Introduction to Wisconsin Death Certificates

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

Wisconsin Death certificates have been maintained by the Wisconsin Vital Records Office for individuals that died in the state of Wisconsin since 1907.

Wisconsin Death Certificate Authorized Persons

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

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Wisconsin Death Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Wisconsin Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Wisconsin Death Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Wisconsin Death Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Wisconsin Death 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 Death Certificate

Wisconsin Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

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

Wisconsin Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Wisconsin Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Wisconsin Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Wisconsin Death 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 Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Wisconsin Death 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 Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Wisconsin Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Wisconsin Death certificate
• Sex on the Wisconsin Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Wisconsin Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Wisconsin Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Wisconsin Death 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 Death certificate. Most Wisconsin Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Wisconsin Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Wisconsin Death certificate is $20.00, which includes one certified copy of the Wisconsin Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Wisconsin Death 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.