Marriage license · Wisconsin
How to Get a Marriage License in Wisconsin
Everything Wisconsin couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $50 + $10 wait waiver |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 5 days (waivable for $10) |
| License valid for | 30 days |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| ID required | Photo ID + birth certificate + Social Security number |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 2 |
| Apply online | No — in person only |
| Where to apply | County Clerk in county of residence (non-residents in county of marriage) |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Wisconsin, you apply at county clerk in county of residence (non-residents in county of marriage).
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id + birth certificate + social security number for both partners.
- Apply in person. Most Wisconsin offices charge $50 + $10 wait waiver per license.
- Wait the required 5 days (waivable for $10). You can't use the license until this period passes.
- Use the license within 30 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 2 witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Wisconsin?
The two dates that matter are the waiting period and the expiration. A Wisconsin license is good for 30 days and can't be used until 5 days (waivable for $10) after it's issued. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for county clerk in county of residence (non-residents in county of marriage). Check whether your officiant must be registered in Wisconsin. |
| Earliest you can apply | 30 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — clears the 5 days (waivable for $10) wait with room for a reissue if something is wrong. |
| Wedding week | Risky — a 5 days (waivable for $10) wait plus office closures can leave you without a valid license. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Wisconsin
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Wisconsin couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $50 + $10 wait waiver |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Wisconsin
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Wisconsin driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Wisconsin couples make
- Applying too early. A Wisconsin license expires after 30 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Forgetting the 5 days (waivable for $10) wait. A license issued the day before the wedding may not be legally usable.
- Assuming you can apply online. Wisconsin requires an in-person visit, and many offices need both partners present.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Wisconsin before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Wisconsin
5-day wait is the longest in the country.
Wedding costs in Wisconsin
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in Wisconsin metros:
- Average wedding cost in Milwaukee — $30,000 average, $135 per guest
Common questions specific to Wisconsin
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Wisconsin?
- In Wisconsin the marriage license fee is $50 + $10 wait waiver. Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Wisconsin?
- Yes — Wisconsin requires a 5 days (waivable for $10) waiting period after the license is issued before it can be used.
- How long is a Wisconsin marriage license valid?
- A Wisconsin marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Wisconsin?
- No — Wisconsin requires both applicants to apply in person.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Wisconsin?
- Yes — Wisconsin requires 2 witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Wisconsin?
- No — Wisconsin does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Wisconsin?
- Yes. Wisconsin issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at county clerk in county of residence (non-residents in county of marriage) and allow for the 5 days (waivable for $10) waiting period.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Wisconsin it costs $50 + $10 wait waiver and is valid for 30 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Wisconsin?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Wisconsin DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states