How to get married at Chicago City Hall

STEP 1 - OBTAIN YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE
Your marriage license must be obtained in Cook County at least one day before your wedding day. Once you obtain your marriage license, it is valid for 60 days. It costs $60 to obtain this license. To obtain your license, bring a form of ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. You can begin the process online. You can obtain your marriage license from a few different locations in Chicagoland (more information here), but here is the information for the downtown Chicago location:

Downtown Chicago:
50 W. Washington St.,
East Concourse Lower Level - Room 25
Chicago, IL 60602


STEP 2 - PICK A DATE AND DETERMINE IF YOU NEED AN APPOINTMENT
As of March of 2024, appointments are only needed for Saturdays. To get married on Saturday at Chicago City Hall, you must make an appointment. To make an appointment, you will need to call 312-603-5660. Typically, appointments can be made up to two months in advance. Appointments can only be made at 9:00 am or 9:30 am. However, this does not mean your wedding will be held at that time. They allow several couples to make appointments at the same time. Typical wait times on a Saturday vary, but, be prepared to wait up to 1 1/2 hours for your ceremony.

If you decide to have your Chicago City Hall wedding during the week, City Hall is open for weddings Tuesday - Friday from 9:30 am-11:30 am and 2:00 pm-3:15 pm. City Hall is closed on legal court holidays. You can walk in and get married as long as you have a valid marriage license. 


STEP 3 - PLAN YOUR CEREMONY
One benefit of having a Chicago City Hall wedding is that the ceremony is short and sweet (usually between 3-5 minutes). However, the judge will typically ask if you have rings to exchange or if you have any vows you'd like to say to one another. You are not required to do either, but you are welcome to if you'd like to plan to say a few words to one another.

You may also want to plan if you'll be having an guests join you. Witnesses are not required, but you are welcome to have up to 15 people in the room with you (but note it will be tight with that many people present). Cameras are allowed.

Be sure to pack your marriage license and $10 cash the night before, both of which are required to get married at Chicago City Hall.


STEP 4 - ARRIVE FOR YOUR CEREMONY
If your wedding is on a Tues-Fri, you can head directly to the lower level of City Hall. The City Hall building is quite large and takes up an entire city block and has several entrances. The easiest door to enter for this is at 119 W. Randolph St. When you enter the first set of doors, you'll look to your left and there will be a set of escalators with a sign that says marriage court. You will head down these escalators, turn to the left once at the bottom, and go through a set of glass doors. Once you go through the set of glass doors, turn right, and then right again in the door to the lobby. There, you will check in, presenting your marriage license and pay the $10.

Sometimes, you will be able to walk right in once you check in, but sometimes there is a wait behind either couples who have already arrived. There is a waiting room with chairs. They will call your name when it's your turn. Then, it's time to get married!

If your wedding is on a Saturday, you will typically need to enter Chicago City Hall on Clark Street. You will check in and wait in one line by the gold elevators, then eventually wait in another line on the lower level. Then, you will check in and wait for your name to be called. Once it's your turn, you'll have your ceremony with the judge and be married!