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Milwaukee County exact answer

Are witnesses required for a marriage in Milwaukee County?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In Milwaukee County, state law requires at least two competent adult witnesses besides the officiant. If one of the parties is serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces, a reserve unit or the national guard, one competent adult witness besides the officiant suffices.

Published rule and conditions

Marriage ceremony witness rule
State law requires at least two competent adult witnesses besides the officiant. If one of the parties is serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces, a reserve unit or the national guard, one competent adult witness besides the officiant suffices.
Official requirement

A marriage may be validly contracted in Wisconsin only after a marriage license has been issued by a county clerk, and only when the mutual declarations of the two parties to be joined are made before an authorized officiating person and in the presence of at least two competent adult witnesses other than the officiating person. If one of the parties is serving on active duty in the military, only one adult witness is required.

Issuing office

Office of the Milwaukee County Clerk

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Official sources for this answer

  • Information for Marriage Applicants and OfficiantsWisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health - checked August 27, 2026

    A marriage may be validly contracted in Wisconsin only after a marriage license has been issued by a county clerk, and only when the mutual declarations of the two parties to be joined are made before an authorized officiating person and in the presence of at least two competent adult witnesses other than the officiating person. If one of the parties is serving on active duty in the military, only one adult witness is required.

Answer boundary

MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.

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