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Marriages by a Judge
What to Bring
Valid Marriage License
Please contact the Lake County Clerk’s Office at (847) 377-2400. They are located at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, Room 101, or visit their Marriage License Information webpage for more information and requirements on obtaining a marriage license.
Waiting Period
By state law, there is a one day waiting period from when you obtain your marriage license to when your license is valid. For example, this means that a license obtained on a Thursday is not valid until the following day, Friday. In extraordinary circumstances, this waiting period can be waived. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for more information.
Fees
The fee to apply for a marriage license is $35. Payment may be made in cash or by check/money order payable to the Lake County Clerk. Certified copies of the completed Marriage License may be ordered and prepayment made at the time of application. The first certified copy is $10 and additional copies are $4 each.
NOTE: The fees are subject to change without notice, please review the Lake County Clerk’s Office Records Request Page for current fees and updates.
If you would like a judge to perform the marriage, go to the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk's Office where you will pay a marriage fee of $10 in cash only. The Lake County Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, in the lower level of the Annex Building.
NOTE: The Lake County Clerk and Lake County Circuit Clerk are different offices.
Witnesses
By state law, no witnesses are needed, but you may invite small groups of guests.
Rings
No rings are required.
Valid Marriage License
Please contact the Lake County Clerk’s Office at (847) 377-2400. They are located at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, Room 101, or visit their Marriage License Information webpage for more information and requirements on obtaining a marriage license.
Waiting Period
By state law, there is a one day waiting period from when you obtain your marriage license to when your license is valid. For example, this means that a license obtained on a Thursday is not valid until the following day, Friday. In extraordinary circumstances, this waiting period can be waived. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for more information.
Fees
The fee to apply for a marriage license is $35. Payment may be made in cash or by check/money order payable to the Lake County Clerk. Certified copies of the completed Marriage License may be ordered and prepayment made at the time of application. The first certified copy is $10 and additional copies are $4 each.
NOTE: The fees are subject to change without notice, please review the Lake County Clerk’s Office Records Request Page for current fees and updates.
If you would like a judge to perform the marriage, go to the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk's Office where you will pay a marriage fee of $10 in cash only. The Lake County Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, in the lower level of the Annex Building.
NOTE: The Lake County Clerk and Lake County Circuit Clerk are different offices.
Witnesses
By state law, no witnesses are needed, but you may invite small groups of guests.
Rings
No rings are required.
Where to Go
- Both parties must go to the Lake County Clerk's Office together to obtain the Marriage License.
- With a valid marriage license, go to the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk's office located at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, lower level of the Annex Building. Pay the $10.00 marriage fee in cash. Please review the When to Go section before coming to the courthouse.
- The Circuit Court Clerk will then direct you and your marriage party to the courtroom for the ceremony.
When to Go
We do not schedule appointments for marriages by a judge.
Recommended Times for Weekdays
We recommend coming in between the hours of 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. This is the most likely time that a judge may be available. Mornings and early afternoons are not recommended due to the needs of the normal court business. Also, marriages are not performed during the hours of Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Recommended Times for Weekends & Holidays
Marriages by a judge can be performed on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Holiday Bond Court. Visit the Court Calendars page to view the current Holiday Court Schedules. It may be advisable to call 847-377-3600, during normal working hours, if you are planning to come in during a weekend that is on or near a holiday, to see if there have been any changes in the schedule.
Saturday Morning Bond Court
Saturday morning Bond Court is conducted in the Babcox Justice Center located at 20 South County Street, Waukegan, Courtroom 120. Please arrive to Courtroom 120 between the hours of 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Upon arriving that morning, contact the deputy or circuit court clerk in Courtroom 120 with your valid marriage license and $10 marriage fee in cash. Please do not arrive later than 11:00 a.m.
Sunday & Holiday Bond Court
Sunday and Holiday Bond court is conducted in the Babcox Justice Center located at 20 South County Street, Waukegan, Courtroom 120 at 9:00 a.m. The judge will leave once court business and any known marriages are completed. We recommend arriving close to 9:00 a.m.
Upon Arrival
Upon arriving that morning, contact the deputy or circuit clerk in Courtroom 120 with your valid marriage license and $10 marriage fee in cash.
We do not schedule appointments for marriages by a judge.
Recommended Times for Weekdays
We recommend coming in between the hours of 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. This is the most likely time that a judge may be available. Mornings and early afternoons are not recommended due to the needs of the normal court business. Also, marriages are not performed during the hours of Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Recommended Times for Weekends & Holidays
Marriages by a judge can be performed on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Holiday Bond Court. Visit the Court Calendars page to view the current Holiday Court Schedules. It may be advisable to call 847-377-3600, during normal working hours, if you are planning to come in during a weekend that is on or near a holiday, to see if there have been any changes in the schedule.
Saturday Morning Bond Court
Saturday morning Bond Court is conducted in the Babcox Justice Center located at 20 South County Street, Waukegan, Courtroom 120. Please arrive to Courtroom 120 between the hours of 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Upon arriving that morning, contact the deputy or circuit court clerk in Courtroom 120 with your valid marriage license and $10 marriage fee in cash. Please do not arrive later than 11:00 a.m.
Sunday & Holiday Bond Court
Sunday and Holiday Bond court is conducted in the Babcox Justice Center located at 20 South County Street, Waukegan, Courtroom 120 at 9:00 a.m. The judge will leave once court business and any known marriages are completed. We recommend arriving close to 9:00 a.m.
Upon Arrival
Upon arriving that morning, contact the deputy or circuit clerk in Courtroom 120 with your valid marriage license and $10 marriage fee in cash.
Locations & Maps
The court sponsors a Marriage Information Line to assist in answering questions concerning marriage by a judge. Please call 847-377-3999 to reach the information line. Selections are recorded in both English and Spanish.
- Babcox Justice Complex
20 S County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085-5533
Map (PDF) - Lake County Administration and Court Complex
18 N County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085-4359
Map (PDF)
The court sponsors a Marriage Information Line to assist in answering questions concerning marriage by a judge. Please call 847-377-3999 to reach the information line. Selections are recorded in both English and Spanish.