DuPage County Clerk does not accept walk-in marriage license applications. You must book an appointment online through the DuPage County Clerk's website before your visit. Couples who show up without one are turned away.
Who Issues Marriage Licenses in DuPage County?
The DuPage County Clerk's Office at 421 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 handles all marriage license applications. This is in the county seat of Wheaton, approximately 25 miles west of downtown Chicago.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed on all Illinois state holidays and federal holidays. Appointments must be scheduled in advance through the county clerk's online booking portal.
The $30 Fee
The DuPage County marriage license fee is $30.00 — one of the lowest in the Chicago metro area. Cook County, for comparison, charges $30 as well; Kane County charges $30; Lake County charges $30. The fee is set under Illinois statute 750 ILCS 5/203 and the clerk cannot waive it.
Accepted payment: cash, check, or credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover). Checks payable to "DuPage County Clerk."
Required Documents
Both applicants must bring to their appointment:
- Valid government-issued photo ID: Illinois driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. The ID must not be expired and must contain your date of birth.
- Social Security Number: Required. You must know it; the physical card is not required.
- Divorce decree (if applicable): If either party has been previously married, you must provide the exact date and county/state of the divorce. For divorces finalized within the last 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
- Death certificate (if widowed): If a prior spouse is deceased, bring the death certificate if the death occurred within the past year.
The 1-Day Waiting Period
Illinois law (750 ILCS 5/203) imposes a 24-hour waiting period between the time the license is issued and the earliest moment a ceremony can legally occur. This is a full 24 hours from the time of issuance — not just the next calendar day. If your license is issued at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, you cannot marry until 2:00 PM on Wednesday.
Unlike Texas, Illinois does not offer a judicial waiver process for the waiting period. The 24-hour wait is effectively mandatory.
For a Saturday ceremony: Apply no later than Thursday morning. For a Friday ceremony: Apply by Wednesday morning. The 24-hour clock starts at the exact time your license is issued — account for this when scheduling your appointment and ceremony.
How to Book Your Appointment
Appointments are made through the DuPage County Clerk's online portal at dupagecounty.gov. The process:
- Visit the DuPage County Clerk's website and navigate to "Marriage Licenses."
- Click the online scheduling link (typically powered by a third-party booking tool).
- Select a date and time. Slots are typically available 1–3 weeks out during busy wedding season (May–October). Off-peak months often have next-day availability.
- Enter both applicants' names and contact information.
- Confirm the appointment — both parties will receive a confirmation email.
Both applicants must appear together at the appointed time. Arriving late may result in rescheduling.
License Validity — 60 Days
A DuPage County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If your ceremony falls outside this window, the license expires and you must reapply. The license is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Illinois — not just in DuPage County.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must return the completed, signed marriage license to the DuPage County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. Certified copies of the marriage record are available from the clerk at $14.00 each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Illinois has no residency requirement for marriage license applicants. A couple from Chicago (Cook County) can apply in DuPage County and get married anywhere in Illinois on that license. Some Chicago-area couples choose DuPage County for the convenience of suburban parking and lower foot traffic compared to the Cook County Clerk's downtown Chicago office.
Illinois sets a base fee under state law, and DuPage County has historically kept the fee at the statutory minimum. Cook County also charges $30 — there's no meaningful savings advantage of one over the other. The bigger practical difference is that Cook County's downtown Chicago office often has longer waits and more limited appointment availability, especially during peak wedding season.
You'll need to reschedule through the online portal. There is no penalty for missing or rescheduling an appointment. During busy season, this could push your timeline back by a week or more — keep this in mind when planning around your ceremony date and the 24-hour waiting period.
The county clerk's office does not perform ceremonies. You will need a separate officiant. In Illinois, authorized officiants include judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, and ordained religious or civil officiants. DuPage County circuit court judges can perform ceremonies — contact the courthouse for scheduling. Many municipalities in DuPage County also have mayors who can perform ceremonies.
DuPage County Clerk — Marriage License Division
421 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: (630) 407-5500
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
dupagecounty.gov