How to Get a Marriage License in Milwaukee 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

The Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it runs by appointment only. You book through the Clerk's online booking calendar, which opens up to 30 days before your wedding date.

If you look at the calendar and there's nothing available at least four days before your wedding, call the office directly. Don't just take the next open slot and hope it works.

Both of you have to come in together, in person. There's no proxy and no way for one person to apply alone.

What it costs

The license is $120, paid when you file the application. It's non-refundable, so be reasonably sure of your plans before you sit down.

Cash and credit or debit cards are accepted. Cards carry a 3% convenience fee. Personal checks are not accepted. If you need to waive the 4-day waiting period, that's an extra $25.

How far ahead to apply

You need to complete your application at least four days before the wedding. That's the waiting period. It can be waived by statute for the $25 fee if your timing is tight.

Once issued, the license is good for 60 days. So there's a window: not too early, not too late. Count backward from your wedding date and book accordingly.

What to bring

Both of you need to bring the following:

• Photo ID, such as a valid driver's license.
• A certified birth certificate issued by a government agency. A permanent resident card or naturalization papers are accepted instead. Hospital "certificates of birth" and "birth registrations" are not accepted. Neither are photocopies or laminated documents.
• Proof of residency, such as a state ID, utility bill, bank statement or lease.
• Your Social Security number, if you have one.

If either of you has been married before, bring the filed final judgment of divorce, a certified divorce certificate, an annulment, or a certified death certificate.

Any document not in English needs a certified, notarized translation. You cannot translate for each other.

If you live outside the county, or outside Wisconsin

You don't need to be a Wisconsin resident to apply. There's no out-of-county surcharge either.

You can apply before the clerk of any county in Wisconsin, and the license can be used and filed in any county in the state. You are not required to apply in the county where the wedding takes place.

Filling out the application in advance

There is no online application. What the Clerk does publish is a Marriage License Information Form, which you fill out ahead of time. Bring it to your appointment, or email it to countyclerk@milwaukeecountywi.gov.

The appointment itself is booked through the online calendar linked from the Clerk's marriage license page.

After the ceremony

Your officiant fills out the completed marriage document in unfading black ink and returns it to the register of deeds of any county in Wisconsin within 3 days of the marriage. If there's no officiant, one of you returns it. This is set out in Wis. Stat. § 765.19.

Worth mentioning it to your officiant in advance. Three days moves fast when you've just gotten married.