Introduction to Wisconsin Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Wisconsin Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure. 
  

Wisconsin Divorce certificates have been maintained by the Wisconsin Vital Records Office for individuals divorced in the state of Wisconsin since 1907.  The State Office has scattered records earlier than 1857.  Records before October 1, 1907, are very incomplete.

Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

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

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

Wisconsin Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

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

Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Online

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

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

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

Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

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