Marriage records in Dane County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. DaneCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for Dane County. The official custodian of these records is the Dane County Register of Deeds, where marriage certificates are filed and maintained. You can also request records through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, visit the Register of Deeds office in person, or submit a request by mail.
Dane County Marriage Records Search
In Wisconsin, the county Register of Deeds is responsible for registering and maintaining vital records at the local level, including marriage certificates. The Dane County Register of Deeds maintains marriage records for marriages that occurred within Dane County. The collection includes marriage licenses issued by the Dane County Clerk's Office, completed marriage certificates returned by the officiant and filed with the Register of Deeds, and historical marriage records dating back many decades.
Under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 69, the Register of Deeds serves as the local registrar for vital events. Changes to existing Dane County marriage records made within 365 days of the event are handled locally; changes requested 366 days or more after the event must go through the Wisconsin State Vital Records Office.
Dane County Register of Deeds
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Dane County
Fees for marriage record copies in Dane County follow the schedule established under Wisconsin law. The table below reflects standard fees charged by the Dane County Register of Deeds and the Wisconsin Vital Records Office.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy (first copy) | $20.00 |
| Additional certified copy (same order) | $3.00 |
| Uncertified/informational copy | $20.00 |
| Search fee (included in copy fee) | Included |
| Online order through VitalChek (state level) | $20.00 + processing/shipping fees |
Fees are set by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 69. The $20.00 fee covers the search and one certified copy. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $3.00. Processing times for in-person requests are typically same-day. Mail requests through the county generally take 5–10 business days. Orders placed through the state's online system may take 2–4 weeks for standard delivery.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Dane County
There are three main ways to order a Dane County marriage certificate:
Online
The Wisconsin Vital Records Office accepts online orders for marriage certificates through VitalChek. This is the state-level ordering portal and includes additional processing and shipping fees on top of the standard $20.00 certificate fee. The Dane County Register of Deeds also references Official Records Online as an option for searching and ordering records electronically.
In Person
Visit the Dane County Register of Deeds office during business hours:
Walk-in requests are accepted. Bring a valid photo ID. Most records are available for viewing in the office free of charge, and certified copies can typically be issued the same day. Payment is accepted at the counter.
By Mail
Send your request to the Dane County Register of Deeds at the address above. Include the following with your mail request:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of the marriage
- Your relationship to the individuals on the record
- A copy of your valid photo ID
- A check or money order for $20.00 (payable to Dane County Register of Deeds), plus $3.00 for each additional copy
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
You can also request marriage certificates by mail from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office at the state level. The state vital records request page provides downloadable application forms and mailing instructions. State-level requests are useful if you are unsure which county the marriage occurred in, as the state office maintains a statewide index of vital events.
For general Dane County public record inquiries, the Dane County public records request page explains how different county departments handle records requests. Marriage records specifically should be directed to the Register of Deeds rather than the County Clerk or Clerk of Courts.