Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates is the Cook County Clerk's Vital Records set of two marriage certificate affidavits. One lets a currently married person request a copy of their marriage certificate with gender-identifying language removed; the other lets both spouses change terms such as "bride" and "groom" on a certified copy. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Clerk's office publishes the affidavits and handles the request.
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What is Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates – Cook County, IL?
Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates is the Cook County Clerk's Vital Records set of two marriage certificate affidavits: one for a nongendered copy requested by one spouse, one for a two-spouse change of gender identifiers.
The PDF contains two forms, each marked Revised: 01.09.25 and headed Vital Records, Office of Cook County Clerk:
- Request for Nongendered Copy of a Marriage Certificate Affidavit. One named spouse asks the holder of the record for a marriage certificate, for that spouse only, with any gender-identifying language removed or changed to "spouse".
- 2-Party Request - Gender Change on Marriage Certificate Affidavit. Both still-married spouses ask for a certificate in which terms such as "bride" and "groom" are changed to the option selected for each: Bride, Groom or Spouse.
Both affidavits state that the change is for the certified copy and that the holder of the marriage record keeps a record of the request. The first says the change is not made to permanent records. The second says the same, unless the spouses indicate otherwise by selecting YES or NO.
The Clerk's page describes this offering as Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates and says a fee applies. The Cook County Clerk's office is the record keeper for marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships in Chicago and suburban Cook County. These affidavits concern marriage certificates only; they are not a marriage license application.
Who needs to file Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates – Cook County, IL?
Use the nongendered-copy affidavit if you are a named spouse on a marriage license held by the Cook County Clerk's office and you are still married to the other named spouse on the date of the request. The affidavit asks for the certificate for you, and only you.
Use the 2-party affidavit if you and your spouse are the still-married named persons on a marriage license held in that office and you both want gender-identifying terms such as "bride" and "groom" changed on a certificate. Both spouses name themselves, choose Bride, Groom or Spouse for each, and both sign.
Who is excluded, by the wording of the forms:
- People who are no longer married to the other named spouse, because both affidavits state the couple is still married as of the request date.
- People who are not a named spouse on the license; the first affidavit is a request from a named spouse.
- Anyone who wants the change recorded in permanent records under the first affidavit, which says the change is not made to permanent records.
The forms contain no provision for a representative signing for a spouse.
When to file Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates – Cook County, IL
Complete an affidavit when you are currently married and want a marriage certificate copy that is nongendered or has updated gender identifiers. Both affidavits state that the spouses are still married as of the date of the request, so the request has to be made while the marriage continues.
The Clerk's page explains that after a ceremony the officiant files the license with Cook County Vital Records, and only then can a copy of the marriage certificate be obtained. The affidavits refer to a marriage license held in the Clerk's office, so the license must already be on file. No deadline or expiration is printed on either affidavit.
How to fill out Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates – Cook County, IL
Choose the correct affidavit
Use Request for Nongendered Copy of a Marriage Certificate Affidavit if one spouse wants a certificate with gender-identifying language removed. Use 2-Party Request - Gender Change on Marriage Certificate Affidavit if both spouses want terms such as "bride" and "groom" changed.
Enter the requestor's name
On the nongendered-copy affidavit, write your name on the first line (Name of Requestor). On the 2-party affidavit, write both spouses' names in the opening statement.
Enter both spouses' names
On the nongendered-copy affidavit, enter Name of Spouse A and Name of Spouse B as they appear on the marriage license.
Select the terms for each spouse
On the 2-party affidavit, mark Bride, Groom or Spouse next to the name of Spouse A and again next to Spouse B. Select one option for each.
Enter ceremony date and license number
Fill in Date Ceremony Occurred and the Cook County Clerk's Office Marriage License Number on either affidavit.
Select YES or NO on the 2-party form
On the 2-party affidavit, select one of YES or NO in the statement about the change not being made to permanent records, as the form directs.
Sign and date the affidavit
The requestor signs the nongendered-copy affidavit; Spouse A and Spouse B both sign the 2-party affidavit. Enter the Date Signed.
Leave the Clerk's block blank
Do not write in FOR CLERK'S OFFICE USE ONLY. Note the PLEASE AFFIX COUNTY SEAL BELOW area printed beside the signatures.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that names match the marriage license and every line is complete. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates – Cook County, IL
The affidavits are addressed to the Cook County Clerk's office, Vital Records, as the holder of the marriage record. Neither form prints a mailing address for returning it, a portal or an appointment rule.
- Contact details printed on the forms: Vital Records, Office of Cook County Clerk, P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, Illinois 60690; tel 312.603.7788; web cookcountyclerk.com.
- Fee: the Clerk's page lists a fee for Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates. The method of payment is not stated for these affidavits, so ask Vital Records at 312.603.7788 for the current amount and how to pay.
- Before sending: both forms say "PLEASE AFFIX COUNTY SEAL BELOW" next to the signature area, and a "FOR CLERK'S OFFICE USE ONLY" block is reserved for the employee who processes the request. Ask the office how it handles the seal for your request.
Confirm the delivery method with the Clerk's office before you send the signed affidavit. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the Clerk's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the nongendered-copy affidavit when you are no longer married to the other named spouse; the form states you are still married as of the request date.
- Submitting the 2-party affidavit with only one spouse's signature; it has a signature line for Spouse A and for Spouse B.
- Leaving the Bride, Groom or Spouse selection blank for one spouse on the 2-party affidavit; the form says Select One for each name.
- Skipping the YES or NO (SELECT ONE) choice on the 2-party affidavit about whether the change goes beyond the certified copy.
- Entering a license number from another office; the form asks for the Cook County Clerk's Office Marriage License Number.
- Writing in the FOR CLERK'S OFFICE USE ONLY block, which is reserved for the Clerk's employee and the processing date.
- Expecting the first affidavit to change the permanent marriage record; it states the change applies to the certified copy only.
- Leaving out the Date Ceremony Occurred or the Date Signed line.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Cook County nongendered marriage certificate affidavits?
They are two forms from the Cook County Clerk's Vital Records. One lets a currently married named spouse request a marriage certificate with gender-identifying language removed or changed to "spouse"; the other lets both spouses change terms such as "bride" and "groom" on a certified copy.
Is this the form for a Cook County birth certificate?
No. This page covers two marriage certificate affidavits from the Cook County Clerk's Vital Records, which is the record keeper for marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships. It is not a birth certificate request, and the affidavits do not apply to birth records.
Who can request a nongendered copy of a marriage certificate in Cook County?
A named spouse on a marriage license held by the Cook County Clerk's office who is still married to the other named spouse on the request date. The affidavit asks the office to provide the certificate to the requestor, and only the requestor.
Does the change alter the permanent marriage record?
The nongendered-copy affidavit says the change is for the certified copy and will not be made to permanent records. The 2-party affidavit says the same unless indicated by selecting YES or NO. Either way, the holder of the record keeps a record of the request.
Do both spouses have to sign to change "bride" and "groom"?
Yes. The 2-Party Request has signature lines for Spouse A and Spouse B. Each spouse selects Bride, Groom or Spouse next to their own name, and both sign and date the affidavit as still-married named persons on the license.
Is there a fee for a gender-updated or nongendered certificate?
Yes. The Clerk's page lists a fee for Gender-Updated or Nongendered Certificates. The affidavits do not say how to pay it, so ask Cook County Vital Records at 312.603.7788 for the current amount and accepted payment.
Can I fill out the Cook County nongendered certificate affidavit online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the affidavit to the Clerk; you deliver it through the Clerk's own channels.
Where do I send the nongendered marriage certificate affidavit?
The forms print no return address or submission rule. The Vital Records letterhead lists P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, Illinois 60690 and 312.603.7788. Call the office to confirm how to deliver the signed affidavit and what to do about the county seal.
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