Getting a marriage license in Dane County means scheduling a Zoom appointment with the Dane County Clerk’s Office, joining the video call with your partner, presenting the required documents, and paying $120 by credit or debit card. Wisconsin then holds the license for three days before it is issued, and once issued it is valid for 60 days anywhere in the state. The Dane County marriage license requirements below cover what each applicant brings, how prior marriages and age affect eligibility, and what has to happen after the ceremony for the marriage to be recorded.
Documents Each Applicant Must Bring
Both applicants need a certified copy of their birth record. Wisconsin requires a government-issued document, not a hospital souvenir certificate. If a certified birth record is not available, the Clerk may accept a valid passport, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID, a permanent resident card, or naturalization papers instead.1Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.09 – Identification of Parties; Statement of Qualifications
In addition to the birth record, each applicant brings:
- A current photo ID: driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport.
- Your Social Security number. You need to provide the number itself, but the physical card is not required.
- Proof of your current address, such as a driver’s license showing that address, a lease, a utility bill, or a bank statement.
The application form also asks for the full names and birth names of both parents. Any document in a foreign language has to be accompanied by a certified English translation done by a disinterested third party, not a family member or friend.2Dane County Clerk’s Office. Marriage License
If You Have Been Married Before
If either applicant was previously married, that applicant has to document how the prior marriage ended. Depending on the situation, this means a file-stamped copy of the final divorce judgment, legal annulment papers, or a certified death certificate of the former spouse. The statute requires each applicant to “submit a copy of any judgment or death record affecting the applicant’s marital status.”1Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.09 – Identification of Parties; Statement of Qualifications
Wisconsin also enforces a six-month waiting period after a divorce is finalized before either party can legally remarry. If your divorce was finalized in March, the earliest you can apply for a new marriage license is September. Marrying before that window closes can lead to a bigamy charge, which Wisconsin classifies as a Class I felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to three and a half years, or both.3Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 944.05 – Bigamy4Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 939.50(3) – Classification of Felonies
Age Requirements
The minimum marriage age in Wisconsin is 18. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may still apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian. When one parent has sole legal custody, that parent’s consent alone is enough. If no parent or guardian is available, a court with probate jurisdiction in the county where you apply can grant written consent in their place.5Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 765 – Marriage – Section 765.02
How the Zoom Application Works
Dane County handles the application entirely through a Zoom video call rather than an in-person visit. Both applicants have to be on the call, though you can connect from two different locations. You schedule the appointment through the Dane County Clerk’s online scheduling system before anything else happens.2Dane County Clerk’s Office. Marriage License
During the appointment, a clerk verifies your documents, confirms that the information on the application matches your IDs, and witnesses the signing. The fee is $120, payable by credit or debit card at the time of the appointment, and it is non-refundable. The Clerk’s office does not list cash as an accepted payment method, so plan on paying by card.
Wisconsin residents must apply in the county where at least one applicant has lived for the prior 30 days. If neither of you lives in Wisconsin but you want to marry here, you can still apply directly through the Dane County Clerk’s office.
The Three-Day Wait and the 60-Day License
Wisconsin law prohibits the Clerk from issuing the license until three days after the application is filed. If you apply on a Monday, the earliest the license can be issued is Thursday.6Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.08 – Application for Marriage License
If you need the license sooner, the County Clerk has discretion to waive the three-day wait for an additional fee of up to $25. The statute caps the fee at $25 but does not set a minimum, so the exact charge may vary.6Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.08 – Application for Marriage License
Once issued, the license is good for 60 days and authorizes a ceremony anywhere in Wisconsin, not only Dane County. If no ceremony happens within 60 days, the license expires and you have to apply again and pay another $120.7Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.12 – Marriage License, When Authorized; Corrections; Contents
Who Can Officiate
Wisconsin recognizes several categories of officiants:
- Any ordained member of the clergy from any religious denomination.
- Any justice, judge, or reserve judge, as well as circuit court commissioners and municipal judges.
- The couple themselves, through a self-uniting ceremony where the two parties marry each other by mutual declaration, following the customs of a religious society or denomination either belongs to.
Any officiating clergy member, judge, or commissioner must be at least 18 years old.8Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.16 – Marriage Contract, How Made
What Has to Happen After the Ceremony
During the ceremony, the officiant, both spouses, and at least two competent adult witnesses all sign the marriage license. If one spouse is on active military duty, only one witness is required.9Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Information for Marriage Applicants and Officiants
The officiant then has to file the completed marriage license and worksheet with a Wisconsin Register of Deeds office within three business days of the ceremony. It can be any Register of Deeds in the state, not just Dane County’s.10Dane County Register of Deeds. Vital Records This filing is what creates your official marriage record. Until the signed license is filed, you cannot order certified marriage certificates, which you will need for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes. If your officiant seems casual about the deadline, follow up.
Certified copies of the marriage certificate become available through the Register of Deeds once the license has been filed and processed. Fees for certified copies generally range from $15 to $35.