What Are Wisconsin Marriage Records?

Wisconsin marriage records are official documents detailing all approved and contracted marriages in the state. The collection of these records began in 1852 to ensure that state and local offices maintain historical and legal archives of marriage events.

These records include essential information such as the couple's full birth names, the date of the marriage, the location of the event, and the officiating minister's name.

Marriage records comprise two types: marriage licenses and marriage certificates. Marriage licenses, required for couples intending to marry, are issued only to individuals meeting eligibility criteria under Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stat.) Section 765.02. Marriage certificates, available within three weeks of the marriage, legally validate the event.

Marriage records are used as evidence in legal proceedings, such as divorce cases or child legitimacy disputes, proof of marital status for property inheritance or filing joint tax returns, and valuable resources for researching family history and tracing ancestry.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

According to Wis. Stat. Section 69.20(1), marriage certificates issued after October 1907 are not publicly accessible. Only individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record can obtain information from it.

Specifically, the following people are allowed access to such records:

• The person listed on the certificate (the registrant)
• Close family members, including the registrant's spouse, children, and siblings
• Parents of the registrant, unless their parental rights have been legally terminated
• Legal guardians or custodians of the registrant
• Authorized representatives, such as attorneys, acting on behalf of the registrant
• Individuals who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest, such as those needing the information for personal or property rights
• State or local government officials requiring the record for official functions or duties

The Wisconsin Public Records Law (WPRL) reinforces this privacy safeguard. It prohibits the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) in marriage certificates maintained by state and local agencies to anyone else other than those authorized by the law.

Examples of PII are names, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, addresses, and post office box numbers. However, marriage certificates issued before October 1907 are considered public records in Wisconsin.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin counties were required to register marriage events with state officials starting in 1852, but enforcement of this law only became consistent around 1880. As a result, most of the marriage records available are from 1880 or later.

Copies of marriage records from 1907 onward can be obtained from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office under the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WisDHS), any of Wisconsin's 72 county Register of Deeds Offices (RDOs), or the Milwaukee and West Allis City Health Offices.

Access is restricted to authorized individuals, who must submit a completed form, provide valid identification, show proof of relationship to the record's subject, and pay the applicable fees.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

In Wisconsin, marriage certificates are classified as certified or uncertified. Certified copies are printed on security paper, bear a raised seal, and include the registrar's signature. They are legally valid and issued only to individuals with a direct and tangible interest.

On the other hand, uncertified copies, printed on plain paper and marked "uncertified", serve informational purposes only.

Here are the available options for obtaining certified copies of marriage certificates in Wisconsin:

Online and Phone

The Wisconsin Vital Records Office partners with VitalChek Network Inc. to provide a convenient and secure way of purchasing copies of marriage certificates.

To order online, individuals must complete the "Wisconsin Vital Records Applicant Information"form on the VitalChek website. The form requires personal details, such as the requestor's name, address, Social Security number, contact information, marriage date, and reason for the request.

Individuals must submit acceptable identification to verify their eligibility for obtaining the certificate and pay the appropriate fees.

The fee is $20 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy. VitalChek also charges additional processing fees for online and phone orders. Payments are accepted through major credit cards.

For phone orders, individuals can contact VitalChek at 877-885-2981. Processing typically takes five business days. Delivery options include UPS Worldwide, UPS Next Day Air, or USPS Regular Mail.

In-Person

While the Wisconsin Vital Records Office no longer provides walk-in services except for genealogy-related appointments, individuals can visit their local RDO (Register of Deeds Office) to request certified copies of marriage certificates.

The Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association (WRDA) provides a directory of all RDOs in Wisconsin, including their addresses and contact details. Requestors must bring valid identification, such as a state-issued driver's license or ID card, U.S. government-issued photo ID, U.S. or foreign passport, tribal ID, or military ID.

If any of these IDs are unavailable, two of the following alternative forms of identification are accepted:

• Health insurance card
• Utility bill or traffic ticket
• Current, dated, signed lease
• Bank or earnings statement
• Vehicle registration or title

By Mail

To request a marriage certificate by mail, follow these steps:

• Download the "Wisconsin Marriage Certificate Application" (Form F-05281) from the WisDHS's "Vital Records: Application Forms" page.
• Complete the form with the following details:
  • Full names of both parties (including maiden names)
  • Date of marriage
  • The county where the marriage occurred
  • Requestor's phone number and mailing address
  • Relationship to the person named on the record
  • Reason for the request
• Attach one valid government-issued ID or two of the other accepted forms of identification.
• Provide proof of relationship if requesting someone else's certificate.
• Include payment in cash, check, or money order payable to "State of Wis. Vital Records".
• Send the completed form, required documents, and payment via mail to:

For marriage certificate searches between October 1907 and 1973, the Wisconsin Vital Records Office charges $20 for each five years. For instance, a search for records from 1958 to 1973 (covering 15 years) would cost $60.

However, for records from the earliest filings up to September 1907, or from 1973 to the present, only a one-time search fee of $20 applies. The office processes requests within 10 business days.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

Once a marriage is filed with any county RDO, individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record may request certified copies of it.

Each county RDO has its own procedures for processing requests. For instance, the Waukesha County RDO does not accept orders by email or phone. Instead, requests can be made using the drop box service. Thus, individuals can leave a completed application form, valid ID, and payment in a gray drop box outside the office.

Regardless of the county, all individuals must comply with the same requirements when accessing certified copies of marriage licenses.

A completed application form, valid state-issued ID (or two alternative identification documents), and payment via cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card are necessary to complete the request.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

Aside from VitalChek and county RDO's online systems, individuals can search Wisconsin marriage records through genealogical and historical societies like the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) and third-party data providers such as RecordsFinder.

The WHS maintains an index of over one million pre-1907 Wisconsin marriage records, detailing two generations from both maternal and paternal lines. On its "Research Your Family History" page, individuals can search for their ancestors and purchase uncertified copies for $15, with a 10% discount for members.

With RecordsFinder, users can access valuable information such as a bride's maiden name, the full marital history of both spouses, or even contact information for long-lost relatives.

Although only uncertified copies are available from these sources, they provide useful insights for conducting genealogical research, verifying family ties, and documenting historical events.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

Confidential marriages, legal in a few U.S. states, grant couples marital status without public disclosure. The records of such marriages remain private and are accessible only to the couple unless authorized by a court order.

Although confidential marriages are not legally permitted in Wisconsin, state law ensures the confidentiality of marriage records to protect persons' privacy rights.

Information deemed sensitive or confidential, covering details intended for medical, statistical, or law enforcement purposes, is strictly restricted. Access is granted only to authorized individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the information.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

Wisconsin residents and non-residents can obtain a marriage license at any county clerk's office in the state. The couple must apply together in person at least four days before the wedding but no more than 60 days prior.

The minimum age to marry in Wisconsin is 18. Applicants aged 16 or 17 need written consent from both parents, a legal guardian, or a court-appointed custodian.

Moreover, under Wis. Stat. Section 765.03(1), individuals closer in kinship than second cousins cannot marry. However, first cousins may marry if the female is at least 55 years old or if one party provides proof of sterilization.

Both applicants must present documents verifying their identity and current address. Certified birth certificates with an embossed or colored seal from the RDO are also required.

Applicants must also provide the officiant's name, title, and contact information. While witnesses aren't required during the application, the ceremony must include at least two witnesses aged 18 or older, along with the officiant.

A mandatory three-day waiting period follows the application, excluding the submission day. The license is issued on the fourth day and is valid for 60 days. A waiver for the waiting period may be requested for reasons like out-of-state residency, military service, or terminal illness.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

It is not uncommon for a marriage certificate to contain errors, such as misspelled maiden names, incorrect birthplaces or nationalities, or mismatched marriage license numbers. The process for correcting these mistakes depends on when the marriage occurred.

If the marriage took place less than a year ago, the county clerk or officiant who issued the license can handle the corrections. For marriages older than a year, this procedure for getting a court order applies:

• Submit the following documents to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office:
  • A completed statement formspecifying the correct and incorrect information form, which is provided by the relevant county clerk of court office
  • Proof that the current certificate contains an error
  • A certified copy of the existing marriage certificate
• Wait for the Wisconsin Vital Records Office to review the submitted documents. After verifying that a court order is needed, they will issue a Court Order to Amend a Wisconsin Marriage Certificate (Form F-05093).
• Send the petition, court order form, evidence, and certified marriage certificate copy to the appropriate county clerk of court office with a $264.50 filing fee.

Once the circuit court judge approves the petition, the signed court order will be forwarded to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office. A copy of the amended marriage certificate is issued within 3-4 weeks.

Are Marriage Records Under the Wisconsin Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (WisDOJ) implements the Safe at Home, an address confidentiality program designed to protect individuals facing threats of domestic violence, stalking, trafficking, or other safety concerns. This program provides participants with a legal substitute address for public and private use.

Under Wis. Stat. Section 165.68, individuals enrolled in this program can use their assigned address for official transactions with state or local agencies, including obtaining marriage certificates or licenses.

Both their real and substitute addresses as parts of their marriage records are strictly confidential and can only be disclosed under specific circumstances, such as enrollment in voter confidentiality programs, law enforcement requests, or by a court order.

Wisconsin Marriage Statistics and Trends

Marriage rates in Wisconsin have been declining, which reflects a broader national trend. Currently, 53% of U.S. adults are married, down from 58% in 1995. While both state and national levels show similar declines, there are notable differences.

For instance, in Wisconsin, only 25% of Black adults are married. This is significantly lower than the national rate of 33%. This difference is largely due to higher unemployment, poverty, and incarceration rates among Black individuals in Wisconsin, which create economic instability and limit marriage opportunities.

Here's the recent marriage data for Wisconsin:

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