1.  A VALID PHOTO I.D.*

Examples used include:

• *Unexpired U.S. Driver License
• *State Photo I.D.
• Current Passport (with proof of address)

Note:  If any document is in a different language other than English, a certified translated copy must accompany the document.  

*Does the I.D. have your current address? If yes, your I.D. can be used for this requirement.

 If not, a dated piece of mail is needed which includes the applicant's full name and current address (examples used include a Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Lease Agreement – call if unsure if the piece of mail qualifies).  An electronic version of proof would be acceptable for this requirement.

Note: You do not have to be a Wisconsin resident to apply.

3.  CERTIFIED COPY OF BIRTH RECORD

A certified copy of your birth record issued by the state or county where you were born. This document should have a “raised seal” indicating its legitimacy. The birth record must be legible, not tattered and torn. 
If there are middle initials listed for either birth parent, make sure to know the middle name and its spelling for the appointment.

Please verify your birth record is a valid certified copy: 

• Hospital birth certificates are not acceptable.
• Photocopies of a birth record are not acceptable. 
• The birth certificate cannot be laminated.

Note: If the birth record is in an alternative language other than English, the applicant must have a certified translated copy to English (along with the original non-translated copy for comparison purposes).

In lieu of a birth record (where a certified copy of an applicant's birth certificate is unattainable due to extenuating circumstances), please call the County Clerk's Office for additional details.

It is preferred to bring in each applicant’s Social Security card, but if one cannot be located, writing social security number down for the appointment will suffice.

Note: If the applicant was not issued a Social Security number the space will be marked with “none”.

CEREMONY SPECIFICS (Wis. Stat. §765)

1. Wedding Date:
2. Ceremony Location:  The complete physical address for the ceremony.
3. Name of Witness # 1:
4. Name of Witness # 2:

OFFICIANT INFORMATION (Wis. Stat. §765.16)

1. First & Last Name
2. Mailing Address:  Officiant's mailing address, (street, city, state, & zip code).
3. Phone Number
4. E-mail Address

1. Do I need to obtain our marriage license through a specific county?

 In 2022, the State of Wisconsin updated its parameters for acquiring a marriage license, and there is no longer the restriction/requirement to obtain a marriage license in the county in which the applicants reside.  The license may be attained through any County Clerk’s Office in the State of Wisconsin.  After obtaining the license and abiding by the four (4) day holding period (unless waived), the license will be valid to use anywhere in the State of Wisconsin for 60 days to get married.

 2. Do both applicants speak and read English?

 If one or both applicants do not speak or read English, a third party needs to be present to interpret at the time of the appointment. Couples cannot translate for each other. There is no translator on staff, and it is the responsibility of the couple to find a translator to serve as a neutral party (i.e. no family member or friend of either applicant).

 3. Are any of the vital records in a different language other than English?

VITAL RECORDS PRESENTED MUST BE IN ENGLISH:  The County Clerk's Office does not have anyone who speaks any other languages beyond English, and to ensure we provide the best of service to couples, it is required to have your vital records translated to English prior to the appointment.

When attending the appointment, please be sure to include the original vital record (certified copy) and the translated copy.

SPEAKING TRANSLATOR NEEDED?:  If one or both applicants do not speak or read English, a third party needs to be present to interpret at the time of the appointment. Couples cannot translate for each other. There is no translator on staff and it is the responsibility of the couple to find a translator to serve as a neutral party (i.e. no family member or friend of either applicant).

 4. What is the cost for the marriage license?

 The marriage license fee is $115 payable at the time of appointment. Outagamie County Clerk’s Office accepts cash, check (made payable to “County Clerk”), or credit/debit card transactions.  Please make note there is a convenience fee for all cards transactions of $2.53.  (The convenience surcharge is currently 2.2%.)

Marriage licenses are non-refundable.

5. We plan on getting married at the Outagamie County Courthouse - will your office schedule our marriage for us? 

Who can officiate our wedding?

 The County Clerk's Office provides a vital piece of the puzzle to conduct a marriage - our office works with couples (applicants) to obtain a marriage license so the couple's marriage may be recognized by the State of Wisconsin.  Our staff is responsible to conduct the marriage license interview and issue the license.  

The couple (applicants) are responsible for selecting an officiant to perform the ceremony.  It is also the couple's responsibility for determining the chosen officiant who solemnizes the ceremony is compliant with Wisconsin Statutes (see Who May Perform Marriages in Wisconsin link below).  

• Who May Perform Marriages in Wisconsin - Statutory requirements for officiating a wedding in Wisconsin
  • Instructions for officiants:   Instructions for WI License/Marriage Certificate Worksheet
  • Instructions for proper completion of marriage licenses as provided by the Wisconsin State Vital Records Office:

Our office does not schedule appointments on behalf of Outagamie Judges or Court Commissioners.  It is an applicant's responsibility to contact the courts to schedule a date and time for an officiant, if the couple wishes to have their marriage ceremony conducted at the courthouse:

Judges & Court Commissioners- List of officiants who conduct civil marriages at Outagamie County Courthouse

**As of 10/24/2025:  The only judges who are officiating ceremonies at this time are Circuit Court Branch V (Judge Carrie Schneider - 920-832-1550) and Circuit Court Branch VI (Judge Vincent Biskupic - 920-832-6038).  The Family Court Commissioner Office also perform ceremonies (920-832-5057).

 6. What is the holding period, and can I get it waived?

 Per Wisconsin State Law, there is a holding period before a marriage license becomes active.  After applying for the license and the four (4) day waiting period ends (period includes the day in which you apply for the license), the license will be valid through the next 60 days to get married in the State of Wisconsin.  Should a couple need to have a marriage license in less than five (5) days, the holding period can be waived for an additional fee of $25 for a total cost of $140 (plus convenience surcharge, if using a card method of payment; the convenience surcharge is currently 2.2%.)

7. Has either applicant been married before?

If yes, The Clerk’s Office needs to see proof of how the last marriage ended.  Items that fulfill this requirement would include:

1. A Judgement of Divorce (my Wisconsin courts refer to this document as the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, or Judgement of Divorce).A printout from CCAP is not acceptable.
   • If you need a copy of the divorce decree, you must contact the Clerk of Court’s office in which the divorce occurred. 
   • The document must be a complete document including judge’s signature and date in which the divorce was finalized.
2. Divorce Certificate Option:  If the divorce occurred in 2016-Present Day and the divorce occurred in the State of Wisconsin, there may be an option of obtaining a divorce certificate at the Register of Deeds if the fee for the option was paid at the divorce filing (and no change in name occurred).  Call the Register of Deeds for Outagamie County for more information at (920) 832-5095. 
3. Legal Annulment or Divorce/Death Certificate pertaining to the most recent marriage. 

Note:  Divorced persons may not remarry until six months after the granting of the judgement of divorce regardless of which state the action took place.  The decree can be a copy (does not need to be a certified copy), but it must be printed out (hard copy) for your appointment).

8. How old are the applicants?

 The legal age for marriage in WI is 18. If the applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, a consent form needs to be signed by both parents and/or guardians before the County Clerk.

1. How do I obtain a marriage license?

The Outagamie County Clerk’s Office offers marriage licenses by appointment only.  Scheduling is offered for the current week and the following (subsequent) week on the calendar.  Please call the office directly at (920) 832-5077 to schedule an appointment.  Other County Clerk’s Offices may have walk-in options, and if that is needed, please inquire at another nearby County Clerk’s Office.  Applicants can apply in any County Clerk's Office in Wisconsin, if the couple intends on getting married in the state.

We recommend applicants to review our office's Marriage License brochure for more details.

 2. When is the best time to schedule the marriage license appointment? 

 We recommend couples (applicants) to schedule the interview appointment between a month to two (2) weeks prior to the wedding date.

3. Who can come to the appointment?

The appointment is for the couple (applicants).  It is strongly encouraged to limit attendance to the applicants only (and interpreter, if needed).  Our office discourages bringing any children or family members to accompany the couple, as it is important to focus on the applicants and their documents for the interview process.  Any extenuating circumstances can be inquired when the caller makes the appointment.

 4. We plan on getting married in less than four (4) days so we cannot wait for the issuance date to take effect.  What are our options?

If your ceremony is in less than four (4) days, you can apply for a marriage license waiver in addition to the marriage license.  By applying for the waiver, the marriage license will be issued the same day as the appointment interview.  The cost for the waiver is an additional $25 (plus the 2.2% service fee if using a credit/debit card).   All documentation requirements mentioned in the "Documents Needed for Both Applicants" section still apply.

Marriage licenses are non-refundable.

CERTIFIED COPY OF BIRTH RECORD

If an applicant was born in Wisconsin:

If the birth of an applicant occurred in the State of Wisconsin (10/1/1907 - Present Day), a certified copy can be acquired from the Outagamie County Register of Deeds Office by providing proper photo identification (haga clic aqui), and payment.

• OPTION 1 - REQUEST COPY IN-PERSON:  Arrive 15 minutes prior to end of workday (4:15 PM) or 10 minutes prior to the marriage license appointment and request a copy at the Outagamie County Register of Deeds Office.

• OPTION 2 - REQUEST COPY BY MAIL:  Request copy by completing a hard copy of the application and submit copy of proper photo identification and payment (see first paragraph for details):

Click Here to for the Application Forms & Fees of Register of Deeds (scroll to bottom - English & Español)

• OPTION 3 - REQUEST COPY ONLINE:  Click Here to go to VitalChek™ to submit a request

Are you an applicant not originally from Wisconsin? 

• If an applicant was born outside the State of Wisconsin, the applicant must contact the state/county in which the event occurred.

DIVORCE OR TERMINATION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP PAPERWORK

JUDGEMENT OF DIVORCE/DIVORCE DECREE:  Must be attained through the Clerk of Courts office where the divorce occurred and was finalized (county/state).  Each state and county have their own parameters.  Normally, the item applicants provide is a copy of the "Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Judgement of Divorce", which includes the date in which the divorce was finalized and the judge's signature (sometimes this is an electronic signature - and that is fine).  This must be in its entirety and printed out - an electronic version of this on a smartphone is not acceptable.  Additionally, a printout of CCAP is not acceptable. 

If the divorce occurred in Outagamie County, an applicant may obtain the paperwork by contacting the Clerk of Courts at (920) 832-5131.

DIVORCE CERTIFICATE:  A worthwhile option to pursue if an applicant's divorce occurred from 1/1/2016 -  Present Day in Wisconsin, check to see if the divorce included application of the Divorce Certificate.  If applied for during the termination of the marriage, an applicant may go to any Register of Deeds to obtain a copy of the Divorce Certificate.  Please contact the Outagamie County Register of Deeds at (920) 832-5095 to see if this was requested at time of divorce and how to obtain a certified divorce certificate.

TERMINIATION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP:  Must be obtained through the county in which the termination of the domestic partnership occurred.  If this occurred in Outagamie County, please contact the Outagamie County Register of Deeds at (920) 832-5095 on steps to acquire this record. 

Note:  If the change in life event occurred outside the State of Wisconsin, the applicant must contact the state/county (and its respective Clerk of Courts) in which the event occurred.

DEATH CERTIFICATE OF FORMER SPOUSE

If the death of the former spouse occurred in the State of Wisconsin (9/1/2023 - Present Day), a certified copy can be acquired from the Outagamie County Register of Deeds Office by providing proper photo identification (haga clic aqui), and payment ($20 - cash, credit/debit cards in-person with surcharge cost; checks are only accepted via mail and are subject to a three-day waiting period).

OPTION 1 - REQUEST COPY IN-PERSON:  Arrive 15 minutes prior to end of workday (4:15 PM) or 10 minutes prior to the marriage license appointment and request a copy at the Outagamie County Register of Deeds Office.

OPTION 2 - REQUEST COPY BY MAIL:  Request copy by completing a hard copy of the application and submit copy of proper photo identification and payment (see first paragraph for details):

Click Here to for the Application Forms & Fees of Register of Deeds (scroll to bottom - English & Español)

OPTION 3 - REQUEST COPY ONLINE:  Click Here to go to VitalChek™ to submit a request

Note:  If the change in life event occurred outside the State of Wisconsin, the applicant must contact the state/county in which the event occurred.

 FORMAL NAME CHANGE

 UNSURE IF YOU HAVE EVERYTHING NEEDED FOR THE INTERVIEW?

 If you have any questions, please contact our office directly at (920) 832-5077 for assistance.