How much do death certificates cost in Wisconsin?
A certified copy costs $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office.
| Number of copies | Total cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $20 |
| 5 | $32 |
| 10 | $47 |
Online or expedited services (such as VitalChek) charge an additional $10 to $20 on top of the state fees.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director handles the initial order. This is the simplest route. Tell them how many copies you need when making arrangements.
From the state Vital Records Office
The Wisconsin Vital Records Office handles all state-level requests.
- In person. Visit the office at 1 West Wilson Street, Room 158, Madison, WI 53703.
- By mail. Send a completed application, a photocopy of your current and unexpired government-issued ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order payable to "State of Wis. Vital Records." Mail processing takes approximately 10 business days (not including mailing time).
From your local Register of Deeds
Many county Register of Deeds offices issue certified death certificates. Contact your local office for availability and fees.
Online
Order through VitalChek or other authorized expedited services. Processing can be as fast as same-day if submitted by a set cutoff time. Additional service fees apply.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| State office (in person) | Same day |
| Local Register of Deeds (in person) | Same day to a few days |
| By mail | 10 business days (plus mailing) |
| VitalChek (online) | 1 to 5 business days |
Who can order?
Wisconsin restricts certified copies to:
- Surviving spouse
- Parent or grandparent
- Adult child, grandchild, or sibling
- Legal guardian
- Anyone with written authorization from an eligible party
- Anyone with a demonstrated need for legal purposes
You must provide a government-issued photo ID, your relationship to the deceased, and the purpose of the request.
What to know about Wisconsin specifically
The $3 additional copy rate is very cheap. Order all the copies you need at once. The first copy is $20, but each additional copy is only $3. Ten copies cost $47 in Wisconsin, compared to $150 in Tennessee or $200 in Arizona.
Register of Deeds varies by county. Not all county Register of Deeds offices issue death certificates, and fees may differ from the state rates. Call ahead before visiting.
The community property connection. Wisconsin is a community property state (using the term "marital property"). When settling an estate, the surviving spouse already owns their half of marital property, but you will still need certified death certificates to retitle the deceased's share and to close accounts held in the deceased's name alone.
For a broader overview of the death certificate process, see our guide on how to get death certificates. If you are handling probate, see our guide on how probate works in Wisconsin.
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