Lake County Marriage and Divorce Records

Lake County Marriage License Requirements

Marriage licenses are issued by the Lake County Clerk at Room 101, 18 N County Street, Waukegan. Any couple planning a ceremony in Lake County must apply together in person. License application hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Before visiting, applicants must complete and print the Marriage License Application and Record Request form, then bring the printed application and valid ID showing the names as they will appear on the license.

Applicants who are 18 or older may apply. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may marry only when both parents or legal guardians complete a consent form at the time of application. Valid ID and the original birth record are required for minor applicants. Illinois does not require a medical test. A license must be obtained at least one day before the ceremony and is valid for 60 days starting the day after issuance.

If either person had a prior marriage or civil union end within the last six months, a certified dissolution or invalidity record is required. Foreign certificates need a notarized or certified English translation. Affidavits and expired IDs are not accepted at the counter.

Accepted ID for Marriage Applications

Acceptable U.S. ID includes a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. If those are not available, applicants must present two valid IDs from the alternative list: certified birth certificate, U.S. original naturalization certificate, foreign passport, U.S. resident alien card, or consulate identification card. Foreign birth certificates need a notarized or certified English translation. The County Clerk does not accept affidavits or expired IDs.

If either applicant does not speak or understand English, the couple must provide a third-party interpreter. The interpreter is not provided by the office. Plan ahead: identification or translation problems can delay the application and push back the wedding.

Lake County Marriage Fees and Validity

The County Clerk publishes a short fee list. The marriage license itself is $35. Certified marriage record copies start at $10, with additional copies purchased together at $4 each. A non-certified genealogical marriage record - typically for records 75 years or older - is $4. A No Record Found certification is $1.50. All fees are subject to change; verify at the office before paying.

The license is valid for 60 days from the day after issuance and only for a ceremony performed in Lake County. If the ceremony does not occur within 60 days, the license becomes null and void.

Marriage License Application Fields

The application form asks for biographical details on each applicant, prior-marriage status, education, and ID. The list below mirrors the County Clerk's printed form.

Requesting Lake County Marriage Records

The County Clerk maintains official records of marriages that occurred in Lake County. Requesters can include people named in the record, a child of a person named, a family member, or an agent or legal representative. Genealogical exceptions apply for older records. Walk-in same-day service usually takes less than 30 minutes and requires valid ID.

Mail requests are processed within two business days of receipt. Include the completed request form, a photocopy of valid ID, a check or money order to "Lake County Clerk," and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to Lake County Clerk, Vital Records Department, 18 N County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085. Online credit-card orders use VitalChek and include additional service fees.

For older marriages, the County Clerk runs a separate Genealogical Research process tied to the $4 non-certified record fee.

Lake County Divorce Filing Basics

Divorce in Lake County is a civil case in the Circuit Court. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5 governs marriage, divorce, custody, support, maintenance, and dissolution procedure. The Clerk's Information on Dissolution of Marriage page recommends consulting attorneys for any divorce step.

Civil cases in Lake County require e-filing under Illinois Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, effective January 1, 2018. Self-represented filers must register with an Electronic Filing Service Provider before filing. Contested or uncontested filers use Illinois Supreme Court divorce, child support, and maintenance forms. If the respondent's whereabouts are unknown, the filer uses Notice by Publication and Affidavit for Service by Publication. If there are minor children, the filer needs the UCCJEA declaration and the parenting class offered through the College of Lake County court-ordered programs site.

A filing fee is required unless a fee waiver is filed and granted. Eligible filers can use the Application for Waiver of Court Fees.

Finding a Lake County Divorce Record

Divorce records are court records, not vital records. The Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps the case file. Use the Circuit Clerk's Online Portal for current case status, or Clerk E-Certify for certified copies on non-restricted cases. Sealed family files are not available online.

1. Sign in to the Circuit Clerk portal after registering under Illinois Remote Access Policy.
2. Search by case number if known, or by party name with date of birth.
3. Open the case to view docket entries and download any non-restricted images.
4. For a certified copy of the dissolution judgment, use Clerk E-Certify or visit the Clerk's counter.
5. For older divorce cases that appear as bulk "Case Document Images," call Records at 847-377-3211 to ask for a specific document.

Parenting Class and UCCJEA Declaration

Lake County requires divorce filers with minor children to complete a court-ordered parenting class. The class is offered through the College of Lake County under the court-ordered programs site. Filers also need a UCCJEA declaration that lists where the children have lived in the past five years. The declaration helps the court confirm Illinois jurisdiction over the children. Failing to file the declaration or skip the class can delay the final hearing.

The Illinois Supreme Court publishes the parenting class certificate and the UCCJEA form set. Self-represented filers should file the certificate of completion with the court before requesting a final hearing date.

Vital Records and Circuit Clerk Contacts

For deeper background, see probate records, County Clerk, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the public records framework.