
Congratulations! If you've found yourself at this page it is likely that you are either planning to be married or have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in Wisconsin. Ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church have successfully performed thousands of legal marriages in Wisconsin. The information provided below will walk you through the steps one must follow to become a minister and perform a valid wedding ceremony in the state of Wisconsin.
- ULC Ordination Accepted: Yes
- Minister Registration Required: Sometimes
- Minister's Residency: Irrelevant
- Minister's Minimum Age: 18
- Marriage License Waiting Period: 6 Days
- Marriage License Valid For: 30 Days
- Marriage License Return Within: 3 Days
1 How to Become an Ordained Minister in Wisconsin
If you haven't already, you should get ordained online with the Universal Life Church. Ordination is free and can be completed in just a matter of minutes. Thousands of legally valid marriages are performed by ULC ministers around the world every year. Begin the process by clicking the big blue button below!
2 Officiating a Wedding in Wisconsin
Next, you should contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk). Let them know that you are a minister of the Universal Life Church in Seattle, and ask what they will require of you to officiate a legal marriage.
Select your County Clerk Register to quickly generate the contact information for your local marriage authority.
Select a county contact

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3 License to Marry in Wisconsin
After you've contacted your marriage authority, you should visit our online store to purchase whatever documentation will be required. We typically advise ministers in Wisconsin to get an Ordination Package and add on a Letter of Good Standing. Although minister registration is not required in Wisconsin we have been informed by ULC ministers in the area that county clerks will frequently ask to see proof of ordination before they will accept a marriage as having been legally solemnized. Additionally, please attempt to leave at least 3 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials in advance.
Performing a wedding in Wisconsin used to be quite complex. However, recent changes to the law have broken down a lot of the institutional barriers that were in place and now make it much, much easier for a Universal Life Church minister to operate and legally perform wedding ceremonies in the state.
4 How to get Married in Wisconsin
Now that you've done all of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their Wisconsin marriage license from the appropriate office. This license is valid for 30 days, and there is a 6 -day waiting period between when the couple applies for the marriage license in Wisconsin and when they may pick it up and legally solemnize the marriage. Please be aware that the signed license must be returned to the issuing office within three days of the wedding ceremony.
At the Universal Life Church we receive several calls from wedding officiants in Wisconsin, after they've received their license to marry by getting ordained online, asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony. Once the legal matters have been taken care of, officiating a wedding (while a sometimes-daunting task) can be a great deal of fun. We would suggest that new Wisconsin wedding ministers concerned about the ceremony peruse one of our helpful wedding guides. The minister training section of our website should offer a helpful refresher for more experienced ministers..
5 Advice for Performing a Wisconsin Wedding
In Wisconsin, there are countless ways to plan a wedding you'll remember the rest of your life. Wisconsin provides just about any type of wedding you could want, from rustic barns in rural Wisconsin to beach venues on Lake Michigan, there is a perfect wedding venue for every style. The most popular time for couples to get married is during the summer between July and August. July is perfect for an outdoor wedding, as it is usually the hottest month of the year in Wisconsin with an average of 21 days with 9+ hours of daily sunshine. If the wedding ceremony does take place outdoors during the summer, it is important for guests and the wedding party to dress accordingly as it can be humid. There is a growing trend in Wisconsin of having an intimate backyard wedding, which can be a beautiful and unique location for the couple looking to save on venue costs. Wedding officiant fees in Wisconsin can vary substantially depending on the officiant’s level of experience, whether travel is involved, and how complex the ceremony will be. Weddings in Wisconsin are in the middle in terms of the national average, with wedding officiant fees typically staying within a reasonable price range.

Wisconsin Marriage Code
Marriage in Wisconsin is governed by Chapter 765 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Ministers who got ordained online with the Universal Life Church have successfully solemnized thousands of weddings in the state. Below, you will find that we have reproduced a relevant excerpt of this code.765.16" Marriage contract, how made; officiating person. (1m)",Marriage may be validly solemnized and contracted in this state only after a marriage license has been issued therefor, and only by the mutual declarations of the 2 parties to be joined in marriage that they take each other as husband and wife, made before an authorized officiating person and in the presence of at least 2 competent adult witnesses other than the officiating person. The following are authorized to be officiating persons: View the Wisconsin Statutes on the official state site.
To view the in-depth wedding laws for Wisconsin state:
Wisconsin Marriage Laws⇓ Show the rest
Adams County
400 Main St.Friendship, Wisconsin
53934
Phone: (608) 339-4200
Fax: (608) 339-4514
Adams County website »
Ashland County
201 W. Main St. Room 206Ashland, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 682-7008
Fax: (715) 682-7035
Ashland County website »
Barron County
335 E. Monroe Avenue, Room 2130Barron, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 537-6200
Barron County website »
Bayfield County
117 E Fifth St.Washburn, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 373-6119
Bayfield County website »
Brown County
305 E Walnut St., Room 120Green Bay, Wisconsin
Phone: (920) 448-4016
Fax: (920) 448-4498
Brown County website »
Buffalo County
407 South Second StreetAlma, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 685-6230
Fax: (608) 685-6213
Buffalo County website »
Burnett County
7410 County Road K #105Siren, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 349-2173
Fax: (715) 349-2169
Burnett County website »
Calumet County
206 Court StreetChilton, Wisconsin
53014
Phone: (920) 849-1458
Fax: (920) 849-1469
Calumet County website »
Chippewa County
711 N. Bridge St. Room 111Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 726-7994
Fax: (715) 726-4582
Chippewa County website »
Clark County
517 Court St., Room 301Neillsville, Wisconsin
54456
Phone: (715) 743-5148
Fax: (715) 743-5154
Clark County website »
Columbia County
112 E. Edgewater St.Portage, Wisconsin
53901
Phone: (608) 742-9677
Fax: (608) 742-9875
Columbia County website »
Crawford County
225 North Beaumont Road, Suite 220Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 326-0219
Fax: (608) 326-0220
Crawford County website »
Dane County
210 Marin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Room 106AMadison, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 266-4121
Fax: (608) 266-4361
Dane County website »
Dodge County
3rd Floor 127 East Oak StreetJuneau, Wisconsin
Phone: (920) 386-3606
Fax: (920) 386-4292
Dodge County website »
Door County
421 Nebraska St., Room A113Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
54235
Phone: (920) 746-2200
Fax: (920) 746-2330
Door County website »
Douglas County
1313 Belknap St., Room 101Superior, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 395-1341
Fax: (715) 395-1421
Douglas County website »
Dunn County
800 Wilson Ave., Room 147Menomonie, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 232-1677
Fax: (715) 232-2534
Dunn County website »
Eau Claire County
721 Oxford Ave., Room 3350Eau Claire, Wisconsin
54703
Phone: (715) 839-4801
Fax: (715) 855-6242
Eau Claire County website »
Florence County
501 Lake AvenueFlorence, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 528-3201
Fax: (715) 528-4762
Florence County website »
Fond du Lac County
160 S. Macy StreetFond du Lac, Wisconsin
54936
Phone: (920) 929-3000
Fax: (920) 929-3293
Fond du Lac County website »
Forest County
200 E. Madison St.Crandon, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 478-2422
Fax: (715) 478-5175
Forest County website »
Grant County
111 S. Jefferson St.Lancaster, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 723-2675
Fax: (608) 723-4048
Grant County website »
Green County
1016 16th Ave.Monroe, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 328-9430
Fax: (608) 328-2835
Green County website »
Green Lake County
571 County Road AGreen Lake, Wisconsin
54941
Phone: (920) 294-4005
Fax: (920) 294-4009
Green Lake County website »
Iowa County
222 N. Iowa St.Dodgeville, Wisconsin
53533
Phone: (608) 935-0399
Fax: (608) 935-3024
Iowa County website »
Iron County
300 Taconite St., Suite 101Hurley, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 561-3375
Fax: (715) 561-2928
Iron County website »
Jackson County
307 Main St.Black River Falls, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 284-0201
Fax: (715) 284-0278
Jackson County website »
Jefferson County
311 S Center Ave., Room 109Jefferson, Wisconsin
53549
Phone: (920) 674-8630
Fax: (920) 674-7368
Jefferson County website »
Juneau County
220 East State St., Room 112Mauston, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 847-9300
Fax: (608) 847-9402
Juneau County website »
Kenosha County
1010 56th St.Kenosha, Wisconsin
Phone: (262) 653-2552
Fax: (262) 653-2564
Kenosha County website »
Kewaunee County
810 Lincoln st.Kewaunee, Wisconsin
Phone: (920) 388-7133
Fax: (920) 388-7195
Kewaunee County website »
La Crosse County
400 4th St. North, Room 1210La Crosse, Wisconsin
54601
Phone: (608) 785-9581
Fax: (608) 785-9741
La Crosse County website »
Lafayette County
626 Main Street, Room 200Darlington, Wisconsin
53530
Phone: (608) 776-4838
Fax: (608) 776-8893
Lafayette County website »
Langlade County
800 Clermont St.Antigo, Wisconsin
54409
Phone: (715) 627-6200
Fax: (715) 627-6303
Langlade County website »
Lincoln County
801 N. Sales St., Suite 201Merrill, Wisconsin
54452
Phone: (715) 539-1019
Fax: (715) 539-8054
Lincoln County website »
Manitowoc County
1010 S. 8th Street, Room 115Manitowoc, Wisconsin
54220
Phone: (920) 683-4003
Fax: (920) 683-2766
Manitowoc County website »
Marathon County
500 Forest StreetWausau, Wisconsin
54403
Phone: (715) 261-1500
Fax: (715) 261-1515
Marathon County website »
Marinette County
1926 Hall AvenueMarinette, Wisconsin
54143
Phone: (715) 732-7551
Fax: (715) 732-7532
Marinette County website »
Marquette County
77 West Park St.Montello, Wisconsin
53949
Phone: (608) 297-3016
Marquette County website »
Menominee County
W3269 Courthouse LaneKeshena, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 799-3311
Fax: (715) 799-1322
Menominee County website »
Milwaukee County
901 North 9th Street, Room 105Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53233
Phone: (414) 278-4067
Milwaukee County website »
Monroe County
202 South K St., Room 1Sparta, Wisconsin
54656
Phone: (608) 269-8705
Fax: (608) 269-8747
Monroe County website »
Oconto County
301 Washington St, 2nd Floor Room AOconto, Wisconsin
54153
Phone: (920) 834-7113
Fax: (920) 834-6805
Oconto County website »
Oneida County
1 S. Oneida Ave.Rhinelander, Wisconsin
54501
Phone: (715) 369-6144
Fax: (715) 369-6230
Oneida County website »
Outagamie County
410 S. Walnut St.Appleton, Wisconsin
Phone: (920) 832-5077
Fax: (920) 832-2200
Outagamie County website »
Ozaukee County
121 W. Main St., Room 128Port Washington, Wisconsin
Phone: (262) 284-8110
Ozaukee County website »
Pepin County
740 7th Ave. WestDurand, Wisconsin
54736
Phone: (715) 672-8857
Pepin County website »
Pierce County
414 West Main St., Room 101Ellsworth, Wisconsin
54011
Phone: (715) 273-6744
Fax: (715) 273-6861
Pierce County website »
Polk County
100 Polk County Plaza, Suite 110Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 485-9226
Fax: (715) 485-9104
Polk County website »
Portage County
1516 Church StreetStevens Point, Wisconsin
54481
Phone: (715) 346-1351
Fax: (715) 346-1486
Portage County website »
Price County
126 Cherry St., Room 106Phillips, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 339-3325
Fax: (715) 339-3089
Price County website »
Racine County
730 Wisconsin AveRacine, Wisconsin
53403
Phone: (262) 636-3121
Fax: (262) 636-3491
Racine County website »
Richland County
181 West Seminary St.Richland Center, Wisconsin
53581
Phone: (608) 647-2197
Fax: (608) 647-6134
Richland County website »
Rock County
51 South Main St.Janesville, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 757-5666
Fax: (608) 757-5662
Rock County website »
Rusk County
311 Miner Ave. E, Suite C150Ladysmith, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 532-2100
Fax: (715) 532-2237
Rusk County website »
Sauk County
505 Broadway, West Square Bldg, Room 144Baraboo, Wisconsin
53913
Phone: (608) 355-3286
Fax: (608) 355-3522
Sauk County website »
Sawyer County
10610 Main St., Suite 10Hayward, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 634-4866
Fax: (715) 634-3666
Sawyer County website »
Shawano County
311 N Main St Room 104Shawano, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 526-9150
Fax: (715) 524-5157
Shawano County website »
Sheboygan County
508 New York Ave, Room 218Sheboygan, Wisconsin
53081
Phone: (920) 459-3023
Fax: (920) 459-0304
Sheboygan County website »
St. Croix County
1101 Carmichael Road, Room 1400Hudson, Wisconsin
54016
Phone: (715) 386-4607
Fax: (715) 381-4400
St. Croix County website »
Taylor County
224 South Second StMedford, Wisconsin
54451
Phone: (715) 748-1483
Fax: (715) 748-1415
Taylor County website »
Trempealeau County
36245 Main St.Whitehall, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 538-2311
Fax: (715) 538-4210
Trempealeau County website »
Vernon County
Courthouse Annex Room 108Viroqua, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 637-5380
Fax: (608) 637-5556
Vernon County website »
Walworth County
100 West Walworth St.Elkhorn, Wisconsin
53121
Phone: (262) 741-4241
Fax: (262) 741-4287
Walworth County website »
Washburn County
10 Fourth AveShell Lake, Wisconsin
54871
Phone: (715) 468-4600
Fax: (715) 468-4725
Washburn County website »
Washington County
432 East Washington St. Suite 2027West Bend, Wisconsin
Phone: (262) 335-4735
Fax: (262) 306-2208
Washington County website »
Waukesha County
515 W Moreland Blvd. Room 120Waukesha, Wisconsin
Phone: (262) 548-7010
Fax: (262) 548-7722
Waukesha County website »
Waupaca County
811 Harding StWaupaca, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 258-6200
Fax: (715) 258-6212
Waupaca County website »
Waushara County
209 S. Saint Marie St.Wautoma, Wisconsin
54982
Phone: (920) 787-0442
Fax: (920) 787-0425
Waushara County website »
Winnebago County
112 Otter AvenueOshkosh, Wisconsin
54901
Phone: (920) 232-3430
Winnebago County website »
Wood County
400 Market St. 2nd Floor, Room 203 A-BWisconsin Rapid, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 421-8460
Fax: (715) 421-8808
Wood County website »