Table of Contents
- What are Wisconsin Vital Records?
- Wisconsin Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Birth Records
- Wisconsin Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Death Records
- Wisconsin Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Marriage Records
- Wisconsin Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Divorce Records
What are Wisconsin Vital Records?
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office is the government agency that maintains and issues certified copies of vital records for the state. They list their vital records as "birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, and records of declaration of domestic partnership and termination of domestic partnership for events that occur in Wisconsin." The office has records dating back to October 1907. The Vital Records Office allows you to get copies through the mail, in person, and also online and by phone through VitalChek. Eligible individuals can also get copies through the local Register of Deeds office. Vital records are not public records, and therefore you must prove your eligibility when requesting copies and provide proper ID.
Wisconsin Birth Records
The state of Wisconsin has been keeping track of birth records since October 1907. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office is in charge of all birth records for the state. They allow eligible persons to get certified copies of birth records in person, through the mail, and by phone and the internet using the VitalChek network. Birth records in Wisconsin are not public records, and therefore only certain people can get copies. People need certified copies of birth records when they apply for college, a government job, a driver's license, a passport, or signing up for sports. When applying for copies, you must fill out an application and pay a fee. Depending on how you order, your wait times may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Birth Records
How do I find birth records in Wisconsin?
You must contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office. They are the state agency in charge of all vital records for the state.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Wisconsin?
You can order online and by phone using the VitalChek service, or the state offers a mail-in option, and you can visit their offices. You can also get copies through your local Register of Deeds office.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Wisconsin?
The first copy of a Wisconsin birth certificate costs $20, and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $3.
Who can request birth records?
Birth records are not public records, and therefore only the following list of people can request copies.
- The person named on the certificate.
- Parents of the person.
- Brother/sister.
- Current spouse.
- Child.
- Maternal grandparent.
- Paternal grandparent.
- Domestic partner.
- Legal guardian.
- Authorized agent of the person listed on the certificate.
- Someone with a property right associated with the person listed on the certificate.
Someone without a relationship to the person can obtain an uncertified copy (not to be used for legal purposes).
What information do I need when getting a copy of my Wisconsin birth certificate?
When requesting copies of certified birth records, you will need to supply the following information:
- Birth name of the person listed on the certificate.
- Gender.
- Birthdate.
- Place of birth (county).
- Place of birth (city).
- Mother's full name.
- Father's full name.
- Your signature and relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
As the applicant, you must also supply your name, address, phone, email address, and current, valid ID information.
Where can I find historical vital records in Wisconsin for genealogy research?
The Wisconsin Historical Society has more than one million birth records pre-dating October 1907. If you need records after October 1907, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office.
How can I correct an error on my birth record?
The state of Wisconsin can amend birth records less than 365 days old easily. If the correction is needed after that, you must contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office for instructions on how to proceed.
Can I get a refund if my Wisconsin birth record is not available?
No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.
Wisconsin Death Records
Wisconsin has death records dating back to October 1907 and even older if you need genealogy research. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office is the government agency in charge of death records for the state, and they issue certified copies to anyone with a "direct and tangible interest" in the records. Death records are not public records, so only close family members and legal representatives can get copies. The Vital Records Office allows eligible parties to request records in person at their office in Madison, by mail, and by phone and online through the VitalChek service. Death records are necessary when you get remarried after becoming a widow, when claiming death benefits, or filing a life insurance claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Death Records
How do I find death records in Wisconsin?
Contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office. They are the agency in charge of all death records from October 1907 to the present. If you need older records, you can contact the Wisconsin Historical Society; they have 400,000 death records.
Are death records public in Wisconsin?
No. Only someone with a direct and tangible interest may request copies of death records.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Wisconsin?
If you order by mail or walk-in, the first copy of a death record in Wisconsin costs $20, and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $3. You must provide a valid ID when ordering. If you use the VitalChek service, you will pay extra, and they offer expedited shipping options for additional fees.
How long does it take to get a copy of a Wisconsin death record?
If you order in person at their offices, you can get one within the hour. If you order by mail, it will take five to ten business days to get your copy. If you use the VitalChek service, your processing time will be one to three business days.
Who can request death records?
Death records are not public records, and therefore, only the following people can get copies:
- Parents.
- Brother/sister.
- Current spouse.
- Child.
- Maternal grandparent.
- Paternal grandparent.
- Current domestic partner.
- Legal guardian.
- Other authorized individuals.
- Direct descendent.
Someone without a relationship to the person can obtain an uncertified copy (not to be used for legal purposes).
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Wisconsin death certificate?
When requesting a copy of someone's death certificate, you will need the following information:
- Name of the decedent.
- Date of death.
- Place of death.
- Social security number.
- Decedent's age.
- Decedent's occupation.
- Current spouse's name.
- Mother's full name.
- Father's full name.
As the applicant, you must also supply your name, address, phone, email address, and current, valid ID information.
Where can I find historical death records in Wisconsin?
To find records older than October 1907, contact the Wisconsin Historical Society; they have 400,000 death records.
How can I correct an error on someone's death record?
You must contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office for information and instructions on how to correct an error on someone's death certificate.
Can I get a refund if my Wisconsin death record is not available?
No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
Wisconsin Marriage Records
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office is the government agency that maintains and issues certified copies of marriage records for the state. Marriage records in Wisconsin are not public records. Therefore, only certain people can get copies like close family relatives and legal representatives. The Vital Records Office allows eligible individuals to get certified copies through the mail, in person at their office in Madison, WI, and through VitalChek both online and by phone. Marriage records come in handy when you need to change your name, apply for insurance or credit cards, or need to verify your marital status. The Wisconsin Historical Society has 1 million marriage records that pre-date October 1907.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Marriage Records
Are Wisconsin marriage records public?
No, they are not. Only certain close family members and legal representatives can get copies.
What Wisconsin marriage records are available?
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, has marriage records from October 1907 to the present day. The Wisconsin Historical Society has 1 million records that pre-date October 1907.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Wisconsin?
It depends on how you order your copy. If you order in person at their offices, you can get one within the hour. If you order by mail, it will take five to ten business days to get your copy. If you use the VitalChek service, your processing time will be one to three business days.
How much does a Wisconsin marriage certificate cost?
When ordering by mail and in person, the first copy of a marriage certificate costs $20. Any other copies ordered at the same time cost $3 each.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
When you request marriage records, you will need to provide the following information:
- Spouse 1 birth name.
- Spouse 2 birth name.
- Date of marriage.
- Location of marriage (county & city).
As the applicant, you must also supply your name, address, phone, email address, and current, valid ID information.
How do I get a copy of a Wisconsin marriage record?
You must contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, for copies. They allow you to order them in person, through the mail, and by phone and internet through VitalChek.
What if I didn't get married in Wisconsin?
If you were not married in Wisconsin, you must contact the vital records agency in the state/county where your marriage license was filed. In some cases, this might be a town clerk's office or courthouse.
Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?
Marriage records are not public records. Therefore, only certain people can get copies, such as:
- One of the people listed on the certificate.
- Brother/sister.
- Current spouse.
- Child.
- Maternal grandparent.
- Paternal grandparent.
- Current domestic partner.
- Legal guardian.
- Other authorized individuals.
Someone without a relationship to the person can obtain an uncertified copy (not to be used for legal purposes).
How do I correct a marriage certificate in Wisconsin?
To request a correction of a marriage certificate in Wisconsin, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office for instructions.
Wisconsin Divorce Records
Wisconsin has been keeping track of divorce records since October 1907. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office is the government agency in charge of divorce records, and they provide certified divorce certificates to anyone with a direct and tangible interest in the record. This usually includes close family members and legal representatives. Divorce records are needed when you get remarried or need to verify your marital status. The Vital Records Office allows you to request a copy of your divorce certificate through the mail, in person at their office in Madison, WI, and by phone and online using VitalChek.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in Wisconsin?
Not through the state. However, some third-party websites may have divorce records from Wisconsin that you can search through.
How do I find old divorce records?
Contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, for all records dating back to October 1907. The local town offices may have older records, but there is no guarantee.
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, allows you to get copies in person at their office in Madison, WI. You can also download the application and return it with the fee by mail. Additionally, you may order them through VitalChek using the internet or calling on the phone.
What information is needed to search for a Wisconsin divorce record?
When you request copies of someone's divorce certificate, you will need to provide the following information:
- Spouse 1 birth name.
- Spouse 2 birth name.
- Date of marriage.
- Location of marriage (county & city).
As the applicant, you must also supply your name, address, phone, email address, and current, valid ID information.
If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?
No, all search fees are non-refundable.
What if my divorce took place outside of Wisconsin?
If you were not divorced in Wisconsin, you should contact either the vital records office or the courthouse in the county/state where your divorce was granted.