Wisconsin vital records — births, deaths, marriages, and divorces — are administered by the Wisconsin Vital Records Office within the Department of Health Services under Wis. Stat. ch. 69. Certified copies can be ordered through dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords; births are restricted for 100 years and deaths for 50 years.
About Wisconsin Vital Records
Wisconsin Vital Records
Statewide Records
Births and Christenings 1826-1926
Official Free
Christenings and births recorded in Wisconsin between 1826 and 1926.
Births, Deaths, Marriages before 1907
Official Free
Wisconsin birth, death, and marriage records from the period before 1907. Provided by the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Deaths and Burials 1835-1968
Official Free
Deaths and burials recorded in Wisconsin between 1835 and 1968.
Marriages | 1836-1930
Official Free
Index of over 800,000 marriages recorded in Wisconsin between 1836 and 1930.
New London Burials
Official Free
New London Burial Records. Search by lot owner name or by name of deceased.
Obituaries & Biographies
Official Free
Wisconsin Historical Society database of obituaries, biographies, newspaper articles. Search is offered at no charge, but details require a fee.
Federal Records
Deaths | Social Security Administration
Official Free
Social Security death index for deaths reported where Wisconsin was the last residence, last benefit, or was the state the number was first issued.
County Records
Divorces | Circuit Court Cases
Official Free
Search statewide or by county for family court divorce and annulment records.
Dunn County Deaths | before 1907
Official Free
Partial database organized by name for deaths recorded in Dunn County before 1907.
Fond du Lac County Vital Records
Official Free
Fond du Lac County Public Library vital records database. Includes marriage and death notices published in local newspapers between 1846 and 1994 and from June 2005 to the present.
Green Lake County Vital Record Certificates
Official Free
Request copies of Green Lake County birth, death, and marriage certificates. Requires access to fax machine.
Iowa County Vital Record Certificates
Official Free
Request copies of Iowa County birth and death certificates online.
Jackson County Vital Record Certificates
Official Free
Request copies of Jackson County birth and marriage certificates online. Requires a fee and access to fax machine.
La Crosse County Cemetery Records
Official Free
Search for La Crosse County cemetery records by cemetery. Provides a chronological list of burials in the last decade or the last year.
La Crosse County | Vital Records
Official Free
La Crosse Public Library births, marriages, divorces, cemetery notices, and obituaries published in local newspapers.
Langlade County Burials
Official Free
Browse this Langlade County Genealogical Society service by city or town for cemeteries and burial information.
Monroe County Deaths | before 1907
Official Free
Browse this RootsWeb database by name for deaths recorded in Monroe County between before 1907.
Portage County Burials
Official Free
Search this database of burials in Portage County Wisconsin by name, date and/or cemetery to view corresponding info.
Portage County Obituaries
Official Free
Search Portage County/Stevens Point area obituaries by name, date or keyword, or browse by name. Gives paper, date, and page number for the obituary. Site also includes information on how to order a copy of the obituary.
Richland County Deaths
Official Free
Browse Richland County death index by name. Gives date of death and volume/page number. Site also includes information on how to order a copy of the death record.
Richland County Obituaries
Official Free
Browse by year and name for obituaries published in the Richland Observor in Richland County.
Rock County Obituaries
Official Free
Use this Hedberg Public Library database to search for death notices and obituaries published in the Janesville Gazette in Rock County.
Winnebago County Vital Records
Official Free
Winnebago County births, deaths, and marriages published in the Winneconnne News.
Wood County Vital Records
Official Free
McMillan Memorial Library genealogy resources for Wood County, including birth, death, and marriage notices.
City Records
Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese Burials
Official Free
Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries burials, searchable by name and optionally by date of death.
Oshkosh Marriages & Obituaries
Official Free
Search this Oshkosh Public Library service for marriage licenses and obituaries published in Oshkosh newspapers from 1861 to present.
Sun Prairie Deaths
Official Free
Search for Sun Prairie death records. Some records include burial permits, death certificates, memorial cards and obituaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I order a Wisconsin birth certificate?
Order through the state Vital Records office linked under Statewide; expect 2–6 weeks by mail.
How long does a vital record stay confidential?
Birth records are typically restricted for 75–100 years; death records 25–50 years from event.
Who can request a certified copy?
Eligibility is generally limited to the person, immediate family, and legal representatives.
Can I order vital records online?
Most states offer expedited online orders via VitalChek; an extra processing fee applies.