Search for Death Records in Wisconsin

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Our comprehensive guide to the death records in the state of Wisconsin will help you in finding death records as well as provide you with relevant information about the deceased and the life they lived.

Death Records in Wisconsin -
The Ultimate Guide 2024

Wisconsin Death Databases

Deaths before 1907

For Wisconsin, statewide registration of deaths started in 1907 and was fully compiled in 1908 however, there are deaths recorded in some towns before this. Since county registration of deaths was more voluntary than mandatory, death records pre-1907 are irregular.

Wisconsin Deaths Databases – Includes Index Only

Try 1st:
Pre-1907 – At Wisconsin Historical Society Free; index from 1852 but dates may differ by county

Try 2nd:
1820-1907 – At FamilySearch.org open; source- Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. Microfilm copies of original records are found at the Family History Library and at a number of Family History Centers. Check on Ancestry.com, available at family history centers.

Try 3rd:
1867-1907 – At FamilySearch.org Free; Microreproduction of original files of the Bureau of Health Statistics prepared by the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison, Wisconsin. Microfilm copies of original records are found at the Family History Library and at a few Family History Centers

Deaths after 1907

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Wisconsin Deaths Databases – Includes Indexes Only

Try 1st:
1835-1968 – At FamilySearch.org Free; index to death and burial records for the state of Wisconsin. Microfilm copies of original records are also at the Family History Library and at some Family History Centers.

Try 2nd:
1959-1997 – At FamilySearch.org Free; index of deaths for the Wisconsin Vital Records Office. Also at Ancestry.com, available at family history centers.

Death Certificates in Wisconsin

In the state of Wisconsin, death records start off as private records then they become publicly available 75 years after the record file date. There are restrictions to obtaining death certificates for individuals who passed on within the last 75 years. Below is a list of people who are eligible to request for a death certificate:

A registrant with whom the record is associated with
Spouse
Parents
A descendant such as child / grandchild
An individual with common ancestry (relative such as cousin, aunt, uncle, sibling or grandparent)
Registrant’s legal guardian
Agency / individual acting on the registrant’s behalf
Legal representative to registrant’s estate

How to Find Wisconsin Death Records

Obtaining Wisconsin death records from Archives.com is the most dependable method of doing so. Following your registration for an account, you will have complete access to the death records for the state of Wisconsin as soon as you log in to the platform. The following are a few simple steps to get you started:

Step 1: Go to Archives.com and sign in using your email address and password.

Step 2: Use the buttons at the very top of the user page to navigate through the options. When you click on the “Search” button, the Wisconsin state death records page is loaded.

Step 3: Check the box next to “Vital Records,” then click on the “Death” button just below it. Thus, the site eliminates all other records and only displays death records, which you can then download.

Step 4: Key in as much information about the deceased as you can remember about them.

Step 5: The state of Wisconsin should be entered in the ‘Location’ box. As soon as you begin typing, you will notice that the website will provide a match for you.

Step 6: You will be presented with a list of records; you will need to scroll through the list until you find the person whose records you are interested in viewing.

Step 7: Click on the name of the deceased to view the death record that is currently available online. In most cases, you will be able to obtain their full name as well as their maiden name if they were previously married. You can also find out about their burial arrangements, such as whether they were cremated or buried, and whether a biographical sketch is available.

Alternative Sources for Wisconsin Death Information

Wisconsin Death Records FAQs

What is an Official Death Certificate?

An official death certificate refers to a death certificate that is issued directly by the Wisconsin state government or any similar organization. This document contains information such as the individual’s name, physical address, date of birth, and date of death.

What are death records?

Death records are official files that give any useful information about a deceased individual. If you’re doing genealogical research, these records come in handy as they contain most of the information you’d need to learn more about your ancestry. Most death records are held by the state the deceased lived or died in, but they lack the burial state of the deceased. Both cemeteries and churches hold death records, as with state governments. Information you can obtain from death records includes the full name, date of birth, date of death, and place of death.

Are Wisconsin Death Records Open to the Public?

According to the Wisconsin Revised Statutes, vital records such as birth records, divorce records, marriage records, adoption records, death records, and other life records are available to all eligible parties with a direct relationship to the person named on the record.

What Information Do I Need to Search for Wisconsin Death Records Online?

Requesters who wish to get a hold of a death record must be well acquainted with basic facts associated with it including:

Conclusion

The state of Wisconsin is extremely particular about the accuracy of its tax and voting records, and this is reflected in its state records. As a result, they strive to keep a comprehensive death record up to date. Following the death of a person, tax collectors contact family members or next of kin to collect any unpaid state taxes that may be owed to the state. In the event of a probate proceeding, these death records will be extremely useful because your family members or next of kin will not have any difficulties in obtaining any legal information. With our comprehensive guide to Wisconsin death record searches, you’ll be able to locate any type of record that you might require in a matter of minutes.

Disclaimer: OurPublicRecords mission is to give people easy and affordable access to public record information, but OurPublicRecords does not provide private investigator services or consumer reports, and is not a consumer reporting agency per the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You may not use our site or service or the information provided to make decisions about employment, admission, consumer credit, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.