6 Tips for Getting Married at City Hall in Chicago

please read!

as of January 3, 2022, all city hall ceremonies in cook count are by engagement only

Also, starting January 2022, all suburban cook county Clerk's offices are closed, so if you plan to be married in cook county, you must go to the downtown location to become your marriage license. More information below.

updated: January 2022

Written and photographed by Curator Lisa of lisa kathan photography:

Getting married at Chicago's City Hall is the perfect choice for lots of couples, and is a very affordable option at simply $10. You might non want the piece of work and cost of a total-blown wedding, so having your ceremony at City Hall might be perfect for y'all. So nosotros've pulled together some tips for planning your wedding ceremony at Chicago's City Hall (aka marriage court).

All the same, earlier you commit yourself to City Hall, know that there have been some pregnant changes due to COVID-xix. Delight read below about what Metropolis Hall weddings are looking like correct at present. Due to COVID, the requirements have changed often, and then be aware!

2020-05-20_0006.jpg

Getting married at City Hall

TIP #1: make your ceremony date

Constructive immediately, ALL ceremonies require an appointment

Call the Union Court at (312) 603-5660 to make appointment and they will get back to y'all.

Monday & Tuesday: ZOOM call ceremonies, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Wednesday through Saturday: In-person ceremonies, Past APPOINTMENT ONLY

NOTE: the Marriage Courtroom is only booking appointments about 2 months in accelerate. For the most upwards-to-date info nigh City Hall ceremonies, phone call the Marriage Court at (312) 603-5660.

tIP #ii: Become your license - BUT Check BEFOREHAND TO SEE IF/WHEN IT'S Open!

To get married in Melt Canton (where Chicago is located), you must both acquire your wedlock license through the Cook County Clerk'due south office. The toll for a wedlock license is $60.

Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days, and you must acquire your license in the county you plan to be married.

Check the link below for the well-nigh up-to-engagement info on office hours, locations and other requirements.

If you plan to become married at 1 of the Chicago area neckband counties, bank check out their websites for guidelines, costs and rules. The county guidelines for courthouse weddings vary profoundly, so definitely await at the county site where you program to be married!

LAKE County

KANE COUNTY

DUPAGE COUNTY

Volition County

MCHENRY COUNTY

2020-05-20_0012.jpg

TIP #3: enquire friends and family to stay dwelling or meet you lot after

Only FOUR people are allowed in the Marriage Courtroom for your anniversary. This includes your photographer! The rooms were the ceremonies are performed are very small, so you'll go the best photos if you only have your photographer.

If more than join you, they will not be allowed to stay in the waiting area, and then your best bet is to invite your friends and family to join you at another location.

TIP #iv: Go to the Wedlock Court for your anniversary

Currently, you tin can merely enter through 1 location, at 118 N Clark Street, direct beyond from the Daley Eye. There volition be gates up to assistance with social distancing, and someone doing COVID bank check-ins.

Notation: if you lot got your license at the Chicago Daley Center, this is not the aforementioned building. Marriage Court is beyond the street.

Get in line with your photographer and become through the COVID check-in. They will inquire you several questions, take your temperature, and give you lot directions to get to the lower level of the building, where the Wedlock Court is located. If y'all have an date, you MUST Exist on time for your engagement, or you could risk losing your appointment.

And don't forget! You lot'll need to bring your marriage license, valid IDs for each of y'all, and $10 to pay for your ceremony. And if you program to substitution rings, recollect those, as well!

TIP #five: the real real almost City Hall ceremonies and COVID-19

You must clothing your mask the Unabridged fourth dimension, from when yous enter the edifice to when you lot leave, and so your get-go kiss will have to look till y'all get outside.

Too, now that in that location are express in-person ceremonies that don't require an engagement, the lines are expected to be long, particularly for the afternoon and Fri time slots.

TIP #half dozen: Enjoy the experience

Nuptials ceremonies are performed in the lower level of City Hall and are about 3-5 minutes long. Don't feel like you lot have to fix something to say to ane another during the ceremony. But if you lot desire to write a few cursory words to personalize your ceremony, be certain to tell the judge before you go started.

As well, especially since your friends and family won't be able to witness your ceremony, don't forget to hire a photographer to capture the moments! There are NO photographers there to capture your day last minute, so if this is something y'all desire to exercise, be sure to secure a photographer beforehand (more about that below).

bonuse tip: Capture the memories

Hiring a professional person photographer for your Urban center Hall nuptials tin can take your  wedding day experience to the next level. Non just do yous have someone with you lot to capture all the wonderful moments of the day (which become too rapidly!), but one who is experienced in Chicago elopements will be alongside to guide yous through the 24-hour interval.

I can't tell you how many couples share with me how grateful they are to accept me in that location, not just to give them special guidance and tips earlier the day, simply also to bear witness them all the best spots for photos. Really, all y'all need to exercise is show up with your license, ID's, rings and cash, and I can aid guide you with the rest!

Plus, a photographer tin help you personalize your day. If you lot love the city of Chicago, exist sure to include places like where you were engaged, where you live, places you lot dear to go as a couple. If you're willing to hop in an Uber, there many incredible spots in the city for photos, other than the places where everyone else does their wedding photos.

I love elopements and tiny weddings then much, it'south all I practice! I specialize in these kinds of weddings and love to piece of work with couples to make their day unique and personal.

Museum campus

If you lot're looking for city hall alternatives for a tiny wedding or elopement in Chicago, contact Lisa Kathan Photography

Metropolis Hall, Courthouse, Curator - Photography, Downtown, Elopement, tiny wedding, Wedding Tips, micro wedding, Tips & Tricks

Chicago Marriage Court

Lisa Kathan Photography, Urban center Hall