In Wisconsin, certified death certificates are issued by Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Vital Records Office. The state fee is $20 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Wisconsin
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $20 |
| Each additional copy | $3 |
'$20 for first copy of each record'; '$3 for each additional copy of the same record' (U.S. mail). The $20 search fee is non-refundable if the record is not found. VitalChek charges an extra fee for online/phone orders.
Who can order a certified copy
Certified copy requires a 'direct and tangible interest' (Wis. Stat. § 69.20/69.21):; Immediate family: parent named on the certificate, brother/sister, current spouse, child, maternal or paternal grandparent, current registered domestic partner; The decedent's legal custodian or guardian; A representative authorized by any of the above, including an attorney; Anyone who can show the certificate is necessary to determine or protect a personal or property right.
A non-certified informational copy is also available. It cannot be used for legal or financial purposes such as closing accounts or claiming benefits.
How to order
- Online (official vendor: VitalChek)
- County/local office
The 72 county Register of Deeds offices and two city health offices (Milwaukee and West Allis) also issue vital records; 'Not all records are available.'.
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How long it takes
DHS: online (VitalChek) orders 'completed in about five business days'; mail 'about 10 business days to complete' (not counting mail time). The death application says requests 'may take up to 2 weeks plus mail time.'.
The funeral home’s role
The office’s pages do not describe the funeral home’s role. Many families ask the funeral director to order the first copies when arrangements are made.
The state office's in-person counter is closed; state orders are by mail or through VitalChek. 'Fact of Death' certificates omit cause and manner of death; 'Extended Fact of Death' includes them. Uncertified copies are plain paper and cannot be used for identity.
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Wisconsin
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Wisconsin.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Vital Records Office
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Wisconsin)
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Vital Records Office
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Vital Records Office (PDF)
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.