How to Officiate a Wedding in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Located halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, Kenosha is the fourth largest city in Wisconsin. Here you’ll have plenty of things to do and places to explore! Check out the beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan and the famous museums. The Dinosaur Discovery Museum is home to the biggest meat-eating dinosaur skeleton in the U.S. and the Kenosha Public Museum has the world's largest collection of Woolly Mammoth bones. You might also like to know that Kenosha has a great selection of wedding venues and catering services. 
 
But before you plan your activities, let's get through the technical aspects of your wedding. You'll start by getting your minister of choice ordained.
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

In the State of Wisconsin, “Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society, any judge of a court of record, or a family court commissioner may perform the ceremony.” 
 
If you’ve been asked to perform a marriage ceremony but you don’t fall within any of these categories, no sweat! Ministers ordained by AMM meet Wisconsin’s requirements and are legally allowed to perform weddings in the state.
 
Simply follow this link to get ordained with AMM. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Kenosha County

Now that the formal application process is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the more personal aspects of conducting the wedding ceremony. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but requires a bit of preparation. You may want to check out our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 
 
Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

It is the couple’s responsibility to apply for and fill out the marriage license. The couple must already have an assigned wedding officiant, plus the date and location of the wedding at the time of application. Non-residents of Wisconsin must apply in the same county where they plan to get married. Residents must apply in the county where at least one of the members has resided for a minimum of 30 days. The license is then valid throughout the State of Wisconsin. Once the ceremony has taken place, it is the officiant’s job to return the marriage license to the Register of Deeds office. 
 

Kenosha does not allow walk-in appointments for marriage license applications. Couples can call the County Clerk’s Office at 262-653-2552 to schedule an appointment or use the online appointment scheduler. Once an appointment is made, the couple must both arrive together and be able to provide valid ID, proof of residence, copies of birth certificates, social security numbers, and any necessary divorce papers. The marriage license costs $100 cash and $103 paid by debit or credit card. There is a six-day waiting period to receive the license, which upon issuance is valid for thirty days. 
 
When you go, remember to bring the following:

• $100 cash
• Photo IDs
• Social Security Numbers
• A printed document proving where each member of the couple has lived for the 30 days before the application, e.g. a driver’s license with a current address on it, a lease, utility bill, or bank statement
• A certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the state or county where you were born
• Your officiant's information (first and last name, address, and phone number)
   

The Basics

From gorgeous banquet halls and ballrooms to lush country club wedding venues, Kenosha has a great selection of options when it comes to planning the location of your ceremony and reception. If you don’t mind hopping across the state border into Illinois, check out McHenry Country Club for a spacious venue with all the extra amenities including a ballroom, conference hall, and restaurant. If you prefer a wedding reception and ceremony directly in the city, try the Circa on Seventh. This venue has an impressive 22-foot high vaulted ceiling, and characteristic brick walls, creating a charming atmosphere for a wedding banquet or reception. AMM’s favorite venue in Kenosha is The Upper East. This beautifully furnished, lavishly decorated, well-lit location, also comes with a great staff dedicated to helping you create a special and memorable experience on your big day.

Transportation

Kenosha offers a bunch of different transportation services such as cabs, buses, taxis, and vans. The Kenosha City Transit consists of a fleet of 42 busses and seven streetcars, providing services throughout the city. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft should also be readily available. 

Weather

Summers in Kenosha are pleasantly warm with highs averaging in the low 80’s. Winters are snowy and cold and snowy with regular below-freezing temperatures. The city receives a yearly average of 35 inches of rain and 39 inches of snow, and around 190 days of sunny weather. Late summer is the best time of year to visit Kenosha.