Wisconsin Birth & Death Vital Records

State Bird: American Robin
State Flower: Wood Violet
State Name Language of Origin: Miami via French
State Name Meaning: It lies red; red-stone place
Admission to Union: May 29, 1848
Source: Wikipedia

The 1852 vital records reporting law was largely ignored in Wisconsin, with a second law in 1878 gaining wider adherence. In October 1907, the state took over responsibility for maintaining Wisconsin birth records and death records, housing pre-1907 records also. The Wisconsin Vital Records office will issue certified copies to family only and informational (identical but uncertified) copies to anyone. Requests must be made in person, by fax, or by mail, but not by email, telephone, or online; the price includes a multi-year search. On-site searching of indexes and original records in the state office requires an appointment, and there is an online list by county for the earliest date by type of record. Vital records at the county level are held by the register of deeds at each county government center. Wisconsin death records and birth records before October 1907 can be searched online through the Wisconsin Historical Society.

For more information on Wisconsin vital records, visit Wisconsin Marriage & Divorce Vital Records

Wisconsin Vital Records Offices

Record Type: Birth Certificates
Bureau of Health Information and Policy
Vital Records
PO Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309
Phone: 608-266-1373
Fax: 608-255-2035
Website

Business Hours: 8AM-4:15PM
Note: An uncertified copy of a birth certificate is available to anyone who applies. An uncertified copy will contain the same information as a certified copy but will not be acceptable for legal purposes, such as obtaining identification.
Record Access Requirements: Must have a signed release from person of record or immediate family member and include the reason for the inquiry for certified copies. Uncertified copy requests do not require a release or a reason, but cannot be expedited.

Records Available: Death Records
Bureau of Health Information and Policy
Vital Records
PO Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309
Phone: 608-266-1373
Fax: 608-255-2035
Website

Business Hours: 8AM-4:15PM
Note: An uncertified copy of a birth certificate is available to anyone who applies. An uncertified copy will contain the same information as a certified copy but will not be acceptable for legal purposes, such as obtaining identification.
Record Access Requirements: Must have a signed release from immediate family member for certified copies. Uncertified copy requests do not require a release.

Records Available: State Archives
Historical Society
Archives Division
816 State St
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-264-6460
Fax: 608-264-6486
Website

Business Hours: 8AM-5PM M-F, 9AM-4PM SA

Wisconsin County Birth & Death Vital Records