MARRIAGE LICENSE INFORMATION

Where to Apply:

Residents of Wisconsin apply in the county in which they reside.

Out of State Residents apply in the county in which they will be married.

Both must show proof of residence (Driver's license, utility invoice, etc.)

The Outagamie County Clerk is located at
Courthouse Administration Building
410 South Walnut Street
Appleton

Office Hours for Applications are:
Monday - Friday
Labor Day thru Memorial Day
8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Memorial Day thru Labor Day
7:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

When to Apply:
Application must be made at least six (6) full days before the ceremony date, but no more than 30 days.

Age:
Persons are of age to marry without parental consent at age 18. Signed parental consent of both parents or guardians is required at the time of, or prior to application for 16 and 17 years of age. Forms are available at the time of application.

If you are under 30 years of age, a state or county certified birth certificate which has the official seal and signature of the Register of Deeds, or a passport is required. Hospital or baptismal certificates are unacceptable.

Other Information Required at the Time of Application in Addition to the Preceding:

Social Security Numbers - only need to know your number, cards are not required.

By Who, When and Where will you be married. This information must be arranged before making application for license.

Years of Education Completed

Parents First, Middle, and Last Name (Mothers Maiden Name)

Place of Birth

If you were previously married:

You must show proof of how your last marriage ended. Signed copies of judgement of divorce, court annulment papers, or a Certified copy of the spouses death certificate must be provided.
If your last marriage ended in divorce, you cannot marry in Wisconsin until 6 months after the date of final decree of your divorce, even if you were divorced in and/or reside in another state. There is no provision for waving the 6 month waiting period for any cause. You may marry on the 6 month anniversary of your final divorce date (example: divorce was granted Jan 4, 2001, you marry on July 4, 2001).

Application Fee:
The application fee in Outagamie County is $80.00. The county portion of this fee is non-refundable.

Without the required information, a marriage license will not be issued.

What to Bring Along When You Apply:

Come in to apply at least six (6) days before date of ceremony

Picture ID and proof of residence
(At least one applicant must have resided in Outagamie County at least 30 days.)

Certified State or County birth certificates, if under 30 years old

Date of Ceremony, Name of Officiant, and Place of Ceremony

Your Social Security Number

Parent's first, middle and last name (mother's maiden name)

If previously married, signed copies of judgement, annulment or certified copy of spouse death certificate

Years of completed education

Application fee - $80.00

For detailed information on the above, please read the material included in this brochure.

IMPORTANT MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE FACTS

The marriage certificate is a legal document and must be completed according to strict statutory guidelines. The following rules apply to your marriage certificate:

There can be no unauthorized alterations on the marriage certificate (no whiteout, no erasures, no cross-outs).
All entries on the marriage certificate, including signatures, must be in black ink to insure legible photocopies and clear images for microfilming. The Register of Deeds or State of WI Vital Statistics will not accept a marriage certificate if any of the above occur. It will be returned and a new, properly completed record will be required.

The officiant may NOT place a seal on the marriage certificate.

You cannot keep your original marriage certificate nor make copies of it. Your marriage certificate is only of legal value if it is properly filed with the Registered of Deeds in the county in which your marriage took place.

Changing Your Last Name by Marriage:

The marriage certificate does not contain an area for you to indicate the names you will be using after your marriage.
The Testament of Marriage form will be given to you along with your marriage certificate. The Testament of Marriage, when properly completed, can be used to show your new married name.
By common practice, most agencies will accept a certified copy of a marriage certificate as proof of name change after marriage, if you choose a standard change (i.e. bride changes her last name to her husband's last name, or both of you use both of your last names.)
Name change for Social Security or your Driver's License needs to be completed through the respective agencies.

Information provided in this brochure is not inclusive, and lists the minimum requirements for a marriage license.
Refer to WI State Statute 765 for additional regulations.

A Batterham Entertainment, LLC Production