Marriage records in Coles County, Illinois, are available through several channels. ColesCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Coles County Clerk's office, which issues marriage licenses and maintains related documents. Records are accessible online through state databases, in person at the county office, or by mail. Whether you need a certified copy for legal purposes or want to verify marriage information, the options below outline how to obtain what you need.
Coles County Marriage Records Search
In Illinois, the county clerk is the official issuing authority for marriage licenses. The Coles County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains records of marriages performed within the county. The collection includes marriage license applications, issued licenses, and filed marriage certificates. Historical marriage records for Coles County may also be available through the Illinois State Archives. For court-related marriage documents such as dissolution of marriage records, the Coles County Circuit Court maintains those files.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also maintains a statewide index of marriage records from January 1962 to the present. For marriages that took place before 1962, you will generally need to contact the county clerk's office directly. The Illinois public records portal can also point you toward additional state-level databases.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Coles County
Fees for marriage record copies in Coles County are set by the county clerk's office in accordance with Illinois statute. The table below reflects standard fees — contact the office to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license application | $30.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Additional certified copy (same order) | $2.00 |
Fees are typically payable by cash, check, or money order made out to the Coles County Clerk. Processing for in-person requests is usually same-day. Mail requests may take one to two weeks depending on volume. Illinois law (750 ILCS 5/209) governs the issuance and recording of marriage documents statewide.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Coles County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Coles County:
In Person
Visit the Coles County Clerk's office at the address listed above during regular business hours. Walk-in requests are accepted. Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to pay the applicable fee. Certified copies are generally available the same day.
By Mail
Send your request to:
Include the following with your mail request:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of marriage
- A check or money order for the applicable fee, payable to the Coles County Clerk
- A copy of your valid photo ID
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- Your daytime phone number
Online
The Illinois Department of Public Health offers an online vital records ordering system through VitalChek for state-level records. For county-specific marriage records, check with the Coles County Clerk's office to confirm whether online ordering is available directly. You can also search for marriage-related public records through ColesCourt.us.
For dissolution of marriage records, certified copies must be obtained from the circuit court clerk in the county where the dissolution was granted — not from the Illinois Department of Public Health.