Marriage License Information

We are offering reservations and strongly encourage them for Marriage licenses, given the time and complexity of completing them. Reservations in our office work much like reservations in a restaurant, it doesn't ensure that you will be cared for at exactly the time of the reservation, but rather that you will be served before others that didn't have a reservation at that time. We believe that this change will allow people to make more specific plans regarding their time, while at the same time, giving them the flexibility to show up at will if that suits them better.

Please call our office at (815) 334-4242 to set an appointment or make other inquiries. 

General Information

1. After obtaining a license, a couple must wait until the following day to solemnize their marriage as performed by an officiant such as a judge or religious official.
2. A license will be valid for 60 days after being issued.
3. A license must be returned to the County Clerk’s office within 10 days from the date of the ceremony.
4. If there have been prior marriages that ended in divorce less than six months prior, you must provide a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution that has been signed and dated by the Judge. However, for other divorces the applicant must know the date, county, and state the divorce occurred.
5. Persons obtaining a license in McHenry County may NOT use the license in any other county.
6. You will be acknowledging that all information given is true and correct and that you are free to marry under the laws of this state and the laws of the jurisdiction where you reside.

Where to Apply

Couples must appear together in the office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Office of McHenry County Clerk
McHenry County Administration Building
667 Ware Road, Suite 107
Woodstock, IL 60098

Persons Who May NOT Marry

1. Persons not attaining 18 year of age
2. Blood relatives, down to cousins of the first degree may not enter into a marriage under the laws of the State of Illinois

Fee

The fee for a marriage license is thirty dollars ($30.00) cash or credit/debit card.

Qualifications - Residents of the State of Illinois

Age Requirements

Both parties must have attained the age of 18 years at the time the marriage license is effective or will have attained the age of 16 years and have either the consent to the marriage of both parents or their guardian or judicial approval.

Proof of Age

Applicants who are 18 years of age and under must present their birth certificate as proof of age.
Medical Examination: None required.
Identification: Current Photo ID is required for both parties.

Qualifications - Non Residents

Non-residents must comply with the requirements of their respective states. Non-residents requiring consent of parents or legal guardian must obtain a consent sworn to before the County Clerk or a Notary Public.

Pre-pay for Marriage Certificates When Receiving Marriage License

Certified copies of the completed Marriage License may be ordered and pre-paid at the time the license is issued. Marriage Certificates are mailed once the completed license is returned to the County Clerks office.

Civil Union Information

General Information

1. Civil Unions may be entered into by same-sex and heterosexual couples of at least 18 years of age.
2. After obtaining a license, a couple must wait until the following day to have their civil union ceremony performed by an officiant such as a judge or religious official.
3. A license will be valid for 60 days after being issued.
4. A license must be returned to the County Clerk’s office within 10 days from the date of the ceremony.
5. A civil union must be dissolved in court, the same as a marriage.
6. If there have been prior marriages that ended in divorce less than six months prior, you must provide a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution that has been signed and dated by the Judge. However, for other divorces the applicant must know the date, county, and state the divorce occurred.
7. Persons obtaining a license in McHenry County may NOT use the license in any other county.
8. You will be acknowledging that all information given is true and correct and that you are free to marry under the laws of this state and the laws of the jurisdiction where you reside.

Where to Apply

Both parties must appear together in the County Clerk’s office between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Office of McHenry County Clerk
McHenry County Administration Building
667 Ware Road, Suite 107
Woodstock, IL 60098

1. Persons not attaining 18 year of age
2. Blood relatives, down to cousins of the first degree may not enter into a civil union under the laws of the State of Illinois

Fee

The fee for a civil union is thirty dollars ($30.00).

Qualifications - Residents of the State of Illinois

Age Requirements

Both parties must have attained the age of 18 years at the time the civil union license is effective or will have attained the age of 16 years and have either the consent to the civil union of both parents or their guardian or judicial approval.

Proof of Age

Applicants who are 18 years of age and under must present their birth certificate as proof of age.
Medical Examination: None required.
Identification: Photo ID is required for both parties.

Qualifications – Non Residents

Non-residents must comply with the requirements of their respective states and must be free to enter into a civil union in the jurisdiction where they reside.

For further information concerning marriage license or civil unions email the County Clerk's office or telephone (815) 334-4242.

Archival Records available

The McHenry County Clerk's office keeps official records of marriages/civil unions that occur in McHenry County.

• Marriage records from 1837 forward
• Civil Union records from 2011 forward

Requesting a marriage/civil union record

You may obtain a marriage/civil union record in one of 3 methods:

1.   Order Online – please click on logo below.

2.   Write us – 

Mail your request to: 
 McHenry County Clerk – Vital Records
 Joseph J. Tirio
 2200 N. Seminary Avenue
 Woodstock, IL 60098

 Include the following items:

• A completed Marriage/Civil Union Record Request Form
• A photocopy of your photo identification
• A check or money order payable to the McHenry County Clerk for a $12.00 search fee for each marriage/civil union record - this fee is returned if no record is found. Additional copies of the same record issued at the same time will be charged a fee of $4.00 each.
• A self-addressed stamped envelope

Note: Be sure to include your phone number with your mail request.

3.   Visit us in person at our office at:

667 Ware Road
Suite 107
Woodstock, IL 60098

The McHenry County Clerk's Office cannot process orders over the phone: however, for your convenience, you can submit an online request through a third-party service named VitalChek. VitalChek is an independent company that we have partnered with to provide customers the ability to submit their vital record orders electronically. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®. To access this service click on the website link www.VitalChek.com.