Illinois Marriage Records, Free Illinois Marriage Indexes Online

Adams to Lawrence Marriage Records

Lee to Woodford Marriage Records

Statewide Marriage Records

Illinois Statewide Genealogy Resources:

$ indicates a subscription database,
but all offer a free trial for free access.

Search the Social Security Death Index

Surname Community Search

Surname Search - GenForum Message Boards

The Illini Confederation

Illinois Statewide Marriage Record Links:

Bookmark GenWed!

Illinois Marriages on CD-ROM

How to Obtain an Illinois Marriage Certificate:

Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Clerks of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage took place.

IL State Vital Statistics Office

Division of Vital Records
605 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62702-5097

Information:

(217) 782-6553
Fax: (217) 523-2648

Order Marriage Certificates Online

What If You Can't Find Illinois Marriage Records?

We have a lot to thank the internet for, such as the ability to video chat with family from across the seas, the ability to shop and to have things delivered directly to our homes, and let's not forget the ability to learn more about our family histories. Family histories are important, because, as they say, the only way you can ensure you're not doomed to repeat the past is to know about it and to learn from it. Having a detailed family ancestry or family tree is a great idea. Every family should have as complete a historical record as possible. and thanks to the internet it's much easier and more affordable to locate your family's information in order to create a thorough family tree.

There are many websites online that can be used to to locate the information you need, and many of them offer free trial periods or allow you to access specific records for no cost. There are occasional snags, though. For instance, you may find when you're looking for Illinois marriage records that you're unable to find exactly what you're looking for. So what do you do then?

The Problem and Possible Solution

Why would you not be able to find the Illinois marriage records that you're looking for? Since the federal government instituted a law requiring public records be accessible officials have saved digital copies of recorded documents on hard drives and online. Records have become easy to find. You have to remember, however, that prior to this legislation, records were only pieces of paper, and they were subject to being lost just like everything else. A lost record cannot be made available online. Other occurrences like fires and natural disasters could have destroyed earlier paper records as well.

What if you're looking for a more modern record and you can't find what you're searching for? If you're looking for a modern Illinois marriage record and you're having a difficult time finding it, you should first verify that you have the correct location of where the couple was married. If the couple is still alive, contact them and ask them, or if they have passed, ask one of the older members of your family who may have known the couple well.

If you're sure you have the right location, search different pieces of information. Look under just the bride's name, or just the groom's name to make it easier to locate the Illinois marriage record that you're looking for. Sometimes, the record can be found under the bride's married name and not her maiden name.

The internet is a great tool but it, too, is subject to errors, and if you're having a hard time finding Illinois marriage records, you may need to do a bit more intense searching. If you still can't find what you want, contact the Vital Records Department through their website for help.