Lake County Resumes Weddings, Virtually

WAUKEGAN, IL — If you're looking to get married and live in Lake County, weddings and civil unions are no longer suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, at least not virtually. The 19th Judicial Circuit Court resumed these ceremonies Monday after a three-month freeze aimed to protect the public's health.

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The only requirement to get virtually married is that at least one of the participants is a Lake County resident. There are a few other general rules to follow, including:

1. Obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk’s Office (18 N. County St., Waukegan,
1st Floor). While the County Clerk’s Office is temporarily closed, an appointment to apply for the license is required. Call Vital Records at (847) 377-2400 (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday)

2. Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office to pay the $10 fee (cash only) the day the wedding license is issued. The Circuit Clerk will keep the original license and present it to the judge assigned to officiate the ceremony. (The office is in the lower level of the Courthouse).

3. On the day of the wedding, before noon, contact Court Administration at (847) 377-3696 to schedule the ceremony. Time slots will be available 2:30-4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday only on a first-come, first-served basis.

4. Instructions will be given to go to the Remote Court Hearings section of the 19th Judicial Circuit website. Scroll down to the Courtroom that was assigned by Court Administration, click on
"Schedule," find the correct date, click "Join Now" in the "PM" column. Please note the ZOOM
Meeting ID and Password will be required and can be found on the date's "PM" court session information. Enter the virtual courtroom five minutes before the scheduled time and have the device on mute until instructed by the judge to unmute.

5. The judge will confirm the names of both parties and their current location (the ceremony can only be performed if both parties are in Lake County). Be prepared to show proof of identity.

6. The judge will have the original marriage certificate. After the ceremony, the judge will arrange for the marriage certificate to be properly recorded by the County Clerk and mailed back to the address provided for the record.

7. If the parties change their minds and would like someone other than a judge to perform the ceremony, call (847) 377-3696 to arrange the pickup of the license. If the ceremony does not take place within 60 days of the license being issued or the choice is made to have someone other than a judge officiate the ceremony, the $10 fee will be forfeited.