Couples who want to get married in Illinois after Jan. 1 must take a blood test to screen for HIV antibodies which indicate exposure to the AIDS virus.

The Illinois legislature passed a law requiring couples to take the blood test before applying for a marriage license. Nancy Whetston, a nurse in NIU’s communicable disease control division of the University Health Service, said the blood test must be done within 30 days of applying for a marriage license.

“People come to my office and say they want to get married on Saturday. They have to allow more time for the new test—it takes two weeks to get the results,” she said. Originally, blood tests were used to check primarily for syphilis, and it only took two or three days for results, she said.

Whetston said couples must bring proof the HIV test was taken and proof they received the results before applying for a marriage license. She said couples do not have to bring the test results, just a certificate proving they know the outcome.

The health center will provide the test to NIU students for a $20 fee. Whetston said most doctors will charge close to $80 for the HIV antibodies test.

A counseling session will be provided before the test to inform students what the test is and what the results will tell them, Whetston said.

“If a couple decides to get married after the new year, and they take their blood tests (before Christmas break), they will have to take the HIV test,” Whetston said.

In DeKalb County, couples must apply for a marriage license at the County Clerk’s Office, 110 E. Sycamore Rd., Sycamore. A spokesperson for the county clerk said couples must bring a doctor’s certificate stating the blood tests were not taken more than 15 days ago. The marriage license is valid for 60 days. If the license expires, new blood tests must be taken.