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Marriage License

How to Apply for a Marriage License

Appointments to Apply for Marriage License

The County Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses at the Courthouse, Room 105, by appointment only. To schedule your appointment, use our Booking Calendar by clicking on the "Schedule Appointment" button below. Appointments can be made up to 30 days prior to your wedding date. If there are no appointments available a minimum of four days before the wedding date, please call our office directly for assistance. If you have any questions, contact our office at (414) 278-4067.

Courthouse weddings are not available at this time.

Schedule Appointment

 

To expedite your application appointment, complete this worksheet and either bring it to your appointment or email it.

Español

Debido a limitaciones en el software, esta herramienta de programación solo está disponible en inglés. Pedimos disculpas por las molestias y estamos trabajando en una solución. Mientras tanto, llame al (414) 278-4067 para programar una cita en español.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

Applicants marrying in the State of Wisconsin can apply before the county clerk of any county in the state, and the license issued may be used and filed in any county in the State of Wisconsin.

Officiant Information

Information for Officiants and Marriage Applicants can be found here.

Wisconsin State Statute, Chapter 765 - Marriage

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  Where to Apply

You can obtain a marriage license from the clerk of any county in the State of Wisconsin. If applying for the license in Milwaukee County, marriage license applications may be completed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only in the Office of the Milwaukee County Clerk, County Courthouse - Room 105, 901 North 9th Street, Milwaukee.

  When to Apply

A wedding date must be set prior to application. The marriage license application must be completed a minimum of four days prior to the wedding date and our on-line calendar allows you to book up to 30 days prior to the wedding date. The license is valid for 60 days upon the issuance date.

  How Much Does It Cost

The marriage license fee is $110 payable at the time of filing an application and is non-refundable. We accept cash and credit/debit cards. There is a convenience fee of 3% for all credit/debit card transactions. Personal checks, American Express, and Chase credit cards are not accepted.

If you are scheduled for a civil ceremony at the courthouse, the $100 ceremony fee is payable at the time of filing an application and is non-refundable.

  Who May Marry

The minimum age to marry is 18. Applicants who are 16 or 17 must have both parents' consent or the consent of their legal guardian. A consent form must be completed, signed and notarized. This form is available in the Office of the County Clerk.

No marriage shall be contracted between persons who are nearer of kin than second cousins, except that marriage may be contracted between first cousins where the female has attained the age of 55 years or either party has documented proof of sterilization.

  When Can I Pick It Up

If applying in Milwaukee County, your marriage license will be given to you on the day you apply and is valid to use three days after the license is issued.

 

The Marriage License, a Norman Rockwell painting

The Marriage License, a Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, June 11, 1955.

Requirements

• The couple must apply together in person.

• Each applicant must show photo ID such as a valid driver's license.

• Each applicant must bring in a certified birth certificate. A certified birth certificate is one that has been issued by a government agency. Permanent resident card or naturalization paper can be accepted in lieu of the birth record. Photocopies and documents that are torn, taped, laminated, or illegible are not acceptable. "Certificates of birth" issued by hospitals and "birth registrations" are not acceptable.

• Each applicant must show proof of residency. Acceptable forms include State issued driver's license or I.D., utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement. You do not have to be a Wisconsin resident to apply.

• Each applicant must provide their Social Security number if they have one.

• If you were previously married, a filed copy of the final judgment of divorce, a certified divorce certificate, legal annulment or certified death certificate that ended the last marriage must be shown at the time of application. In Wisconsin it is unlawful for any person to marry until six months after the date of the granting of a judgment of divorce, regardless of where the divorce was granted.

• You must provide the name, address and telephone number of the officiant performing the wedding ceremony.

Note

Any document not in English must be attached to a certified and notarized translation. Both applicants must speak and be able to read English. Applicants may not translate for each other. The applicant must provide a translator.

For clarification of any information provided, call (414) 278-4067.

Civil Ceremonies at the Courthouse - Cancelled Until Further Notice

For a list of officiants who perform wedding ceremonies at locations other than the courthouse, you can:

Plan Your Wedding in a Scenic Milwaukee County Park

From Proposal to Wedding — Visit Milwaukee County Parks

Stunning backdrops for your engagement photos to one-of-a-kind venues for your ceremony!

How to Obtain Your Proof of Marriage

You can obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate after you are married from any county Register of Deeds Office in the State of Wisconsin. If you want to obtain a copy from Milwaukee County, please visit their website at Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Office for further instructions.

Name Change After Marriage

If you choose to change your last name, you must do so within two years of the marriage. You can apply for a name change online with Social Security Administration (SSA) 30 days after the marriage date. You will need to have your Marriage Certificate purchased from any county Register of Deeds Office in the State of Wisconsin to do so. Also visit a Department of Motor Vehicles office to update your Driver's License or State I.D. Once you have updated your identification, you would also notify anyone that you do business with that you have a name change due to marriage.

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