Getting Married

 How to Obtain a Marriage License

To hear a voice recording on how to obtain a marriage license, please call 414-278-4070.

Where to Apply

Apply for a marriage license at the office of the Milwaukee County Clerk, Room 105, Courthouse, 901 North 9th Street, Milwaukee.  Marriage license applications are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Residents of Wisconsin must apply before the County Clerk of the county in which either the bride or groom is a resident.  The license issued in that county may be used anywhere in the State of Wisconsin.  When both the bride and groom are non-residents, they must apply in the county in which they are to be married.  The license issued is not valid outside of that county.

When to Apply

A wedding date must be set prior to application.  The bride and groom must apply together, at least seven (7) days, but not more than thirty (30) days before the wedding date.  The license is valid for 30 days upon the issuance date.

Who May Marry

The minimum age to marry is eighteen (18) years of age.  Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age 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.

Fee

The marriage license fee is $105.00 (cash only), payable at the time of filing an application. 

Marriage License Application Requirements

• Both the bride and groom must apply together, in person.
• Each person must bring in a certified copy of his or her birth certificate (no hospital certificates or birth registration forms).
• The bride or groom must show proof of residency with a current Milwaukee County address (does not apply to out-of-state residents).
• If either the bride or groom was previously married, a filed copy of the final judgment of divorce, legal annulment or certified death certificate must be shown at the time of application.  In Wisconsin it is unlawful for any person to marry until six (6) months after the date of the granting of a judgment of divorce, regardless of where the divorce was granted.
• Both the bride and groom must bring in their Social Security cards.  The name on your Social Security card must be your legal name.
• You must supply the name, address and telephone number of the officiant performing the wedding ceremony.

Any document not in English must have attached to it a certified or notorized translation.  Both the bride and groom must speak and be able to read English.  If not, the applicants must provide a translator.

Failure to meet these requirements will delay the issuance of your license.

Interested in a Courthouse Wedding?

Civil ceremonies are performed by the Court Commissioner, Monday through Friday, by appointment only.  The fee for civil ceremonies is $100.00 (cash only)  payable on the day of your wedding.  To schedule an appointment, call (414) 278-5100.

A list of judges and court commissioners who perform wedding ceremonies at locations other than the Courthouse is available at the office of the County Clerk, Room 105 - Courthouse.

Helpful Links

 Healthy Baby Information:

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

How to obtain Milwaukee County birth, death or marriage records:

Milwaukee County Register of Deeds

How to obtain Wisconsin birth, death, marriage or divorce records:

Wisconsin Vital Records Services

How to obtain out of state birth, death, marriage or divorce records:

National Center for Health Statistics

VitalChek (private provider)

Wisconsin Marriage Laws:

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 765