Couple in bridal attire walking away from wedding ceremony at Wisconsin botanical garden

Planning to elope in Wisconsin? Whether you’re exchanging vows on a bluff at Devil’s Lake, in a forest near Madison, or lakeside at golden hour, there’s one detail you can’t skip: making it legal. Don’t worry—Wisconsin makes it surprisingly simple to elope legally. This guide breaks it down step-by-step so you can focus on the good stuff—like your vows, your view, and each other.

If you're wondering how to elope legally in Wisconsin, this post has you covered.

Step 1: Apply for a Wisconsin Marriage License

Here’s what you need to know:

Apply in the right county
- If either you or your partner is a Wisconsin resident, apply in the county where one of you has lived for at least 30 days.
- If you're both from out of state, apply in the county where the ceremony will take place.
Both partners must be present when applying.

Bring these documents with you:

Valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
Certified birth certificate
Social Security numbers (card not needed)
Proof of divorce or death certificate (if previously married)

Pro Tip:

Call ahead or check the county clerk's website. Every county may have slightly different procedures or required documents.

Step 2: Know the Waiting Period & License Validity

Wisconsin has a 3-day waiting period after you apply before you can legally get married.

License is valid for 30 days once issued
Plan ahead: apply at least one week before your elopement date

Some counties allow you to waive the 3-day wait for an extra fee—helpful if you’re on a tight timeline.

Step 3: Choose an Officiant

To legally get married in Wisconsin, you need a licensed officiant.

Your options for an officiant:

Judge or court commissioner
Ordained religious officiant
Friend or family member ordained online (totally valid!)

As an elopement photographer in Wisconsin, I’ve seen all of these options work beautifully—especially when the ceremony is customized and meaningful to you.

Step 4: Get Your Marriage License Signed & Filed

After your ceremony, the marriage license needs to be signed by:

Both partners
Your officiant
Two witnesses age 18+

If you’re eloping just the two of you, don’t worry! Many elopement photographers (like me!) are happy to serve as a witness, and we can usually find another person nearby (a hiker, park ranger, Airbnb host, etc.).

Your officiant must return the license to the county clerk’s office to make it official.