Wisconsin marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk, so where you apply in the Milwaukee area depends on where you live, not where you are marrying. The state rules are the same everywhere; the fees, hours and appointment systems differ by county, and several details changed after the pandemic. This guide covers the four counties that make up metro Milwaukee as of November 2026. Check the county link before you go; fees and hours do change. For the statewide rules see our Wisconsin marriage license guide.
The statewide rules
- Apply in the county where either of you has lived for at least 30 days. If you both live outside Wisconsin, apply in the county where the ceremony will be held.
- Both of you appear in person with government photo ID, your Social Security numbers, a certified birth certificate, and proof of how any previous marriage ended (divorce judgment or death certificate).
- There is a waiting period before the license is valid; most counties count it as three full days from the application. A clerk can waive it for an additional fee.
- The license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in Wisconsin, not just the issuing county.
- The ceremony needs an authorized officiant (a judge, court commissioner, clergy member or someone ordained online) and two adult witnesses.
County by county
| County | Where to apply | Fee | Waiting period | Civil ceremony at the courthouse? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | Milwaukee County Clerk, 901 N 9th St, Room 105, Milwaukee | $120 (cash or card; 3% card fee) | License valid after a 4-day wait per the county page; $25 waiver | Courthouse ceremonies suspended until further notice; the county links to a list of officiants |
| Waukesha | Waukesha County Clerk, 515 W Moreland Blvd, Waukesha; by appointment, Mon–Fri 8:30–3:30 | $110 | 3 days; $25 waiver petition | Yes: circuit judges and court commissioners perform ceremonies in and outside the courthouse; book the officiant before you apply |
| Ozaukee | Ozaukee County Clerk, 121 W Main St, Room 128, Port Washington | $100 (cash or card) | 3 days, not counting the application day; waiver for a fee | Yes: contact the Clerk of Courts for a judge; ceremonies can be held at the Justice Center |
| Washington | Washington County Clerk, 484 Rolfs Ave, Suite 1300, West Bend | $110 | 3 calendar days; $25 waiver | Courthouse ceremonies suspended; schedule directly with a listed court commissioner |
Links: Milwaukee County, Waukesha County, Ozaukee County, Washington County.
Milwaukee County in detail
The Milwaukee County Clerk’s marriage license office is on the first floor of the courthouse at 901 N 9th Street, Room 105. The fee is $120, payable in cash or by card with a 3% card fee. The county’s page states the license becomes valid after a four-day wait; a $25 waiver shortens it. The courthouse is no longer performing civil ceremonies, which catches out couples planning a quick wedding downtown: you will need to book a judge, court commissioner or other officiant yourself, and the county provides a list. Parking is in the MacArthur Square structure beneath the courthouse; allow time for security screening.
If you want a courthouse-style wedding
With Milwaukee County’s courthouse ceremonies suspended, the closest equivalents are Waukesha County, where judges and court commissioners perform ceremonies in and outside the courthouse, and Ozaukee County’s Justice Center in Port Washington. Both require you to arrange the officiant first. Many couples instead hire an officiant and hold a short ceremony somewhere photogenic: the lakefront at Veterans Park or Lake Park (Milwaukee County Parks photo permit required for posed sessions), the Milwaukee Art Museum grounds, the Third Ward Riverwalk, or Boerner Botanical Gardens, which issues two-hour ceremony permits spring to fall. We photograph and film these small weddings at our half-day rate; see our Wisconsin elopement guide for how the day runs.
Timing your application around the wedding
Apply between three and five weeks before the wedding. That clears the waiting period comfortably, stays inside the 60-day validity, and leaves time to fix a problem with a document. If one of you is divorced and the judgment is from another state, request a certified copy a month earlier than that; it is the document most often missing at the counter. After the ceremony the officiant files the signed license with the issuing county, and certified copies of the marriage certificate are ordered from the Register of Deeds in that county.
Photo and video for a Milwaukee wedding
Whether it is a short ceremony on the lakefront or a full day at the Pfister, VIDART covers Milwaukee weddings from Madison with no travel fee. Half-day photo or video coverage is $1,500, a full day is $3,000, and both together start at $3,000. See our Milwaukee wedding photographer and Milwaukee wedding videographer pages for venues, portrait locations and packages.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a marriage license in Milwaukee County?
$120, payable in cash or by card with a 3% card fee, at the County Clerk’s office in Room 105 of the courthouse at 901 N 9th Street.
Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Milwaukee?
Yes. Milwaukee County’s page states the license is valid after a four-day wait; most other Wisconsin counties count three days. A $25 waiver can shorten it.
Can we get married at the Milwaukee County Courthouse?
Not currently. The county lists courthouse civil ceremonies as cancelled until further notice and provides a list of officiants instead. Waukesha and Ozaukee counties still offer ceremonies by judges and court commissioners if arranged in advance.
Can we apply in Milwaukee if we are getting married in Door County?
Yes. A Wisconsin license is valid anywhere in the state for 60 days. You apply in the county where one of you has lived for 30 days.
What documents do we need?
Photo ID, Social Security numbers, certified birth certificates, and proof of how any previous marriage ended. Out-of-state divorce judgments must be certified copies.
VIDART photographs and films weddings across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan: $1,500 for a half day, $3,000 for a full day, photo and video together from $3,000, no travel fee.
Related reading
- How to Get a Marriage License in Chicago and the Suburbs: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will and Kane County (2026)
- The Best Time of Year to Get Married in Wisconsin: Weather, Light and Prices by Month
- Wedding Day Timeline for Photos and Video: Hour-by-Hour Samples That Actually Work
Getting married in Milwaukee? See our Milwaukee wedding photographers and Milwaukee wedding videographers pages.
