Have a question? Need assistance? Use our online form to ask a librarian for help.
Based on the date of the vital event (birth, death, marriage, divorce), determine whether you are seeking a state, territory, county, or parish level record. If the record you are seeking has been digitized, you can access it online, through the projects described below. If it has not been digitized or if you need a certified copy, contact the appropriate state or county office to view the record.
Adoption Records |
Note: The Wisconsin Adoption Records Search Program is set forth in State Statutes Sections 48.432 and 48.433. The primary purpose of the law is to help persons who have been adopted or whose birth parents have terminated their parental rights in Wisconsin to obtain information about themselves and their birth relatives. Use the forms provided to submit requests. |
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Birth Records |
Note: In 1852, Wisconsin initiated an early, and largely unsuccessful, attempt to record births at the county level. In 1878, a similar law was more successful. On 1 October 1907, the state took over and maintains these records to date. The Wisconsin Historical Society provides an index of many Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records External. Also Note: Wisconsin also has "Delayed birth certificates" maintained at the county level, which may pre-date the initial 1852 law. |
Death Records |
Note: In 1852, Wisconsin initiated an early, and largely unsuccessful, attempt to record deaths at the county level. In 1878, a similar law was more successful. On 1 October 1907, the state took over and maintains these records to date. The Wisconsin Historical Society provides an index of many Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records External. |
Marriage Records |
Note: The Wisconsin Historical Society provides an index of many Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records External. |
Divorce Records |
Note: Between 1836 and 1848, the territorial legislature granted divorces, which have been recorded in the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society newsletter (April 1980 issue). |
The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.
Using Ancestry Library Edition for Wisconsin
Begin your search through Ancestry's vast collections, by viewing the list designated as Wisconsin records External.
Using FamilySearch for Wisconsin
FamilySearch provides useful state and county wikis that make excellent starting points for research. The Wisconsin Wiki External includes links to each of its counties.
FamilySearch has digitized many of its microfilms containing county courthouse records including birth, death, and marriage. Not all records have been indexed yet, so search engine results may NOT show you the full range of FamilySearch data. You must browse the FamilySearch catalog External listings for each county to view the full set of records available. The vast amount of accessible original records is well worth your time to explore.
There is no fee to use FamilySearch, but you must create a free, personal account to access the databases and digital records.
Contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office to learn more about accessing state-level records and explore additional options for obtaining copies.
Below are selected print publications for statewide vital records. The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.
To locate additional published materials, go to the Print Resources section of this guide for search tips on locating published county courthouse records, abstracts, and indexes that may aide you in locating original records at the county level.