How to Get a Marriage License in Dane County

What it costs, how far ahead you have to apply, what to bring, and the parts that catch couples out.

Before you book an appointment

Dane County processes marriage licenses virtually, over Zoom, by appointment only. Appointments run between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Both of you need to be on the call. If you can't be in the same place, that's fine — you can join from two separate locations.

What it costs

The license fee is $120. Credit and debit cards are accepted.

Payment is due at the time of your application, and it is non-refundable. So be reasonably sure of your plans before you book.

How far ahead to apply

Apply at least 4 days before your ceremony. Any application made less than 4 days in advance is charged the waiver fee, with no exceptions.

Once issued, the license is good for 60 days, and it lets you marry in any county in Wisconsin. Don't apply so early that the license expires before the wedding.

What to bring

Each of you needs the following ready for the appointment:

• Photo I.D. and your Social Security number. You don't need the card itself. If you don't have a Social Security number, the space is marked "none."
• A document showing your current physical address — a driver's license if it has your current address, or a lease, utility bill or bank statement. You also need to know whether you live in a city, village or township, and which county you live in.
• A certified copy of your birth record, issued by the state or county where you were born. It must be legible, not tattered and torn. The hospital birth certificate is not acceptable.
• If you've been married before, proof of how that marriage ended — a judgment of divorce, a legal annulment, or a divorce or death certificate for your most recent marriage.

The birth record is the one that trips people up. If you need to order a certified copy from another state, start that now.

If you live outside the county, or outside Wisconsin

Wisconsin lets you apply in any county in the state. You don't have to apply where you live.

If both of you live outside Wisconsin, you can also apply in any Wisconsin county.

Filling out the application in advance

You can start online before your appointment at clerk.danecounty.gov/Marriage.

After the ceremony

The signed marriage document goes back to the register of deeds of any county in the state within 3 days of the wedding. It must be filled out legibly and completely, in unfading black ink.

Your officiant returns it. If you marry without an officiating person, you return it yourselves — either of you can do it.