STATE OF WISCONSIN
Chapter 69, Wis. Stats.
Page 2 of 3
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
Division of Public Health
F-05061 (Rev 05/15)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FORM
You must provide certain information to prove your eligibility to marry and to determine the appropriate jurisdiction for issuance of the
marriage license.
Each applicant MUST be prepared to show legal documentation to establish:
1. Your age – a certified copy of your birth certificate and driver’s license
2. Identity – a certified copy of your birth certificate and social security card
3. Your residence – mail, voter registration, driver’s license
4. How your last marriage ended (if applicable) – a certified copy of the divorce certificate or divorce/annulment decree or a
certified copy of the death certificate
Under specific circumstances, you may also need:
5. If you are under 18 or have a guardian, you may also need permission from your guardian
6. If applicants are related to each other closer than 2
nd
cousins, proof of sterility may be required
***Contact the County Clerk if you are unsure about any documentation you must provide when applying for the marriage license.***
Items 2 & 9 - GUARDIANSHIP
Specify if you are under the guardianship of another person who is required to give permission for you to marry. If you are under guardianship that requires your guardian’s
permission, ask the County Clerk for instructions about the guardian’s permission form.
Items 3-4 & 10-11 - PROOF OF RESIDENCE
Specify whether you were or were not a resident of the county of application for the last 30 days prior to the date of application. Be prepared to show proof to the County
Clerk.
Items 5-7 & 12-14 - PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
Enter the number of this marriage. If this is your first marriage, enter 1. Enter the method by which your last marriage ended – either divorce, annulment, or death. Be
prepared to show proof. Enter the date the last marriage ended. If this is your first marriage, then leave item ‘last marriage ended by’ and ‘date last marriage ended’ blank.
Item 15 & 16 - APPLICANTS RELATED
Under Wisconsin law, applicants closer than second cousins are not allowed to marry unless they are first cousins and can prove sterility.
Item 17 – LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE LABELS
There are 4 label options. Select the set of labels that you prefer to be used on your license and marriage certificate.
Items 18 & 29 - CURRENT NAMES (First, Middle, Last)
Enter your first name, full middle name, and current last name that you are currently using. If you are using a last name other than the name on your legal birth certificate or a
last name acquired from a previous marriage, ask the County Clerk for instructions on how to complete this item.
Items 19 & 30 - BIRTH NAMES (First, Middle, Last)
Enter your birth name. Complete this item even if the name is the same as the current name. This name should be what appears on your birth certificate.
Items 20 & 31 - DATES OF BIRTH
Enter the date your were born as it appears on your birth certificate. Supply proof of age as directed by the County Clerk.
Items 21-22 & 32-33 - COUNTRY & STATE OF BIRTH
Enter the country and state where you were born. If you were not born in the United States, enter only the country.
Items 23, 34 - MOTHER’S NAME
Enter the first, full middle, and last name of the applicant’s mother. This should be the mother’s name as it appears on your birth certificate. If you were adopted, the name
entered should be the name or your adoptive mother. If you have same sex parents, indicate Yes in item 27 or 38 as appropriate.
Items 24, 35 - FATHER’S NAME
Enter the first, full middle, and last name of the applicant’s father. This should be the father’s name as it appears on your birth certificate. If you were adopted, the name
entered should be the name or your adoptive father. If you have same sex parents, indicate Yes in item 27 or 38 as appropriate.
Items 26-28 & 37-39 - RESIDENCE
Enter the country, state, county, and city in which you claim residency. This may differ from the state where you receive your mail. If you are not a residence of the United
States, enter only the country.
Items 40-47 - will be entered by the County Clerk.
Items 48 & 49 MUST be completed in the presence of the County Clerk. Do not sign until in the presence of the County Clerk.
Items 50-59 – MARRIAGE AND OFFICIANT
Enter the marriage date, location, officiant, and witness information as currently planned.
WISCONSIN MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION