Licenses
Amusement Licenses
According to a Winnebago County Ordinance, any person, corporation, partnership or business that displays any coin-in-the-slot device to be played or operated by the public shall file an application for an amusement license. The Winnebago County Clerk issues amusement licenses.
There are two licenses that are involved in the owning, leasing or displaying coin in the slot devices:
1. License to Lease
2. License to Display
---The License to Lease applies if you own the machines but you display them on property other than your own. An application must be filled out with the County Clerk's Office. The applicant will pay a minimum of $100.00 for up to 10 machines. Each additional machine will be $10.00 but not to exceed $200.00 per year.
---A License to Display will be needed to display machines that are on property other than your own. The fee is $15.00 per machine. Decals will be assigned to each machine and will expire on December 31st of each year.
---If you own the machines and display them on your own property, the fee required will be $25.00 per machine. Decals will also be assigned to each machine and will expire on December 31st of each year.
Click Here for License to Lease Application
Click Here for License to Display Application
Click Here for Description of Devices Chart
Birth Certificates
The Winnebago County Clerk issues only certified copies of birth records. If you were born in Winnebago County, your birth record is kept in our office.
You may obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate in person (with valid ID) at our office or through the mail by completing and mailing this form along with a copy of your driver's license or acceptable identification. The cost is $17 for the first certified copy and $5 for each additional copy.
Or, for your convenience, you can process online requests here: Official Records Online. An additional fee is charged by Official Online Records for this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.
Click Here to do a preliminary search of records (pre-dating 2009) to verify that we have the record before you call.
Click Here to make a request through the ORO (Official Records Online) portal.
The only individuals that may purchase a birth record are the parents (if listed on the certificate), the individual whose name is on the certificate (must be 18 years or older), or a court-appointed representative (with appropriate papers).
Under Illinois State law (410 ILCS 535 - Vital Records Act) only specific individuals have legal acces to birth, death, or marriage certificates. Vital Records are not considered public information, nor are they subjet to the Freedom of Information Act.
Death Certificates
The Winnebago County Clerk issues only certified copies of death records, which are acceptable for legal identification purposes. If the death occurred in Winnebago County, the death records are kept in our office.
You may obtain a certified copy of the death record in person (with valid ID) at our office or through the mail by completing and mailing this form along with a copy of your driver's license or acceptbble identification. The cost is $21 for the first certified copy and $9 for each additional copy.
Your documents can be ordered online. An additional fee is charged by Official Records Online for this service, and all major credit cards, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa are accepted.
Click Here to do a preliminary search of records (pre-dating 2009) to verify that we have the record before you call.
Click Here to make a request through the ORO (Official Records Online) portal.
A death certificate may be purchased by: a family member; an attorney for the Estate; and/or the Executor of the Estate. It is not a public record and can not be accessed by FOIA.
DBA Business Licenses
The Winnebago County Clerk’s office administers “Doing Business As” or “DBA” business licenses and Certificates of Ownership. All sole proprietorship and partnership businesses in Winnebago County must file for a DBA license or Assumed Name.
(NOTE: If you are starting an LLC or corporation, you need to file with Springfield, IL. Click here for the link.
PROCEDURE FOR FILING FOR AN ASSUMED NAME:
1. Applicants must apply click here to apply or visit the courtesy kiosk located in the Clerk’s Office to start the process.
2. Obtain an 'Assumed Name Certificate of Intention' form from our office.
3. The County Clerk's office needs to see a valid driver's license or State ID for identification purposes.
4. There is a $30.00 filing fee to be paid when you submit the 'Assumed Name Certificate of Intention' to our office.
5. You will be given a receipt for the $30.00 payment and two copies of the 'Assumed name Certificate of Intention.'
6. You will then take the receipt and the two copies to a local newspaper. It must be a newspaper that publishes at least once a week, publishes news and has a legal notice section. The notice must appear in the newpaper within 15 days from the initial filing with the County Clerk's office. The notice must publish for three consecutive weeks. Payment for the publication is the responsibility of the business owner.
7. Upon completion of the three weeks of publication, the newspaper will usually mail the County Clerk's office a 'Certificate of Publication.' You should check with the newspaper to be sure they have sent this certificate to our office.
8. The County Clerk's office will then issue your 'Certificate of Ownership' which shows that your business is registered in Winnebago County.
9. Your business should not be operating under the Assumed Name until you have received the 'Certificate of Ownership' from the Winnebago County Clerk's Office.
10. If there are any changes in ownership or address of the business, these changes need to be updated and filed in the County Clerk's office.
11. The Clerk's Office does not provide business or legal advice.
12. No refunds will be issued.
Hotel/Motel
The Winnebago County Ordinance requires licenses to construct, operate or maintain an auto court and resort, motel, auto inn or roadside hotel.
An application must be filled out and submitted to the Winnebago County Clerk’s Office. The annual fee is $10.00, plus $2.00 for each unit available. The fee will not exceed $200.00 per year. The license will expire on April 30th of every year.
Click here for the Hotel/Motel License application
Liquor Licenses
The Winnebago County Clerk's office issues liquor licenses for businesses located in the unincorporated areas of Winnebago County, outside the corporate limits of any city, town or village. Our office accepts and processes the liquor applications and fees for sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations.
Click here for the Winnebago County Liquor Ordinance (includes fees)
The Winnebago County Liquor Commission approves the applications at a hearing, and the County Clerk then issues the liquor license.
Click here for an Application Check List
Click here of an Employee List Form
Click here for a 'Notice of Catered Event' Form
APPLICATIONS:
- Individual or Partners Application
- Corporation Application
- CATERER - Individual or Partners Application
- CATERER - Corporate Application
VIDEO GAMING
The Winnebago County Clerk's office issues video gaming licenses for businesses located in the unincorporated areas of Winnebago County, outside the corporate limits of any city, town or village. Our office accepts and processes the video gaming applications and fees for sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations.
Click here for the Application for License to Operate Video Gaming Devices on the Premises
Click here to Itemize your Video Gaming Devices
Marriage & Civil Union Licenses
If you plan to be married or joined by civil union in Winnebago County, Illinois, you need to purchase a license from our office. Your residence is not a consideration.
Applicants must apply through the website portal to start the process OR in-person at the courtesy kiosk located in the Clerk’s Office (404 Elm Street, Room 104.)
Licenses MUST be purchased at least one day prior to being married, per state law and are valid for 60 days. The license is $40. Cash and Credit Card are accepted. No bills over $50 will be accepted. For other frequently asked questions regarding marriage licenses, please click here.
IMPORTANT: After completing the application, contact the Winnebago County Clerk’s Office to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT to receive your license. Office hours are between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday: (815) 319-4250. You must call to schedule an appointment to receive your license. Both applicants must be present at the appointment.
Marriage & Civil Union Certificates
The Winnebago County Clerk issues only certified copies of marriage and civil union records, which are acceptable for legal identification purposes. If the marriage or civil union was officiated in Winnebago County, the marriage and civil union records are kept in our office.
For your convenience, you can process online requests through Official Records Online. All major credit cards are accepted, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.
You may obtain a certified copy of the marriage and civil union certificate in person (with valid ID) at our office or through the mail by completing and mailing this form along with a driver's license or acceptable identification. The cost is $17 for the first certified copy and $5 for each additional copy.
Click Here to do a preliminary search of records (pre-dating 2009) to verify that we have the record before you call.
Click Here to make a request through the ORO (Official Records Online) portal.
The only individuals that may purchase a certified copy of a marriage application or civil union application are the persons bonded in that marriage or civil union, parents of the persons bonded in that marriage or civil union, or a court appointed representative. Any individual can purchase a certified copy of a marriage or civil union license.
Raffle Licenses
The Winnebago County Clerk’s Office issues raffle licenses for raffles that will be conducted only in the County of Winnebago, Illinois, including any of the cities, villages and unincorporated areas, with the exception of the Village of Durand, Illinois.
A raffle is a form of gambling similar to a lottery where a player pays for a chance to win. The raffle must be conducted by an organization licensed under the Winnebago County Raffle Ordinance and only not-for-profit organizations that have been in existence for 5 years or more are eligible to have a raffle.
Click here for more information, fees and forms.
Winnebago County Board Meeting dates are established by Board Resolution. Meetings are held in Room 815 on the 8th floor of the Winnebago County Courthouse, 400 West State Street. Attendance at the meeting is not required. If your license is not approved, we will notify you by telephone on the day after the Board meeting. If your license is approved, it will be mailed to you the next day.
Reminder: Organizations shall submit applications to the County Clerk’s Office located in the County Administration Building, 404 Elm Street, Room 104 at least ten (10) days prior to the County Board Meeting at which approval is desired. The Board normally meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Applications received after the deadline may not be processed in time to submit to the County Board and may be held and submitted at the following County Board meeting.
Financial reports must be submitted to the County Clerk following the payouts. Please choose the correct report below, enter all information and return to the County Clerk's Office via email
