Kane County offers online application process for marriage licenses

The Kane County Clerk's Office has announced a new feature on the county clerk's website, kanecountyclerk.org, which allows couples to complete most of their application for a marriage or civil union license online using a phone, computer or other mobile device.

This online feature is another component of the clerk's Accessibility Program initiative which increases accessibility of services provided by the clerk's office.

The Kane County Clerk's Office is the first in the collar counties to offer an online license application component.

State statute requires that couples must complete an application for a marriage or civil union license with the county clerk's office in the county where the ceremony will occur.

The application process involves the appearance of both parties in the county clerk's office to answer questions, pay an application fee and sign the application form.

Until now, the entire process occurred at the county clerk's office.

However, the online component of the license application allows couples to complete the questionnaire - which is the most time-consuming portion of the process - from the comfort of home or any convenient location.

"I am pleased to announce this new online option for the residents of Kane County," said Clerk Jack Cunningham. "Thanks to this new initiative from our office, couples can begin the application process at a convenient time and place and need to come to the Clerk's Office only to confirm the information, sign the form, and pay the fee. We hope the online component will save couples at least 10 to 15 minutes of waiting time."

Couples who are planning to get married or have a civil union within the next 60 days, can visit kanecountyclerk.org/VitalRecords/Pages/Marriage-License.aspx to begin the application process.

Both parties seeking to get married must complete the application even if the process begins online.

Once the online portion is complete, an email will be sent with a confirmation number. A valid email address is required for the online process.

The license is issued at the clerk's office and online applicants must appear at the clerk's office, 719 S. Batavia Ave. (Building B), Geneva, or 5 E. Downer Place (Suite F), Aurora, within 14 days to complete the application process. At the clerk's office, couples must confirm the responses provided online, present valid identification with proof of age, pay the $32 fee in cash only, and sign the application.

Cunningham added, "Not only will this online process save time for couples seeking to get married, it will also save money for taxpayers. The online marriage license application is another initiative in my office in which we have increased efficiency and saved tax dollars in order to reduce the burden on Kane County taxpayers."

Marriage license can still be started in person at the clerk's office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. For details, call (630) 232-5950.

The Kane County Clerk's Office is responsible for issuing marriage licenses for all ceremonies performed in Kane County.

The clerk performs several major functions, including custodian of county records, chief election official, registrar of vital records, passport acceptance agency, and tax extension.

The clerk's office provides information and resources to residents at kanecountyclerk.org, www.facebook.com/kanecountyclerk, and twitter.com/KaneCoILClerk.