WHERE TO APPLY
Anyone being married in the State of Wisconsin, residents and non-residents, may apply in any county in the State of Wisconsin.  You begin the process by scheduling an appointment online.

LICENSE FEE
A fee of $110 to be paid at the time of application is required.  We accept cash, check and credit card payments. 

AGE OF APPLICANTS
Applicants must be at least 18 years-old. If a person is 16 or 17 years of age, a license may be issued with the notarized written consent of the person's parents, guardian or custodian. Consent forms are available in the County Clerk's Office.

WAITING PERIOD AND VALIDITY
There is a three calendar day waiting period before the license is issued and released. The license is valid for 60 days including the day of issuance, and the ceremony date must fall within this period. 

Applicants or officiants who have questions or concerns regarding the officiant’s authority to perform marriages in Wisconsin should seek legal counsel. Information as to the validity of any specific religious organization or any ordination process is not available from the County Clerk’s Office or from the State Vital Records Office.

Failure to meet the following requirements will delay the issuance of your license.

• Both parties must present proof of identification. This is a valid (not expired) driver's license or state photo ID.
• Both parties must provide proof of 30 day residency. If a current address is not shown on the valid driver's license, a utility bill or government mail addressed to that person, with a date at least 30 days old, must be presented.
• Applicants, regardless of age, must present a STATE CERTIFIED birth certificate, which has a raised seal and lists the full first and last names of the applicant's parents. If you were born in Wisconsin, you can obtain a state certified birth certificate from any Register of Deeds in the State. Please DO NOT bring any of the following: hospital certificate (usually with footprints), baptismal certificate, birth abstract, birth registration, or a photocopy of a birth certificate, as these items are not acceptable.
• If either party has been previously married, a signed copy of a judgment of divorce, a certified copy of a divorce certificate (available if divorced in Wisconsin after January of 2016, state annulment paper, or death certificate from the last marriage must be presented.
• Date and location of ceremony (Name of Wisconsin county as well as the township, village or city where the ceremony will take place.)
• Name, address, and telephone number of person performing the ceremony.
• Both applicants must provide Social Security numbers.
• All required documents must be in English. Original documents in a foreign language must be presented along with a notarized translation into English.

WAITING PERIOD
There is a three-day waiting period, not including the day of application, after which the license is valid for 60 days, including the day of issuance. In some instances, a waiver of the waiting period may be granted at the discretion of the County Clerk, due to unusual circumstances. The cost of the waiver is $25.00 and should be approved before applying for your marriage license. Waivers will not be granted to anyone under the age of 18.

DIVORCED PERSONS
Persons divorced must wait six months from the date of judgment before marrying. This applies to both Wisconsin residents out-of-state residents. Marriages of Wisconsin residents outside the state and contrary to Wisconsin laws are null and void in Wisconsin. Marriage in Wisconsin by a person residing in another state is prohibited if such marriage would be void in the home state or jurisdiction of the person.

EXPIRATION OF LICENSE
The license is valid for 60 days including the date of issuance. The marriage must be performed within this period.

Justice of the Peace Ceremonies now is scheduling at the Tower Heritage Center. (Washington County Clerk of Courts has suspended Courthouse Ceremonies at this time.)

Please direct questions to [email protected].

Assistant Family Court Commissioner:

Washington County Supplemental Court Commissioners:

County Clerk - Marriage License 

Washington County Government Center
Suite 2027
432 East Washington Street
West Bend, WI 53095

 SCHEDULE YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE APPOINTMENT HERE

(Up to 60 days prior to your ceremony, but no later than 8 days prior to your ceremony.)

(Please include name and ceremony date in the subject line.)

Phone:262-335-4301

For more detailed instructions, processing times, and questions please visit travel.state.gov OR contact the Passport Information Center:

Phone: 877-487-2778
TTD/TTY: 888-874-7793
Email: [email protected]

The County Clerk's office is urging their customers to *never* pay a third party to complete their passport application and
to never provide your confidential information to a third party charging a fee.

All applicants must appear in person. Minors 15 and under must appear with both parents. Minors ages 16-17 must appear with one parent and provide their own identification.
You must submit the following:

1. A completed application, available at the County Clerk’s office or online at travel.state.gov.
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship:
   • Government issued certified birth certificate with a raised seal and full names of applicants’ parents. (Please note: Hospital or baptismal certificates, and birth registrations are not acceptable)  OR
   • Expired passport issued when you were at least 16 years of age. OR
   • Naturalization Certificate
3. Proof of Identity is required in the form of a valid driver’s license or a Federal, State, or Municipal identification card.
4. One Photograph compliant with US Dept. of State guidelines (our office takes photos for a fee of $15).
5. A separate check or money order for each application made out to the US Department of State. (See Fee Schedule below)
6. A processing fee of $35 to the Washington County Clerk. This fee, and the fee for photos, can be paid by cash or check. (Sorry, we do not accept debit or credit cards.)