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Marriage License - Apply for a Marriage License

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INFORMACIÓN SOBRE LICENCIAS DE MATRIMONIO

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

If you are a Wisconsin resident or a non-resident, you may apply for a marriage license in any Wisconsin county. The license issued in that county may be utilized within any county of the State of Wisconsin. 

WHO MAY MARRY

The minimum age to marry is 18 years of age. Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age are required to have both parents' consent or the consent of their legal guardian or court-appointed custodian. Both parents, guardian or custodian of the minor(s) must be present when the application is being made and present photo I.D. to complete and sign a consent form in the County Clerk’s office.

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 $125.00 if applied from four (4) days to sixty (60) days prior to the wedding date. We accept cash; personal check, debit card, MasterCard, Visa, Discovery, or American Express credit cards.
Please note that debit cards have a $2.50 transaction fee and credit card payments have a 4%-6% transaction fee.

The marriage license fee is $150.00 if applied for less than four (4) days (mandatory three (3) day waiting period) prior to the wedding date. We accept cash; debit card, MasterCard, Visa, Discovery, or American Express credit cards.

We do not accept personal checks for the marriage license if applied for less than four (4) days prior to the wedding date.

Please note that debit cards have a $2.50 transaction fee and credit card payments have a 4%-6% transaction fee.

PHOTO ID

Both applicants must present non-expired, photo identification such as a driver’s license, state I.D., permanent residency card, passport, etc.

PROOF OF AGE – Birth certificates

Both applicants must present certified copies of their birth certificates (hospital certificates or state notification of birth registration forms are not acceptable).
 
This requirement applies if the applicant has been issued a birth certificate and is an obtainable document if not in possession.
 
Certified birth certificates have a statement stating that they are true and correct copies of the birth certificate and possess an official seal (this seal could be an embossed seal or a colored seal). Birth certificates not provided in English require a notarized translation of the certificate to English. Birth certificates from Puerto Rico must have an issue date of July 1, 2010 or later.
 
The County Clerk or designee has the discretion to determine whether an aforementioned document is unobtainable for proof of identification.

CEREMONY OFFICIANT

Any ordained clergy of any religious denomination or society, court commissioners, any judge of a court of record, reserve judge, or municipal court judge may perform the ceremony.

Applicants make their own arrangements. The name, title, mailing address and telephone number of person performing the ceremony is required.  A listing of judges and court commissioners are available in the County Clerk’s office.
To scheduled a marriage with a Circuit Court Judge, please call 920-448-4348.

PROOF OF PREVIOUS MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION - Divorce, Death or Annulment

If an applicant was previously married, a filed copy of the final judgment of divorce, legal annulment, or certified death certificate of the previous marriage must be shown at the time of application. In Wisconsin it is unlawful for any person to marry until six (6) months after the granting date of judgment of divorce, regardless of where the divorce was granted.

WHEN TO APPLY

It is advisable that you apply for your license sixty (60) days to four (4) days prior to the wedding ceremony. Both applicants must appear to swear, or affirm, the information provided on the application is correct. After the marriage license application is completed, there is a three (3) day waiting period starting the following day before it can be issued. Once the marriage license is ready for release, it is valid for sixty (60) days in the State of Wisconsin. 

MEDICAL SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (Only if Applicable)

Please contact the County Clerk’s Office for information regarding how to obtain a marriage application/license for medical and/or special circumstances. An additional, non-refundable cost of $125.00 shall be applied, and payment made by cash or debit/credit card. The County Clerk’s Office does not accept personal checks for the marriage license if applied for medical/special circumstances.
 
Jail and Correctional Facilities may apply dependent upon administrative approval.

MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION CHECKLISTAFTER THE CEREMONY

Upon completion of the marriage ceremony, the Officiant has three business days from that date to file your marriage license with any county Register of Deeds Office within the State of Wisconsin. After filing, a certified copy of your marriage certificate may be obtained from any Register of Deeds in Wisconsin.
 
VITAL RECORDS

How to obtain Birth or Death Certificates
If the birth or death occurred in Brown County, please contact:

Register of Deeds
Northern Building, Room 260
305 E Walnut St
Green Bay, WI 54301
920-448-4470

Or go to www.dhs.wisconsin.gov

If the birth/death occurred in another state, go to: www.cdc.gov/nchs
 
How to obtain Divorce Judgments or Annulment Judgments
Copies of final divorce or annulment judgments are available from the county where the event occurred. To obtain judgment from Brown County, please contact:

Clerk of Circuit Courts
Brown County Courthouse
100 South Jefferson Street
Green Bay, WI 54301
920-448-4155

These regulations are governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin. The regulations are the same statewide. The cost of a Marriage License and waiver fee may vary from County to County.

Contact:  Phone: (920) 448-4016
Fax: (920) 448-4498
Address:  Northern Building, Room 120
305 E Walnut Street., Green Bay, WI 54301
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