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Wisconsin Marriage License: How to Get Married in Wisconsin
To get a Wisconsin marriage license, both partners apply together at any county clerk's office ($90-$150) and wait 3 days. Most counties will shorten the wait for up to $25. Then an authorized officiant marries you in front of two adult witnesses.
Last updated: October 2026
Book Your Officiant Before You Apply
Wisconsin's marriage license application asks who will perform your ceremony. So book Schwa first, then walk into the clerk's office with everything you need in hand.
Check your date with SchwaWhat Are the Basics of Getting Married in Wisconsin?
- 1 Both partners must apply together at any Wisconsin county clerk's office. You can do this in person or via Zoom through Dane County.
- 2 You can apply in any county and get married in any county. They do not have to be the same county.
- 3 The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.
- 4 There is a 3-day waiting period after you apply. Some counties hand over the license on day 4. Most clerks will shorten the wait for up to $25.
- 5 You must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent in Wisconsin.
Does Wisconsin Recognize Common-Law Marriage?
No. Wisconsin abolished common-law marriage in 1917. Living together for years, sharing a last name, or calling each other husband or wife does not make a couple married here.
Wisconsin law says a marriage is valid only after a license is issued, and only when the couple declares it in front of an authorized officiant and at least two adult witnesses (Wis. Stat. 765.16). If you have been together for years and want it to count, a license and a short Quickie Ceremony make it official.
What Documents Do You Need for a Wisconsin Marriage License?
Both partners need the following documents when applying for a marriage license:
Valid Photo ID
Driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID
Certified Birth Certificate
Government-issued, not the hospital keepsake version
Social Security Number
The number is enough. You do not need the physical card.
Proof of Residency
From any state or country. Utility bill, lease, bank statement, etc.
Previously Married?
Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or your former spouse's death certificate. If you are divorced, Wisconsin law says you cannot remarry until 6 months after the divorce judgment is granted. That applies to a divorce from any state.
International Partners
Bring a certified birth certificate with a notarized English translation. Proof of residency can be from any country.
Book Your Officiant Before You Apply
Wisconsin's marriage license application asks for your officiant's name, title, address, phone number, and email. So book your officiant first, then apply. Once you have booked your ceremony with Schwa, you will receive everything the clerk needs for your application.
Check your dateWhich County Should You Get Your Marriage License From?
Dane County: 100% Virtual via Zoom
Apply from your couch. No driving to a courthouse.
Fee
$150
Plus a card service fee. Credit and debit only.
Waiting Period
3 days
Issued on day 4. Waivable for $25.
Book a Zoom appointment online, then both partners join the call from anywhere. Appointments run weekdays from 9am to 3pm. Dane County has no in-person option. Milwaukee officiant Schwa Potter recommends Dane County to his couples: you can apply in any county and get married in any county, so a Milwaukee wedding never requires a trip to a courthouse.
How Much Does a Wisconsin Marriage License Cost by County?
Here are the counties couples use most around Milwaukee. You can apply in any county and get married in any county.
Getting a Milwaukee marriage license? Milwaukee County issues licenses by appointment, with a 4-day minimum. Courthouse weddings there are canceled until further notice. So you can still get your license downtown. You need someone else to marry you.
| County | Fee | Waiting Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dane | $150 + card fee | 3 days | 100% virtual via Zoom. Recommended. |
| Milwaukee | $120 | 4 days | By appointment. Courthouse weddings canceled until further notice. No personal checks. |
| Ozaukee | $100 | 3 days | In person, by appointment. |
| Waukesha | $110 | 3 days | By appointment only. |
| Racine | $110 | 5 days | Cash only. By appointment. |
| Kenosha | $110 ($114.50 card) | 3 days | Apply 5 to 63 days before the ceremony. |
| Jefferson | $110 | 3 days | Card surcharge. Judges perform courthouse ceremonies, booked separately. |
| Sheboygan | $90 | 3 days | Lowest fee on this list. By appointment. |
Fees and waiting periods checked against each county clerk's website in September 2026. Counties change their fees, so confirm with the clerk before you go.
Getting married in Illinois? The rules are different there. Read the Illinois marriage guide.
What Happens After the Wedding Ceremony?
Officiant Files the License
On the wedding day, your officiant and two witnesses who are 18 or older sign the marriage license. You two already signed it at the clerk's office when you applied. Schwa returns the signed license to the Register of Deeds within 3 days, and once it is filed you can order your marriage certificate, your official proof of marriage. This is included in both ceremony packages at no extra charge.
Order Your Marriage Certificate
About a week after the license is filed, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. Order through VitalChek online, by phone, by mail, or in person at any Wisconsin Register of Deeds office.
Order 3-5 certified copies
$20 for the first copy, $3 for each additional copy. You will need them for:
- Name changes and ID updates
- Bank, insurance, and benefit changes
- Future loans or legal documents
What Are Common Myths About Getting Married in Wisconsin?
"We can get married at Milwaukee courthouse!"
Not right now. Milwaukee County issues marriage licenses, but courthouse weddings there are canceled until further notice. That is why Schwa's Quickie Ceremony exists. For $300, you get a short, legal ceremony at any location you choose.
"Online-ordained officiants are not legal in Wisconsin"
They are. Wisconsin law lets any ordained member of the clergy perform marriages. The law does not exclude clergy ordained online. Schwa has been ordained through the Universal Life Church since 2012 and has performed over 500 legal ceremonies.
"It is too complicated if my partner was born abroad"
It is the same process. Same requirements, same clerk. The only difference is that you need a certified birth certificate with a notarized English translation. Proof of residency can be from any country.
What Do You Need on Your Wedding Day in Wisconsin?
Must-Haves
- ✓ Valid marriage license (check the expiration date)
- ✓ Officiant who is legally authorized to perform marriages in Wisconsin
- ✓ Two witnesses who are over 18 years old
Nice-to-Haves
- ☆ Rings (optional but a lovely tradition)
- ☆ Something to wear that makes you feel amazing
- ☆ Tissues for happy tears
- ☆ A camera or someone to take photos
- ☆ A pen (Schwa always brings a spare)
What Is the Fastest Way to Get Married in Wisconsin?
Book Schwa for a Quickie Ceremony
$300 for a 5-7 minute legal ceremony at any location you choose. Book first, because the license application asks for your officiant's information.
Get your marriage license
Apply at any county clerk. There is a 3-day waiting period, and most counties will shorten it for up to $25. Dane County offers virtual Zoom appointments.
Get married
All you need is your license, two witnesses over 18, and Schwa. Your home, a park, an Airbnb, anywhere in Wisconsin. Same-day ceremonies are available once you have your license.
Monday to Saturday: One couple contacted Schwa on a Monday and wanted to be married that Saturday. They booked him that day, got a clerk appointment later in the week, paid the $25 fee to waive the waiting period, and were married on Saturday.
Wisconsin Marriage License FAQ
Do you need an officiant before applying for a marriage license in Wisconsin?
Yes. The clerk asks for your officiant's name, title, address, phone number, and email when you apply, so book your officiant first. Schwa sends couples everything the clerk needs as soon as they book.
Who signs the marriage license on the wedding day in Wisconsin?
The officiant and two witnesses who are 18 or older. The couple signs earlier, at the clerk's office, when they apply for the license.
How fast can you get married in Wisconsin?
In under a week. Wisconsin has a 3-day waiting period, and most counties will shorten it for up to $25. One of Schwa's couples booked him on a Monday, got their license that week with the waiver, and married on Saturday.
Who files the marriage license after the wedding?
The officiant. Schwa returns the signed license to the Register of Deeds within 3 days of the ceremony, included in every package. Once it is filed, you can order your marriage certificate, your official proof of marriage.
Does Wisconsin recognize common-law marriage?
No. Wisconsin abolished common-law marriage in 1917. Living together, sharing a last name, or calling each other husband or wife does not make you married here. To be legally married in Wisconsin, you need a marriage license and a ceremony with an authorized officiant and two adult witnesses.
How long after a divorce can you remarry in Wisconsin?
Six months. Wisconsin law bars anyone who has been divorced from marrying again until 6 months after the divorce judgment is granted, and a marriage held before then is void. This applies to a divorce granted in any state.
Ready to Get Married?
Schwa Potter has performed over 500 ceremonies in Wisconsin and beyond. Whether you want something simple or something extraordinary, there is a ceremony for you.
Quickie Ceremony
$300
5-7 minutes. Simple, legal, beautiful. Perfect for elopements and courthouse alternatives.
Quickie Ceremony DetailsSignature Ceremony
$950
15-25 minutes. Written from scratch for the two of you. Unlimited edits until it is perfect.
Signature Ceremony Details