Become a Minister in Illinois
Illinois Wedding Laws - How to Become an Ordained Minister in Illinois
The State of Illinois accepts the Universal Life Church ordination, which means that anyone from anywhere in the world can get ordained online through the ULC and perform legally-recognized wedding ceremonies there. Read below to find out how you can become an Illinois wedding officiant.
Be A Minister In Illinois
1. Get ordained. This can be done online at our site in a matter of minutes by clicking here. Once you join our online ministry, you will have the authority to solemnize marriages in Illinois. Those who have already been ordained should contact us to make sure we still have their information on file and, if we do, to make sure it is still up to date.
2. Verify the accuracy of your information. Let us know if you change your name, address, and e-mail address. Failing to do so may jeopardize your ability to solemnize weddings in Illinois if a county clerk contacts us to verify your ordination and we are unable to do so due to out of date information.
3. Acquire the requisite credentials and documentation. Becoming ordained online through the ULC is not enough to officate a wedding in Illinois. You may need to acquire an ordination credential, letter of good standing, wedding officiant certificate, or some other document so that the county clerk of the county you are going to perform a wedding ceremony in will allow you to file for a marriage license. Always check a county's requirements before a wedding ceremony is performed by calling them.
Please check out the following resources if you still would like to know more about officiating a wedding:
- The Ministers Network: the ULC social network, which hosts more than 20,000 of our ministers. This network's members swap wedding planning and officiating tips and advice and are always eager to assist a newcomer.
- Minister Training: a collection of articles which will instruct a novice wedding officiant about how to perform wedding ceremonies in Illinois.
Illinois Wedding Laws
People who are considering getting married in Illinois must apply for an Illinois marriage license in accordance with that state's marriage laws. In order to obtain said Illinois wedding license, wedding officiants should visit the county clerk's office where the marriage is to take place. The county clerk will require both parties to present identification, which can include a valid driver's license, passport, birth certificate, resident identification card or military ID card.
Illinois wedding laws require that at least one of the individuals must be eighteen years old in order to apply for an Illinois marriage license. If one individuals involved is not eighteen, at least one parent of this person must go with the couple to apply for the marriage license. Married couples must apply for the Illinois wedding license in the county where they intend to marry. Non-residents of Illinois are prevented from obtaining a wedding license only if the marriage would be void in their home state.
The fee for an Illinois marriage license is $35. This fee may vary from county to county, so it is best to verify the fee with the local county clerk of the county where the wedding is to take place. There is a one day waiting period from the time of the issuance of the marriage license before the ceremony may be conducted. No blood tests are required for a marriage license to be issued. The county clerk will request a copy of a divorce decree or a copy of the death certificate if one of the fiancees has been previously married.
The identification and fee requirements for weddings in Chicago are similar to those found in the rest of Illinois. The same Illinois state law that governs marriages throughout the state also governs marriages in Chicago. For county-specific requirements to obtain a marriage license in Chicago, please visit the Cook County website at: www.cookctyclerk.com. Please note that a wedding license issued in Cook County is only valid there.
According to Illinois marriage law 750, active or retired judges, ordained ministers and certain public officials may perform marriages. A retired judge is not allowed to receive payment for officiating a wedding ceremony. Ministers of the Universal Life Church Monastery may officiate marriage ceremonies in Illinois as long as they are they can prove they are in good standing with the ULC Monastery. The county clerk will require valid identification from the online ordained minster and a copy of their ordination credential. The marriage certificate must be signed by the wedding officiant and filed with the Illinois Department of Public Health in Springfield, Illinois.
Same-sex civil unions are now state-sanctioned in Illinois. On January 12, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill that will legally recognize same-sex couples and give them the same legal state rights as heterosexual couples. This law went into effect in June, 2011. Many people believe that the passage of this bill will pave the way for the legalization of gay marriage in the state of Illinois.
Same Sex Wedding Law: N/A
To perform a marriage in Illinois you need to be ordained and may be required to provide proof of ordination such as an ordination credential, wallet credential, or a letter of good standing from the church.
Illinois Wedding Laws by County
Adams County Clerk
507 Vermont St
Quincy, Illinois
62301,
Phone: (217) 277-2150
Fmx: (217) 277-2155
E-mail: countyclerk@co.adams.il.us
Adams County Clerk website »
Alexander County Clerk
2000 Washington Avenue
Cairo, Illinois
62914,
Phone: (618) 734-7000
Alexander County Clerk website »
Bond County Clerk
203 West College Avenue
Greenville, Illinois
62246,
Phone: (618) 664-0449
Bond County Clerk website »
Boone County Clerk
601 North Main Street
202
Belvedere, Illinois
61008,
Phone: (815) 544-3103
Fax: (815) 547-8701
E-mail: pam@boonecountyil.org
Boone County Clerk website »
Brown County Clerk
200 West Court Street
Room 4
Mount Sterling, Illinois
62353,
Phone: (217) 773-3421
Bureau County Clerk
700 South Main Street
Room 104
Princeton, Illinois
61356,
Phone: (815) 875-2014
Fax: (815) 879-4803
E-mail: bureaucountyclerk@yahoo.com
Bureau County Clerk website »
Calhoun County Clerk
102 County Road
Hardin, Illinois
62047,
Phone: (618) 576-2351
Carroll County Clerk
301 Main Street
P.O. Box 152
Mount Carroll, Illinois
61053,
Phone: (815) 244-0221
Fmx: (815) 244-3709
E-mail: ccclerk1@carroll-county.net
Carroll County Clerk website »
Cass County Clerk
100 East Springfield Street
Virginia, Illinois
62691,
Phone: (217) 452-7217
Champaign County Clerk
1776 East Washington Street
Urbana, Illinois
61801,
Phone: (217) 384-3720
Fax: (217) 384-1241
E-mail: mail@champaigncountyclerk.com
Champaign County Clerk website »
Christian County Clerk
101 South Main Street
Taylorville, Illinois
62568,
Phone: (217) 824-4969
Clark County Clerk
501 Archer Ave.
Marshall, Illinois
62441,
Phone: (217) 826-8311
E-mail: clerk@clarkcountyil.org
Clark County Clerk website »
Clay County Clerk
Clay County Courthouse
Room 106
Louisville, Illinois
62858,
Phone: (618) 665-3626
Fax: (618) 665-3607
E-mail: claycoclk@wabash.net
Clay County Clerk website »
Clinton County Clerk
850 Fairfax Street
PO Box 308
Carlyle, Illinois
62231,
Phone: (618) 594-2464 ext 630
Fmx: (618) 594-0195
E-mail: ccclerk@clintonco.illinois.gov
Clinton County Clerk website »
Coles County Clerk
651 Jackson Avenue
Rm. 122
Charleston, Illinois
61920,
Phone: (217) 348-0501
Fax: (217) 348-7337
E-mail: countyclerk@co.coles.il.us
Coles County Clerk website »
Cook County Clerk
69 W. Washington St.
5th Floor
Room 434
Chicago, Illinois
60602,
Phone: (312) 603-5656
Cook County Clerk website »
Crawford County Clerk
100 Douglas Street
Robinson, Illinois
62454,
Phone: (618) 546-1212
alternate phone: (618) 544-2590
Fmx: (618) 546-0140
Crawford County Clerk website »
Cumberland County Clerk
140 Courthouse Square
Toledo, Illinois
62468,
Phone: (217) 849-2631
De Witt County Clerk
201 West Washington Street
Clinton, Illinois
61727,
Phone: (217) 935-2119
De Witt County Clerk website »
DeKalb County Clerk
110 East Sycamore Street
Sycamore, Illinois
60178,
Phone: (815) 895-7149
Fmx: (815) 895-7148
E-mail: sholmes@dekalbcounty.org
DeKalb County Clerk website »
Douglas County Clerk
401 South Center Street
Tuscola, Illinois
61953,
Phone: (217) 253-2411
Fmx: (217) 253-2233
E-mail: clerk@douglascountyil.com
Douglas County Clerk website »
DuPage County Clerk
P.O. Box 1028
Wheaton, Illinois
60187,
Phone: (630) 407-5500
DuPage County Clerk website »
Edgar County Clerk
115 West Court Street
Room J
Paris, Illinois
61944,
Phone: (217) 466-7433
Fmx: (217) 466-7430
E-mail: coclk@edgarcounty-il.gov
Edgar County Clerk website »
Edwards County Clerk
50 East Main Street
Albion, Illinois
62806,
Phone: (618) 445-2115
Effingham County Clerk
101 North 4th Street
P.O. Box 628
Room 201
Effingham, Illinois
62401,
Phone: (217) 342-6535
Fax: (217) 342-3577
E-mail: countyclerk@co.effingham.il.us
Effingham County Clerk website »
Fayette County Clerk
221 South 7th Street
Vandalia, Illinois
62471,
Phone: (618) 283-5000
Ford County Clerk
200 West State Street
Room 101
Paxton, Illinois
60957,
Phone: (217) 379-2721
Franklin County Clerk
202 West Main Street
Benton, Illinois
62812,
Phone: (618) 438-3221
Franklin County Clerk website »
Fulton County Clerk
100 North Main Street
Lewistown, Illinois
61542,
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fax: (309) 547-3326
E-mail: jnelson@fultonco.org
Fulton County Clerk website »
Gallatin County Clerk
484 North Lincoln Boulevard West
Shawneetown, Illinois
62984,
Phone: (618) 269-3025
Greene County Clerk
519 North Main Street
Room 6
Carrollton, Illinois
62016,
Phone: (217) 942-5443
Grundy County Clerk
111 East Washington Street
Morris, Illinois
60450,
Phone: (815) 941-3222
E-mail: lphillips@mornet.org
Grundy County Clerk website »
Hamilton County Clerk
100 South Jackson
McLeansboro, Illinois
62859,
Phone: (618) 643-2721
Hancock County Clerk
500 Main Street
Room 7
Carthage, Illinois
62321,
Phone: (217) 357-3911
Hancock County Clerk website »
Hardin County Clerk
Main Street & Market
Elizabethtown, Illinois
62931,
Phone: (618) 287-2251
Henderson County Clerk
Corner 4th & Warren
Suite 308
Oquawka, Illinois
61469,
Phone: (309) 867-2911
Henry County Clerk
307 West Center Street
Cambridge, Illinois
61238,
Phone: (309) 937-3575
Fmx: (309) 937-2796
E-mail: blink@henrycty.com
Henry County Clerk website »
Iroquois County Clerk
1001 East Grant Street
Watseka, Illinois
60970,
Phone: (815) 432-6960
Fmx: (815) 432-3894
Jackson County Clerk
1001 Walnut Street
Room 1
Murphysboro, Illinois
62966,
Phone: (618) 687-7300
alternate phone: (618) 687-7360
Jackson County Clerk website »
Jasper County Clerk
100 West Jourdan Street
Newton, Illinois
62448,
Phone: (618) 783-3124
Jasper County Clerk website »
Jefferson County Clerk
100 South 10th Street
Room 105
Mount Vernon, Illinois
62864,
Phone: (618) 244-8020
Jefferson County Clerk website »
Jersey County Clerk
200 N. Lafayette
Jerseyville, Illinois
62052,
Phone: (618) 498-5571 ext. 112
E-mail: countyclerk@jerseycounty-il.us
Jersey County Clerk website »
Jo Daviess County Clerk
Jo Daviess County Courthouse
Room 108
Galena, Illinois
61036,
Phone: (815) 777-0161
Fax: (815) 777-3688
E-mail: countyclerk@jodaviess.org
Jo Daviess County Clerk website »
Johnson County Clerk
400 Court Square
Vienna, Illinois
62995,
Phone: (618) 658-3611
Kane County Clerk
719 South Batavia Avenue
Geneva, Illinois
60134,
Phone: (630) 232-5950
E-mail: CountyClerk@co.kane.il.us
Kane County Clerk website »
Kankakee County Clerk
189 East Court Street
Kankakee, Illinois
60901,
Phone: (815) 937-2990
Fmx: (815) 939-8831
E-mail: countyclerk@k3county.net
Kankakee County Clerk website »
Kendall County Clerk
111 West Fox Road
Yorkville, Illinois
60560,
Phone: (630) 553-4104
Fax: (630) 553-4119
Kendall County Clerk website »
Knox County Clerk
200 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, Illinois
61401,
Phone: (309) 345-3815
Fmx: (309) 345-3801
E-mail: info@knoxclerk.org
Knox County Clerk website »
LaSalle County Clerk
707 East Etna Road
Ottawa, Illinois
61350,
Phone: (815) 434-8202
E-mail: countyclerk@lasallecounty.org
LaSalle County Clerk website »
Lake County Clerk
18 North County Street
Room 101
Waukegan, Illinois
60085,
Phone: (847) 377-2400
Fax: (847) 984-5822
E-mail: CountyClerk@lakecountyil.gov
Lake County Clerk website »
Lawrence County Clerk
1100 State Street
Lawrenceville, Illinois
62439,
Phone: (618) 943-2346
alternate phone: (618) 943-3786
Lawrence County Clerk website »
Lee County Clerk
112 East 2nd Street
P.O. Box 329
Dixon, Illinois
61021,
Phone: (815) 288-3309
Fmx: 815-288-6492
Lee County Clerk website »
Livingston County Clerk
112 West Madison Street
Pontiac, Illinois
61764,
Phone: (815) 844-2006 ext. 128
Fax: (815) 842-1844
Livingston County Clerk website »
Logan County Clerk
601 Broadway Street
Room 20
Lincoln, Illinois
62656,
Phone: (217) 732-4148
Logan County Clerk website »
Macon County Clerk
141 South Main Street
Room 104
Decatur, Illinois
62523,
Phone: (217) 424-1305
E-mail: sbean@co.macon.il.us
Macon County Clerk website »
Macoupin County Clerk
157 North Main Street
Room 109
Carlinville, Illinois
62026,
Phone: (217) 854-3214
E-mail: michele.zippay@macoupincountyil.gov
Macoupin County Clerk website »
Madison County Clerk
157 North Main Street
P.O. Box 218
Edwardsville, Illinois
62025,
Phone: (618) 692-6290
Fmx: (618) 692-8903
Madison County Clerk website »
Marion County Clerk
100 East Main Street
Room 201
Salem, Illinois
62881,
Phone: (618) 548-3400
Marshall County Clerk
122 North Prairie Street
Lacon, Illinois
61540,
Phone: (309) 246-6325
Mason County Clerk
125 North Plum Street
Havana, Illinois
62644,
Phone: (309) 543-6661
E-mail: cclerk@grics.net
Mason County Clerk website »
Massac County Clerk
1 Superman Square
Room 2A
Metropolis, Illinois
62960,
Phone: (618) 524-5213
McDonough County Clerk
1 Court House
Macomb, Illinois
61455,
Phone: (309) 833-2474
McHenry County Clerk
2200 North Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, Illinois
60098,
Phone: (815) 334-4242
McLean County Clerk
115 E Washington Street
Room 102
Bloomington, Illinois
61702,
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fmx: (309) 888-5932
E-mail: countyclerk@mcleancountyil.gov
McLean County Clerk website »
Menard County Clerk
102 South 7th Street
Petersburg, Illinois
62675,
Phone: (217) 632-2415
Mercer County Clerk
100 SE 3rd Street
Room 226
Aledo, Illinois
61231,
Phone: (309) 582-7021
Monroe County Clerk
100 South Main Street
Waterloo, Illinois
62298,
Phone: (618) 939-8681 ext. 302
Fmx: (618) 939-8639
E-mail: moclerk@htc.net
Monroe County Clerk website »
Montgomery County Clerk
1 Courthouse Square
Hillsboro, Illinois
62049,
Phone: (217) 532-9530
Fax: (217) 532-9581
E-mail: sandyleitheiser@hotmail.com
Montgomery County Clerk website »
Morgan County Clerk
300 West State Street
Jacksonville, Illinois
62651,
Phone: (217) 243-8581
Fax: (217) 243-8368
Moultrie County Clerk
10 South Main Street
Sullivan, Illinois
61951,
Phone: (217) 728-4389
Ogle County Clerk
4th & Washington
Room 101
Oregon, Illinois
61061,
Phone: (815) 732-1110
Fax: (815) 732-3477
E-mail: countyclerk@oglecounty.org
Ogle County Clerk website »
Peoria County Clerk
300 Main Street
Peoria, Illinois
61602,
Phone: (309) 672-6059
Fmx: (309) 672-6063
Peoria County Clerk website »
Perry County Clerk
3764 State Route
Pinckneyville, Illinois
62274,
Phone: (618) 357-5116
Fax: (618) 357-3194
E-mail: kkern@onecliq.net
Perry County Clerk website »
Piatt County Clerk
101 West Washington
Monticello, Illinois
61856,
Phone: (217) 762-9487
Fax: (217) 762-7563
E-mail: countyclerk@piattcounty.org
Piatt County Clerk website »
Pike County Clerk
100 East Washington
Pittsfield, Illinois
62363,
Phone: (217) 285-6812
Pope County Clerk
400 Main Street
Golconda, Illinois
62938,
Phone: (618) 683-4466
Pope County Clerk website »
Pulaski County Clerk
500 Illinois Avenue
P.O. Box 218
Mound City, Illinois
62963,
Phone: (618) 748-9360
E-mail: jsauerbrunn@yahoo.com
Pulaski County Clerk website »
Putnam County Clerk
120 North 4th Street
Hennepin, Illinois
61327,
Phone: (815) 925-7129
Randolph County Clerk
1 Taylor Street
Chester, Illinois
62233,
Phone: (618) 826-5000 ext 191
Fmx: (618) 826-3750
E-mail: countyclerk@randolphco.org
Randolph County Clerk website »
Richland County Clerk
103 West Main
Olney, Illinois
62450,
Phone: (618) 392-3111
Rock Island County Clerk
210 15th Street
Rock Island, Illinois
61201,
Phone: (309) 786-4451
Fmx: (309) 786-7381
E-mail: coclerk@ricountyclerk.org
Rock Island County Clerk website »
Saline County Clerk
10 West Poplar Street
Harrisburg, Illinois
62946,
Phone: (618) 253-8197
Sangamon County Clerk
200 South 9th Street
Room 101A
Springfield, Illinois
62705,
Phone: (217) 753-6700
Fax: (217) 535-3233
E-mail: VitalRecords@co.sangamon.il.us
Sangamon County Clerk website »
Schuyler County Clerk
102 South Congress Street
Rushville, Illinois
62681,
Phone: (217) 322-4734
Fmx: (217) 322-6164
E-mail: clerk85@frontiernet.net
Schuyler County Clerk website »
Scott County Clerk
101 East Market Street
Winchester, Illinois
62694,
Phone: (217) 742-3178
Shelby County Clerk
301 East Main Street
Shelbyville, Illinois
62565,
Phone: (217) 774-4421
St. Clair County Clerk
10 Public Square
Belleville, Illinois
62220,
Phone: (618) 277-6600
E-mail: countyclerk@co.st-clair.il.us
St. Clair County Clerk website »
Stark County Clerk
130 West Main Street
Toulon, Illinois
61483,
Phone: (309) 286-5911
E-mail: starkcoclerk@starkco.illinois.gov
Stark County Clerk website »
Stephenson County Clerk
15 North Galena Avenue
Freeport, Illinois
61032,
Phone: (815) 235-8289
E-mail: votte@co.stephenson.il.us
Stephenson County Clerk website »
Tazewell County Clerk
11 South 4th Street
Pekin, Illinois
61554,
Phone: (309) 477-2264
Fmx: (309) 477-2244
Tazewell County Clerk website »
Union County Clerk
311 West Market Street
Jonesboro, Illinois
62952,
Phone: (618) 833-5711
Vermilion County Clerk
6 North Vermilion Street
Danville, Illinois
61832,
Phone: (217) 431-2607
Fmx: (217) 554-1914
E-mail: coclerk@vercounty.org
Vermilion County Clerk website »
Wabash County Clerk
401 North Market Street
Mount Carmel, Illinois
62863,
Phone: (618) 262-4561
Warren County Clerk
100 West Broadway
Monmouth, Illinois
61462,
Phone: (309) 734-8592
E-mail: warrencountyclerk@yahoo.com
Warren County Clerk website »
Washington County Clerk
101 East Saint Louis Street
Nashville, Illinois
62263,
Phone: (618) 327-4800 ext. 300
Wayne County Clerk
301 East Main
Fairfield, Illinois
62837,
Phone: (618) 842-5182
White County Clerk
301 East Main
Carmi, Illinois
62821,
Phone: (618) 382-7211
Fmx: (618) 382-2322
White County Clerk website »
Whiteside County Clerk
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, Illinois
61270,
Phone: (815) 772-5189
Fmx: (815) 772-7673
E-mail: countyclerk@whiteside.org
Whiteside County Clerk website »
Will County Clerk
302 North Chicago
Joliet, Illinois
60431,
Phone: (815) 740-4626
Fax: (815) 740-4699
Will County Clerk website »
Williamson County Clerk
200 West Jefferson
Marion, Illinois
62959,
Phone: (618) 997-1301 ext. 100
Williamson County Clerk website »
Winnebago County Clerk
400 West State Street
Rockford, Illinois
61101,
Phone: (815) 987-3050
Fax: (815) 969-0259
Winnebago County Clerk website »
Woodford County Clerk
115 Main Street
2nd Floor
Eureka, Illinois
61530,
Phone: (309) 467-2822
Fmx: (309) 467-7391
Woodford County Clerk website »