Wisconsin Officiants For Officiants
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Get legally married in Wisconsin.

BareVows is a marriage license guide and wedding officiant directory for Wisconsin. Every one of Wisconsin's 72 counties has its own fees, forms, and clerk office hours. We verified them all, so you get married without surprises.

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How BareVows works

Three steps from engaged to legally married in Wisconsin.

Pick your county

Choose from any of Wisconsin's 72 counties. License fees, clerk addresses, and office hours are different in every county, so start here.

See requirements

Each county page lists the license fee, required documents, waiting period, clerk contact info, and appointment rules. Sourced from state statute and each county's official website.

Find an officiant

Connect with a professional Wisconsin wedding officiant who serves your county. View profiles, services, and pricing, then reach out directly.

Most popular Wisconsin wedding counties

Where most Wisconsin weddings happen. Start here if your ceremony is nearby.

Most popular
Milwaukee County
$120 license · 3-day wait
See requirements →
Dane County
$150 license · Madison, WI
See requirements →
Waukesha County
$110 license · Waukesha, WI
See requirements →
Brown County
$125 license · Green Bay, WI
See requirements →
Kenosha County
$110 license · Kenosha, WI
See requirements →
Racine County
$110 license · Racine, WI
See requirements →

All 72 Wisconsin counties

Every Wisconsin county has its own license fee, clerk, and office procedures. Select a county for complete marriage license requirements.

Adams County
$85 license
Ashland County
$75 license
Barron County
$90 license
Bayfield County
$60 license
Brown County
$125 license
Buffalo County
$75 license
Burnett County
$75 license
Calumet County
$100 license
Chippewa County
$90 license
Clark County
$75 license
Columbia County
$85 license
Crawford County
$75 license
Dane County
$150 license
Dodge County
$100 license
Door County
$100 license
Douglas County
$100 license
Dunn County
$100 license
Eau Claire County
$105 license
Florence County
$100 license
Fond du Lac County
$100 license
Forest County
$75 license
Grant County
$75 license
Green County
$100 license
Green Lake County
$75 license
Iowa County
$100 license
Iron County
$75 license
Jackson County
$75 license
Jefferson County
$110 license
Juneau County
$85 license
Kenosha County
$110 license
Kewaunee County
$80 license
La Crosse County
$100 license
Lafayette County
$75 license
Langlade County
$60 license
Lincoln County
$90 license
Manitowoc County
$80 license
Marathon County
$125 license
Marinette County
$75 license
Marquette County
$85 license
Menominee County
$55 license
Milwaukee County
$120 license
Monroe County
$100 license
Oconto County
$75 license
Oneida County
$75 license
Outagamie County
$115 license
Ozaukee County
$100 license
Pepin County
$75 license
Pierce County
$80 license
Polk County
$95 license
Portage County
$100 license
Price County
$75 license
Racine County
$110 license
Richland County
$75 license
Rock County
$115 license
Rusk County
$100 license
Saint Croix County
$100 license
Sauk County
$80 license
Sawyer County
$100 license
Shawano County
$100 license
Sheboygan County
$90 license
Taylor County
$100 license
Trempealeau County
$100 license
Vernon County
$80 license
Vilas County
$90 license
Walworth County
$100 license
Washburn County
$100 license
Washington County
$110 license
Waukesha County
$110 license
Waupaca County
$100 license
Waushara County
$90 license
Winnebago County
$100 license
Wood County
$100 license

Wisconsin wedding officiants

Professional officiants legally authorized to marry couples in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Statute 765.16).

Schwa Potter, wedding officiant in Milwaukee, WI
Schwa Potter
Acting Officiant
Milwaukee, WI
Broadway-trained officiant crafting personalized ceremonies in Milwaukee, WI.
View profile
Schwa Potter, BareVows founder
Built by a Wisconsin officiant

BareVows is built by Schwa Potter, a working Milwaukee officiant.

300+ ceremonies across Wisconsin since 2015. BareVows is the resource Schwa wished he had when he started officiating.

See Schwa's profile

Getting married in Wisconsin

What every couple should know about marriage licenses, officiants, and timing in Wisconsin.

$55 to $150
License fee range across 72 counties
3 days
Waiting period (application day excluded)
60 days
License valid from the date of issue

What Wisconsin requires for a marriage license

You can apply at any county clerk's office in Wisconsin, with ID and a fee that varies by county. Most counties want both applicants there in person. Dane County takes applications over Zoom.

  • Certified birth record (or passport or REAL ID if the birth record is unobtainable)
  • Valid government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of current address
  • Social Security number (or confirmation neither party has one)
  • License fee between $55 and $150 depending on the county
  • Certified divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
  • Parental consent required under 18 (minimum age is 16 with consent)

How the 3-day waiting period works

Wisconsin requires a 3-day wait between applying and the license being issued. The application day itself does not count.

  • Apply Tuesday, license is valid starting Saturday
  • The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue
  • The clerk may waive the wait for a fee of up to $25

Who can legally officiate a Wisconsin wedding

Wisconsin Statute 765.16 authorizes several types of officiants. Couples can also marry themselves if it follows the customs of a religious group either partner belongs to.

  • Ordained clergy of any religious denomination or society
  • Judges, reserve judges, municipal judges, and court commissioners
  • Friends or family ordained online (Universal Life Church is common)

What Wisconsin couples should budget

Legal costs stack quickly but stay predictable if you know what each piece is.

  • License fee: $55 to $150 depending on the county
  • Officiant fee: $250 to $900 for a personalized ceremony, from $150 for courthouse or elopement
  • Certified copy of marriage certificate: $20, plus $3 for each extra copy ordered at the same time

When to apply for your license

Most Wisconsin couples apply 2 to 4 weeks before the ceremony. Timing matters on both ends.

  • Apply more than 60 days out: the license may expire before the wedding
  • Apply fewer than 3 days out: not valid in time unless the clerk grants a waiver
  • Two to four weeks out gives you room if appointments fill up

Wisconsin for destination weddings

Wisconsin removed its residency requirement in Act 84 (July 2022). Any couple from any state can marry in Wisconsin.

  • Apply in the county where the ceremony will be held, or bring the license from another Wisconsin county
  • Popular Wisconsin wedding destinations: Door County, Madison, Milwaukee, the Northwoods
  • The marriage is legally recognized in all 50 states once performed
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Wisconsin counties verified

Every Wisconsin county, verified.

License fees, clerk contact info, office hours, and appointment rules for all 72 Wisconsin counties. Sourced from Wisconsin state statute and each county's official website.

Frequently asked questions

Wisconsin marriage license basics, answered from state statute and verified county data.

How much does a marriage license cost in Wisconsin?

Marriage license fees in Wisconsin range from $55 in Menominee County to $150 in Dane County, plus a service fee. Brown County also charges $150 if you apply less than 4 days before the wedding. The fee is set by each county board on top of the $49.50 state minimum (Wisconsin Statute 765.15). Each of Wisconsin's 72 counties publishes its fee on the BareVows county page.

Do I need to be a Wisconsin resident to get married here?

You do not need to be a Wisconsin resident to get married in Wisconsin. Wisconsin removed the residency requirement in Act 84 (July 2022). Any couple can apply at any Wisconsin county clerk's office, and the license is valid for a ceremony in any of Wisconsin's 72 counties (Wisconsin Statute 765.05).

How long is a Wisconsin marriage license valid?

A Wisconsin marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance (Wisconsin Statute 765.12(2)). The ceremony can take place in any Wisconsin county within that window, regardless of which county issued the license.

What is the waiting period for a marriage license in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has a 3-day waiting period, and the application day does not count toward the wait (Wisconsin Statute 765.08(1)). For example, apply on Tuesday and the license is valid starting Saturday. The clerk may waive the wait for a fee of up to $25 (Wisconsin Statute 765.08(2)).

What documents do I need for a Wisconsin marriage license?

To apply for a Wisconsin marriage license, each applicant must bring a certified birth record (or a passport, REAL ID, permanent resident card, or naturalization papers if the birth record is unobtainable), a valid photo ID, proof of current address, their Social Security number (or confirmation that they have none), and a certified divorce judgment or death certificate if previously married (Wisconsin Statute 765.09). You also pay the county license fee. Each county has its own details, so check the BareVows county page for specifics.

Can we get married at a Wisconsin courthouse?

Often, yes. Many Wisconsin counties offer courthouse ceremonies performed by a judge or court commissioner, usually short and by appointment. Some do not: Milwaukee County courthouse weddings are not available right now, and Washington County has suspended them. Fees and scheduling vary, so check your county page or call the clerk's office.

Do we need witnesses for a Wisconsin wedding?

Yes. Wisconsin requires at least 2 competent adult witnesses besides the officiant (Wisconsin Statute 765.16(1m)). If one of you is on active military duty, 1 witness is enough. Friends and family can serve as witnesses.

What happens after the ceremony with the signed license?

After a Wisconsin wedding ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the Register of Deeds in any Wisconsin county within 3 days after the ceremony (Wisconsin Statute 765.19). Once filed, the marriage is recorded and couples can order a certified copy of their marriage certificate. The state fee is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each extra copy ordered at the same time (Wisconsin Statute 69.22).