How do I get a marriage license?

County Clerk (county level - each of Wisconsin's 72 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Schedule an appointment or walk in (varies by county); MANY WI counties now require appointments, especially high-demand counties; check your county's website first; appointments often fill up months in advance in peak wedding season (May-October)
Both applicants appear together in person at the County Clerk's office
Complete the marriage license application; provide required information (ceremony date and location - county AND township/village/city required at time of application; officiant's name and contact information required at most counties); both applicants must provide Social Security numbers; documents in foreign languages must have certified notarized English translation (parties cannot translate for each other)
CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATES REQUIRED: Most WI counties require CERTIFIED birth certificates from both applicants (raised seal or security paper from government issuing agency; hospital souvenir documents not accepted; photocopies not accepted; laminated certificates often rejected)
Pay the fee; the 3-day waiting period begins on the day of application
3-DAY WAITING PERIOD: License cannot be issued or used until 3 full days have passed after the date of application (the application day does NOT count); license issued on the 4th day at the earliest; licenses are NOT issued on weekends or holidays - these do not count as waiting period days for issuance purposes
License valid for 60 days from the date of issuance
After the ceremony: officiant, both spouses, and 2 witnesses sign the license; officiant must return completed certificate to the issuing County Clerk within 5 DAYS of the ceremony
Certified copies of the marriage certificate: available from issuing County Clerk or from any WI Register of Deeds (Wisconsin statewide issuance law allows any county Register of Deeds to issue copies of WI records); $20 first copy, $3 each additional at same time
3-DAY WAITING PERIOD WAIVER: Available in some circumstances; requires:
- Request to County Clerk in advance; waiver not guaranteed
- Additional fee: $10-$25 depending on county
- Extenuating circumstances required - generally not routine
6-MONTH DIVORCE WAITING PERIOD: Wisconsin requires that 6 months have passed since any prior divorce was granted (regardless of which state granted it) before a new marriage license may be issued; must provide a copy of the divorce judgment signed by the judge if applicable

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Certified birth certificate for both applicants (most WI counties; raised seal or security paper; not photocopies, not laminated, not hospital documents)
Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants
Social Security numbers for both applicants
Name, address, and phone number of the officiant performing the ceremony
Date AND location (county, township/village/city) of the ceremony - required at time of application
If previously married: certified divorce judgment (signed by judge) or certified death certificate; divorce must have been 6+ months ago
Ages 16-17: written consent of parents/guardian before the County Clerk under oath; consent forms available at clerk's office; ages under 16: not permitted

Fee

$10-$25 depending on county - Extenuating circumstances required - generally not routine

Waiting Period

License cannot be issued or used until 3 full days have passed after the date of application (the application day does NOT count); license issued on the 4th day at the earliest; licenses are NOT issued on weekends or holidays - these do not count as waiting period days for issuance purposes Step 7 - License valid for 60 days from the date of issuance Step 8 - After the ceremony: officiant, both spouses, and 2 witnesses sign the license; officiant must return completed certificate to the issuing County Clerk within 5 DAYS of the ceremony Step 9 - Certified copies of the marriage certificate: available from issuing County Clerk or from any WI Register of Deeds (Wisconsin statewide issuance law allows any county Register of Deeds to issue copies of WI records); $20 first copy, $3 each additional at same time

Where to Go

County Clerk in any Wisconsin county (72 counties)

County-specific variations apply

WI's 72 County Clerks each administer their own process with county-level fee variations. Milwaukee County (Milwaukee - largest); Dane County (Madison - Dane County Clerk does applications; Dane County is by virtual appointment for some applicants); Waukesha County (Waukesha); Brown County (Green Bay); Racine County; Outagamie County (Appleton); Washington County (West Bend); St. Croix County. Many counties require appointments and have long wait times during peak season. Very rural counties may have walk-in availability.

Wisconsin Notes

Important state-specific details

CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE typically required - this is more strict than most states.
3-DAY WAITING PERIOD begins day of application; license issued on 4th day; weekends/holidays do not count for issuance.
6-MONTH DIVORCE WAITING PERIOD: must be 6 months post-divorce.
Apply up to 63 days before ceremony (to stay within 60-day validity window after 3-day wait).
First cousins may not marry in Wisconsin unless the female is 55+ or sterility is proven.
Common law marriage: Wisconsin does NOT recognize common law marriage.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records (marriage records after filing) - dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords | (608) 266-1373; County Clerk (varies by county)