How to Find Wisconsin Birth Records

How to Find United States Births Wisconsin Births

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 a 3 year search.

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

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 a 3 year search.

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
Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

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

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 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
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