Outagamie County - Marriage License Brochure(PDF, 338KB)
Are you looking to get married in the State of Wisconsin?
The County Clerk's Office staff does marriage license interviews, which provide couples (applicants) the paperwork needed to get married.
The officiant and two (2) witnesses of the ceremony sign to complete the form after the service is concluded, and the officiant returns this marriage license to any Register of Deeds in the State of Wisconsin. This recorded license is the document that recognizes the marriage by the State of Wisconsin.
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 in the County Clerk's Office.
How does a couple get a marriage license?
The Outagamie County Clerk's Office schedules marriage license interviews by appointment. Scheduling is offered for the current week and the following week on the calendar. Our office phone number is (920) 832-5077.
When should you schedule the appointment? We recommend scheduling between a month and two (2) weeks prior to the wedding for a marriage license appointment. Appointments are offered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and typically take 20 to 30 minutes.
- Attendance at the interview is limited to the couple only (independent interpreter if required). No additional family members are permitted at the marriage license appointment.
- No refunds will be issued.
- You must have definitive plans with an officiant to perform your ceremony.
- Effective July 1, 2022, marriage licenses will be valid for 60 days with a 4-day waiting period.
- The County Clerk does not make marriage arrangements.
Applicants can apply in any County Clerk's Office in Wisconsin, if the couple wishes to get married in Wisconsin.
Both Applicants Need a Valid Photo I.D.
Examples used include:
- Unexpired U.S. Driver License
- Unexpired 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. Refer to the multi-language appointments section for details.
Both Applicants Need Proof of Residential Address
Does the I.D. have your current address? If yes, your I.D. can be used.
If not, a dated piece of mail is needed which should have the applicant's full name and current address. Electronic examples of address verification are acceptable.
Examples used include:
- Utility Bill
- Paycheck Stub
- Bank Statement
- Lease Agreement
- Unsure? Call our office to see if the item qualifies.
Note: You do not have to be a Wisconsin resident to apply.
Both Applicants Need a Certified Copy of Birth Record
A certified copy of your birth record issued by the state or county where you were born.
This vital record should have a “raised seal” indicating its legitimacy. The birth record must be legible, not tattered and/or 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:
- Not a hospital birth certificate.
- Not a photocopy of a birth record.
- Birth certificate cannot be laminated.
Note: If the original birth record being used is in another language other than English, the applicant must include a certified English translation of the birth record. The applicant will need to bring the original non-translated copy and the certified translated copy for comparison purposes.
If the birth record is not obtainable, please call the County Clerk's Office to discuss options.
Both Applicants Need a Social Security Card or Number
If possible, please bring in each applicant’s Social Security card, but if one cannot be located, writing the 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
It is helpful to have the following information written down for the appointment, as we will be asking it at the time of your interview:
Ceremony Specifics (per Wis. Stat. §765):
- Ceremony Date
- Ceremony Location (the complete physical address of where the wedding ceremony will take place)
- First & Last Name of Witness # 1
- First & Last Name of Witness # 2
Officiant's Information (per Wis. Stat. §765.16):
- First & Last Name
- Mailing Address (Street Address or P.O. Box, City, State, and Zip Code)
- Phone Number
- E-mail Address
Payment
What is the cost for the marriage license?
The marriage license fee is $115 payable at the time of appointment. The waiver fee, which is needed if the marriage ceremony is happening in less than four (4) days, is an additional $25.
The Outagamie County Clerk’s Office accepts cash, check (made payable to “County Clerk”), or credit/debit card transactions. There is a convenience fee for all card transactions; $2.88 for the marriage license, or $3.50 for a marriage license and the waiver. (The convenience surcharge is currently 2.5%.)
Marriage licenses are non-refundable.
Been married before or had a name change?
Prior Marriage of Applicant:
If either applicant was married before, the person must provide proof the most recent marriage ended. Items that can be used include a Judgement of Divorce (Divorce Decree with date of when the divorce became final and the judge's signature), or a Divorce Certificate (if no name change after divorce), or a Certificate of Annulment, or a Death Certificate of former spouse.
Applicant had Name Change Prior to Upcoming Marriage:
If either applicant had a formal name change, the court-approved documents which show the update of the name are needed to review.
Who can come to the appointment?
The appointment is for the couple (applicants). It is strongly encouraged to limit attendance to 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.
You do not need to get your license in a specific county.
In 2022, the State of Wisconsin updated its procedures. Applicants do not need to get a marriage license in the county where one of the applicants resides. Couples do not need to get their license where the ceremony will take place. Couples can get their license through any County Clerk’s Office in the State of Wisconsin, and the license will be valid to use anywhere within the State of Wisconsin.
After getting the license and after the four (4) day waiting period (unless waived), the license will be valid to use for 60 days to get married within the State of Wisconsin.
Will your office schedule our marriage ceremony for us? Who can officiate our wedding?
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. Refer to the forms below about guidelines for an officiant:
Civil Ceremonies & Courthouse Weddings
Some of Outagamie County's judges and court commissioners** perform civil ceremonies through the courts system. If a couple wishes to get married at the courthouse, please contact the judges and court commissioners' offices directly to schedule a date and time for your ceremony.
**Note: As of 3/05/2026, the only judges and court commissioners who are officiating ceremonies at this time are:
When calling their offices, an office staff member will be able to assist in scheduling and possible booking of the ceremony.
Has either applicant been married before?
If yes, the County Clerk’s Office needs to see proof of how the last (most recent) marriage ended. Please provide one of the following examples which would fulfill this requirement:
- Judgement of Divorce: 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 your divorce paperwork, you must contact the Clerk of Court’s office in the county the divorce occurred. The document must be a complete document. A complete copy (all pages of the judgement) also includes the judge’s signature and the date the divorce was finalized. 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.
- Divorce Certificate: If the divorce occurred in 2016-Present Day and the divorce occurred in the State of Wisconsin, there may be an option to purchase 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 to see if this is an option for you at (920) 832-5095.
- Legal Annulment or Divorce/Death Certificate: The vital record about to the most recent marriage. If the death occurred in the State of Wisconsin, you may purchase a death certificate through the Register of Deeds, if the marriage ended in death.
Note: Per Wisconsin State Law, divorced persons may not remarry until six (6) months after the final granting of the judgement of divorce, regardless of which state the action took place.
We plan on getting married in less than four (4) days.
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 2.5% 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.
Does either applicant speak or read primarily in a language other than English?
If one or both applicants do not speak or read English, a third party needs to be present (in-person) to interpret at the time of the appointment. Couples may not 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). The translator does not need to be certified. Office staff may provide phone numbers of certified translators used from prior applicants, if needed.
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 language beyond English, and to ensure we provide the best service to couples, it is required to have your vital records translated to English prior to the appointment. When at your appointment, please be sure to include the original vital record, and the certified translated copy.
Need help getting the vital record translated? Please call our office; office staff may provide phone numbers of certified translation services used from prior applicants.
Obtain a Certified Birth Record
If an Applicant was Born in Wisconsin:
If the birth of an applicant happened in the State of Wisconsin (10/1/1907 - Present Day), a certified copy can be purchased from the Outagamie County Register of Deeds Office. The applicant will need to provide proper photo identification 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).
- Option 3 - Request Copy Online: Visit 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.
Obtain Divorce Paperwork / Death Certificate of Former Spouse
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.
Termination of Domestic Partnership
This document 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 (9/1/2013 - Present Day), a certified copy can be acquired from the Outagamie County Register of Deeds Office by providing proper photo identification and payment ($20 - cash or 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).
- Option 3 - Request Copy Online: Visit the online request portal for vital records called 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.
Former Name Change Paperwork
If either applicant had a formal name change, the court-approved documents which were used to update the name of the applicant must be included for the marriage license interview.
For More Information
If you have any questions, please contact our office directly at (920) 832-5077 for assistance.