Cook County, IL courthouse wedding cost

License, ceremony and 1 copy: $85. A marriage license costs $60. A courthouse ceremony costs $10. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $15.

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Courthouse wedding cost$85Nothing openSee the total →

Government fees

Where you'll get the license

Fees for 20 large counties and cities, copied from each clerk's own page.

Ceremony

A judge marries you at 119 W. Randolph St. Tuesday to Friday in person with no appointment; Monday by video and Saturday by appointment.

Certified copies

$15 for the first, $4 for each one after. You'll need one for each name change.

Extras (optional)

Tick what you'll pay for and add your own amount. A ticked extra with no amount stays open.

Courthouse wedding cost

$85Cook County, IL

Courthouse wedding cost by line
Cost	Amount
Marriage licenseMarriage license	$60
Courthouse ceremonyMarriage Court, downtown Chicago	$10
Certified copies1 × $15	$15

Waiting period: The license takes effect 1 day after it's issued.

How long the license lasts: 60 days from the day it's issued.

Fees from the Cook County Clerk, checked October 24, 2026. Fees change, so confirm before you go.

Cook County Clerk

Cook County, IL courthouse wedding fees

From the clerk's own pages · checked October 24, 2026
Fee	Price	What the clerk says
Marriage license	$60	“Pay the marriage license fee of $60.” Source
Courthouse ceremonyMarriage Court, downtown Chicago	$10	“Parties are required to have a license from the Cook County Clerk, a valid form of identification and the $10 administrative fee.” SourceA judge marries you at 119 W. Randolph St. Tuesday to Friday in person with no appointment; Monday by video and Saturday by appointment.
Courthouse ceremonyRolling Meadows or Bridgeview courthouse	$10	“A valid marriage or civil union license and a $10 (cash only) administrative fee are required.” SourceBy appointment, Monday to Friday. Cash only. Skokie, Maywood and Markham also marry couples by appointment.
Certified copy	$15, then $4	“Certified legal copies of marriage records are $15 and $4 for each additional copy.” Source

You'll need a certified copy for each name change (Social Security, the DMV, a passport, the bank). With 3 copies instead of 1, add $8.

Before you go

What the clerk asks of you

Ceremony: A Circuit Court judge performs the ceremony.
Waiting period: The license takes effect 1 day after it's issued.
How long the license lasts: 60 days from the day it's issued.

Ask the clerk

"Do we need an appointment for the license or the ceremony?"
"How many guests can come in?"
"Which payment methods do you take, and is there a card fee?"

Having a friend or a hired officiant marry you instead? Compare officiant quotes or put the license in your budget.

Cook County courthouse wedding questions

How much is a courthouse wedding in Cook County?

License, ceremony and 1 copy: $85. A marriage license costs $60. A courthouse ceremony costs $10. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $15. These are the official prices of the Cook County Clerk, checked October 24, 2026. Photos, outfits, rings or a meal afterwards are extra.

How much is a marriage license in Cook County?

A marriage license costs $60.

Who performs courthouse weddings in Cook County?

A Circuit Court judge performs the ceremony.

Is there a waiting period, and how long does the license last?

Waiting period: The license takes effect 1 day after it's issued. How long it lasts: 60 days from the day it's issued.

Courthouse wedding cost in other counties

Compare every county side by side. Not listed? The courthouse wedding cost calculator takes your own county's fees.

Fees checked October 24, 2026. Report a fee that changed.