately from the State of Illinois. Learn more about finding [[How to Find Chicago Marriage Records|marriage records from Chicago]].}} 

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== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? '''  ==

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:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span> 
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span> 
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Illinois Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1962|Before 1962]]''' </span> 
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Illinois Marriage Records#Marriages_1962_to_Present|1962 to Present]]''' </span> 
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]''' </span>

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<br> [[Frequently Asked Questions about United States Marriage Records|'''Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records''']] 

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== '''Marriages Before 1962'''  ==


===== '''STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index'''  =====

{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
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| colspan="4" | '''Marriage Indexes'''
|-
| width="15%" align="left" | '''Database Name-Index Only ''' 
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | '''Link or links to access database''' 
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
|-
| width="30%" | Illinois State Archives, Marriages, 1763-1900 
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/marriage.html On Illinois State Archives]; free. [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/marrlst.html Coverage chart]. 
| align="center" | Undisclosed
|-
| width="30%" | Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1587-1959 
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=illinois On Findmypast] ($) 
| align="center" | 
|-
| Ancestry, Illinois, County Marriages, 1800-1940 
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61370 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers] 
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61370 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription] 
| align="center" | 5,268,844
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1790-1860 
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7851 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers] 
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7851 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription] 
| align="center" | 163,917
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1810-1934 
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1803970|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 
| align="center" | 1,026,354
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1815-1935 
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1680829|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 
| align="center" | 636,536
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, to 1850 
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2086 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers] 
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2086 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription] 
| align="center" | 158,233
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900 
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7857 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers] 
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7857 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription] 
| align="center" | 659,028
|}

{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
| '''''Can't access Ancestry?''''' 
| Visit your [https://www.familysearch.org/locations local family history center] or your local public library.
|-
| width="30%" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' 
| 
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. <br> [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Search other records]] with marriage information. 

|}

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records]]: 

{| width="75%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto"
|-
| '''1. Look first in''' 
| '''2. Then search'''
|-
| [[Illinois Church Records|Church Records]]<br> 
[[Illinois Newspapers|Newspapers]]<br> [[Illinois Military Records|Military Records]]<br> [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]] 

| [[Illinois Census|Census Records]] 
[[Illinois Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]<br> [[How to Find Illinois Death Records|Death Records]]<br> [[United States Bible Records|Bible Records]] 

|}

===== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Record'''  =====

'''PART A: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records or the above indexes. '''<br> 

[https://www.iaccr.net/MemberCountiesMain.html Illinois County clerks] are the official custodians of all marriage records recorded in Illinois counties. To obtain copies of marriages, write the appropriate county clerk and include in your letter all of the information on the marriage.<br> 

'''OR'''<br> 

Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD) hold original marriage records or microfilm copies for over seventy of the 102 counties in Illinois for the years 1809-1983. Consult the [http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovrecordssrch.jsp Local Governmental Records Holdings Database] to see if IRAD has marriage records for the county and date of the marriage you are requesting. Type the search term MARRIAGE in the title field to return all marriage records in the IRAD holdings. If IRAD does have marriage records for the county you are searching and for the pertinent time period, write the appropriate [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/IRAD/iradregn.html Illinois Regional Archives Depository] and include in your letter all of the information on the marriage.&nbsp; Marriage record searches are free, but a small copy fee will be billed for records found. IRAD provides uncertified copies only. Certified copies must be requested from the county clerk.<br> 

<br> '''PART B: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage''' 

:*If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for the marriage date for a fee from the [https://www.iaccr.net/MemberCountiesMain.html Local County Clerk] or from the appropriate [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/IRAD/iradregn.html Illinois Regional Archives Depository]. Consult the [http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovrecordssrch.jsp Local Governmental Records Holdings Database] to see if IRAD has marriage records for the county and approximate date of the marriage you are requesting. 
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records.]]

<br> '''Marriage Records on Microfilm''' <br> Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local [http://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the&nbsp;[http://familysearch.org/catalog-search FamilySearch Catalog ] to see what is available. 

::*Search the [http://familysearch.org/catalog-search FamilySearch Catalog] by county. 
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk. 
::*Some microfilms may be available to view at a local Family Search Center.

<br> 
<center>[[How to Find Illinois Marriage Records#Finding_Illinois_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center> 
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== '''Marriages 1962 to Present'''  ==


For a $5 fee, the [http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/marriage-records Illinois Department of Health, Division of Vital Records] can verify the facts of a marriage that has taken place from 1962 through the current index date available. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records does not issue certified copies of marriage records. Certified copies are available from the county clerk in the county where the marriage occurred. <br> 

'''Illinois Regional Archives Depositories''' (IRAD) hold original marriage records or microfilm copies for over seventy of the 102 counties in Illinois for the years 1809-1983. Consult the [http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovrecordssrch.jsp Local Governmental Records Holdings Database] to see if IRAD has marriage records for the county and date of the marriage you are requesting. Type the search term MARRIAGE in the title field to return all marriage records in the IRAD holdings. If IRAD does have marriage records for the county you are searching and for the pertinent time period, write the appropriate [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/IRAD/iradregn.html Illinois Regional Archives Depository] and include in your letter all of the information on the marriage.&nbsp; Marriage record searches are free, but a small copy fee will be billed for records found. IRAD provides uncertified copies only. Certified copies must be requested from the county clerk. <br> 

'''County clerks''' are the official custodians of all marriage records recorded in Illinois counties. To obtain copies of marriages found in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, write the [https://www.iaccr.net/MemberCountiesMain.html appropriate county clerk] and include in your letter all of the information on the marriage given in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index.<br> 

{{Tip|'''''When ordering Illinois marriage records:''''' 

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.}}<br> 

{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
| width="30%" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' 
| 
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. 

|}

<br> If you cannot locate your ancestor's marriage in the sources above, try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records]]: 

{| width="75%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto"
|-
| '''1. Look first in''' 
| '''2. Then search'''
|-
| [[Illinois Church Records|Church Records]]<br> 
[[Illinois Newspapers|Newspapers]]<br> [[Illinois Military Records|Military Records]]<br> [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]] 

| [[Illinois Census|Census Records]] 
[[Illinois Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]<br> [[How to Find Illinois Death Records|Death Records]]<br> [[United States Bible Records|Bible Records]] 

|}
<center>[[How to Find Illinois Marriage Records#Finding_Illinois_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> 
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== Wiki Articles  ==

:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Marriage_Records|Learn more about U.S. marriage records]] 
:*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to find U.S. birth records]] 
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]] 
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]] 
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]] 
:*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]] 
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]] 
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] 
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]] 
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]__NOTOC__

{{Illinois|Illinois}}
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2433 Cook County, Illinois, Marriage and Death Indexes, 1833-1889] Index only ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1503 U.S., Marriages performed by three Rabbis in Boston, Chicago and Massachusetts,1861-1956], ($). Index. 
*{{RecordSearch|1463145|Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1920}} Index only.

[[Category:Illinois_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]