How to Get a Wisconsin Death Certificate (2026)

You get a Wisconsin death certificate from the state Vital Records Office in Madison or from a county register of deeds. A certified copy costs $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Only people with a direct and tangible interest may obtain a certified copy.

How Do You Get a Death Certificate in Wisconsin?

You get a Wisconsin death certificate from the state Vital Records Office, part of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), or from a county register of deeds. The state office holds death records registered since October 1907.

You can request a copy in four ways. Each method serves the same record, so choose whichever fits your timing and location.

By Mail

Complete the Wisconsin Vital Record Application (form F-05280), include payment and a copy of your photo ID, and mail it to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, P.O. Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309.

In Person

You can walk in to the State Vital Records Office at 1 West Wilson Street in Madison, or visit a county register of deeds office. In-person requests are often completed the same day when the record is on file.

Online or by Phone

The state uses VitalChek as its authorized vendor for online and phone orders. You can place a phone order through VitalChek at 877-885-2981. Additional vendor and processing fees apply to these orders.

At the County Level

A county register of deeds can issue a certified copy for a death that occurred in Wisconsin, regardless of which county it happened in. This is often the fastest local option.

Who Is Eligible to Request a Wisconsin Death Certificate?

Only a person with a direct and tangible interest in the record may obtain a certified copy of a Wisconsin death certificate, as set by Wisconsin Statute 69.21. This limit protects the record from misuse.

People who typically qualify include the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild of the deceased. The executor or personal representative of the estate, an attorney representing the estate, and a legal guardian also qualify.

You may also qualify if you can show the certificate is needed to determine or protect a personal or property right. Government officials acting in their official capacity may obtain copies as well.

Anyone may request an uncertified (informational) copy, since it carries no legal weight and is marked accordingly.

Wisconsin Death Certificate Cost and Processing Time

A certified Wisconsin death certificate costs $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Fees are set by state law and are the same whether you order from the state office or a county register of deeds.

Processing time depends on how you order. Mailed requests to the state office can take about two weeks plus mailing time. In-person requests at the state office or a county register of deeds are often completed the same day when the record is on file.

Online and phone orders through VitalChek add vendor and expedited-shipping fees on top of the state fee. Build in extra time if you need the certificate for probate, insurance, or benefit claims with deadlines.

Certified vs Informational Copy in Wisconsin

A certified copy is the official document you need for legal matters such as settling an estate, claiming life insurance, transferring property, or closing financial accounts. It carries the registrar's seal and signature.

An uncertified copy, sometimes called an informational copy, is printed on plain paper and stamped uncertified. It is for personal information or genealogy only and cannot be used to prove identity or for any legal purpose.

If your goal is a legal or financial transaction, always request the certified copy. If you only need the facts of the record, the uncertified copy is the lower-stakes option.

How to Get Additional or Replacement Copies

You can order extra copies at the same time as your first request for $3 each, which is the most economical approach. Estates often need several certified copies at once for banks, insurers, and government agencies.

To get additional or replacement copies later, submit a new application with the appropriate fee. The first copy on any new order is charged at $20, with each additional copy on that order at $3.

Whether you order from the state office or a county register of deeds, the eligibility rules and fees are the same. Keep at least one certified copy in a safe place so you do not have to reorder.

Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Fees, eligibility rules, and processing times can change. Confirm current details with the Wisconsin Vital Records Office or your county register of deeds before ordering.

Sources

This page draws on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office, Wisconsin Statute 69.21, and the CDC National Center for Health Statistics.

For the parent overview, see Wisconsin Death Records. For other states, see Death Records by State.