If you are already married and want a certified copy of your marriage license, please contact the Register of Deeds office for a certified copy. 

If You Are Going To Be Married In Wisconsin, Please Read On……

Marriage applications are done by appointment only.  The applicants must call for an appointment and must apply together. The completed license and application must be signed by both applicants in the office of the County Clerk at the time of applying. 

Where Should The Couple Apply?
A marriage license may be obtained from the County Clerk of any County in Wisconsin and further allows the marriage ceremony to be performed in any County in Wisconsin.  Please contact the appropriate County Clerk's Office for questions regarding applying for a marriage license. 

When Should The Couple Apply?
There is a three (3) day waiting period between the date of application and the date the marriage license can be issued.  If the waiting period ends on a weekend or a holiday, the license will be issued the following business day.  We recommend that you apply at least two weeks in advance.  The license expires sixty (60) days after the issuance date. 

Age Requirement:
The applicants must be 18 years of age to marry in Wisconsin. Applicants under 18 years of age must have the written consent of both parents, the guardian, the custodian as defined by law, or the parent having the legal care, custody and control of the applicant. The written consent must be given before the county clerk under oath, or certified in writing and verified by affidavit before a notary public or other official authorized to take affidavits.

Identification / Birth Date:
All applicants, regardless of age, are required to present an un-expired photo ID and a **CERTIFIED Birth Certificate**. This is the signed copy of the birth certificate which bears the raised County or State Seal and is issued from the Register of Deeds or Recorder in the County of birth or from the Office of Vital Statistics in the State of birth. [S.S. 765.09(3)] If the Birth Certificate is in a foreign language, a notarized English translation must be provided – NO EXCEPTIONS. Translations from family or friends are not acceptable.

** A birth notification (no raised seal or signature) is not acceptable nor is the one that a hospital issues with footprints, even though it may have a decorative hospital seal. These are birth announcements only and cannot be accepted.

It is illegal to make a photo-copy of any vital record (birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate). Such violation may be subject to a $10,000 fine.

Proof Of Address: 
Proof of current address is also required. The current address is where the applicants have physically lived 30 days prior to the date of applying. A post office box is not acceptable. If the address on the driver's license or ID card is not current, a recently dated utility bill, paystub, bank statement or government issued piece of mail may also be acceptable.

Social Security Number: 
Each applicant must provide his or her Social Security number in order to be issued a marriage license, if they have been issued one. It is not required that we see the social security card.

Previous Marriage: 
If either of the applicants have been married before, and the last marriage ended in death, we must see the certified death certificate. If the last marriage ended in divorce, we must see a copy of the final divorce judgment. This is sometimes referred to as the divorce decree and it must be signed by the judge. A 6-month waiting period must have elapsed since the divorce was granted before a marriage license can be issued. If these documents are in a foreign language, a notarized English translation must be provided – NO EXCEPTIONS. Translations from family or friends are not acceptable.

Translation Forms:

• Death Certificate Translation Form
• Divorce Translation Form
• Birth Certificate Translation Form
  

Cost:
The cost of a marriage license in La Crosse County is $100.00, payable at the time of application. This must be paid in cash; we cannot accept checks or credit cards.


Additional Information

Wedding Info:

1. The date of the wedding
2. The officiant's name, address & phone number. (If you are looking for a judge or court commissioner to perform the ceremony, click here for a list of La Crosse area officiants.)
3. The County and Municipality where the wedding will take place.

Other Info:
The County & Municipality in which each applicant resides. Race, number of previous marriages, and last completed grade of education.

Parents:
The full legal name of the applicant's parents: first, middle and last name at birth (often referred to as surname or maiden name).

Disclaimer: 
This information may not address every possible circumstance.

If you have any further questions, please contact our office by email at [email protected] or phone at 608-785-9581.