How to Elope in Illinois: Everything You Need to Know

Illinois is an understated destination for an elopement. The perfect blend of urban charm, stunning architecture and natural beauty, all make this a great place for your darling elopement. From quiet gardens to iconic city parks, you’ll love eloping in Illinois. 

Illinois is a great state to elope in and we’re here to walk you through all the nuts and bolts. Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• How many witnesses are required
• All inclusive Illinois elopement packages
• Top booked venues on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name

How to Get your Marriage License in Illinois

The process of getting your marriage license in Illinois is very straightforward, and this goes for residents or non. You can begin the marriage application process online but you’ll have to go in person to pick up the physical marriage license. You and your honey will both need a form of state or government ID and your social security numbers. If you are a non-citizen, you’ll need to bring documentation from wherever you call home. Best check with your local government prior to heading to the states if you’re hoping your ceremony here will be legal back home. Some counties require an appointment to get your license at the county recorder so you may want to call ahead prior to snagging your partner to head in. 

Here are the addresses and phones numbers of different locations, pending where you plan to get your license in the Chicago area:

Cook County Clerk’s Office

• 118 N. Clark St., Room 230, Chicago, IL
• (312) 603-7790
• Open Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Closed on weekends and holidays

Downtown Chicago

• 50 W. Washington St., East Concourse Lower Level – Room 25
• Chicago, IL 60602
• Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm (except legal holidays)

North Suburbs – Skokie

• 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149
• Skokie, IL 60077
• 847-470-7233
• Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (except legal holidays)

Northwest Suburbs – Rolling Meadows

• 2121 Euclid Avenue, Room 238
• Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
• 847-818-2850
• Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (except legal holidays)

West Suburbs – Maywood

• 1311 Maybrook Square, Room 104
• Maywood, IL 60153
• 708-865-6010
• Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (except legal holidays)

South Suburbs – Markham

• 16501 S. Kedzie, Room 238
• Markham, IL 60426
• 708-232-4150
• Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (except legal holidays)

Southwest Suburbs – Bridgeview

• 10220 S. 76th Ave.Room 238
• Bridgeview, IL 60455
• 708-974-6150
• Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (except legal holidays)

You’ll need to provide proof of age (you must be 18 or 16 with a parent’s permission in Illinois) by sharing one of the following documents:

• US valid driver’s license
• Government-issued non-driver’s ID
• Passport

The marriage license application fee is $60.00 and is only valid for 60 days. There is a 24-hour waiting period required between when you pick your license and hold your ceremony, so keep that in mind for your timeline and travel. If either of you were previously married, you do not need a copy of the divorce decree, but you will need to give the exact date the previous marriage ended (divorce or widowhood). You will both need to be present for the marriage license to be given.

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant and Witnesses

For your ceremony to be legal in Illinois, you’ll need to hire an officiant that is registered with the state! You are welcome to find your own officiant, but hiring through a company like Simply Eloped ensures that the vendor is vetted and professionally trained. If you’re interested in having a friend or officiant be your officiant, ensure they follow the proper protocols for filing with the state of Illinois well prior to your wedding date. 

One witness is required in the state of Illinois. If you don’t intend on having any guests, your photographer can act as your witness (though keep in mind your officiant can not). One important note is that both the parties to the wedding and the person performing the wedding must be physically located in Illinois at the time of your ceremony; no virtual officiants allowed.

All Inclusive Illinois Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Illinois elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in Illinois. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Illinois elopement packages, click here. 

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and a dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography, a gallery of 75 or more edited images delivered 15 days or less after your ceremony and a dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a gallery of 75 or more edited images delivered 15 days or less after your ceremony and a dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a gallery of 75 or more edited images delivered 15 days or less after your ceremony, matching nosegay bouquet & boutonniere, and a dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography which renders a highlight reel and long form video of your ceremony, hair and make up for one person, a gallery of 75 or more edited images delivered 15 days or less after your ceremony, matching nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and a dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in Illinois

Looking for a great place to elope in Illinois! Here’s the details on a few great Illinois elopement venues with their details.

Colvin House

This incredible house was built in 1909 by architect George Maher, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright. With the option of either an indoor or a garden ceremony site, this venue offers a style for any type of elopement. 

Colvin House hosts elopements of up to 45 guests, making it a perfect location for couples looking to celebrate with a small group of friends and family. They welcome streaming, chairs, decor, leashed furry friends, and music. So if you’re looking to walk down the aisle to your favorite song, side by side with your pup – this is your spot. There’s also parking available, an on site bathroom and the space is wheelchair accessible. If you’d like to pop some celebratory Champagne, Colvin House welcomes that as well! Beverages simply must come from the venue itself and must be served by a bartender employed by Colvin House.

The Firehouse

Built in 1906, this pillar of Chicago is an astounding option for your special wedding. With the option of either indoor or outdoor, this venue can accommodate elopement sizes of all kinds. It’s hard to beat the charm and history of this incredible Chicago elopement venue.

The Firehouse hosts elopements of up to 45 guests, so it’s perfect for the couple who is looking for a small celebration with their close loved ones. Speaking of loved ones, The Firehouse welcomes leashed pets, so your furry friend can absolutely be a part of your special day. Music is also permitted, giving you the option to walk down the aisle to your favorite song. Please note that popping Champagne will have to wait for alter, as alcohol is not permitted.

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

If you’re seeking a tranquil setting filled with waterfalls and lush, tropical plans, The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is the venue for you. Available mid-April to mid-November, this venue is great for intimate elopements of five guests or less. This venue requires a permit, which Simply Eloped will secure for you on your behalf.

For those looking to have additional loved ones be a part of their day through streaming, you’re in luck. Streaming is permitted at Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. Music is too, so queue up your favorite song to walk down the aisle. Please note that the champagne toast will have to wait until after the ceremony, as alcohol is permitted. Neither are candles, sparklers, pets, or additional decor and chairs. There is no on site bathroom and it is recommended to organize transportation rather than parking on site.

Get Your Marriage Certificate

The process of getting a marriage certificate starts at your marriage license appointment, where you will pay for the amount of certificates you’d like to have. Please note you’ll need to get the marriage certificate in the same county where your ceremony took place. Some counties do allow for mail-in options, meaning you won’t have to visit in person, so be sure to check county regulations. 

After paying for your marriage license, an additional $3.00-15.00 is required for additional copies of marriage certificates after the original. It is recommended to get at least two. This is because as you’re changing your name, you’ll be using this document a lot. While in transition, it’s always good to have a backup in the event of an emergency. 

How to Change your Last Name in Illinois

If you decide to change your name after your elopement, it’s about a four step process in Illinois for the legal documents. After that, it’s a matter of changing your non-legal, personal items like your insurance, emails and credit cards. This can feel like a bit of an overwhelming experience for some, so we’re here to guide you through the steps.

1. Submit your Application for Name Change: If you intend to change your last name, you will need to begin the form Request for Name Change (adult). After your application is received, you must go before a judge and request the name change and you must give a reason. At that time, your motion will either be approved or denied. If the judge grants an approval to your request, you’ll then need to ask the Clerk for certified copies of your Order for Name Change, to which you can then use for changing other identity documents. This process requires you to be a resident of Illinois who is at least 18 years old. Please note that the cost of filing is between $300.00 – $400.00, and may take up to 12 weeks to process.
2. Change your name with Social Security: Once you’ve had your name change approved, social security should be your next stop. This process is not Illinois specific, it’s federally regulated – so this step doesn’t change state to state. To change your name with SSA, go to the SSA.gov website to find your local office. You can start your process online, but keep in mind you’ll need to finish it in person. You’ll need to complete the social security card application and bring it with you to your appointment, as well as proof of your identity. This will include your name change document, certified marriage license, and US passport. You can also bring your driver’s license with you for good measure. There is no fee to change your name with Social Security, and you’ll receive your new card by mail in a matter of weeks.
3. Change your name on your Driver’s License: Once you receive your new SSA card (same number, just different last name on your card,) you can head over to the Illinois SOS office. You’ll have to do this part of the process in person, so be sure to make an appointment online to set up your time to go. At your appointment, you’ll be applying for a ‘corrected’ driver’s license, which basically just means you’ll be swapping your old ID for a new one with your new last name. This process is pretty affordable – at about $10.00 for a corrected ID. You’ll need to bring proof of identity with you, similar to what you need at the SSA office. Once you’re all set with this, you’ll need to update your vehicle title and registration.  Please also note that Illinois requires citizens to notify  SOS of a name change within ten days of the swap. Keep this in mind at your appointment!
4. Change your Name on your Passport: If you have a passport, this is your fourth and final step in legally changing your name. You’ll want to do this after you’ve received your new driver’s license, so you have additional identifiable documentation on hand. While this is a federal process, the forms you will need to do so are dependent on a few factors, like whether your passport is expired or not. To find out which documents apply to you, go to Travel.State.Gov. Once you have filled out the proper paperwork, you’ll need:
   • Your current passport
   • Your certified name change document (marriage license or otherwise)
   • A new color passport photo
   • Payment and other fees in the form of a check

Depending on your passport needs, you will either be able to submit everything by mail, or need to submit your documents in person. After submitting, a new passport will take several weeks to arrive. You’ll be able to track the progress of your application and passport online.

• Non legal name changes: From here, you’re done with the legal tasks! Your next step is changing your name on non-legal documents. Examples to consider at this point are things like car titles, insurance (health, car, renters,) employers, credit cards and more. 

It seems like a lot because it is! Take this process step by step, and it should all go smoothly. There’s also many businesses that help with the name changing process.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialist in January 2026.