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Press Conference Video and Story: Cook County Marriage Equality Information


Chicago, IL-(ENEWSPF)- With the historic decision to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately, Cook County Clerk David Orr wants to clarify some information.

  • Any couple who wants to get a marriage license can do so now.
  • The downtown Bureau of Vital Records, in the lower level of the Daley Center, will be open an extra two hours tonight—until 7 p.m. We are not open on Saturdays or Sundays.
  • All offices will issue marriage licenses beginning Monday.
  • Any couple who has an Illinois civil union can get a marriage license and the $60 fee will be waived.
  • If a couple wishes to do a retroactive marriage license to the date of their civil union, they must wait until June 1. Today’s order did not address this provision in the new law.
  • Any couple who gets a marriage license must wait a day to be married. Licenses are good for 60 days.
  • Couples who get a license today may be married tomorrow in Marriage Court (119 West Randolph Street, Lower Level, Chicago), which is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. – Noon. It is first come, first served. There is a $10 fee.
  • Couples who live outside of Cook County may get their marriage license from us as long as their ceremony is performed in Cook County.

For pictures from this historic day, view the Clerk’s photo album.

The press conference with Cook County Clerk David Orr:


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