Lyla Dejesus
Wisconsin has unique marriage laws and requirements that couples must comply with for their wedding to be legally binding. The state does not impose any formal wording requirements, but there are general standards that must be met. This raises the question: Are weddings from other countries recognized in Wisconsin? This paragraph aims to introduce the topic and explore the legality of foreign marriages in the state of Wisconsin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Residency requirement | Wisconsin does not have a residency requirement for marriage. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a temporary residency requirement for applying for marriage licenses. |
| Minimum age | The minimum age to marry in Wisconsin is 18. Persons who are 16 or 17 years of age must have both their parents or legal guardians sign a written consent form. |
| Waiting period | There is a 3-day waiting period to marry after applying for a marriage license. The date of application is not counted within this period. |
| Validity period | A marriage license is valid for 30 days from the issue date. |
| Witnesses | Two competent adult witnesses are required to be present at the wedding ceremony. |
| Officiants | Officiants can include judges, appointed court commissioners, or ordained ministers. Wisconsin recognizes online and nondenominational ordained ministers. |
| Proxy marriages | Wisconsin does not allow proxy marriages. All necessary parties, including the minister, the couple, and witnesses, must be physically present at the wedding ceremony. |
| Divorce | Wisconsin does not allow anyone who has divorced in the previous six months to marry. |
| First cousins | First cousins may not marry in Wisconsin. An exception is made if a woman is over the age of 55 or either member of the couple is permanently sterile. |
| Same-sex marriage | Wisconsin honors marriage equality rights for same-sex couples. |
| Blood tests | Blood tests are not required as part of marriage license applications. |
| License fee | The fee for a marriage license varies from county to county but is typically around $100-$120. |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage license requirements
To obtain a marriage license in Wisconsin, both applicants must apply together in person at a County Clerk's office in the state. The application should be made at least four full days before the wedding date, as there is a mandatory three-day waiting period. The license is then valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. The cost of the license is $75, payable by check, cash, or card.
Each partner must provide a valid photo identification, proof of current residence, and a certified copy of their birth certificate. Non-US residents may substitute a passport, green card, or other documentation. If the address on the ID is incorrect, additional documentation, such as a utility bill or credit card statement, is required. If either applicant has been married before, they must provide a court-stamped copy of the signed divorce/annulment decree or a certified copy of the divorce/annulment certificate. Applicants may not marry until six months after their previous marriage has ended.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. If either applicant is between 16 and 17 years old, both of their parents or legal guardians must be present to sign a written consent form.
The couple must also provide the wedding date, location, and officiant's name, address, and phone number. The officiant must be at least 18 years old and can be an ordained minister, priest, judge, or other qualified individuals.
On the day of the wedding, the couple, officiant, and two adult witnesses must be physically present for the entire ceremony. The witnesses must be at least 18 years old and cannot be in the wedding party. If either applicant is in the military, only one witness signature is required.
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Who can officiate
Wisconsin has specific laws, deadlines, and regulations that couples and their officiants must follow for a wedding to be legally binding. While the state does not impose any formal wording requirements upon wedding ceremonies, it does mandate a few general standards. For instance, both partners, at least two competent adult witnesses, and the officiant must be physically present for the entire ceremony.
In Wisconsin, an officiant is required to solemnize a marriage. Eligible individuals include judges, appointed court commissioners, or ordained ministers. Those ordained by online ministries, such as the Universal Life Church, can also officiate weddings. This is a popular method that allows friends or family members to be the wedding officiant. The residence, gender, and belief systems of ministers do not matter, but they must be at least 18 years old.
To officiate a wedding in Wisconsin, one must first pursue online ordination. Then, they should visit the county clerk's office to see which documents are necessary. The clerk may request to see ordination credentials or ask for additional information. It is important to work with the same clerk's office that issues the marriage license, as practices may differ between counties.
Couples must apply for a marriage license together and in person. If either partner is a Wisconsin resident, they must apply in the county where that partner resides. If neither partner is a resident, they must apply in the county where the wedding will be held. Both residents and non-residents of Wisconsin may apply for a marriage license, and there is no residency requirement for marriage. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a temporary residency requirement for marriage license applications.
When applying for a marriage license, couples must provide the date and location of the ceremony, as well as the officiant's name, address, and phone number. There is a waiting period of at least three days from the date of application, and the license will be issued on the fourth calendar day. The wedding ceremony must then take place within 60 days for the license to be valid.
It is the officiant's responsibility to ensure that all marriage license paperwork is completed, signed, and valid before the wedding. The couple must also make mutual declarations of consent to be joined in marriage during the ceremony. After this, the officiant must pronounce, to the witnesses, that the couple is now legally married.
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Residency requirements
Wisconsin does not have a residency requirement for marriage, so neither member of the couple needs to be a resident of the state. However, if either partner resides in Wisconsin, the couple must apply for a marriage license in the county where that partner lives. If neither partner is a Wisconsin resident, the couple must apply in the county where the wedding will be held.
Each partner will be required to submit a valid photo identification, proof of current residence, and a certified copy of their birth certificate. Non-US residents may substitute a passport, green card, or other documentation. Wisconsin law requires that the couple knows the date and location of their wedding ceremony, as well as their officiant's name, address, and phone number, at the time they apply for the marriage license.
Marriage licenses in Wisconsin are issued by the County Clerk's office. The license fee is typically around $100-$120, and it is non-refundable. There is a waiting period of six calendar days from the time the couple applies for a marriage license. The clerk will not issue the license until the waiting period has ended. Couples may apply for a waiver of the waiting period in some circumstances, but this usually requires an additional fee. After the license is issued, the wedding ceremony must take place within 30 to 60 days from the issue date to be valid.
It is important to note that Wisconsin has specific requirements for who can officiate a wedding. The state only allows those who are at least 18 years old to officiate weddings. The officiant must be an authorized individual, such as a judge, appointed court commissioner, or ordained minister. Those ordained by online ministries, such as the Universal Life Church, are also able to officiate the wedding, which allows friends or family members to be the wedding officiant. The minister or officiant is responsible for ensuring that all the marriage license paperwork is completed, signed, and valid before the couple gets married.
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Waiting periods
Wisconsin imposes a mandatory waiting period of six calendar days from the time a couple applies for a marriage license. The clerk will not issue the license until the waiting period has ended. Couples may apply for a waiver of the waiting period in some circumstances, but this may attract an additional fee of $25.
After the license is issued, the wedding ceremony must take place within 30 days from the issue date to be valid. The marriage license goes into effect four days after the day of application, and the license is valid for 60 days. The wedding must take place within this 60-day time period.
Couples should be sure that the license they receive is for a religious ceremony, not a civil ceremony. While there is no religious requirement of any kind, ministers ordained by the Universal Life Church are granted authority to perform weddings in Wisconsin because they qualify as religious actors. If the couple wishes to be married by a judge or court commissioner, they must contact that person directly. Any supreme court, circuit court, or municipal judge, or any court commissioner may perform civil wedding ceremonies in the state of Wisconsin.
Additionally, Wisconsin does not allow proxy marriages. Consequently, all necessary parties, including the minister, the couple, and two competent adult witnesses, must be physically present for the entire ceremony. Each partner must, at some point in the ceremony, make some declaration of consent to the marriage, such as "I do". After this, the minister must pronounce to the witnesses that the couple is now legally married.
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Legal age to marry
Wisconsin does not have a residency requirement for marriage, so neither member of the couple needs to live in the state. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a temporary residency requirement for applying for marriage licenses in Wisconsin.
To be considered a legal wedding in Wisconsin, the ceremony must meet a few general standards. Both partners, at least two competent adult witnesses, and the minister must be physically present for the entire ceremony. Each partner must, at some point, make some declaration of consent to the marriage, such as "I do". After this, the minister must pronounce to the witnesses that the couple is now married.
In Wisconsin, a couple must apply for a marriage license together and in person. If either partner is a Wisconsin resident, the couple must apply in the county where that partner resides. If neither partner is a Wisconsin resident, the couple must apply in the county where the wedding will be held. Each partner will be required to submit a valid photo identification, proof of current residence, and a certified copy of their birth certificate. Non-US residents may substitute a passport, green card, or other documentation.
The marriage license should be ready to be picked up a week after the application, and either partner can pick it up with their photo ID. The wedding ceremony must take place within 30 days from the issue date for the license to be valid.
Now, onto the legal age to marry in Wisconsin. Wisconsin law requires that each partner be at least 18 years of age. Persons who are 16 or 17 years of age and wish to marry must have both their parents or other legal guardians appear with them in person and sign a written consent form. This consent must be written and notarized.
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Frequently asked questions
For a wedding to be legally binding in Wisconsin, the couple must apply for a marriage license together and in person. The ceremony must also meet a few general standards: both partners, at least two competent adult witnesses, and the minister must be physically present for the entire ceremony. Each partner must also make a declaration of consent, and the minister must pronounce the couple legally married.
Yes, Wisconsin does not allow proxy marriages, first cousins to marry (unless the woman is over 55 or either member is permanently sterile), or anyone who has divorced in the previous six months.
Yes, the officiant must be at least 18 years old and can be a judge, court commissioner, or ordained minister. Wisconsin recognizes online and nondenominational ordained ministers, so a quick process with an organization like the Universal Life Church can qualify someone to perform a marriage.
