Wisconsin residents can order a certified birth certificate online through VitalChek, the state’s contracted vendor for online and phone orders. The Wisconsin Vital Records Office, part of the Department of Health Services (DHS), holds birth records from October 1, 1907, to the present, with certified copies also available through any of the state’s 72 county Register of Deeds offices. Certified copies cost $20 for the first copy plus $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
Who Can Order
Wisconsin law limits certified copies to people with a “direct and tangible interest” in the record under Wis. Stat. § 69.20(1). This generally includes:
- The person named on the certificate
- Parents ordering their child’s certificate (submit your own information as the applicant, along with your own ID)
- Direct family members with a qualifying relationship
- Legal guardians or representatives
Note that grandchildren, stepparents, stepchildren, and stepsiblings have more limited eligibility, so check the application form’s relationship categories carefully if you fall into one of these groups.
How to Apply Online
- Go to VitalChek’s website (www.vitalchek.com) — this is the only vendor Wisconsin DHS has contracted with for online orders.
- Select Wisconsin and choose the birth certificate you need: long-form (includes birth facility, mother’s residence, time of birth, weight, and length) or short-form (name, sex, birth date, place of birth, and parents’ names).
- Enter the required details, including the full name on the record, date of birth, and parents’ names. If the last name is common (Anderson, Johnson, Smith, etc.), provide extra identifying details like place of birth or parents’ full names to help the search.
- Confirm your relationship to the person named on the certificate.
- Pay online by major credit card — VitalChek accepts American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa, and adds its own service fee on top of the state fee.
- Wait for delivery. Your certified copy will be mailed once DHS processes the order.
Online Ordering Fees
- First certified copy: $20.00
- Each additional copy in the same order: $3.00
- VitalChek service fee: added on top of the state fee for online and phone orders
Fees are non-refundable even if no matching record is found, and Wisconsin does not accept cancellation requests once an order is submitted.
Processing Times
Standard mail-in and online orders are generally processed within about 10 business days once DHS receives full payment and documentation, though times can vary with demand. If you need a faster option, ordering in person at a county Register of Deeds office is typically the quickest path since many can issue certificates for any Wisconsin birth on the spot.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an unauthorized third-party website. VitalChek is the only vendor Wisconsin DHS has contracted with for phone and online orders — other sites aren’t part of this arrangement.
- Submitting incomplete identifying information for common names. Requests for names like Smith or Johnson without additional details (birthplace, parents’ names) can delay or stall your search.
- Assuming any relative qualifies automatically. Wisconsin’s “direct and tangible interest” standard restricts some relationships, such as stepfamily members and grandchildren, more than others.
- Expecting a refund after a “no record found” result. The state fee covers the search itself and is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Other Ways to Apply
If you’d rather not order through VitalChek, Wisconsin also offers:
- By phone through VitalChek at 877-885-2981.
- By mail to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, including a completed application, ID, and a check or money order made payable to “State of Wis. Vital Records.”
- In person at any of Wisconsin’s 72 county Register of Deeds offices, or through dedicated city health department offices in Milwaukee and West Allis.
Official Contacts
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office
Website:
[Login to see the link]
Online/Phone Ordering (Authorized Vendor):
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Application Forms:
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Phone:
608-266-1373
Email:
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Mailing Address (USPS):
Wisconsin Vital Records
PO Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309
United States
Street Address (UPS, FedEx, DHL):
Wisconsin Vital Records
201 E. Washington Ave., Room C100
Madison, WI 53703
United States
Join The Discussion
Ordering a Wisconsin birth certificate online through VitalChek is straightforward, but the state’s “direct and tangible interest” rule and common-name search requirements sometimes catch applicants off guard. Have you ordered a Wisconsin birth certificate recently — online, through a county Register of Deeds, or by mail? Share your experience with processing times, relationship documentation, or any tips for avoiding delays.
