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How do we get a marriage license in Dane County?
A common question, answered by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 10, 2026
1 answer
From MadisonWI.com
The Dane County Clerk issues marriage licenses by appointment only, over Zoom, and both of you must join the call. You can book within 45 days of your ceremony, and the calendar fills quickly from May through October. Wisconsin now lets couples apply in any county in the state, wherever they live. You'll each need photo ID and your Social Security number, proof of your current address, and a certified copy of your birth record, plus proof of how any previous marriage ended (a CCAP printout isn't accepted). Know who will officiate and the time and place of the wedding before you apply. Every application has a three-day waiting period, and the license is issued on the fourth day, so apply at least four days ahead to avoid paying to waive the wait. The license is good for 60 days and covers a ceremony anywhere in Wisconsin. Applicants must be 18, or 16 or 17 with parental consent. Source: Dane County Clerk, Marriage License (checked November 2026).
Written by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 10, 2026