Illinois, Cook County Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of a named index to marriages for Cook County, Illinois (including Chicago). It covers the years 1871 to 1920.

Before 1877, couples were not required to obtain marriage licenses. Beginning in 1877, the marriage records were kept in register books. By the early 1900s, most events were recorded on pre-printed forms. In 1962, an Illinois register of marriage began. Marriage records were submitted to the county clerk by the ministers or justices of the peace who performed the marriages.

Most of the marriage records prior to 1871 were destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire. If the marriage occurred before the fire and appeared in a newspaper, it’s possible that the marriage could be listed in the Sam Fink Index (see “Related Websites” on this page). Information within the Sam Fink Index can include the newspaper’s name in which the marriage appeared.

When searching this collection, a record may show a spade icon. This indicates that the record has a numbering discrepancy. A second search may return an unmarked marriage record without the icon.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Names of bride and groom
 * Ages of bride and groom
 * Town of residence of bride and groom
 * Date license was issued
 * Date marriage was solemnized
 * Name of person officiating at marriage

After 1916, the following information was added:
 * Birth date of bride and groom
 * Full names of parents
 * Employer

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it will be helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of marriage
 * The place where the marriage occurred
 * The name of the intended spouse

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s marriage record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Search for other vital records, such as birth and death
 * Search the family in census records
 * Look for other records in Cook County, such as church, land and probate

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * If you know their religion, search for the marriage in church records
 * Search family records such as a family bible

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Illinois.
 * Illinois Guided Research
 * Illinois Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.