David Orr, Cook County Clerk

Acceptable forms of Identification

To obtain certain vital records (see special requirements for marriage and civil union licenses below), you are required to submit one or more copies of ID. All forms must be current and valid. There are special ID requirements for marriage and civil union licenses.

One form of ID is required if submitting one of the following IDs:
  • Current driver’s license or state identification card (issued within the United States)
  • U.S. Passport
  • U.S. Naturalization Certificate
  • U.S.  Military Identification Card
  • U.S. Selective Service Card
  • U.S. Immigration Card (resident alien)
  • Consulate Identification Card (matricular)

- OR -

Any combination of two of these forms of ID are required:
  • Social Security Card or Printout
  • Voter’s Registration Card (90 days old)
  • W-2 Form (current year)
  • Bank statement (within 90 days)
  • Utility Bill (within 60 days)
  • Vehicle Registration Card
  • Active Life Insurance Policy (at least one year old)
  • Checkbook or Savings Book (with name & address)
  • Work Identification Card
  • Traffic Ticket (prior to court hearing)
  • School Identification card (with photo)
  • Foreign Passport
  • V.A. Medical Card

Special ID requirements for marriage and civil union licenses

One form of ID if submitting one of the following:
  • State drivers license
  • State identification
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. Armed Forces identification card

- OR -

Any combination of two of these forms of ID:
  • Certified copy of Birth Certificate (English translations required for foreign certificates must be notarized) 
  • U.S. naturalization certificate
  • U.S. resident alien card
  • Life insurance policy (at least 1 year old)
  • Foreign passport
  • Baptismal record (date of birth must appear)
  • Consulate identification card (matricula)