State Vital Records in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Vital Records Office issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Wisconsin. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Steps to take Key facts

Steps to take when someone dies

Confirm the death occurred in Wisconsin; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.

Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:

•Online: Order through VitalChek with additional fees
•By phone: Call VitalChek at 877-885-2981
•By mail: Mail request to Wisconsin Vital Records
•In person: Visit a county Register of Deeds office, the Milwaukee City Health Office, or the Southwest Suburban Health Department (West Allis and Greenfield)

Include what the office requires with the order:

•Copy of one unexpired ID (driver's license or state ID, U.S. government photo ID, passport, tribal or military ID), or of two: bank or pay statement, lease, insurance card, utility bill, vehicle title
•Proof of eligibility or authorization where required

Allow the office's processing time (about 10 business days by mail; about 5 business days online).

State Vital Records in Wisconsin: key facts

What Wisconsin says9

Administering office: Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Vital Records Office.¹
Office location and hours: 201 E. Washington Ave., Room C100, Madison, WI 53703. Phone service counter 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday (in-person counter closed).¹
Mail orders: Wisconsin Vital Records, PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309.¹
Certificate fee: $20 for the first certified copy; $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $20.¹
Processing time: About 10 business days by mail; about 5 business days online.¹
Who may order: Immediate family; Legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative including an attorney; A person acting to determine or protect a personal or property right; Direct descendant (uncertified copy, including cause of death); Anyone (uncertified Fact of Death copy, not valid for identity purposes).¹
Filing deadline: Within 2 days after the medical certification is received.²
Public record: Any requester may obtain a copy of a death record with no waiting period; certified copies follow the eligibility rules.¹
Records available from: October 1, 1907.¹

Governing law: Wis. Stat. § 69.18

Sources2

Wisconsin vital records offices

Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Vital Records Office

Phone

608-266-1373

dhsvitalrecords@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Hours

Phone service counter 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday (in-person counter closed)

Mailing address

Wisconsin Vital Records, PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309

Website

Visit website →

Verified Oct 2026

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