Milwaukee Co. Register Of Deeds Updates Process To Get Vital Records

Press release produced by the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12th, 2023
Contact: Israel Ramón, 414-278-3083

Register of Deeds Makes Getting Vital Records Easier

Milwaukee County Register of Deeds, Israel Ramón, is making it easier for current and former County residents to obtain their vital records. Vital records are birth, death, marriage, divorce, domestic partnership and termination of domestic partnership certificates. Vital records are critical to an individual’s ability to access many services such as obtaining a social security number, applying for a passport, obtaining a state ID or driver’s license, qualifying for state or county services, participating in a sports team, getting married or remarried, and even registering for school or school sports teams.

In the past, residents would come to the Register of Deeds Office and complete a paper application then wait for a clerk to reenter the information into the vital records data base. After which, the resident would wait to get the record printed. It was not unusual for residents to wait over thirty minutes for their vital record.

The Milwaukee County Register of Deeds has now automated the process in ordering and paying for vital records. Not only are vital records issued faster, but residents can also avoid lines altogether by ordering their records online or on their smart phones by visiting our webpage and picking up their record in room 103-1 without waiting. Moreover, residents can also order vital records if the birth, death, marriage or divorce occurred in Wisconsin, but outside of Milwaukee County. Please call 414-278-4027 for more information on available statewide records.

We now offer several ways to expedite the ordering of vital records:

1. In-person Orders: Our office is open to the public from 8 am to 4 pm. Simply come to room 103 of the Courthouse and walk up to one of our Vital Records Kiosks to place the vital record order. Payment by credit card, debit card and cash accepted. The vital record is usually ready within 15 minutes after ordering.

2. OnDemand and Smart Phone Orders: Simply visit www.milwaukee.gov/vitalrecords and click our OnDemand service box or scan the QR code on our webpage. If the record is ordered before 3 pm, it can be picked up in room 103-1 before 4 pm. Residents will receive an email notifying them that the record is ready for pick up or residents can ask us to put the record in the mail. Payment by credit card or debit card is necessary for this service. Domestic Partnership records not available for OnDemand and Smart Phone service.

3. Overnight and two-day Delivery Orders: The Register of Deeds Office has partnered with VitalChek and Official Records Online to provide overnight and two-day delivery of records anywhere in the United States if orders are received before 2:00 pm. Simply visit the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds webpage at www.milwaukee.gov/vitalrecords to choose an option. Please be aware that these companies charge additional service and expedited shipping rates.

4. Order by phone: If residents don’t have internet access and need their records immediately, they can call Register of Deed’s business partner, VitalChek at 888-862-3736 to have their vital record expedited. Please note additional service and expedited shipping rates apply.

5. Order by mail, fax, and drop box: Applications for records in English and Spanish can be found at www.milwaukee.gov/vitalrecords. Simply complete an application and mail, fax or place it in our drop box (rooms 103 and G6) along with a copy of a valid ID. Checks, money orders, credit and debit cards accepted. It may take 2-3 weeks to receive the record.

Residents are encouraged always bring their state ID or driver’s license when visiting the Register of Deeds Office and to only use the official Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Webpage at www.milwaukee.gov/vitalrecords to order vital records to avoid scam or unknown websites.

This press release was produced by the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds. The views expressed here are the author's own.