Court Order to Amend a WI Birth Certificate

The information contained on this web page is provided as a courtesy to members of the public and shall not be construed as legal advice. If you have questions, contact the Wisconsin Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service at (800) 362-9082 for additional assistance.

The Wisconsin Office of Vital Records is responsible for Wisconsin Vital Records (birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates). This includes filing, preserving, protecting, changing and issuing copies. The Wisconsin Office of Vital Records Office determines if a court order is required to amend a Wisconsin birth record. The Oconto County Clerk of Courts cannot commence an action regarding amending a Wisconsin birth record unless the petitioning party received an amendment packet from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office.

Contacting Wisconsin Office of Vital Records

It is the petitioning party’s responsibility to contact the Wisconsin Office of Vital Records regarding amending a birth record.

Contact information:
Wisconsin Office of Vital Records
PO Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309
(608) 266-1373

The state registrar may request the petitioning party to provide the following to their office:

  1. Statement (PDF) indicating what information on the birth certificate is incorrect and what the correct information should be.
  2. Current certified copy of the birth certificate that includes the incorrect information
    1. Application to obtain a certified copy of birth certificate is available at Oconto County Register of Deeds.
    1. Hospital Announcement
    2. Baptismal or other birth ceremony record
    3. School Record
    4. First Communion Register

    The Wisconsin Office of Vital Records reviews the documentation provided by the petitioning party and sends an amendment packet to the petitioning party if a court order is required to amend the birth record.

    Upon receiving the amendment packet from the Wisconsin Office of Vital Records, an action can be filed with the Oconto County Clerk of Courts upon completing the necessary forms and paying the required filing fee.

    Forms/Documents Required to Commence an Action

    1. Form F-05091 – Report of Court Order to Amend a Wisconsin Birth Record
      • This document is included in the amendment packet from the Wisconsin Office of Vital Records. This form is not available at the Clerk of Courts Office.
      • Petitioning party is to complete the pertinent sections.
      • This form cannot contain erasures, cross-outs, write-overs, correction tape or correction fluid.
    2. Form CV-472 (PDF) – Petition to Amend Wisconsin Birth Certificate
      • Petitioning party is to complete and sign this form.
    3. Form CV-473 (PDF) – Order on Petition to Amend Wisconsin Birth Certificate
      • Petitioning party is to complete the caption.
    4. Current certified copy of the birth certificate
    5. Statement (PDF) indicating what information on the birth certificate is incorrect and what the correct information should be
    6. Any evidence which verifies the current birth certificate is incorrect

    Fees

    Fees paid to Oconto County Clerk of Courts BEFORE documents are forwarded to the Circuit Court Judge:

    Fees paid to Wisconsin Vital Records Office AFTER the court order is granted by the Circuit Court Judge:

    Checks/money orders are to be made payable to State of Wisconsin Vital Records. Cash, debit, or credit cards ARE NOT accepted for vital records fees.

    Filing Instructions

    Once all the necessary forms are completed, the petitioning party may take them along with the current certified copy of the birth certificate, statement, and evidence to the Oconto County Clerk of Courts, Courthouse, 301 Washington Street, Building C – Room 1217, Oconto, Wisconsin 54153 to have them filed. It is at this point:

    1. A court case number and circuit court judge are assigned to the case.
    2. Filing fee of $164.50 must be paid.
      • Cash, checks, money orders, debit and credit cards are accepted for Clerk of Courts fees only. An additional service fee is charged when paying with a debit or credit card.
    3. The Clerk of Courts Office will forward all documents and supporting evidence to a Circuit Court Judge for review.
      • If the Petition is approved, the Court will sign the Order on Petition to Amend Wisconsin Birth Certificate.
      • If the Petition is not approved, the Court may schedule a court hearing.

    Recording an Amended Birth Certificate

    Upon the court official granting the petition and signing the Order on Petition to Amend a Wisconsin Birth Certificate, the Oconto Clerk of Courts office will complete, sign and apply a seal to the Report of Court Order to Amend a Wisconsin Birth Record. The Clerk of Courts Office will mail the Report to the Wisconsin Office of Vital Records with the petitioning party’s check/money order to cover the fees and for any additional copies of the amended birth certificate.

    An authenticated copy of the Order on Petition to Amend a Wisconsin Birth Certificate, Petition to Amend a Wisconsin Birth Certificate, and any supporting evidence will be returned to the petitioning party by the Oconto County Clerk of Courts via first class mail.

    It may take 3-4 weeks for the petitioning party to receive the requested copy(s) of the amended birth certificate from the Wisconsin Office of Vital Records.

    Contact Information

    Oconto County Clerk of Courts (920) 834-6843
    Oconto County Register of Deeds (920) 834-7113
    Wisconsin Vital Records Office (608) 266-1373

    Information and state forms are also available from the Wisconsin State Court System Self-Help Law Center.