You’re planning to apply for a marriage license, you’ve lined up your two adult witnesses and booked a state-approved officiant (right?), but do you know all of the other requirements—like the five-day waiting period, the fee and more—that you’ll need to meet to make your bond official? We’ve gathered the details to ease the craziness in those final weeks before your wedding.

Wisconsin has some overarching laws on the books, but certain counties have others. Read on to find out exactly what you’ll need.

For All Wisconsin Weddings
How to apply:

• Couples (in Wisconsin, a man and a woman) must apply for a marriage license together and in person at least seven days but no more than 30 days before their scheduled wedding date. Most counties recommend applying two weeks in advance. The process takes about 20 minutes.
• There is a five-day waiting period (your license is issued on the sixth day, and you can pick it up or have it mailed to you). Once the license is issued, it’s valid for 30 days and may be used anywhere in the state of Wisconsin.

What to bring to the county clerk’s office:

• Valid photo ID—This could be a driver’s licence, a passport, a military ID or another state-issued ID.
• Certified copy of your birth certificate—If your birth certificate does not include your parents’ full names (first, middle and last), know these as well, and make sure they are spelled correctly.
• Social Security card bearing your legal name—This applies in most counties, and in this case, if you do not have a Social Security card, you must provide a letter stating the reason from the Social Security Administration. Otherwise, you’ll just need to know the number off the top of your head.
• Proof of residency—One of you must have lived in the county where you’re applying for at least 30 days (unless you are both out-of-state residents—more on this later). A valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID stating the current address is easiest, but counties often accept your W-2, check stubs, two utility bills, etc.
• Anyone who was previously married must also provide a filed copy of the final divorce judgment, legal annulment or certified death certificate. If divorced, you may not remarry in this state until six months after the divorce is final, no matter where it was granted.
• The name, address and telephone number of the officiant—Check with your county regarding a letter of sponsorship for out-of-state officiants.
• The location of your wedding, including municipality (city, village or township) and county.
• Out-of-state couples must apply for a marriage license in the county where they will be married. They are required to present all the same documentation.
• If any of the above documents is not in English, you must also provide a certified or notarized translation. If one of you cannot speak or read English, a translator must be provided (you may not translate for one another).

Who may apply: The man and the woman must be at least 18 years old to apply without the consent of their parents or guardians, but those who are 16 or 17 years old may apply if they submit a parent/guardian consent form that is completed, signed and notarized (available at the County Clerk’s office).

Distant relatives (second cousins and beyond) may marry in Wisconsin. There are certain instances when first cousins may, as well. Find out more here.

County Specifics
Dodge County
Dodge County Administration Building
127 E. Oak St., Fl. 1
Juneau, WI 53039
(920) 386-3600
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Fee: $70, cash only; if necessary, a $10 waiver fee is added

Fond du Lac County
Fond du Lac County Government Center
160 S. Macy St.
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 929-3000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $90, cash only

Jefferson County
Jefferson County Courthouse
320 S. Main St., Rm. 109
Jefferson, WI 53549
(920) 674-8630
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $90, cash only; if necessary, a $25 waiver fee is added
Note: In Jefferson County, the bride and groom do not need to apply together, but the five-day waiting period does not begin until both have applied

Kenosha County
Kenosha County Administration Building
1010 56th St.
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-2552
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
or
Kenosha County Center
19600 75th St. (Hwys 45 & 50)
Bristol, WI 53104
(262) 857-1845
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $80, cash only

Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 N. 9th St., Rm. 105
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 278-4067
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $105, cash only

Ozaukee County
Ozaukee County Courthouse
1201 S. Spring St.
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-8409 or (262) 238-8409
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $100, cash or check; contact the office to discuss waiving the waiting period, if necessary

Racine County
Racine County Courthouse
730 Wisconsin Ave., 1st Fl.
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 636-3122
or
Burlington City Hall
300 N. Pine St.
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 342-1161
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $90, cash only; if necessary, a $25 waiver fee is added

Sheboygan County
Sheboygan County Administration Building
508 New York Ave., Rm. 129
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 459-3003
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $85, cash, check, debit or credit card; if necessary, a $25 waiver fee is added

Walworth County
Walworth County Government Center
100 W. Walworth St., Rm. 101
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 741-4241
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $80, cash only; a $2 charge is added for licenses that need to be mailed

Washington County
Washington County Courthouse
432 E. Washington St., Rm. 2027
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 335-4735 or (262) 335-4301
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Fee: $100, cash or in-state check; if necessary, a $25 waiver fee is added

Waukesha County
Waukesha County Administration Center
515 W. Moreland Blvd., Rm. 120
Waukesha, WI 53188
(262) 548-7010
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.; some Wednesdays have extended evening hours—call to confirm
Fee: $105; contact the office to discuss waiving the waiting period, if necessary