Find Free Marriage Records Online

An ongoing project by The Illinois State Archives in collaboration with the Illinois State Genealogical Society compiles all Illinois Free Marriage Records that occurred prior to 1901. It currently has in excess of a million pre-1901 data on file, dating as far back as 1763. This information is open for viewing and any member of the public can access or even contribute to them. These old Illinois Marriage Records have been put online. Online marriage records include also those of post-1900 period up to the current with the Statewide Marriage Index. As long as they are captured under the index, Free Marriage Records search can be conducted online without having to go in person or writing in to a government agency like they used to. The information are mainly tapped from the original marriage files that are placed under the official custody of the various County Clerks. Marriage registers, licenses, certificates are examples of documents included in the compilation. Publications of county genealogical societies and private individuals provide additional information. The basic information found in Illinois Public Marriage Records comprise of particulars of the couple, names of parents, witnesses and conducting official of the ceremony, date and county of marriage and issuance of license. If there were multiple marriages on the part of either the groom, bride or both, those that occurred in the state of Illinois will be produced. Getting married in a county other than the one of residence is allowed so if a search fails in a particular county, it’s a good idea to try statewide search instead. The Illinois Statewide Marriage Index lists information which have been officially kept since they were first documented and filed. The Great Fire of Chicago in 1871 did destroy a good many public records but the Illinois Regional Archives Depository System (IRAD) today still has in its holdings of more than 70 of the 102 counties in Illinois. The surest bet are the individual County Offices and they are the only authorized agencies for certified copies but fees are required. Online commercial information brokers are another popular option. Professional fees are charged but they beat the red tape and spare the legwork, coming in plug-and-play readiness. Fees are usually very reasonable and so is the quality impressive as competition is fierce. The top ones are often capable of delivering extras over the public agencies by drawing upon private and proprietary sources.

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For Illinois Marriage Records in Illinois, you can start with a Free Marriage Records at IRAD or let us help to get them served to you plug-and-play.

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