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Wisconsin Marriage License Laws

Local Officiants

State of Wisconsin
Marriage License Requirements

  • Wisconsin marriage license fee varies by county and is required at the time of application.
  • Minimum age for marriage in Wisconsin is 18.
  • Waiting Period: Six (6) days, unless a waiver of the waiting period has been granted.
    • Special dispensation of waiting period: A waiver of the six (6) day waiting period is granted for any of the reasons outlined in Chapter 765 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
    • A waiver of the waiting period may be granted for an additional fee.
    • The waiver fee differs by county.
  • License Validity: 30 Days.
  • Blood Test: Not Required.
  • Residency: Not Required.
    • Wisconsin Residents: Must apply for a marriage license at the County Clerk’s office in the county one of the parties has resided in for at least 30 days prior to making application.
      • The license can then be used in any county in the State of Wisconsin.
    • Non-Wisconsin Residents: Must apply in the county in which they are to be married.
  • Witnesses: Two (2) competent adult witnesses must be physically present together at the time of the ceremony in order for the marriage to be legal.

 

Local Wedding Officiants for your wedding or vow renewal ceremony. Submit one form to top-rated marriage officiants in your locality. You choose the best Wedding Officiant.

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Adams Ashland
Barron Bayfield
Brown Buffalo
Burnett Calumet
Chippewa Clark
Columbia County
Crawford Dane
Dodge Door
Douglas Dunn
Eau Claire Florence
Fonddu Lac Forest
Grant Green
Green Lake Iowa
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Jefferson Juneau
Kenosha Kewaunee
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Langlade Lincoln
Manitowoc Marathon
Marinette Marquette
Menominee Milwaukee
Monroe Oconto
Oneida Outagamie
Ozaukee Pepin
Pierce Polk
Portage Price
Racine Richland
Rock Rusk
Sauk Sawyer
Shawano Sheboygan
St. Croix Taylor
Trempealeau Vernon
Vilas Walworth
Washburn Washington
Waukesha Waupaca
Waushara Winnebago
Wood

 

Marriage Application Requirement Wisconsin: Get Copy Of Birth Certificate

To complete the application for a marriage license, a couple must:

  • Applicants must apply together and in person.
  • Applicants are required to present current photo identification.
  • Applicants are required to present proof of where they live in the form of a driver’s license, state issued identification card, mail, rent or mortgage receipt, checking account, or savings account.
  • Applicants are required to present their social security number, if assigned.
  • Wisconsin State Statutes require all parties to present a state certified copy of a birth certificate:
    • Photocopies cannot be accepted: Per Wisconsin State Statutes §69.24, it is illegal to make photocopies of any vital record, doing so carries a fine of $10,000.00.
    • Hospital and baptism certificates cannot be accepted.
  • If previously married – please bring applicable document as is required:
    • Certified copy of death certificate
    • Copy of state annulment papers
    • Copy of prior divorce papers – Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law
  • Applicants Applicants should be prepared to provide their parents full names.
  • Applicants Applicants should be prepared to provide their mothers’ maiden names.
  • Applicants should be prepared to provide the date of the marriage, and the correct spelling of the officiant’s name, as well as his/her business address, phone number and e-mail address.
  • Applicants should also know the name of the county and municipality (city, village or town) where the ceremony will take place.
  • If one or both of the applicants don’t speak English, a third party needs to interpret at the time of application. Couples cannot translate for each other.
    • Any documents not in English must be translated.

 

Marriage ID Requirement:

  • Driver’s License
  • State issued ID card
  • Military ID
  • Passport
  • Passport Card
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Foreign Gov’t issued Passport

 

Marriage Waiting Period:

  • Waiting Period: Six (6) days, unless a waiver of the waiting period has been granted.
    • Special dispensation of waiting period: A waiver of the six (6) day waiting period is granted for any of the reasons outlined in Chapter 765 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
    • A waiver of the waiting period may be granted for an additional fee.
    • The waiver fee differs by county.

 

Marriage Residency Requirement:

  • Wisconsin Residents: Must apply for a marriage license at the County Clerks office in the county one of the parties has resided in for at least 30 days prior to making application.
    • The license can then be used in any county in the State of Wisconsin.
  • Non-Wisconsin Residents: Must apply in the county in which they are to be married.

 

Previous Marriages: Search Marriage | Divorce Records

  • In Wisconsin, you must show proof of divorce, death, or civil annulment from your most recent marriage.
  • A divorced person may not remarry until 6 months after the granting of the Judgment of Divorce regardless of where the action took place.
  • Bring a copy of judgment of divorce, legal annulment or death certificate from your most recent marriage.

 

Marriage License Fees:

The fee for a Wisconsin marriage license varies by county and is required at the time of application. Many counties do not accept credit cards, or apply an additional processing fee if they do. It is best to check with the county clerk office in which you wish to apply, and bring cash.

 

 

Proxy Marriages:

No. Proxy marriages are not allowed in Wisconsin. Both parties must be present.

 

Cousin Marriages:

No marriage shall be contracted between persons who are nearer of kin than second cousins, except that marriage may be contracted between first cousins where the female has attained the age of 55 years or either party has documented proof of sterilization.

 

Common Law Marriages:

No. Common Law marriages are not recognized in Wisconsin.

 

Marriage Blood Test Wisconsin:

Wisconsin does not require that you take any blood tests.

 

Name Change:

Getting a marriage license with your new name on it does not mean your name has automatically changed. If you need to change your last name, you can use an online marriage name change kit.

 

Marriage Age Requirements: Get Copy Of Birth Certificate

  • The legal age for marriage in Wisconsin is 18.
  • Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age must have both parents’ consent or the consent of their legal guardian.
    • A consent form must be completed, signed, and notarized.
    • This form is available in the Office of the County Clerk.

 

Marriage Officiants Wisconsin:

  • Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society, any judge of a court of record, or a family court commissioner may perform the ceremony.
  • The two parties themselves, by such mutual declarations in accordance with the customs, rules, and regulations of any religious society, denomination, or sect to which either of the parties belong, may also perform the ceremony.
  • An officiating person must be at least 18 years of age.
  • After the ceremony has taken place, the officiant must file the license at the Register of Deeds office.

 

Marriage Witnesses

Two (2) competent adult witnesses must be physically present together at the time of the ceremony in order for the marriage to be legal.

 

Expiration Date of Marriage License:

A Wisconsin marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

 

Copy of Certificate of Marriage License

Vital Records
1 West Wilson Street
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701
Ph: 608.266.1371

 

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. For more information regarding Wisconsin marriage license laws please visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov.

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