Where to Find a Wisconsin Marriage Certificate and How It Is Filed

Genealogists and ethnic researchers can learn a lot from the records of vital statistics including Wisconsin marriage certificates that are recorded in the State of Wisconsin.

Since the earliest European settlement by French fur traders in the 17th century, Wisconsin has been settled by successive waves of European migrants over three centuries. The list makes an impressive array of past residents. There have been Germans, Norwegians, Englishmen, Belgians, Dutch, Swiss, Finns, Irish, Polish and others living here. From within the continent there have been Mexicans, African Americans, New Englanders and New Yorkers that frequently relocate to the state. Though in reduced numbers, Native Americans have of course been around for a long time locally too.

This is why the marriage WI records and other vital statistics are quite formidable here.

Marriage Certificates in the State of Wisconsin

The maintaining of vital statistics here started in 1852, when Wisconsin directed the counties to keep a record of all births. This mandate however was generally ignored. In 1878, a similar law received somewhat greater attention and implementation.

It took nearly three more decades – 1907 was the year – before Wisconsin’s State Bureau of Vital Statistics could be established. Today however the state and the counties are legally obliged to keep a record of all vital statistics including the marriage certificates. Not only that, the state and county authorities are also legally obliged to send you a copy of these marriage records when you ask for it.

This is of course great news if you are mapping your family tree and thus into genealogy research. Maybe there was an uncle, aunt or a great-grandfather who you know as a fact came to the state, got married here and settled down. So when you are mapping that family tree, you want more information about the person because you have obviously lost track.

A marriage record can help you immensely in this. In fact this is the most common reason why most people want to take a look at the records. Another popular reason is for checking on a would-be husband or wife. Perhaps you are getting married or maybe you are a parent and your child is getting married. It makes sense to do some checking, just to be certain.

Whom to Approach for Vital Statistics in the State

For birth, marriage and death records, you have to visit or write to the Wisconsin State Department of Health, Vital Records Services, One West Wilson Street, P.O. Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309.

For earlier records, you may need to contact the clerk of the county in question.

Make Sure Your Application’s Right

Before you send that request for the record that you need, you should ensure that your application is proper. Do remember that if it is not, then your application may even be turned down even though you are legally entitled to receive a copy.

So remember the following when you are sending your request:

•    To get a quick response, first write a brief and topical request letter. Do not mention any unnecessary details in this. Never make more than two requests at any time.

•    Try your best to provide the most comprehensive, reliable and relevant information you can.

•    Take no chances. If a person is known by more than one name, provide them all. If a name has alternate spellings, mention all of them. Write names and addresses in block letters.

•    Be accurate with the marriage date. If you are not sure, provide a span of years to be searched. Do remember that you must try to keep the span narrow because the wider it is, the more fees you will have to pay.

•    Make no payment in advance unless you know the exact amount payable. It is wiser to send a blank check that is signed with "Not to exceed $X.00" (the most likely total), written in red ink under the check’s "$___" line. 

•    Ideally, write two letters--one after the other. The first should state your requirements, list all relevant information and request a cost estimate. The second letter should carry your check for the specified amount.

•    Always enclose a stamped and self-addressed envelope.

Here’s a word of caution: state and county offices are often short-staffed. The people working there are willing to help you, but they do have other things to do. There might be some delays, so keep this in mind and show some patience and courtesy.

Little Details to Remember

When requesting your copy of a Wisconsin marriage certificate, make sure to always include the following:

•    Date of request
•    Husband’s full name (last name should be in caps)
•    Wife’s full maiden name (last name should be in caps)
•    Date of marriage
•    Place of marriage
•    Relationship to you/the applicant
•    Why the record is needed
•    Your name & address
•    Your driver's license number and state (this is needed in some counties)
•    Your signature

In recent times, it has also become possible to send your application over the Internet. This is a very useful development because you can save a lot of time and there are far less hassles as well. This is why many searchers now prefer to do this online.