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 …

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 …

Feb 6, 2026 · 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 & Divorce Certificates Marriage licenses can be obtained from the Recorder of Deeds Office in the county where the license was obtained. Divorce decrees can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk …

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

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.

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.

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.

The definition of marriage shown here is intentionally broad enough to encompass the different types of marriage that are currently recognized in varying cultures, places, religions, and systems of law.