State vital records · DHS - Vital Records Office

Wisconsin Vital Records Requirements

Fees, processing times, required documents, and who can request birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in Wisconsin — in one place.

Wisconsin · 147 offices

At a glance

Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Vital Records Office (DHS - Vital Records Office)

Address
Wisconsin Vital Records Office 1 West Wilson Street, Room 160 Madison, WI 53703
Mailing
Wisconsin Vital Records Office PO Box 309 Madison, WI 53701
Phone
(608) 266-1373
Hours
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. by appointment only

Wisconsin Birth Certificate

Fee
$20
Additional copy
$3.00
Rush fee
NA with mail-ins, not specified with online (through vitalchek)
Processing time
Up to 2 weeks / about 10 business days (application form says up to 2 weeks, website says about 10 days, but these are basically the same just phrased differently)
Rush processing
NA with mail-ins, about five business days online (with vitalchek)

Who can request

  • Authorized Agent
  • Children
  • Domestic Partner
  • Grandparents
  • Legal Guardian
  • Other person of interest (personal and property rights)
  • Parents
  • Person on Record
  • Siblings
  • Spouse

Required information

  • Date of Birth
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Father's Name
  • Full Name at Birth
  • Mailing Address
  • Mother's Name
  • Place of Birth
  • Purpose for the Certificate
  • Sex
  • Your Name
  • Your Photo ID Expiration Date
  • Your Photo ID Number
  • Your Photo ID Sate of Issuance
  • Your Photo ID Type
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Passport
  • State Driver's License
  • State ID
  • Tribal ID
  • US Military ID
  • Valid Government ID

Secondary ID

  • Bank Statement
  • Health Insurance Card
  • Rental Agreement
  • Traffic Ticket
  • Utility Bill
  • Vehicle Registration
  • Vehicle Title
Application form (F-05291)

Wisconsin Death Certificate

Fee
$20
Additional copy
$3.00
Rush fee
NA with mail-ins, not specified with online (through vitalchek)
Processing time
Up to 2 weeks / about 10 business days (application form says up to 2 weeks, website says about 10 days, but these are basically the same just phrased differently)
Rush processing
NA with mail-ins, about five business days online (with vitalchek)
Public after
50 years

Who can request

  • Authorized Agent
  • Children
  • Domestic Partner
  • Grandparents
  • Legal Guardian
  • Other person of interest (personal and property rights)
  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Spouse

Required information

  • Age at Death
  • Date of Birth
  • Date of Death
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Father's Name
  • Full Name of Person of Record
  • Mailing Address
  • Mother's Name
  • Occupation
  • Place of Birth
  • Purpose for the Certificate
  • SSN
  • Spouse Name
  • Your Name
  • Your Photo ID Expiration Date
  • Your Photo ID Number
  • Your Photo ID Sate of Issuance
  • Your Photo ID Type
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Passport
  • State Driver's License
  • State ID
  • Tribal ID
  • US Military ID
  • Valid Government ID

Secondary ID

  • Bank Statement
  • Health Insurance Card
  • Rental Agreement
  • Traffic Ticket
  • Utility Bill
  • Vehicle Registration
  • Vehicle Title
Application form (F-05280)

Wisconsin Marriage Certificate

Fee
$20
Additional copy
$3.00
Rush fee
NA with mail-ins, not specified with online (through vitalchek)
Processing time
Up to 2 weeks / about 10 business days (application form says up to 2 weeks, website says about 10 days, but these are basically the same just phrased differently)
Rush processing
NA with mail-ins, about five business days online (with vitalchek)

Who can request

  • Authorized Agent
  • Children
  • Grandparents
  • Legal Guardian
  • Other person of interest (personal and property rights)
  • Parents
  • Person on Record
  • Siblings

Required information

  • Bride Name
  • Bride's Name Before Marriage
  • Date of Marriage
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Groom Name
  • Groom Name Before Marriage
  • Mailing Address
  • Place of Marriage
  • Purpose for the Certificate
  • Your Name
  • Your Photo ID Expiration Date
  • Your Photo ID Number
  • Your Photo ID Sate of Issuance
  • Your Photo ID Type
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Passport
  • State Driver's License
  • State ID
  • Tribal ID
  • US Military ID
  • Valid Government ID

Secondary ID

  • Bank Statement
  • Health Insurance Card
  • Rental Agreement
  • Traffic Ticket
  • Utility Bill
  • Vehicle Registration
  • Vehicle Title
Application form (F-05281)

Don't want to visit in person? Order a Wisconsin birth, death, or marriage certificate online through our partner, Vital Records Online.

Order online ↗

Get a birth certificate by Wisconsin county

Most Wisconsin birth and death records are requested at the county level. Choose your county for local offices, fees, and how to order.

See all Wisconsin counties & offices →

Apostille & authentication

Office
Secretary of State
Mailing
U. S. Postal Service: Secretary of State Certification Desk P.O. Box 7848 Madison WI 53707-7848 FedEx or UPS: Secretary of State Certification Desk State Capitol Mailroom 17 W. Main St. Madison WI 53703
Details
The Vital Records must be issued by either the Register of Deeds in the county of the event or the State Office of Vital Records.

Public records: Wisconsin Public Records Law. Information is provided as guidance and may change — verify with the state office before applying.