Wisconsin Vital Records
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Wisconsin vital records are documents or files that track major life events, beginning with birth records. These records are official documents defined by Chapter 69.01 of the Wisconsin Statutes to include certificates for deaths, births, marriages, declarations of domestic partnerships, and divorces or annulments. They are maintained at the state level by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, according to the provisions of the Wisconsin Public Records Law. There is also a County Register of Deeds in each county, through which the public can access vital records, including death, birth, marriage, and divorce records, from October 1, 1907, to the present.
Generally, members of the public can access documents related to major life events, such as births, deaths, divorces, annulments, and marriages. Although there may not be centralized vital records for events prior to 1907 at the state level, county officials may still possess such records.
According to state laws, Wisconsin allows public use of indexes, but with time requirements, such as 24 months for death, divorce, and marriage indexes, or 100 years after birth for birth indexes. Wisconsin Vital Records are accessible to individuals who have a direct interest or are qualified persons, as specified in Wisconsin Statutes § 69.20. Such individuals include those named in the document, their immediate family members, or someone with a legal right through a court order.
Public Access to Wisconsin Vital Records
Wisconsin Vital records are not public records due to legal restrictions. Certified copies of these records are accessible to specific individuals, such as the individual named in the certificate, their legal representatives, their immediate family, or anyone with a tangible interest or a court order. This is because sensitive information, typically contained in vital records, must be protected, especially in the case of recent events. Such sensitive information includes parents' data or fetal death reports. The Department of Health Services and county registrars must ensure there is no unauthorized access or duplication of vital records. Birth records can become a part of public use indexes after 100 years from the birth date, while marriage, death, and divorce records are generally made publicly available after 24 months from the date of the event. Individuals who are not qualified to access these records can obtain uncertified or informational copies from third-party sources.
Types of Vital Records Available in Wisconsin
Wisconsin vital records refer to documents that provide details of life events, which begin with the birth of individuals within the state. The types of vital records recorded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, include:
- Birth records - These refer to documents, such as birth certificates, used to record details of all live births within Wisconsin.
- Death records - This refers to records of all deceased individuals within Wisconsin, using documents like death certificates.
- Divorce records - This refers to records of all dissolved marriages within Wisconsin, using documents like divorce decrees.
- Marriage records - This refers to documents like marriage certificates, which provide details of all marriages conducted in Wisconsin.
Birth records can be obtained in either long or short form documents, based on the requester's requirements. The agency also issues certified copies of vital records, which can be presented to any government agency, at home or abroad. Informational copies are not useful for official processes but can be obtained from third-party sources for personal records or historical research.
Wisconsin Birth Records
Wisconsin birth records refer to documents that contain information about newborns and the circumstances surrounding their birth in the state. Birth records are Wisconsin birth certificates that contain details about the newborn baby and the parents. These details include the baby and parents' names and dates of birth, the newborn's sex, place of birth, and time of birth. Birth records can also contain the parents' ages at the time of birth and registration metadata, such as the certificate number and registration date. Birth records in Wisconsin are not public records. They are restricted to the record registrant, their parents or legal guardians, or immediate family members. They are maintained by the Vital Records Office of the Wisconsin Department of Health, where qualified individuals can obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. This agency maintains birth records dating back to October 1, 1907, while older records may be available through the state archives.
Wisconsin Death Records
Wisconsin death records are official documents providing details about deceased individuals and their deaths. These records contain details about the deceased, including the date of death, time of death, place of death, name, date of birth, last address, sex, occupation, and cause of death. Other details included in these records are the cause of death, the name of the person reporting the death, the certificate number, the date of filing, and more. Wisconsin death certificates are maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health's Vital Records Office. They are publicly accessible records that can be issued as certified copies for official or government use, or uncertified or informational copies, which may be issued to researchers or genealogists for non-official purposes.
Wisconsin Marriage Records
Wisconsin marriage records refer to documents such as marriage certificates that contain details about legally recognized marriages and spouses in the state. These records are maintained and issued by the Vital Records Office, where marriage certificates in Wisconsin can be obtained. This agency provides access to divorce records dating back to October 1907. They are public records and can be obtained through the registrar of the Department of Health Services, who authorizes the issuance of certified copies. Marriage records in Wisconsin will typically contain the names of the spouses, their addresses, the place the marriage was celebrated, the date of the marriage, as well as the officiant's title and name. Marriage licenses are issued at the county level through the Register of Deeds. This office also records marriages, and it is included in the statewide marriage records registry.
Wisconsin Divorce Records
Wisconsin divorce records refer to documents, such as divorce decrees, that provide information about marriages terminated in the state. They provide details such as the date of the divorce, the parties' names, their legal representatives, the place where the divorce was granted, the grounds for the divorce, and more. These records are maintained by the Vital Records Office, where divorce decrees in Wisconsin are accessible.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted also maintains and provides access to the divorce case files. These cases filed include motions, the divorce petition, evidence exhibits, and the judgment of divorce or divorce decree. They are publicly accessible documents, and the court case documents are retained for public access for 40 years after the judgment. Following this period, the court transfers the documents to the Wisconsin Historical Society for archiving.
How to Order Vital Records in Wisconsin
Wisconsin vital records can be ordered from the comfort of your home or at the relevant agency's office. There are various request modes available, which include physical requests, mail-in requests, and online requests.
Generally, most of the request methods require the submission of a request form in the agency's required format. These request forms can be obtained at the county Register of Deeds' office, the Department of Health Services, or online through the Application Forms website. Fill out the form with all required information and attach the payment for the processing fees. For physical requests, please visit the relevant agency's office to submit your request and pay the processing fees. For online requests, the form can be filled out and submitted digitally. Mail-in requests can be sent to the agency through your preferred or the closest postal service.
Who Can Request Wisconsin Vital Records?
In Wisconsin, vital records are not public because they usually contain sensitive or personally identifiable details. Thus, access is restricted to certain individuals, such as the person named in the document, their immediate family, legal representatives, or anyone with a lawful interest. Wisconsin vital records eligibility can be proved by providing some identification when making vital records requests. Such identification includes a government-issued ID, a court order, or a Bar ID for legal representatives.
| Record Type | Eligible Requestors | Required Documents | Official Source Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Qualified persons such as the individual named on the certificate, their parents or legal guardians, or anyone with a lawful or direct interest | The request form, a government-issued ID, a court order, or proof of interest or relationship | Wisconsin Department of Health, Vital Records Office |
| Death Certificate | Qualified persons such as the record registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or anyone with a legitimate interest | The request form, a valid ID, proof of interest or relationship, and a court order | Wisconsin Department of Health, Vital Records Office |
| Marriage Record | The couple, their legal representatives, and anyone with a lawful interest | A valid ID, details about the marriage, a court order, or proof of interest, and the request application form | Wisconsin Department of Health, Vital Records Office |
| Divorce Record | The parties to the case, their legal representatives, and persons who can show a lawful or legitimate interest | A government-issued ID, the request form, some case details, a court order, or proof of interest | Wisconsin Department of Health, Vital Records Office |
Processing Times for Wisconsin Vital Records Requests
The processing time for Wisconsin vital records requests varies based on various factors. The major determinant is the request method involved. In-person requests are the fastest because the requester is present to receive the records as soon as they are copied, and they are usually straightforward.
Mail-in requests require the most patience due to the postal phase for sending the request and receiving the records. They generally take about 10 business days to be processed. Online requests and orders by phone are usually processed within 5 business days. Other factors that affect Wisconsin Vital Records processing time include the type of record, its location, and the agency's request backlog. Recent records are easier to access because they are maintained by the Department of Health, while older records will require a search through the state archives.
| Record Type | Factors That Influence Processing Time | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | The location of the record, the age of the record, and the request method | Manual lookup may be needed for older birth records or for births recorded in remote counties |
| Death Certificate | The request method, the age of the record, the reporting date, and the location of the record | Requests for recently filed deaths are easily accessible and processed quickly |
| Marriage Record | The county-to-state record transmission, the request method, and the availability of the marriage details | Records of recent marriages may be available at the registry |
| Divorce Record | The request method, if the certificate was created | Divorce certificates may not be available for all cases. In such situations, the court decree can be obtained. |
Fees for Obtaining Vital Records in Wisconsin
Vital records fees in Wisconsin are generally uniform. The first copy of each record costs $ 2.00, while additional copies of the same record cost $ 3.00. These fees are paid when submitting the request in person or included in the mail-in package sent to the agency. There may also be additional fees to consider, such as processing fees and postal charges. These fees can be paid using the payment options listed on the Vital Records website, including checks, cash, and money orders.
How to Search Vital Records Online in Wisconsin
Qualified individuals can search vital records online in Wisconsin through the Department of Health Services' Vital Records for records created after October 1907. Records created before this date are maintained and can be searched through the Wisconsin Historical Society.
These websites provide access to vital records certificates dating back to before 1907. Requesters who are interested in case details involving vital records, such as divorce decrees or judgment and case documents, can search through the Wisconsin Court System's Case Search website. This website provides statewide access to court cases. Simply select the county where the case was finalized to access the records you want.