How Much Does a Marriage License Cost in Wisconsin?

A marriage license in Wisconsin costs roughly $75 to $125, with the exact price set by the county clerk who issues it. Smaller counties like Price charge around $75, Brown County runs about $125, and many mid-size counties land between $100 and $110. The fee is collected when you file your application and is not refunded if you never use the license.

Why the Price Varies

Wisconsin has no statewide flat fee. Each county clerk sets its own charge, which is why the cost in Milwaukee won’t match the cost in a rural county. Call the clerk’s office where you plan to apply and ask for the current fee before you go.

Payment method can nudge the price up. Most clerks take cash, checks, and debit or credit cards, though some offices do not accept personal checks. If you pay by card, expect a convenience fee of around 3% on top of the base amount.

The $25 Waiver Fee

Wisconsin requires a three-day waiting period between the day you apply and the day the clerk can issue your license.¹ The application day doesn’t count, so a Monday application means a Thursday issue date at the earliest.

If you need the license faster, the clerk has discretion to waive the waiting period for an additional fee of up to $25.¹ Not every clerk grants waivers, and the reasons they accept vary. Ask about the policy when you schedule your appointment.

Budgeting for the 60-Day Window

Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days. Your ceremony has to happen inside that window.² If 60 days pass without a wedding, the license expires and you reapply and pay the full fee again. Plan backward from your wedding date: apply early enough to clear the three-day wait, but not so early that the 60-day clock runs out before the ceremony.

What You’ll Pay for Certified Copies Later

After the ceremony, you’ll want certified copies of the marriage certificate for name changes, insurance, and other legal purposes. Those are separate from the license fee.

By mail from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office: the first copy costs $20, and each additional copy of the same record costs $3. Processing takes about 10 business days. Pay by check or money order made out to “State of Wis. Vital Records.”³
Online or by phone through VitalChek, the state’s authorized vendor: processed in about five business days, with VitalChek’s own service fee added on top of the state’s base charge.³
Through a county register of deeds, which can sometimes issue copies faster than the state office.

You’ll need to show ID when ordering. A state-issued driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport, or military or tribal ID works, as does a pair of alternate documents such as a bank statement and a utility bill.³

Who Qualifies to Pay the Fee and Get a License

The fee only buys you a license if both applicants meet Wisconsin’s eligibility rules. Both must be at least 18 to marry without extra consent. Applicants who are 16 or 17 can get a license if a parent, legal guardian, or custodian provides written consent under oath before the county clerk or notarized in writing.⁴ No one under 16 can marry in Wisconsin.

State law also prohibits marriages between people more closely related than second cousins, with a narrow exception for first cousins if the woman is at least 55 or either party provides a physician’s affidavit confirming permanent sterility.⁵ Neither party can already be married to someone else, and both must be mentally capable of consenting.

If either applicant has been divorced, Wisconsin imposes a six-month waiting period after the divorce judgment before that person can remarry. This applies no matter where the divorce took place, and any marriage performed before the six months expire is void under state law.⁵

What to Bring to the Clerk’s Office

Both applicants must appear together in person. You can apply at any Wisconsin county clerk’s office and use the license anywhere in the state.² Many offices handle marriage licenses by appointment only, so check first. Bring:

A certified copy of each applicant’s birth record. Hospital-issued certificates and photocopies don’t count. If a birth record isn’t available, a valid passport, REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID, permanent resident card, or naturalization certificate can serve as a substitute.⁶
Proof of identification and residence. A current driver’s license or state ID with your address usually covers both; bring a lease, utility bill, or bank statement if your ID address is out of date.
Your Social Security number. You need the number but not the card itself.
If either applicant was previously married, a certified copy of the divorce judgment, annulment, or death certificate that ended that marriage.⁶
The date and location of your ceremony plus your officiant’s full name, address, and phone number.

At the appointment, both parties sign the application under oath and the clerk collects the fee. If either applicant doesn’t speak English, a neutral third-party interpreter must attend. Couples cannot interpret for each other.

1
Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.08 – Application for Marriage License
2
Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.12 – Marriage License, When Authorized; Corrections; Contents
3
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Vital Records: Requesting a Vital Record
4
Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 765.02 – Marriageable Age; Who May Contract
5
Justia. Wisconsin Code 765.03 – Who Shall Not Marry; Divorced Persons
6
Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Statutes 765.09 – Identification of Parties; Statement of Qualifications