You must have an appointment for the ceremony to be performed.

To schedule an appointment, call 309-888-5243 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Since there are limited openings for ceremonies, you usually need to schedule the marriages two to three weeks in advance.

A $10 marriage fee is to be paid in the McLean County Circuit Clerk Office on the 4th Floor of the Law & Justice Center, preferably 15 minutes prior to the ceremony. Checks should be made payable to “Marriage Fund of the Circuit Court.”

• McLean County Judges do not perform ceremonies outside of the Courthouse.
• Each couple will have their own ceremony that will last approximately 15 minutes.
• You are allowed to have flowers.
• You should bring two witnesses with you, but are not limited to only having two guests attend the ceremony. If you do not have witnesses, the Court will supply them.
• Taking of pictures and videotaping of the ceremony is up to the individual discretion of the Judge performing the ceremony.

Day of the Ceremony

• Arrive ½ hour early.
• Report to the 4th Floor Circuit Clerk’s Office to pay your $10 marriage fee. They will then direct you to the courtroom where the ceremony will be performed.
• Report to the assigned courtroom and wait for the Court Clerk to call your name. The Court Clerk will then assist you in filling out the back of the marriage license.

Items to bring with you to the ceremony:

• Marriage License (do not fill the license out until you check in with the Court Clerk)
• Receipt from payment of the marriage fee
• Certificate of Marriage
• Two witnesses (optional)
• Rings (optional)

After the ceremony, the Judge will return the completed marriage license to the County Clerk’s Office.

If you have any questions regarding obtaining a marriage license, contact the County Clerk’s Office, 1st Floor of the Government Center – 309-888-5190.