Reminder:  Marriage certificates are recorded only in the county where the marriage takes place.  In order to obtain a certified copy, it is necessary to contact the Register of Deeds office in the county of which the marriage occurs.

There are three ways to request a copy of a marriage 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.

Fees: The fee for the first copy of any marriage certificate 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 send money order payable to Register of Deeds.

Information needed to request a copy of a marriage certificate:

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 marriage certificate. Note: A "non-certified" copy of a marriage certificate is available to anyone who applies.
2. The reason for needing the record;
3. The full name of the groom as listed on the marriage certificate;
4. The full name of the bride including the maiden name;
5. The date of the marriage;
6. The county in which the marriage occurred;
7. Your signature.
8. 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.