US state guide
Wisconsin birth certificates and apostilles for European citizenship
Almost every citizenship-by-descent application starts with certified Wisconsin records. Here is how to order the right version, get the apostille and avoid the mistakes that cause rejections.
Order a certified long-form certificate
- OfficeWisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Vital Records Office
- Long formLong Form (write 'Long Form' on the application; no extra cost)
- How to orderonline, mail
- Fee per birth certificate$20
Order birth, marriage and death records for every generation in your chain, not just your own.
Get the apostille
- Issued byWisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Apostille Services (the Wisconsin Secretary of State also issues apostilles)
- Fee per document$10
- How to applymail, in person, online
- Watch outNotify the issuing office that the record is for foreign use; vital records may not be notarized; Vital Records can forward a new certified copy to DFI or SOS if you include the apostille order form, fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope; online = DFI request form with online payment, originals still sent; $35 expedited.
Prepare it for your country
Greece
Certified long-form records, each with an apostille, then an official Greek translation.
Translate only after the apostille is attached, by a certified translator or the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs translation service.
Greek citizenship guide →Ireland
Original civil (state-issued) certificates for you, your parent and your Irish-born grandparent.
US documents are in English, so no translation is needed. Check the current Foreign Births Register document guide before ordering apostilles.
Irish citizenship guide →Poland
Certified long-form records with apostilles, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
Polish authorities require translations by a Polish sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), done after the apostille.
Polish citizenship guide →Fees and procedures come from official Wisconsin websites and change often. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Consulates that serve Wisconsin
FAQ
How do I get a long-form birth certificate in Wisconsin?
Order a certified copy from Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Vital Records Office (online, mail). Note: Long Form (write 'Long Form' on the application; no extra cost). Ask for the full version that lists both parents, because short-form or abstract copies are usually rejected for citizenship applications.
How do I get an apostille in Wisconsin?
Apostilles for Wisconsin documents are issued by Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Apostille Services (the Wisconsin Secretary of State also issues apostilles), currently $10 per document. Notify the issuing office that the record is for foreign use; vital records may not be notarized; Vital Records can forward a new certified copy to DFI or SOS if you include the apostille order form, fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope; online = DFI request form with online payment, originals still sent; $35 expedited. Check the official page for current fees and processing times.
Do I translate before or after the apostille?
After. The apostille certifies the signature on the original document, so the translation must cover the document and the apostille together.
Which countries' citizenship can these Wisconsin documents be used for?
The same apostilled Wisconsin records are the starting point for Greek, Irish and Polish citizenship by descent, among others. Each country adds its own translation and registration rules.
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