What You Need To Know About Getting A Marriage License in Wisconsin

What You Need To Know About Getting A Marriage License in Wisconsin

There are so many things to remember and to do when planning a wedding. The exciting things are the easy things: choosing the venue, finding a photographer, starting a Pinterest page with all your style ideas, finding a dress, or an ideal suite or tux, etc. Unfortunately, the administrative tasks that are required to get married tend to be the ones overlooked. Forgetting important things like applying for a marriage license can add unnecessary stress and lead to blame games close to your wedding date. You can always hire a wedding planner to help you stay on top of these tasks. Regardless, we are here to help steer you in the right direction. Here are a few tips on getting married in Wisconsin, and in particular Sauk County, where Vennebu Hill resides.

 

Where To Apply:

Applicants who are State of Wisconsin residents are required to apply for a marriage license in the county one of the parties has resided in for at least 30 days prior to making the application. The license can then be used in any county in the State of Wisconsin.

What this means: If one of you (the couple) lives in Wisconsin, you can apply together at the County Clerk office of where that person lives – if they have been living there for at least 30 days.

If both parties are nonresidents of the State of Wisconsin, an application is required to be made in the county where the ceremony takes place.

What this means: Together, you both must go to the County Clerk office in the same county of the wedding site (Vennebu Hill resides in Sauk County). There are some caveats to applying out-of-state, so make sure to read on or visit the Sauk County Clerk’s Office web page.

 

Where To Apply in Sauk County:

Both parties are required appear in person at the office of the Sauk County Clerk, West Square Building, 505 Broadway, Room #144, Baraboo, Wisconsin, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, (closed Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and the day after Thanksgiving). Allow ½ an hour of time to apply.

 

When to Apply:

In Wisconsin, a marriage license is required to be used within 30 days from the issue date. There is a five (5) day waiting period unless a waiver of the waiting period has been granted. The application costs $80, payable by cash or check.

What this means: You should plan to visit your venue location within 30 days of your wedding ceremony. You may call the Clerk’s office to make sure this is the case at (608) 355-3286. There is a waiver of the five day waiting period for a fee of $10 if your case warrants one. Please visit the Sauk County Clerk’s Office site for more information.

 

What to Bring:

Each party is required to present:

  1. Current photo identification.
  2. Proof of where they live in the form of a driver’s license (with up-to-date address), state-issued identification card, mail, rent or mortgage receipt, checking account, or savings account.
  3. Social security number
  4. Wisconsin State Statutes require all parties to present a state certified copy of a birth certificate. (Photocopies, hospital and baptism certificates cannot be accepted.)

If previously married – please bring applicable document as is required:

  1. Certified copy of death certificate
  2. Copy of state annulment papers
  3. Copy of prior divorce papers – Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law

What this means: If you are having trouble locating your birth certificate or any other vital document if your case warrants one, please visit the Sauk County Clerk’s Office site for a list of links that will help you solve these problems.

 

What Information Should You Know:

The following ceremony information will be needed at time of application:

  1. Date of the ceremony
  2. Venue name
  3. Venue place (i.e. township, village, or city; and county where the ceremony is to take place.) In our case, we are in the municipality Village of Lake Delton and the county Sauk.
  4. Name, address & phone number of the person officiating the ceremony
    To request a Judge or Court Commissioner perform your ceremony, call the office of the County Clerk between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., M-F: 608.355.3286 

    • Judges perform marriage ceremonies in their courtroom M-F, 8:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m. – no fee
    • Court Commissioners perform ceremonies at your venue – fee, check with Commissioner
    • Two (2) competent adult witnesses must be physically present together at the time of the ceremony in order for the marriage to be legal.

What this means: Vennebu Hill Wedding & Event Venue is located in the Village of Lake Delton. While its physical address lists Baraboo, it is closer in proximity to Lake Delton. The county is Sauk County


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