Where to Get a Madison County Marriage License
Marriage licensing in Madison County runs through the County Clerk's office under Linda A. Andreas. Both applicants must appear in person at the Madison County Administration Building at 157 N. Main Street, Suite 109, Edwardsville. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.
The image below links to the County Clerk's marriage license page, where the office sets out the application process and the requirements.
The license must be obtained at least one day before it is used. It becomes void 60 days after the effective date. It must be used in Madison County to be valid for a Madison County wedding ceremony.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Madison County
The county links to an online application at ilmadison.fidlar.com for the first step. Both parties still must appear in person at the County Clerk's office to complete the application. The County Clerk page lists each requirement in order.
- Complete the online application at the county's Fidlar link.
- Schedule both applicants to appear at the County Clerk's office at 157 N. Main Street, Suite 109, Edwardsville.
- Bring valid government photo identification such as a driver's license or state ID.
- Applicants under 18 must show a certified birth record and, if 16 or 17, both parents must sign a consent form.
- Pay the $35 license fee in cash; the office does not accept checks.
- Wait at least one day before the license can be used; the license expires 60 days after issue.
- After the ceremony, return the license to the County Clerk within 10 days; an envelope is provided for that purpose.
Marriage and Vital Record Fees
The County Clerk publishes the fee schedule on its vital records page. The marriage license fee is the main one most couples pay. Certified copies cost more if multiple copies are needed for legal or financial work.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $35 cash; checks not accepted |
| Certified marriage record | $20 first copy; $8 each additional copy |
| Civil union record | $20 first copy; $8 each additional |
| Birth certificate | $20 first copy; $8 each additional |
| Death certificate | $23 first copy; $8 each additional |
| Genealogy record | $12 first copy; $8 each additional |
| Judge ceremony fee | $10 paid in Circuit Clerk Room 118 |
Online ordering through the Official Records Online partner adds a separate $10 service fee plus delivery costs. A FedEx overnight upgrade is $40 and is payable by major credit card.
Age, Identification, and Consent Rules
Both applicants must be at least 18 to marry in Madison County without parental consent. Applicants 16 or 17 can apply with the written consent of both parents on the consent form. Applicants must show a valid driver's license or state ID. People under 18 must also show a certified birth record.
If a parent is deceased, the applicant must provide a certified death certificate, proof of guardianship, or a court order waiving the missing parent's consent. The clerk's office reviews all consent documents at the counter.
Marriage License Application Fields
The county uses an online application platform for the marriage license. The exact fields on the Fidlar form could not be inspected from the official page text, but the documented requirements are summarized below.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online application | Web form | Yes before office visit | County links to ilmadison.fidlar.com. |
| In-person appearance | Office visit | Yes | Both applicants must appear. |
| Proof of age and identity | Document | Yes | Driver's license or state ID; certified birth record under 18. |
| Parental consent | Form, signature | If 16 or 17 | Both parents must sign. |
| Cash payment | $35 | Yes | Cash only; checks not accepted. |
Judge Ceremonies at the Madison County Courthouse
Couples who want a courthouse wedding can reserve a Friday afternoon judge ceremony at the Madison County Courthouse. The County Clerk page directs couples to use CourtCeremonies to schedule. The judge's fee is $10 and is paid in Circuit Clerk Room 118.
Ceremonies take place inside the courthouse at 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville. The license itself must still be obtained from the County Clerk at 157 N. Main Street ahead of the ceremony. The waiting period and 60-day expiration still apply.
Certified Marriage Copies
A certified marriage copy is needed for many post-marriage transactions, including name change at the Social Security Administration, real estate deeds, financial institutions, and immigration filings. The County Clerk processes certified copies on request.
To order a certified copy, include both parties' names, any previous names, the date of marriage, a phone number, and the $20 first-copy fee. Mail requests go to Linda Andreas, Madison County Clerk, P.O. Box 218, Edwardsville, IL 62025; phone (618) 692-6290. The image below links to the County Clerk's vital records request page.
Mail requests need a completed vital records form, the fee paid by check or money order to "Madison County Clerk," and a copy of valid photo identification. Credit and debit cards are accepted with a $3.99 fee.
Madison County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Madison County are court records. The Circuit Clerk maintains the case file, not the County Clerk vital records counter. To search a divorce case, use the Court Records Search by participant name or case number. Certified copies of divorce judgments must be ordered through the Circuit Clerk copy process, not the County Clerk.
Illinois divorce proceeds under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5. A petitioner files in the Circuit Court, serves the other spouse, addresses temporary issues like parenting and support, attends required hearings or mediation, and obtains a final judgment of dissolution. Family cases in Madison County must be e-filed; attorneys are not exempt from e-filing rules.
Genealogy Marriage Records
Madison County marriage records date back to 1813. The County Clerk has a separate genealogy research page describing the historical records available for research. Older records are released for genealogical use under Illinois rules.
Illinois genealogy rules apply when a record is old enough. Birth certificates older than 75 years, marriage certificates older than 50 years, and death certificates older than 20 years are generally available for genealogical research. Genealogy copies are stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only" and cost $12 for the first copy.
Illinois Divorce Process for Madison County Cases
Illinois divorces are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5. Each Madison County divorce case is filed in the Circuit Court, served on the other spouse, and routed through the assigned judge. Temporary issues such as parenting time, child support, and exclusive use of the marital home are handled by motion early in the case. Parenting and support decisions follow Illinois statute and local rules.
The Circuit Clerk's family divisions require e-filing. Attorneys are not exempt. Pro se litigants file through the Illinois Courts eFile portal. The court can require parenting education classes, mediation, or other steps before entering the final judgment of dissolution. Certified copies of the judgment must be requested through the Circuit Clerk's copy process at $2 for the first page, $0.50 for pages 2 through 20, and a $6 certification seal.
Name Change After Marriage or Divorce
A name change after marriage is straightforward in Illinois. Use the certified marriage record from the Madison County Clerk to update Social Security records, the driver's license at the Illinois Secretary of State, and financial accounts. The certified record is often the only document each agency requires.
A name change in a divorce is included in the judgment of dissolution if requested. The Circuit Court can restore a spouse's prior name as part of the case. A separate name change petition is needed when the request is unrelated to the divorce or marriage; the Circuit Clerk's fillable PDF and eFile path are used for that filing.
Civil Unions and Same-Sex Marriage
Illinois recognizes both marriages and civil unions. Civil union records are kept by the County Clerk under the same fee schedule as marriage records: $20 for the first certified copy and $8 for each additional. Couples in a civil union can also apply to convert to a marriage under Illinois law. The County Clerk's office can explain the conversion process at the counter.
Same-sex couples have full marriage rights in Illinois. The application, license, ceremony, and certified record process is the same for all couples. The County Clerk's marriage license page does not impose any separate requirements based on the gender of the applicants.