There are three ways to request a copy of a death certificate: by mail, credit card or in person.

Mail requests to:

Register of Deeds
PO Box 133
Portage WI 53901

Use the application form (a PDF file) and include all information listed below. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope. You must also enclose the necessary fees (see below). Upon receipt in our office, mailed requests are generally completed in 1-5 working days.

In-person requests may be made at the Register of Deeds Office. It is located at the Columbia County Courthouse, 400 DeWitt St. in Portage. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Identification is required for all records that are picked up. You may wish to complete the application form (a PDF file) before you visit our office.

Credit card requests: To request a death certificate on-line click on order order by credit card

Fees: Fees: The fee for the first copy of any death record is $20.00. Additional copies of the same record, ordered at the same time, are $3.00 each. Therefore, two copies of the same record would be $23.00. NO PERSONAL CHECKS. Please make money order payable to Register of Deeds. Please note that there is an additional $10 fee assessed if requesting a death certificate on-line with a credit card.

Information needed to request a copy of a birth record:

1. The relationship between the person named on the record and the person making the request. Example: my own, my child's, etc. Only the person named on the record, the immediate family of that person or anyone with written permission from the person named on the record or the person's family may get a "certified" copy of a death certificate. Note: A "non-certified" copy of a death certificate is available to anyone who applies.
2. The reason for needing the record;
3. The full name listed on the death record;
4. The date of death;
5. The city and county of death;
6. You may include the decedent's age, birth date, occupation or Social Security number. This information is not required for us to conduct a search; Your signature.
7. A self-addressed stamped envelope.

Identification is required to pick up certified copies of vital records in person.  The acceptable forms of identification are:

All forms of identification must show your current name and address.  Expired cards or documents will not be accepted. You do not have to present identification if the certificate copies are mailed to you.