Sourcing Divorce Records in Wisconsin

Divorce Records in Wisconsin

Unfortunately, many marriages end up in divorce court. Divorce records are kept in the county where the divorce was finalized. Many states also maintain a state repository for all of its vital records. They are commonly requested in an attempt to verify that a divorce has taken place or for genealogical reasons.

In Wisconsin, the State office has and maintains divorce records since October 1907. Divorce records prior to 1907 may exist, but the county of marriage would be needed to locate them. However, certified copies must be requested from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office.

Fees for requested searches and copies of divorce records vary across states and even across counties. Therefore, the following telephone number: 608-266-1371 provides a recorded message concerning record searches. A fee is charged for all searches and copies. In fact, even if the search does not produce a divorce record, the fee is till charged. Fees are small and are designed to recover the cost of the search and copies.

In Wisconsin, you must provide proof of identity in order to pick up vital records of any kind. The acceptable forms of identification that can be used alone are: Wisconsin driver's license, Wisconsin photo I.D. card, or Government-issued employee I.D. card or badge with photograph. Additionally, any two of the following may be offered as proof of identity: out-of-state driver's license or photo I.D. card, check or bank book, lease signed by you, bill addressed to you, or traffic ticket.

It is important to note that any documents offered for identification must be current and include your current name and address. Additionally, proof of identification is not required if the divorce records are mailed to your address. In fact, Wisconsin State law limits the individuals who can obtain a copy of a divorce record to: the individual named in the divorce record, a parent of the individual named in the divorce record, a sibling of the individual named in the divorce record, a child of the individual named in the divorce record, a grandparent of the individual named in the divorce record, or a person authorized in writing by the individual named in the divorce record.

In Wisconsin, three separate methods can be used to acquire a copy of a divorce record- in person, by postal mail, or by fax.

To apply for a copy of a divorce record in person, visit the office during the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:15 P.M. on Mondays through Fridays, except for holidays. You will either complete a divorce certificate application form at that office or download and print one form to complete using the following link: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms/dph/dph05282.pdf. Please note that the form requires adobe acrobat.

The address is:
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
1 West Wilson Street
Room 158
Madison, Wisconsin

In general, requests for divorce records in Wisconsin are processed within twenty-four hours. An expedited service is also available that allows your request to be processed while you wait. Expedited services cost slightly more and are not available with mail in requests.

To request a copy of a divorce record by postal mail, fill out a divorce certificate application form. You can obtain the form by following this link: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms/dph/dph05296.pdf. Please note that the form requires adobe acrobat.

If you do not have access to the Internet, computer, or printer, you can request a form by sending a request and a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope to:
Divorce Record Application
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309

You would use this same form for a walk in request as indicated above. Follow this link to download and print the form: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms/dph/dph05282.pdf.

Mail the form to the following address:
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309

Please fill the form in entirely. Incomplete forms will not be processed. Payment must be included in the form of a personal check or money order. The fee is $7.00 for one copy and 3 additional dollars for each additional copy. A request for divorce records processed through a mail in request will take approximately one month. If you request an uncertified copy, then you can expect to wait up to six months for your request to be processed.

To request a copy of a divorce record by fax, you can call the following number: 608-266-1373 and have a form faxed to you. Once you have filled out the form, fax it to the number indicated on the top of the form. All fax requests are charged for expedited services.
 

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