Marriage Licenses

As you prepare for your new life together, there are many things that you need to consider, such as obtaining a marriage license. In order to get married in Bureau County, you will need to obtain a certified marriage license from the Office of the Bureau County Clerk. We would like to offer our sincere congratulations on your forthcoming marriage.

To Obtain A Marriage License

You must be getting married in Bureau County
You can start the process by applying online
Both parties need to be present. Please come to the Office of the Bureau County Clerk, Bureau County Courthouse, Rm 104, 700 S. Main St., Princeton, IL
No appointment is necessary; however, parties must apply by 4:00 p.m. on weekdays
You must not be related
You must show some type of identification with your birth date on it, preferably a driver’s license or a State ID card
The fee is $65.00
You must apply for the license at least one day in advance and no more than 60 days in advance
No blood test is required
Certified copies can be issued after the marriage ceremony has taken place and the license is returned by the person who officiated the ceremony

Required Application Information

Your names and current address (including cities, counties and states)
Your dates of birth, ages, states of birth and occupations
Your parents full names (including your mothers full maiden name), addresses of both, if living, and the states in which they were born
Your highest grade of completed education
If either of you have been previously married, you will need to know the month, day and year of the previous divorce or death, also the county and state where it became final

FAQ

What if Bride and/or Groom are Minors (16 or 17 years old)?

Both parents are required to be present with identification and will have to sign a consent form
If one parent cannot be located, then the other parent will need to sign an affidavit attesting to that fact
If the bride and/or groom are under 16 years of age they are not eligible to apply. However, a judge can issue a court ordered marriage

What If the Bride and Groom Want to Get Married by a Judge?

Call and schedule with the Judge’s staff. You can call either (815)879-3091 or (815)875-4534.

Does Illinois restrict some marriages?

Certain marriages are prohibited in Illinois. These include marriages entered into prior to the dissolution of an earlier marriage of one of the parties; those between an ancestor and a descendant or between a brother and sister, whether the relationship is by the half or the whole blood or by adoption; and those between an uncle and a niece or between an aunt and a nephew. Generally, marriages between cousins of the first degree are prohibited; however, first cousins may marry if: If you are in the market for superclone , Super Clone Rolex is the place to go! The largest collection of fake Rolex watches online!

Both parties are 50 years of age or older; or
Either party, at the time the couple applies for a marriage license, presents to the county clerk of the county in which the marriage is to take place a certificate signed by a licensed physician stating that the party to the proposed marriage is permanently and irreversibly sterile

Are there any special requirements for those individuals who have been previously married?

Information regarding how previous marriages ended must be furnished in the application for a marriage license. This includes whether the former spouse died or was divorced and, if so, when and where the divorce was granted. A certified copy of the divorce decree(s) or certificate(s) of dissolution of marriage may be required by the clerk issuing the marriage license.

Is a marriage ceremony required?

No particular ceremony is required except that the parties must state in the presence of an authorized member of the clergy or a public official that they take each other as husband and wife.

Who can perform a marriage ceremony?

To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by one of the following individuals:

A judge of a court of record or a retired judge of a court of record
A public official whose powers include solemnizing marriages
An officiant performing the marriage in accordance with the prescriptions of any religious denomination, Indian nation or tribe or native group

The person solemnizing the marriage must complete the marriage certificate form and forward it to the county clerk within 10 days after such marriage is solemnized.

What You Should Know About Legal Access to Vital Records

In an effort to prevent identity theft and protect the privacy of those named on vital records, the Office of the Bureau County Clerk works diligently to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the records maintained by the County Clerk.