Wisconsin Birth/Death Certificates - Obtain In Person

We are now able to issue ALL Wisconsin birth certificates, no matter what city you were born in.  

Birth certificates:   You are only able to obtain a copy of your own birth certifcate or that of an immediate family member; i.e. spouse, child, parent, brother, sister, grandchild or if needed for the determination or protection of personal or property rights.   If you are requesting a sibling's certificate, the parent's must be the same and they must have been married at the time of the birth.    Please call us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Death certificates:   Only members of the decedent's immediate family may obtain certified copies of death certificates; i.e. spouse, child, parent, brother, sister, grandparent, authorized legal representative, or if needed for the determination of personal or property rights.   Uncertified death certificates usually do not include a cause of death.

You will need to show a current unexpired ID when requesting a certificate. 

Penalties:  Any person who willfully and knowingly makes a false application for a birth certificate is guilty of a Class I felony [a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than three years and six months, or both, per s.69.24(1). Wis. Stats.].   

To Obtain a Certificate in Person, go to:

City of Milwaukee Health Department - Vital Statistics
Zeidler Municipal Building
841 North Broadway,  Room 115
Milwaukee, WI  53202

Fax:  (414) 286-2036
Telephone:  (414) 286-3503

We accept in person applications from 8AM-4:30PM.  A short application will need to be completed.

• For birth certificates: Only the person named on the record, an immediate family member, a person with written and notarized permission from the person named on the certificate or a legal representative may obtain certified copies.

• An immediate family member is a spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, child or grandparent.   To be able to obtain a birth certificate for your sister or brother, the record must be a public record.

• A father cannot obtain his child's birth certificate unless he is listed as the father on the birth certificate.

• Birth certificates are $20 for one and $3 for each additional copy that is issued at the same time on the same record.    Death certificates are $20 for one and $3 for each additional copy that is issued at the same time on the same record.

• For death certificates: Only an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent), a person with written and notarized permission from an immediate family member, or a legal representative may obtain certified copies.

• Using your credit card or debit card:  In response to customer requests, both debit cards and credit cards can be used to purchase a birth certificate.  Your card must have a VISA or Mastercard logo on it.  Certificates are obtained immediately.

• You will need to bring an acceptable form of identification with you.   These are:

ONE of these:

- current Wisconsin driver’s license

- current Wisconsin photo ID

- current Out-of-state driver’s license or photo ID card

- tribal ID

- US military ID

- US or foreign passport

TWO of these:

- Government-issued employee ID card or badge with photo

- Check or bank book

- Health insurance card

- Recent dated, signed lease

- Recent utility bill or traffic ticket