Illinois Marriage Certificate Apostille Guide
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Table of Contents
If your marriage certificate was issued in Illinois and you need to use it abroad, you must obtain an apostille from the Illinois Secretary of State (Department of Index — Apostille Section) in Springfield. The Illinois Secretary of State is the sole competent authority in Illinois that issues apostilles for Illinois public documents under the Hague Convention. (Illinois SOS Apostille Section)
This guide — updated November 2025 and valid through 2026 — provides the exact 2-step flow (County Clerk → Secretary of State), the $2 fee, walk-in same-day service details, mail processing, and a rejection-proof checklist verified by official Illinois state sources.
Who needs this apostille
- Spouse visa / family reunification: Proving marital status for visa applications (Italy, Spain, UK, Germany, etc.)
- Marriage registration abroad: Recording your U.S. marriage in a foreign country's civil registry
- Name change documentation: Updating foreign identification documents after marriage
- International adoptions: Proving legal marriage status for adoption proceedings
- Pension / inheritance claims: Establishing spousal rights for international benefits
Key facts (at a glance)
| Competent Authority | Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Index — Apostille Section, Springfield |
| Fee (2025) | $2.00 per apostille |
| Walk-in Address | Michael J. Howlett Building, Room 213 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756 |
| Mailing Address | Illinois Secretary of State Department of Index, Apostille Section 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756 |
| Processing Time | Same-day or next-day (walk-in); 5-10 business days (mail) |
| Vital Records Source | County Clerk in the county where marriage occurred (e.g., Cook County Clerk for Chicago) |
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Step-by-step (exact process)
Order a certified marriage certificate
Contact the County Clerk in the county where the marriage license was issued. Request a certified copy with raised seal (not a photocopy). For Cook County (Chicago): Cook County Clerk Marriage Certificates
Verify the destination country
If the destination is a Hague Convention member, the Illinois SOS issues an apostille. For non-Hague countries, they issue a Certificate of Authentication (used for subsequent consular legalization).
Complete the apostille request form
Download and fill the Illinois Apostille/Authentication Request Form. Include your contact info, destination country, and specify how you want the documents returned.
Download IL SOS FormPrepare payment
Make a check or money order payable to "Illinois Secretary of State" for $2.00 per apostille. Walk-in customers can pay cash, check, or money order. Credit cards are NOT accepted.
Include return shipping (mail only)
If mailing, include a self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid shipping label (FedEx/UPS). For walk-in, no return envelope needed.
Submit your request
Walk-in: Michael J. Howlett Building, Room 213, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756 (same-day or next-day)
Mail: Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Index, Apostille Section, 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756 (5-10 business days)
Real-world examples (use cases)
Maria married in Cook County (Chicago) and needs to join her Italian husband in Rome. She orders a certified marriage certificate from the Cook County Clerk, then submits it to the IL SOS for apostille ($2). After receiving the apostille, she translates the certificate into Italian and submits both to the Italian Consulate in Chicago for her spouse visa application.
Carlos and Ana married in DuPage County, IL, and moved to Madrid. Spain's Civil Registry requires an apostilled marriage certificate to register their U.S. marriage. They obtain a certified copy from DuPage County Clerk, mail it to Springfield IL SOS with the $2 fee and return envelope, receive the apostille in 7 business days, then submit it to the Spanish Registro Civil along with a sworn translation.
Ewa changed her surname after marriage in Illinois and needs to update her Polish passport. The Polish Consulate requires an apostilled marriage certificate to process the name change. She drives to Springfield, submits her certified Cook County certificate at the Howlett Building walk-in counter with $2 cash, and receives the apostille the same day.
Common rejection reasons (Illinois)
- Submitting a photocopy or non-certified copy instead of a certified marriage certificate with raised seal from the County Clerk.
- Submitting a certificate from another state (Illinois SOS only apostilles Illinois documents).
- Omitting the $2 fee or making payment out to the wrong entity (must be "Illinois Secretary of State").
- Forgetting to include return postage or a prepaid shipping label when mailing documents.
- Leaving the destination country field blank on the request form.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to notarize an Illinois marriage certificate before apostille?▼
What is the fee for an Illinois marriage certificate apostille?▼
Can I get same-day service in Illinois?▼
Where do I order a certified Illinois marriage certificate?▼
Can Illinois apostille a marriage certificate from another state?▼
How long does it take to get an apostille by mail?▼
Do I need to include a cover letter?▼
Can I use the apostille in non-Hague countries?▼
Verification & Updates Log
Tracking content accuracy
- February 20, 2026Verified By ExpertReviewed by:
Amelia RiveraVerified $2 fee; confirmed same-day walk-in service in Springfield (Howlett Building); updated mail processing times (5-10 business days); added explicit Cook County Clerk link for certified copies.
Next review due: August 2026
- Earlier 2026Updated
Annual review of Illinois Secretary of State Index Department guidelines, fees ($2), and processing times.
Sources & Methodology
Official Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State (Index Department)
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
- Cook County Clerk & various IL County Clerks
- Federal Hague Convention Guidelines
Our Process
- Daily verification against IL SOS updates
- Expert review by Illinois specialists
- Fee and form oversight (Application for Authentication)
Disclaimer: This information is general guidance and not legal advice. Always verify current information directly with the Illinois Secretary of State before submitting your application.
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