Marriage License Information
Where to Apply
Office of McHenry County Clerk
McHenry County Administration Building
667 Ware Road, Room 107
Woodstock, IL 60098
Both parties must appear in the County Clerk’s office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Persons Who May NOT Marry
Blood relatives through cousins of the first degree may not marry under the laws of the State of Illinois.
Fee
The fee for a marriage license in McHenry County is thirty dollars ($30.00). Cash Only.
Qualifications - Residents of the State of Illinois
Age Requirements
Both parties must be 18 years of age at the time the marriage license is effective. Parties 16 years of age must have the consent of both parents, the legal guardian(s) or judicial approval to marry.
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. Non-residents requiring consent of parents or legal guardian(s) must obtain a consent sworn to before the COUNTY CLERK or a NOTARY PUBLIC.
Important
Persons obtaining a license in McHenry County may NOT use the license to marry in any other county. A license to marry becomes effective in the county where it was issued one (1) day after the date of issuance, unless the court orders that the license is effective when issued, and expires sixty (60) days after it becomes effective. If there was a prior marriage for one or both applicants, ending in divorce, the parties must provide the County Clerk with a certified copy of the divorce decree(s) pertaining to such prior marriage or marriages.
If you have further questions regarding the marriage license, please call the County Clerk’s office at 815-334-4230.
Wedding Information
Where to schedule an appointment
Court Administration Office
McHenry County Government Center
2200 North Seminary Ave, Room 355
Woodstock, IL 60098
Office Hours
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Requirements
Prior appointments are required
No walk-ins are allowed on Saturday.
In order to schedule a wedding appointment, you must present marriage license and pay a fee of ten dollars ($10.00). Cash Only.
NO rings required.
NO witnesses required.
The ceremony will be performed in English. It is required that both parties completely understand the meaning of the words in order to knowingly and freely enter into the marriage contract. If either party requires an interpreter, it is the responsibility of the parties to provide one 18 years of age or older. The wedding couple may not interpret for each other.
Marriages are performed
Monday through Friday at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM or 3:00 PM
Saturday at 8:45 AM only (An appointment has to be made during the week in order to be married on Saturday.)
o You must schedule your appointment and pay a fee in order to be married.
o If a Saturday wedding date is desired, the ten dollars ($10.00) cash fee and marriage license must be brought into Court Administration (Room 355) by at least the Friday prior to complete the paperwork before the Saturday wedding date.
o No photos or recordings are allowed anywhere except in the Courtroom where the ceremony takes place.
If you have further questions regarding wedding information, please call Court Administration at 815-334-4385.
Please be aware that if anyone calls inquiring about a scheduled wedding date and time, that information will be provided to the caller.
Civil Union Information
Where to Apply
Office of McHenry County Clerk
McHenry County Administration Building
667 Ware Road, Room 107
Woodstock, IL 60098
Both parties must appear in the County Clerk’s office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Persons Who May NOT enter into a civil union
Persons under 18 years of age. Blood relatives through 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 in McHenry County is thirty dollars ($30.00). Cash Only.
Qualifications - Residents of the State of Illinois
Age Requirements
Both parties must be 18 years of age at the time the civil union license is effective.
Proof of Age
Applicants who are 18 years of age must present their birth certificate as proof of age.
Medical Examination
None required.
Identification
Photo ID is required for both parties.
Qualifications - Non Residents
Anyone entering into a civil union must be free to enter into a civil union in the jurisdiction where they reside.
Important
Persons obtaining a license in McHenry County may NOT use the license in any other county. 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. A license will be valid for 60 days after being issued. A civil union must be dissolved in court, the same as a marriage. Documentation of the dissolution must be provided. Civil unions may be entered into by same-sex and heterosexual couples of at least 18 years of age.
If you have further questions regarding the civil unions, please call the county clerk’s office at 815-334-4230.
Civil Ceremony Information
Where to schedule an appointment
Court Administration Office
McHenry County Government Center
2200 North Seminary Ave, Room 355
Woodstock, IL 60098
Office Hours
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Requirements
Prior appointments are required
No walk-in’s are allowed on Saturday.
In order to schedule a civil ceremony appointment you must present civil union license and pay a fee of ten dollars ($10.00). Cash Only.
NO rings required
NO witnesses required
The ceremony will be performed in English. It is required that both parties completely understand the meaning of the words in order to knowingly and freely enter into the civil union contract. If either party requires an interpreter, it is the responsibility of the parties to provide one 18 years of age or older. The couple may not interpret for each other.
Civil unions are performed
Monday through Friday at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM or 3:00 PM
Saturday at 8:45 AM only (An appointment has to be made during the week in order to be united on Saturday.)
o You must schedule your appointment and pay a fee in order to be united.
o If a Saturday union date is desired, the ten dollars ($10.00) cash fee and civil union license must be brought into Court Administration (Room 355) by at least the Friday prior to complete the paperwork before the Saturday union date.
o No photos or recordings are allowed anywhere except in the Courtroom where the ceremony takes place.
If you have further questions regarding union information, please call Court Administration at 815-334-4385.
Please be aware that if anyone calls inquiring about a scheduled union date and time, that information will be provided to the caller.