Marriage Certificates

Service Information

The Cook County Clerk's office is the official record keeper for marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Cook County Vital Records provides copies of these documents to eligible individuals upon request.

A marriage license is filed with the Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records after the marriage ceremony takes place. The officiant performing the ceremony completes and signs the marriage license and returns it to the Clerk's office, where it is recorded.

After that occurs, the Clerk's office can issue you a certified copy of your marriage certificate upon request. Marriage certificates are not automatically sent to couples.