Introduction to Wisconsin Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Wisconsin birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Wisconsin birth certificates have been maintained by the Wisconsin Vital Records Office for individuals born in the state of Wisconsin since 1907.

Wisconsin Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Wisconsin state law, Wisconsin birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Wisconsin Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Wisconsin Birth Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Wisconsin Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Wisconsin Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Wisconsin Birth Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Wisconsin birth certificate 
• A person who can demonstrate that the record is required to protect a personal or property right
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Wisconsin Birth Certificate

Wisconsin Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

An uncertified copy of a Wisconsin birth certificate is available to anyone who applies. An uncertified a Wisconsin birth certificate will contain the same information as a certified a Wisconsin birth certificate but will not be acceptable for legal purposes, such as obtaining identification.  An uncertified copy of a Wisconsin birth certificate is just as useful for genealogy purposes.

Wisconsin Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Wisconsin Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Wisconsin Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Wisconsin Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Wisconsin Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Wisconsin birth certificate online.  It usually takes 7-10 days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Wisconsin birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Wisconsin birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Wisconsin birth certificate
• Sex on the Wisconsin birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Wisconsin birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Wisconsin birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Wisconsin birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Wisconsin birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Wisconsin birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Wisconsin Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI  53701-0309

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Wisconsin: You may go to any county health department in the State of Wisconsin to obtain a certified copy of a Wisconsin birth certificate. Most Wisconsin birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Wisconsin Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Wisconsin birth certificate is $20.00, which includes one certified copy of the Wisconsin birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Wisconsin birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $3.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to “Wisconsin Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.