Divorce Records in Wisconsin
Whether divorce records are public in Wisconsin and how to get a copy of a divorce decree or certificate.
Short answer: The State Vital Records Office issues a one-page Certificate of Divorce (names, date and place of divorce) for divorces from October 1907 to now; state law limits who can get a certified copy. Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records – Requesting a Vital Record
| Divorce records | The State Vital Records Office issues a one-page Certificate of Divorce (names, date and place of divorce) for divorces from October 1907 to now; state law limits who can get a certified copy. By mail the fee is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record, plus search fees for some older years; online and phone orders go through VitalChek for an extra fee. County Register of Deeds offices also issue these records. The state office does not issue divorce decrees or judgments; for the full decree, contact the clerk of court in the county where the divorce took place. |
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Where to get help in Wisconsin
More Wisconsin divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Wisconsin
- Adopting a Child in Wisconsin
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Wisconsin
- Establishing Paternity in Wisconsin
- Changing Your Name in Wisconsin
- Child Custody Laws in Wisconsin
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Wisconsin
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Wisconsin
- How to File for Divorce in Wisconsin
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Wisconsin
- All Wisconsin divorce & family law rules
FAQ
Are divorce records public in Wisconsin, and how do I get a copy?
The State Vital Records Office issues a one-page Certificate of Divorce (names, date and place of divorce) for divorces from October 1907 to now; state law limits who can get a certified copy. By mail the fee is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record, plus search fees for some older years; online and phone orders go through VitalChek for an extra fee. County Register of Deeds offices also issue these records. The state office does not issue divorce decrees or judgments; for the full decree, contact the clerk of court in the county where the divorce took place.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.