Marriage records in Bureau County, Illinois, can be accessed through several channels. BureauCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder's Office, which serves as the official keeper of vital records including marriage documents. Records are available in person at the courthouse in Princeton, by mail, and in some cases through state online ordering systems.
Bureau County Marriage Records Search
The Bureau County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains marriage records for marriages that took place in Bureau County. Under Illinois law, the county clerk issues marriage licenses and files returned marriage certificates after the ceremony is performed. The office's collection includes marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and historical marriage records dating back to the county's early years.
If you need to search for a marriage record, contact the County Clerk's office directly. Staff can look up records by the names of the parties and the approximate date of the marriage. For older or genealogical records, you may also want to check with the Illinois Department of Public Health, which maintains a statewide index of marriage records beginning January 1, 1962.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Bureau County
Fees for marriage record copies in Bureau County follow state statute guidelines. Illinois law (750 ILCS 5/209) sets the framework for marriage license fees, and the county clerk's office charges standard fees for certified copies of marriage records. Contact the office to confirm current amounts, as fees may be adjusted periodically.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license application | Contact office for current fee |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | Contact office for current fee |
| Additional certified copy (same order) | Contact office for current fee |
| Search fee (if no record found) | Contact office for current fee |
Processing for in-person requests is typically handled the same day if the record is readily accessible. Mail requests generally take one to two weeks depending on volume. Call the Bureau County Clerk's office at (815) 875-2014 to confirm exact fees before submitting your request.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Bureau County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Bureau County:
In Person
Visit the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder's Office at the courthouse in Princeton during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can typically process your request while you wait if the record is on file.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder's Office. Include the following:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of the marriage
- Your relationship to the individuals named on the record
- A copy of your valid photo ID
- A check or money order for the applicable fee (payable to the Bureau County Clerk)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail your request to:
Online
The Illinois Department of Public Health offers an online vital records ordering system through VitalChek for certain marriage records in its statewide index (marriages from January 1, 1962 onward). This option typically involves an additional processing fee charged by the third-party vendor. For records of marriages that took place specifically in Bureau County, contacting the County Clerk's office directly is often the most straightforward approach.
For questions about record availability or to verify what documentation you will need, call the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder's Office before submitting your request. If you are looking for dissolution of marriage (divorce) records, those are maintained by the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office rather than the County Clerk, as the Illinois Department of Public Health does not issue certified copies of dissolution records.