Where to Apply:
County Clerk's Office
Kenosha County Administration Bldg.
1010 56th Street
8:00 a.m., to 4:30 p.m.
262-653-2552
Kenosha County Center
19600 75th St. (Hwys 45 & 50)
8:00 a.m., to 3:30 p.m., Closed 12-1 p.m.
262-857-1845
Monday through Friday
Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays.
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION FOR COUPLES WISHING TO SCHEDULE A WEDDING AT THE COURTHOUSE. YOU WILL NEED TO CALL THEM TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR THE MARRIAGE LICENSE.
Persons Who May Not Marry:
Blood relatives - nearer of kin than second cousins, except when the female is 55 years of age or older.
Persons declared incompetent by the Court.
A Person under the age of 16.
Persons who have not been divorced for six months whether the divorce was granted in Wisconsin or elsewhere.
Persons Who May Marry:
Every person who has attained the age of 18 years is of age to marry. If a person is 16 or 17 years of age, a license may be issued with the written consent of the person's parent(s), guardian(s) or custodian(s). Parent, guardian or custodian consent forms must be executed at the time of application before the County Clerk or certified in writing or verified before a Notary Public.
FEE: $80 CASH ONLY paid at the time of application (No checks, debit or credit)
MARRIAGE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must apply in person and together.
Picture ID: Male and Female - BOTH must show at the time of application a Current un-expired VALID State issued ID, Drivers License or Resident Alien ID.
Proof of Residency: Current un-expired State issued ID, Drivers License or Resident Alien ID with current address or mail (utility bill or government correspondence dated within 30-60 days) with name and street address.
BOTH APPLICANTS NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF WHERE THEY RESIDE.
RESIDENTS of the State must apply in the County in which either applicant is a resident. They may be married in any County of the State. You must have resided in Kenosha County for at least the last 30 days to establish residency as a Kenosha County resident.
NON-RESIDENTS of the State must apply in the County in which the marriage ceremony is to be performed. Proof of out-of-state residence must also be submitted.
Certified Birth Certificates are required from all applicants, regardless of age. Certified copies can be obtained from the County or State in which one was born. Photocopies, Hospital Certificates or Registration of Birth Record will NOT be accepted. Certified Birth Certificates in a foreign language must be translated into English and notarized. Translation must be done from the Certified Copy by a third uninvolved party and their signature must be notarized. Both the Certified Birth Certificate and the notarized translation must be presented at the time of application.
Certified Birth Certificates need to be in acceptable condition, unaltered, it should not be torn, have holes or tape on it.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ARE REQUIRED.
Divorce Papers/or Certified Death Certificate are required if one or both of the applicants have been previously married. They must provide a copy of the court filed stamped with the judge's signature Divorce Judgment, Annulment papers or a Certified Death Certificate from their last marriage. If the marriage ended in divorce, it must be final for a minimum of six months whether the divorce was granted in Wisconsin or elsewhere.
Name, Address and Phone Number of the Officiant performing your wedding ceremony is required.
NON-WI RESIDENT MARRIAGE OFFICIANTS REQUIRE A LETTER OF SPONSORSHIP. A sample letter is available from the County Clerk's Office upon request. Click here for Sample Letter of Sponsorship.
"Neither our office nor the State Vital Records Office is able to confirm the legality of a religious officiant. If you have a question about the legality of the officiant you have chosen, you may want to seek legal counsel."
Other Information: Other information required for completion of the application is the date of the intended marriage, location of marriage ceremony, number of this marriage, race and highest grade of education completed. Parties must take an oath that the information provided is correct and that they are free to marry under the laws of this state.
WAITING PERIOD: Upon making the application, a 5-day waiting period is required by law. This is exclusive of the day of application. The license will be issued on the sixth day and is good for 30 days from the date of issuance.
When should you apply: No more than 35 days before your date and no less than 7 days.
Weddings at the Courthouse: The Office of the County Clerk no longer schedules weddings at the Courthouse. Weddings scheduled at the Courthouse are handled through the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court, by calling 262-653-2510, or by a personal visit to the office of the Clerk of Court, Room 204 on the 2nd floor, east end of the Courthouse. If your call is not answered, leave a voice mail message, and ordinarily, it will be returned within 24 hours. The County Clerk will need at the time of the application, the date, name of judge, address and phone.
Judicial Officiants: Click here for a list of JUDICIAL OFFICIANTS. These Judicial Officiants are available to perform wedding ceremonies which will take place ONLY in the County of Kenosha. They may also perform weddings outside of the Courthouse. You must contact an officiant directly to make arrangements for your ceremony.
Witnesses: At least two adult witnesses (18 years of age or older) are required in addition to the person officiating. Witnesses are required for the ceremony but not for the application process.
PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION of this Marriage Information.