Difference between revisions of "How to Find Illinois Marriage Records"
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<br> '''PART B: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage''' | <br> '''PART B: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage''' | ||
− | :*If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for the marriage date for a fee from the [ | + | :*If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for the marriage date for a fee from the [https://www.iaccr.net/MemberCountiesMain.html Local County Clerk] or from the appropriate [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/IRAD/iradregn.html Illinois Regional Archives Depository]. Consult the [http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovrecordssrch.jsp Local Governmental Records Holdings Database] to see if IRAD has marriage records for the county and approximate date of the marriage you are requesting. |
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records.]] | :*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records.]] | ||
Revision as of 17:36, 16 January 2021
Finding Illinois Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
- Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county
- 1962 - county clerks began sending copies to the state
Chicago and Cook County keep marriage records separately from the State of Illinois. Learn more about finding marriage records from Chicago. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1962[edit | edit source]
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]
Marriage Indexes | |||
Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
Illinois State Archives, Marriages, 1763-1900 | On Illinois State Archives; free. Coverage chart. | Undisclosed | |
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1587-1959 | On Findmypast ($) | ||
Ancestry, Illinois, County Marriages, 1800-1940 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 5,268,844 |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1790-1860 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 163,917 |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1810-1934 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 1,026,354 | |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1815-1935 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 636,536 | |
Ancestry, Marriages, to 1850 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 158,233 |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 659,028 |
Can't access Ancestry? | Visit your local family history center or your local public library. |
No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for marriage information in other records:
1. Look first in | 2. Then search |
Church Records |
Census Records |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]
PART A: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records or the above indexes.
Illinois County clerks are the official custodians of all marriage records recorded in Illinois counties. To obtain copies of marriages, write the appropriate county clerk and include in your letter all of the information on the marriage.
OR
Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD) hold original marriage records or microfilm copies for over seventy of the 102 counties in Illinois for the years 1809-1983. Consult the Local Governmental Records Holdings Database to see if IRAD has marriage records for the county and date of the marriage you are requesting. Type the search term MARRIAGE in the title field to return all marriage records in the IRAD holdings. If IRAD does have marriage records for the county you are searching and for the pertinent time period, write the appropriate Illinois Regional Archives Depository and include in your letter all of the information on the marriage. Marriage record searches are free, but a small copy fee will be billed for records found. IRAD provides uncertified copies only. Certified copies must be requested from the county clerk.
PART B: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for the marriage date for a fee from the Local County Clerk or from the appropriate Illinois Regional Archives Depository. Consult the Local Governmental Records Holdings Database to see if IRAD has marriage records for the county and approximate date of the marriage you are requesting.
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can try searching for marriage information in other records.
Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.
- Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
- Some microfilms may be available to view at a local Family Search Center.
Marriages 1962 to Present[edit | edit source]
For a $5 fee, the Illinois Department of Health, Division of Vital Records can verify the facts of a marriage that has taken place from 1962 through the current index date available. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records does not issue certified copies of marriage records. Certified copies are available from the county clerk in the county where the marriage occurred.
Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD) hold original marriage records or microfilm copies for over seventy of the 102 counties in Illinois for the years 1809-1983. Consult the Local Governmental Records Holdings Database to see if IRAD has marriage records for the county and date of the marriage you are requesting. Type the search term MARRIAGE in the title field to return all marriage records in the IRAD holdings. If IRAD does have marriage records for the county you are searching and for the pertinent time period, write the appropriate Illinois Regional Archives Depository and include in your letter all of the information on the marriage. Marriage record searches are free, but a small copy fee will be billed for records found. IRAD provides uncertified copies only. Certified copies must be requested from the county clerk.
County clerks are the official custodians of all marriage records recorded in Illinois counties. To obtain copies of marriages found in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, write the appropriate county clerk and include in your letter all of the information on the marriage given in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index.
When ordering Illinois marriage records: Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information. |
No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
If you cannot locate your ancestor's marriage in the sources above, try searching for marriage information in other records:
1. Look first in | 2. Then search |
Church Records |
Census Records |
Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. birth records
- How to find U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. death records
- United States Record Finder
- United States, How to Use Marriage Records
- United States Marriage Records
- United States Vital Records
- U.S. Vital Records Overview
- Locating United States Vital Records