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.
Administering agency
Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Vital Records Office
State Vital Records in Wisconsin: key facts
- Administering office
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Vital Records Office.
- Contact
- Phone 608-266-1373; email dhsvitalrecords@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
- Office location
- 201 E. Washington Ave., Room C100, Madison, WI 53703.
- Mail orders
- Wisconsin Vital Records, PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309.
- Certificate fee
- $20 for the first certified copy; $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $20.
- Processing time
- About 10 business days by mail; about 5 business days online.
- 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 copies).
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 6 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- October 1, 1907.
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 72 county Register of Deeds offices or Milwaukee/West Allis City Health Offices
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Proof of eligibility
- Allow the office's processing time (about 10 business days by mail; about 5 business days online).
Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Vital Records Office
Phone: 608-266-1373
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call VitalChek at 877-885-2981. by mail: Mail request to Wisconsin Vital Records. in person: Visit 72 county Register of Deeds offices or Milwaukee/West Allis City Health Offices. Mail orders go to Wisconsin Vital Records, PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309.
The death certificate must be filed within 6 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID; Proof of eligibility. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Wisconsin primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Vital Records Office