If you do not have your own officiant, you can be joined in marriage or a civil union by a Cook County judge at the Marriage and Civil Union Court, in the lower level of 119 W. Randolph St. (the City …

The officiant performing the ceremony completes and signs the marriage license and returns it to the Clerk's office, where it is recorded. After that occurs, the Clerk's office can issue you a certified copy …

Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them …

Dec 8, 2025 · Marriage is a legally and socially sanctioned union that is regulated by laws, rules, customs, beliefs, and attitudes that prescribe the rights and duties of the partners and accords status …

Get tips & advice on marriage, relationships, & divorce from experts. Articles on getting married, married life, marriage help, history, definition & more.

Marriage brings great joy to many but it also brings challenges, often profound ones. How a couple manages them often determines whether their relationship collapses or holds firm.

Nov 3, 2025 · Here, we break down the different definitions of marriage, plus various types of unions and popular alternatives.

Aug 27, 2025 · Understand marriage as a legal entity. Explore its official definition, the path to legal recognition, inherent rights & obligations, and its lawful conclusion.

Marriage is the legal union of individuals.The basic elements of a marriage are: (1) the parties' legal ability to marry each other, (2) mutual consent of the parties, and (3) a marriage contract as required …

Nov 13, 2025 · Learn the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate. Know how to get copies whether you were married in the U.S. or abroad.