Licenses & Permits
Adult Entertainment Facility and Individual Employee, Entertainer and Security Employee Licenses
The DuPage County Clerk’s Office issues the Adult Entertainment Facilities License for only unincorporated DuPage County for both the business and the individual employee, entertainer and security employee.
Requirements
20-254: APPLICATION FOR AN ADULT BUSINESS LICENSE
License Application
- Filing: All applications for an adult business license shall be submitted in the name of the person proposing to own or operate such a business. All applications shall be signed by such person and sworn under penalty of perjury and shall be submitted on a form provided by the DuPage County Clerk.
- Contents: The contents of such application shall include the following information and shall be accompanied by the following documents:
- If the applicant is an individual, his legal name, any aliases, date of birth, address of current residence or mailing address, if different from residence.
- If the applicant is a partnership, the full and complete name of the partnership, the legal names of all partners, and for each partner, the same information required for individuals by this ordinance.
- If the applicant is a corporation, the exact and complete corporate name, the date of incorporation, the state of incorporation, evidence that the corporation is in good standing, tax identification number, the legal names of all officers, members and principal stockholders of the corporation, dates of birth, mailing addresses and all aliases used by each officer, member and principal stockholder, the name of the registered corporate agent and the address of the registered agent for service of process. If a principal stockholder is a corporate or other legal entity, the application must trace back the ownership through any layers of corporate organization to the eventual principal stockholder who is a person.
- In the event the applicant intends to conduct the adult business under a different name than that of the applicant, the applicant shall state the establishment’s fictitious name and the county of registration, all legal names, dates of birth, and all aliases used by interested persons.
- Whether the applicant or any other interested individual listed pursuant to any subsection above holds any other licenses required to be engaged in an adult business in any jurisdiction and if so, the names and locations of other licensed establishments.
- The single classification of license for which the applicant is filing.
- A description of the adult entertainment or similar business history of the applicant; whether such person or entity, in previously operating in another city, county or state, has had a business license revoked or suspended, the reason therefore and complete information regarding the criminal records of all partners, corporate officers, directors, key employees, including arrests, pending charges and convictions.
- The location of the proposed establishment.
- A site plan and survey drawn to appropriate scale of the proposed establishment indicating, but not limited to, all property lines, rights-of-way, the location of buildings, parking areas, spaces and driveways.
- A floor plan drawn to appropriate scale of the establishment, proposed or existing, including, but not limited to, all windows, doors, entrances and exits, fixed structural interior features, improvements to be made which shall be indicated or calculated in terms of percentage of increase of floor size.
- The name and telephone number for a contact point for the representatives of the Building and Zoning department to contact to schedule required inspections.
- The primary business telephone number for the existing or proposed establishment.
- The name, address and phone number of the owner(s) of the land, building or premises, if not the applicant. The owner(s) shall also sign the application acknowledging the application of these regulations to him, her, them or it as owner(s) of the premises.
- Whether preceding the date of the application, the applicant or any other individuals listed pursuant to Subsections i, ii, or iii above have ever been: (1) the subject of an order of protection, or (2) convicted of a felony crime involving moral turpitude, prostitution, obscenity, or any other crime of a sexual nature, and if so, identify the act involved, the date of conviction, and the place of conviction.
- Authorization for DuPage County, its agents and employees, to seek information to confirm the statements set forth in the application.
- In the event needed, follow up information which DuPage County requires to confirm the statements made in the application, the identity of any applicant, or any prior convictions of any applicant.
- Copies: The Applicant shall submit four (4) copies of the application, or more as may be required, to the County Clerk. The Clerk shall distribute a copy of the application to the Department of Building and Zoning and the DuPage County Sheriff.
- Prior to the issuance or renewal of an adult business license, all owners and applicants must complete a course conducted by the DuPage County Sheriff designed to inform the applicants of signs of human trafficking, potential punishments for human trafficking, how to report suspected human trafficking, and services available for victims of human trafficking.
- Completeness: An application shall not be considered complete until the application satisfies all the requirements set out above.
Application Fee: Each application for a new license or a renewal of any license shall be accompanied by the non-refundable fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00).
20-258: APPLICATIONS FOR ADULT BUSINESS EMPLOYEE & ENTERTAINER LICENSES
- License Classifications: Applications for Adult Business Employee and Entertainer Licenses shall be limited to the following classifications:
- Adult Business Employee
- Adult Entertainer
- Adult Business Security
- License Application:
- All applications for any Adult Business Employee or Entertainer License shall be submitted in the name of the applicant employee or entertainer. All applications shall be signed by the applicant and sworn under penalty of perjury and shall be submitted on a form provided by the County Clerk.
- Contents: The contents of such application shall include the following information and shall be accompanied by the following documents:
- The full true name and any other names ever used by the applicant.
- The current mailing address and telephone number of the applicant.
- Written proof that the applicant is at least eighteen (18) years of age such as a government issued photo ID.
- Applicant’s height, weight, color of eyes and hair.
- A recent color photograph of the applicant.
- A statement of whether the applicant has ever had any adult entertainment establishment license or permit, or any adult entertainment establishment employee license or permit, or any similar license or permit from any agency or board, or any city, county, state or federal agency, suspended or revoked within five years immediately preceding the date of application, and the reason for the suspension or revocation.
- A list of all Criminal Convictions and orders of protection, including those where the applicant received a sentence of supervision or probation, except minor traffic violations, including the dates and places of the convictions.
- A description of the applicant’s principal activities or services to be rendered.
- Authorization for the County, its agents, and employees to investigate and confirm any statements included in the application or supporting materials.
- Applications for an Adult Business Security Employee License shall include all the above referenced requirements in addition to:
- A copy of a license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and/or
- A copy of a valid PERC card, and
- Proof that the applicant has completed unarmed security training, and
- Proof of security guard insurance with a coverage amount of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00).
- Prior to the issuance or renewal of an adult business license, all employees, entertainers, and security employees must complete a course conducted by the DuPage County Sheriff designed to inform the applicants of signs of human trafficking, potential punishments for human trafficking, how to report suspected human trafficking, and services available for victims of human trafficking.
- Completeness: An application shall not be considered complete until the application satisfies all the requirements set out above.
- Application Fee: Each new application shall be accompanied by the non-refundable fee of three hundred dollars ($300).
- Form of License: The DuPage County Clerk shall issue any Adult Business Employee or Adult Entertainer license in the form of an ID card. Such a license shall include the following information:
- A Control Number,
- The individual’s sex,
- The individual’s year of birth,
- The individual’s height, weight, eye color, and hair color,
- The date of the issuance of the license,
- The date of expiration of the license,
- The classification or type of the license.
- The Individual’s photo
DuPage County Adult Entertainment Facility License Ordinance
- View the ordinance (PDF)
DuPage County Adult Entertainment Facility Registration for Online Training
Training must be completed for each license applicant and the certificate presented to the Clerk's office in order for the license to be issued.
Who Needs an Amusement License from the County Clerk?
Anyone engaged, in unincorporated DuPage County, in the business of providing entertainment (amusement devices) or recreation pursuant to 55 ILCS 5/5-1059, not including juke boxes or pool tables.
How Do I Apply for an Amusement License?
Complete an application and an amusement device form available at the DuPage County Clerk’s office. There are three types of applications: individual, corporate and partnership. The application must be signed and notarized and attached to an amusement device form.
What is the Fee for an Amusement License?
The application fee is $100.00.
A decal fee of $10.00 for each amusement device (maximum of 10 decals)
*If any amusement device is replaced, a new decal is required.
DuPage County Amusement license is valid from September 1st - August 31st.
Any questions regarding an Amusement License, please call the DuPage County Clerk’s Office at 630-407-5500.
When to Apply
A civil union license is issued immediately and becomes effective 24 hours later. The license is valid 60 days. A license issued in DuPage County CANNOT be used in any other County and State.
How to Apply
Upon completing the application, both partners MUST then 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 $35.00.
The fee of $35.00 can be paid in cash, check or by credit card for a $1.00 fee.
Required ID
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 you do not have any of the above forms of identification, then you must present TWO (2) of the following pieces of identification:
- 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 be 18 years of age in order to obtain a license.
- 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 Marriage or Civil Union
We must know how a 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 six (6) months, you must provide a certified copy (a photocopy is not sufficient) of the death record, dissolution or annulment decree.
Persons Prohibited from Civil Unions
- Anyone under the age of 18 years of age.
- 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 the 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.
Online Marriage Application
The DuPage County Clerk's office issues liquor licenses for only unincorporated DuPage County.
Requirements:
- Owner must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Owner must be a DuPage County resident or have a DuPage County resident as a full-time manager.
- Owner and manager must be fingerprinted by the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. The fee for fingerprinting is $36.
- Owner must show proof of insurance.
- Owner must show a copy of the lease or charter organization.
- All servers and bartenders must have proof of BASSET liquor training. BASSET Card Lookup
- Premises must be inspected by the DuPage County Health and Building departments.
DuPage County Liquor Ordinance:
| Classes of Liquor Licenses | Non-refundable Application Fee |
Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
| A: Package Store | $1,000 | $2,250 | $2,250 |
| B: Restaurants & Taverns | $1,000 | $2,250 | $2,250 |
| C: Hotels & Recreational Facilities | $1,000 | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| D: Extra Bar within a Business with License | N/A | $200 | $ 200 |
| E: Temporary Daily License | N/A | $50 | N/A |
| F: Clubs | N/A | $375 | $375 |
| I: Catering | N/A | $100 | N/A |
| J: Public Community College | $1,000 | $5,850 | $5,850 |
Liquor Licenses are valid from July 1 thru June 30.
Liquor Commission and Commissioner
As stated in the DuPage County code, the Chair of the DuPage County Board serves as the Liquor Commissioner for the unincorporated areas throughout DuPage County.
The Liquor Commissioner issues temporary liquor licenses, Class "E" and "I". Download an application and instructions for a temporary liquor license.
When to Apply:
A marriage license is issued immediately and becomes effective 24 hours later. The license is valid for 60 days. A license issued in DuPage County CANNOT be used in any other County or State.
How to Apply:
Upon completing the application, both parties MUST then 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 $35.00.
The fee of $35.00 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:
Persons older than 18 years of age who are not blood relatives may marry without parental consent.
First cousins older than the age of 50 years of age may marry.
Applicants 18 years of age may obtain a marriage license by presenting a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Applicants between the ages of 16 & 17 may obtain a marriage license by presenting the following information:
We must know how a 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, you must provide a certified copy (a photocopy is not sufficient) of the death record, dissolution or annulment decree.
How to convert a DuPage County Civil Union to a Marriage License:
Effective June 1, 2014, same-sex marriages become legal in the State of Illinois and couples who wish to convert their Civil Union to a Marriage License have the following option per Public Act 98-0597:
Start your marriage application online!
A marriage license is issued immediately and becomes effective 24 hours later. The license is valid for 60 days. A license issued in DuPage County CANNOT be used in any other County or State.
How to Apply:
Upon completing the application, both parties MUST then 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 $35.00.
The fee of $35.00 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.
- 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.
Persons older than 18 years of age who are not blood relatives may marry without parental consent.
First cousins older than the age of 50 years of age may marry.
Applicants 18 years of age may obtain a marriage license by presenting a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Applicants between the ages of 16 & 17 may obtain a marriage license by presenting the following information:
- Sworn consent from each parent, each legal guardian or a judge - IN PERSON -before the County Clerk at the time of application. Those giving consent must provide proper identification, including: valid driver's license; valid state identification card; valid passport. (If the legal guardian is giving consent, a certified copy of the guardianship papers must be provided).
- A certified copy of their birth certificate.
- A second piece of identification showing date of birth.
We must know how a 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, you must provide a certified copy (a photocopy is not sufficient) of the death record, dissolution or annulment decree.
How to convert a DuPage County Civil Union to a Marriage License:
Effective June 1, 2014, same-sex marriages become legal in the State of Illinois and couples who wish to convert their Civil Union to a Marriage License have the following option per Public Act 98-0597:
- When a couple in a civil union opts for a solemnized marriage ceremony, they will apply at the County Clerk's office and have a marriage ceremony within 60 days of application. The marriage license will be filed with the County Clerk and the date of marriage will be recorded. The $35 marriage license fee will be waived.
Start your marriage application online!
The DuPage County Clerk's office issues poker run licenses for unincorporated DuPage County only.
Poker Run License Requirements
No person, firm or corporation shall conduct a poker run in the County without first having obtained a license. Licenses for poker runs shall be issued only to bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational or veterans' organizations which operate without profit to their members, which have been in existence continuously for a period of five (5) years immediately before making application for a license and have had during the entire five (5) year period a bona fide membership engaged in carrying out their objectives. The County may waive the 5-year requirement under this subsection for a bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational, or veterans' organization that applies for a license to conduct a poker run if the organization is a local organization that is affiliated with and chartered by a National or State organization that meets the 5-year requirement.
Poker Run licenses shall be issued for the following purposes:
A single event poker run license shall permit the conduct of a poker run or poker runs on one (1) date with a maximum cash prize or aggregate of cash prizes awarded not to exceed $250,000.00; the maximum retail value of a noncash prize or prizes awarded not to exceed $250,000.00 individually or in the aggregate.
Application for a single event poker run shall be made in writing no fewer than ten (10) days before the intended sale of poker run chances on the below application.
FEE: $25.00
Download a Single Event Poker Run License Application (PDF)
After the Poker Run
Each licensee, within thirty (30) days of the poker run, shall report to its membership and to the office of the County Clerk the following:
Poker Run License Requirements
No person, firm or corporation shall conduct a poker run in the County without first having obtained a license. Licenses for poker runs shall be issued only to bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational or veterans' organizations which operate without profit to their members, which have been in existence continuously for a period of five (5) years immediately before making application for a license and have had during the entire five (5) year period a bona fide membership engaged in carrying out their objectives. The County may waive the 5-year requirement under this subsection for a bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational, or veterans' organization that applies for a license to conduct a poker run if the organization is a local organization that is affiliated with and chartered by a National or State organization that meets the 5-year requirement.
Poker Run licenses shall be issued for the following purposes:
- Providing financial assistance to an identified individual or group of individuals suffering extreme financial hardship as the result of an illness, disability, accident, or disaster.
- To maintain the financial stability of the organization.
A single event poker run license shall permit the conduct of a poker run or poker runs on one (1) date with a maximum cash prize or aggregate of cash prizes awarded not to exceed $250,000.00; the maximum retail value of a noncash prize or prizes awarded not to exceed $250,000.00 individually or in the aggregate.
Application for a single event poker run shall be made in writing no fewer than ten (10) days before the intended sale of poker run chances on the below application.
FEE: $25.00
Download a Single Event Poker Run License Application (PDF)
After the Poker Run
Each licensee, within thirty (30) days of the poker run, shall report to its membership and to the office of the County Clerk the following:
- Gross receipts generated by the conducting of the poker run.
- An itemized list of all reasonable operating expenses which have been deducted from the gross receipts.
- Net proceeds from the conducting of the poker run.
- An itemized list of the distribution of the net proceeds.
- A list of prize winners.
The DuPage County Clerk's office issues raffle licenses for unincorporated DuPage County only.
Download the Raffle and Poker Runs County Ordinance (PDF)
Raffle License Requirements
No person, firm or corporation shall conduct a raffle or sell chances for a raffle in the County without first having obtained a license. Licenses for raffles shall be issued only to bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational or veteran's organizations which operate without profit to their members, which have been in existence continuously for a period of five (5) years immediately before making application for a license and have had during the entire five (5) year period a bona fide membership engaged in carrying out their objectives and which maintain an office in the County. Law enforcement agencies and statewide associations that represent law enforcement officials may organize raffles. Raffles organized by a law enforcement agency or a statewide association that represents law enforcement officials must only be licensed by the governing body of the county or municipality in which the key location for that raffle is located, even if raffle tickets are sold beyond the borders of that governing body of the county or municipality. A raffle organized by a law enforcement agency or a statewide association that represents law enforcement officials must abide by any restrictions established in the County Ordinance.
Single Event Raffle
A single event raffle license shall permit the conduct of a raffle or raffles on one (1) date with a maximum cash prize or aggregate of cash prizes awarded not to exceed $250,000.00; the maximum retail value of a noncash prize or prizes awarded not to exceed $250,000.00 individually or in the aggregate.
Application for a single event raffle shall be made in writing no fewer than ten (10) days before the intended sale of raffle chances on the below application.
FEE: $50.00
Download a Single Event Raffle License Application (PDF)
After the Raffle
Each licensee, within thirty (30) days of the raffle, shall report to its membership and to the office of the County Clerk the following:
Download the Raffle and Poker Runs County Ordinance (PDF)
Raffle License Requirements
No person, firm or corporation shall conduct a raffle or sell chances for a raffle in the County without first having obtained a license. Licenses for raffles shall be issued only to bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational or veteran's organizations which operate without profit to their members, which have been in existence continuously for a period of five (5) years immediately before making application for a license and have had during the entire five (5) year period a bona fide membership engaged in carrying out their objectives and which maintain an office in the County. Law enforcement agencies and statewide associations that represent law enforcement officials may organize raffles. Raffles organized by a law enforcement agency or a statewide association that represents law enforcement officials must only be licensed by the governing body of the county or municipality in which the key location for that raffle is located, even if raffle tickets are sold beyond the borders of that governing body of the county or municipality. A raffle organized by a law enforcement agency or a statewide association that represents law enforcement officials must abide by any restrictions established in the County Ordinance.
Single Event Raffle
A single event raffle license shall permit the conduct of a raffle or raffles on one (1) date with a maximum cash prize or aggregate of cash prizes awarded not to exceed $250,000.00; the maximum retail value of a noncash prize or prizes awarded not to exceed $250,000.00 individually or in the aggregate.
Application for a single event raffle shall be made in writing no fewer than ten (10) days before the intended sale of raffle chances on the below application.
FEE: $50.00
Download a Single Event Raffle License Application (PDF)
After the Raffle
Each licensee, within thirty (30) days of the raffle, shall report to its membership and to the office of the County Clerk the following:
- Gross receipts generated by the conducting of the raffle.
- An itemized list of all reasonable operating expenses which have been deducted from the gross receipts.
- Net proceeds from the conducting of the raffle.
- An itemized list of the distribution of the net proceeds.
- A list of prize winners.
Solicitors and Peddlers Licenses
Any person engaging in the business of peddling or soliciting in unincorporated DuPage County must first register his/her name and the name of any firm which he/she represents with the DuPage County Clerk.
Download the Peddlers and Solicitors County Ordinance (PDF).
Definitions:
Peddler: Any person not having any specific place of business or branch thereof in DuPage County, who shall sell or offer for sale, barter, or exchange, at retail or wholesale, any goods, wares or merchandise, traveling from place to place in, along and upon the streets, alleys or public places of DuPage County.
Solicitor: Any person who, without having a specific place of business in DuPage County, is engaged in the business of calling from house to house and soliciting orders for any kind of goods, wares, merchandise or services but shall not, as used herein, include any person who solicits among the inhabitants of DuPage County support for any religious, charitable or educational organization, but shall include any person who solicits subscriptions for any daily, weekly or other periodical or non-periodical publication.
Hours for Soliciting and Peddling:
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., when Central Standard Time is in effect.
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., when Central Daylight Savings Time is in effect.
Any person engaging in the business of peddling or soliciting in unincorporated DuPage County must first register his/her name and the name of any firm which he/she represents with the DuPage County Clerk.
Download the Peddlers and Solicitors County Ordinance (PDF).
Definitions:
Peddler: Any person not having any specific place of business or branch thereof in DuPage County, who shall sell or offer for sale, barter, or exchange, at retail or wholesale, any goods, wares or merchandise, traveling from place to place in, along and upon the streets, alleys or public places of DuPage County.
Solicitor: Any person who, without having a specific place of business in DuPage County, is engaged in the business of calling from house to house and soliciting orders for any kind of goods, wares, merchandise or services but shall not, as used herein, include any person who solicits among the inhabitants of DuPage County support for any religious, charitable or educational organization, but shall include any person who solicits subscriptions for any daily, weekly or other periodical or non-periodical publication.
Hours for Soliciting and Peddling:
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., when Central Standard Time is in effect.
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., when Central Daylight Savings Time is in effect.
Who Needs a Tobacco Seller's License from the County Clerk?
Anyone selling any “tobacco product” which includes electronic cigarettes, or any alternative nicotine products as defined by Section 1 of the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act (720 ILCS 675/1), in unincorporated DuPage County must first obtain a Tobacco Seller’s License from the DuPage County Clerk’s Office.
How Do I Apply for a Tobacco Seller's License?
Complete an application available at the DuPage County Clerk’s office. There are three types of applications: individual, corporate and partnership. The application must be signed and notarized and include picture IDs of everyone who will be selling tobacco products.
What is the Fee for a Tobacco Seller's License?
The fee for a Tobacco License is $100.00, non-refundable, per year. The license is valid from September 1st – August 31st.
Any questions regarding a Tobacco License, please call the DuPage County Clerk’s Office at 630-407-5500.
