Frequently Asked Questions

Wedding Ceremonies by Carrie specializes in non-denominational, interfaith, and secular ceremonies for weddings and vow renewals.

Our ceremony packages include a personalized ceremony script, a rehearsal (extra fee), and the officiating of your ceremony on the day of your event at your venue.

Absolutely! Wedding Ceremonies by Carrie encourages couples to customize their ceremony to reflect their unique love story. We work with each couple to create a ceremony that is tailored to their preferences.

Please click on this link Cook County Clerk, to find offices located near to you.  

The Cook County Clerk's office is the official record keeper for marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Cook County Vital Records provides copies of these documents to eligible individuals upon request.

A marriage license is filed with the Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records after the marriage ceremony takes place. The officiant performing the ceremony completes and signs the marriage license and returns it to the Clerk's office, where it is recorded.

After that occurs, the Clerk's office can issue you a certified copy of your marriage certificate upon request. 

Before getting married in Chicago or suburban Cook County, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk's office.

Marriage Equality has been the law in Cook County since February 21, 2014, allowing same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. It took effect throughout all of Illinois on June 1, 2014. 

Click link for further Marriage Equality information.

Couples must appear together at one of the Cook County Clerk's six locations. They must:

• Fill out and sign a marriage license application.
• Present valid identification with proof of age.
• The marriage license fee is $60.
• Applicants who have divorced must provide the date the divorce was finalized upon applying for a marriage license. Applicants who have divorced within the last six months must provide a certified copy of their divorce decree.

Marriage licenses are:

• issued while you wait
• effective the following calendar day after they are issued
• valid for 60 days
• effective only in Chicago and suburban Cook County

Please click on this link Cook County Clerk, to order these online as marriage certificates are not automatically sent to couples, one of you must request an official copy.

Please click on this link ADVICE TO NEWLYWEDS, to download or view this document.

Yes! I can travel to DuPage and Lake counties marry couples!

Please make sure you obtain your marriage license from those counties clerks offices. Click on their links for more information. 

Once you obtain your marriage license, you must get married in the county it was issued.