Marriage Legal Guide and Resources for Everyone in Illinois

Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest, largest and most effective
advocacy organization for LGBT Illinoisans, stands ready to assist you,
your family and the state in understanding and implementing the new Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.

Here are important resources:

Marriage Guide – How do you convert your civil union into a
marriage? What rights come with marrying a same-sex partner? The
answers to those and all of the frequently asked questions on the
workings of the Iaw can be found in Equality Illinois’ authoritative
legal guide, Marriage Rights in Illinois.

   How do I convert my civil union to a marriage?
Couples already in a civil union will always be able to get married in Illinois by going through the same steps as any couple, proved they meet certain requirements (be the same parties to the civil union, not be in process of dissolving their civil union, etc.).  They will incur the same waiting periods and process requirements as any other eligible marrying couple, except there is no fee for the marriage license. 
   BUT…for the first year of the marriage law, couples in a civil union will also be able to “convert” (or “Upgrade” their civil union, simply by filling out the conversion form with a county clerk.  There will be no fees or additional step associated with this process, and the marriage date would be retroactive to the date of the civil union.  This shortcut will only be available during the first year of the marriage law. 

Can I get married if I am in a civil union? 
You can only convert your civil union into a marriage if you meet the requirements described above.  If you  convert your civil union to a marriage within a year of the law’s effective date, you can avoid paying a fee.

How much will it cost to get married if we are already in a civil union?
If you convert your civil union to a marriage within the one-year grace period, the fee for doing so is waived ($0).


Marriage Help Desk – At 773-477-7173 and info@eqil.org, the Equality Illinois Marriage Help Desk stands
ready to answer your questions or direct you to the correct sources to
find the answer. We are open for your phone call 11 am-2 pm
Monday-Friday at 773-477-7173. Or you can email the Equality Illinois Marriage Help Desk 24/7 at info@eqil.org.

Marriage ForumsEquality Illinois Marriage Forums are
being scheduled throughout Downstate, the suburbs and in Chicago to walk
you through the law and answer your questions. We will announce the
times, dates and locations on Facebook, Twitter, in emails and our website www.eqil.org as they get confirmed. Look for the events  IN  THE CITY AND SUBURBS.



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