How to Find Wisconsin Birth Records

In 1848, Wisconsin was created a state from Wisconsin Territory. The state directed the counties in 1852 to record births, but the directive was largely ignored. Another law was established in 1878 which garnered more support. Statewide registration of births began in 1907.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Birth Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1852
 * 1853 thru 1907
 * 1907 to Present
 * Birth year unknown


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Births before 1852
Wisconsin did not record births at this time. Before 1852, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1853 thru 1907

 * 1852 - Wisconsin law required counties to record births, but this was largely ignored.
 * 1878 - Wisconsin law required counties to records births. This met with better compliance.
 * 1907 - Wisconsin Statewide birth registration began

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Wisconsin State Bureau of Vital Statisticsoffice.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth: For a fee, the Wisconsin State Bureau of Vital Statistics will do any five-year period in the following single-year indexes as one search:


 * October 1, 1907 through 1947

Can search either one of the following multi-year indexes as one search:


 * Earliest filed records through September 1907;1948 to the present.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records
State law restricts who may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. A certified copy may be issued to:


 * The person named on the record
 * The current spouse of the person named on the record
 * The current domestic partner of the person named on the record
 * A parent of the person named on the record
 * A sibling of the person named on the record
 * A child of the person named on the record
 * A grandparent of the person named on the record
 * A person authorized in writing by one of the above. The written authorization must accompany the request and the relationship of the authorizing party to the subject of the record must be clearly explained.
 * A person who can demonstrate that the record is required to protect a personal or property right.

If you do not meet one of the above criteria, you cannot receive a certified copy of a birth certificate.

An uncertified copy of a birth certificate is available to anyone who applies. An uncertified copy will contain the same information as a certified copy but will not be acceptable for legal purposes, such as obtaining identification.



If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information. Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. marriage records
 * How to find U.S. death records
 * United States Record Finder
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records


 * cemetery file (1900-1980), marriage application file (1899-1930), and a divorce file (1848-1950). Images/alphabetized by file.
 * Wisconsin Historical Society Birth Index, 1852-September 30, 1907 Index only. Most records from 1880 to 1907.