Roselle Couple First to Obtain Civil Union License in DuPage County

For the past eight years, Barb McMillan and Roseann Szalkowski have stopped into the DuPage County Clerk's office every Valentine's Day to ask for a marriage license. Every year, they were denied, because it was against Illinois state law. But today they got a license, for a civil union.

"They  were the first couple in line today," said Paul Hinds, DuPage County chief deputy clerk. "We've kind of gotten to know them over the years. They've been together, stayed together and were always looking for something to make it official...Today we were able to kind of grant their wish."

Wednesday is the first day same-sex and heterosexual couples can obtain a civil union license from the DuPage County Clerk's office. The county clerk's office prepared for long lines and crowds by having stanchions and ropes available, but according to Hinds, people have just been "trickling in."

Between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., four couples applied for the county's license, including:

1) Barb McMillan and Roseann Szalkowski from Roselle

2) Julie Screnock and Abby Siakpere from Glendale Heights

3) Katilynn Kyriak and Yvette Lopez from Woodridge

4) Kelly Lambert and Jennifer Soule from Elmhurst

18 couples applied for a civil union license on June 1.

"It's always a joyous occasion for [couples applying for a marriage license]," said Hinds. "We have a lot of people come in, and each couple has their own story...Now we have a new group that can [be a part of it.]"

Hinds said that McMillan and Szalkowski plan to hold their ceremony  June 17 at the DuPage County Courthouse.

The process to obtain a civil union license

In order to obtain a civil union license in DuPage County, a couple must first be sworn in to attest that the civil union ceremony will be performed in DuPage County. They then supply some documentation, and an application is printed for them. From there, the couple takes a copy of the printed license to wherever the ceremony will be performed, which will be completed by the person performing the ceremony.

A copy of the completed license is then mailed back to the county clerk's office to be scanned into the database in case they should need certified copies in the future. The couple then receive a keepsake license that can be framed or included in a photo album.

Below are the guidelines from the county's website:

When to apply:

A civil union license is issued immediately and becomes effective 24 hours later.  The license is valid for 60 days.  A license issued in DuPage County can not be used in any other County or State.

How to apply:

Both partners must appear at the DuPage County Clerk’s office, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 and present proof of age and proper identification and a license fee of $35.

The fee of $35 can be paid in cash, check or by credit card for a $1.00 fee.

Required identification:

Identification and proof of age are required of all persons. Any of the following documents will be accepted:

• A valid U.S. driver’s license.
• A valid U.S. state identification card.
• A valid U.S. passport.
• A valid U.S. military identification card.

If applicants do have any of the above forms of identification, then two of the following pieces of identification are required:

• A certified copy of a birth certificate.
• A baptismal record (the date of birth of the applicant must appear on this record).
• A valid foreign passport.
• U.S. naturalization papers.
• A valid U.S. resident alien card.
• A life insurance policy, which has been in effect for one (1) year (the applicant’s date of birth must appear on the document).
• All consulate identification cards. Affidavits are not acceptable.

Qualifications:

Both partners must by 18 years of age in order to obtain a license.

Applicants 18 years of age must present a certified copy of their birth certificate.

Individuals who reside outside of the State of Illinois will be required to sign an affidavit that the state they reside in does not prohibit a civil union.

Previous marriages or civil unions:

The county must know how any previous marriage or civil union ended, including the month, date and year, county and state in which it ended.  If a prior marriage or civil union has ended within the last six (6) months, the applicants  must provide a certified copy (a photocopy is not sufficient) of the death record, dissolution or annulment decree.

Persons prohibited from entering a civil union:

Anyone under 18.

Anyone whose previous marriage or civil union is not dissolved.

An ancestor and a descendent or between siblings whether the relationship is by the half or whole blood or by adoption; an aunt or uncle and a niece or nephew, whether the relationship is by the half or the whole blood, or by adoption; or between first cousins.

A person who resides, and intends to continue to reside, in another state where that person is prohibited from entering into a civil union or substantially similar legal relationship by the laws of the jurisdiction where he or she resides.