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Statement with the translated document. Retain the translated documents with the other marriage
license documentation.
• The marriage license application form is only available in English and must be completed in English.
The marriage license application form instructions for completion are available in Spanish.
Birth Certificates Format
There can be several terms used for birth certificates, including but not limited to: Original Certificate of
Live Birth, Birth Certificate, Certification of Birth and Certification.
• Any certified copy of a birth certificate should include a statement that indicates that the certificate
issued is a true representation by the Registrar in whose custody the record is filed, and shall include
the name of the issuing Registrar, the signature, and the name of the office.
• Wisconsin birth certificates should have a raised seal.
• The certificate should have a date of Registrar issuance.
• The certificate should have a record number that can be referred to as a State File Number; State
Certificate Number; or a volume and page number.
• The certificate should have a minimum of first name, middle name (if applicable), last name, suffix
(if applicable), date of birth, state of birth, city or county of birth, sex, and parents’ names.
• Wisconsin local health department offices issued certified copies of birth certificates prior to 1985.
Currently only the local health department offices in the cities of Milwaukee and West Allis issue
certified copies for persons born in those respective cities.
• Certified copies of birth certificates issued prior to January 1, 2000, may have been produced on
security paper, banknote paper, or plain white photocopy paper. These older issued copies were
usually “hand-sealed,” and the seal should be easily detected.
• As of January 1, 2000, all Wisconsin vital records offices use the same security paper for issuing
certified copies of all vital records. If you question the validity of the security paper, contact your
local Register of Deeds Office or SVRO.
Wisconsin issues two types of certified birth certificates. Both types listed below are legally issued
certified copies of birth certificates and should be accepted:
1. Computer Short Form: This type contains the information listed above but also contains more
information about the parents, including place of birth and either date of birth or age.
2. Computer Long Form: This type contains all of the information that is listed on a short form birth
certificate, but also includes such items as the hospital name and time of birth.
Wisconsin issued computer abstract copies in the past, as well as photocopies of original paper
certificates, so these may also be accepted, provided they are on security paper and certified.
• Computer Abstract: This type contains limited birth information including child’s name, date of birth,
county of birth, sex, parents’ names, file date, state certificate number, and amendment information if
applicable.
• Photocopy of original paper birth certificate: This type is a photocopy of an original paper birth
certificate and may contain handwritten information and signatures.
NOTE: If an applicant does not have a certified copy of his or her birth certificate, and the applicant was
born in Wisconsin, refer the applicant to any of the 72 county Register of Deeds offices, the Milwaukee
City Health Office, the West Allis City Health Office, or SVRO. Expedited service is available from
SVRO and from most county offices. Expedited service is also available at most, if not all, vital records
offices in other states. If an applicant cannot obtain a certified copy of his or her birth certificate, advise
them that they may provide other satisfactory documentary proof of the needed facts.