Wisconsin Department of Health Services 2026: Services, Phone & Records
Most people searching for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services need a clear next step: the correct phone number, how to order a birth certificate, where to get a death record, how to find immunization records, how to search a nursing home or assisted living provider, how to file a health care facility complaint, how to apply for BadgerCare Plus or FoodShare, or how to request DHS public records.
This guide is written in plain U.S. English for Wisconsin residents, seniors, caregivers, parents, facility visitors, benefit applicants, employers, out-of-state family members, and people helping a loved one. It is not the official DHS website. It helps you reach the correct official Wisconsin DHS, ACCESS, ForwardHealth, Wisconsin Immunization Registry, Provider Search, Vital Records, local health department, Register of Deeds, or open-records route before you call, pay, mail, upload, apply, or visit an office.
Quick answer: what Wisconsin Department of Health Services helps with in 2026
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, often searched as Wisconsin DHS, WI DHS, Wisconsin health department, Wisconsin Department of Health, Wisconsin vital records, ForwardHealth, BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, WIR, or Wisconsin Provider Search, supports public health, vital records, health coverage, FoodShare, Medicaid, local public health, immunization records, licensed health and residential care provider search, facility complaints, open records, and many service-area contacts.
| What you need | Best official route | Prepare first | Senior-friendly tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number | DHS Contact Information page | Topic, county, callback number, and whether it is records, benefits, facility complaint, immunization, or open records | Ask which DHS service area handles the topic before explaining the whole issue. |
| Wisconsin birth certificate | Wisconsin Vital Records or local Vital Records Office | Full name, date of birth, county/city, eligible requester details, ID, application, payment method | Local offices may be faster for some records; check county Register of Deeds or city health office options. |
| Wisconsin death certificate | Wisconsin Vital Records or local Vital Records Office | Decedent name, date and place of death, requester relationship, ID, copy type, payment method | Ask the bank, insurer, court, or benefits office which copy it accepts before ordering. |
| Marriage or divorce certificate | Wisconsin Vital Records, VitalChek, or local Register of Deeds where available | Names, event date, county, record type, ID and payment method | Confirm whether the receiving agency needs a certificate, court decree, or case document. |
| Wisconsin immunization record | Wisconsin Immunization Registry public access | First and last name, date of birth, and SSN, Medicaid ID, or health care member ID | If WIR cannot find the record, check spelling and contact your provider or local health department. |
| Wisconsin nursing home, assisted living, home health, hospice or residential provider search | DHS Provider Search / Division of Quality Assurance | Provider name, city, county, ZIP code, provider type, service type | Review survey history, but remember hospital survey history is not shown in the same way. |
| Health care facility complaint | DQA complaint line or online complaint route | Facility name, address, dates, facts, documents, resident/patient details if appropriate | For immediate danger, call emergency services first; complaints are not emergency response. |
| BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid or FoodShare | ACCESS / ForwardHealth / county or Tribal agency | Household members, income, address, expenses, insurance, ID, case number, documents and renewal notices | Use ACCESS and MyACCESS for changes, letters and benefit updates. |
| DHS open records request | DHS Open Records page | Record type, program, date range, subject, names, facility, county and preferred contact method | Specific requests are easier to process than broad requests. |
For Wisconsin DHS tasks, the fastest route is choosing the right official system: Vital Records for certificates, WIR for vaccine records, Provider Search for regulated health and residential care providers, DQA complaint routes for facility complaints, ACCESS for benefits, local health departments for local public health, and DHS Open Records for public records.
Wisconsin DHS route finder: choose the right office before calling, ordering, applying or filing
Use this simple route finder first. It gives you the safest next step for common Wisconsin Department of Health Services searches like phone number, vital records, vaccine records, Provider Search, facility complaints, BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, open records, and local health department help.
Wisconsin DHS task router
Select your need. The best next step appears below.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number, TTY, hotlines and call script
The Wisconsin DHS general contact page lists 201 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703, general phone 608-266-1865, and TTY instructions to dial 711 or 800-947-3529 before calling DHS. DHS also maintains hotline and contact-by-service pages for specific programs.
| Need | Official phone / route | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| General Wisconsin DHS contact | 608-266-1865 | General routing when you do not know the exact DHS program or office. |
| TTY users | 711 or 800-947-3529 before calling DHS | Relay assistance for DHS calls. |
| Vital Records customer service | 608-266-1373 / DHSVitalRecords@dhs.wisconsin.gov | Birth, death, marriage, divorce and related vital record questions. |
| VitalChek phone certificate order | 877-885-2981 | Phone orders for Wisconsin vital records through VitalChek. |
| BadgerCare Plus / ForwardHealth Member Services | 800-362-3002 / memberservices@wisconsin.gov | Member questions, benefits, cards, coverage and ForwardHealth support. |
| Health care facility complaint | 800-642-6552 | DQA complaints about health or residential care facilities. |
| Poison Control | 800-222-1222 | Poison emergency guidance, 24 hours a day. |
| Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | 988 | Immediate mental health crisis support. |
Use a short call script
Say: “I need help with [birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, immunization record, provider search, health care facility complaint, Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, open records, or local public health]. My county is [county name]. Which official DHS page, hotline, or local office should I use next?”
If your question is tied to Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Waukesha, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Janesville, La Crosse, Sheboygan, Wausau, Fond du Lac, or a rural county, say the county early. Benefits, local health, vital records, and facility oversight can route differently.
Wisconsin DHS records: birth, death, marriage, divorce, VitalChek, local offices and open records
When people search “Wisconsin Department of Health Services records,” they may mean vital records, immunization records, facility records, benefit case notices, public records, or personal medical records. The right office depends on the record type.
Birth, death, marriage, divorce
Use Wisconsin Vital Records for certificates. DHS accepts requests by mail, online through VitalChek, by phone through VitalChek, and through local vital records offices when available.
Open Vital RecordsCounty Register of Deeds and city offices
DHS says local Vital Records Offices include 72 county Register of Deeds offices and two City Health Offices: Milwaukee and West Allis.
Ordering optionsAgency records
Use DHS Open Records for public records requests. Do not use it for certificates, benefit applications or your hospital chart.
Open recordsDHS says phone or online certificate orders use VitalChek and include a fee for using VitalChek. Before paying, confirm the certificate type, eligibility, fee, delivery option, and whether a local office is faster for your situation.
Wisconsin birth certificate: state, VitalChek, Register of Deeds and ID checklist
Use this section when you need a Wisconsin birth certificate for ID, passport, school, benefits, driver license, Social Security, family records, employment, immigration, or legal use. The main decision is whether to use Wisconsin Vital Records, VitalChek, or a local office.
| Prepare | Why it matters | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Full name on the birth record | Helps match the Wisconsin birth record. | Using a current married name instead of the name on the birth certificate. |
| Date and place of birth | County and city can affect local office availability. | Knowing only “Wisconsin” but not the county or city. |
| Requester relationship and purpose | Certified records may require eligibility. | Ordering before checking who is allowed to receive a certified copy. |
| Valid ID and application | Identity verification and application details matter. | Mailing an incomplete application or unreadable ID copy. |
| Order method | Mail, online, phone and local office routes have different timelines and fees. | Paying a third-party page before checking DHS and local options. |
Start with Wisconsin Vital Records or a local Vital Records Office
Wisconsin DHS says the Vital Records Office accepts requests by U.S. mail, online through VitalChek, or by phone through VitalChek at 877-885-2981. You can also get vital records through local Vital Records Offices, but not every record is available locally.
Use the local office route when it is faster
Local Wisconsin offices can be practical for seniors, parents, caregivers, and residents who want in-person help. Check your county Register of Deeds or the Milwaukee or West Allis city health office when the record type and year are available locally.
Wisconsin death certificate: estate, bank, insurance and local vital records checklist
A Wisconsin death certificate may be needed for probate, bank accounts, insurance, pensions, Social Security, property, veterans benefits, family records, funeral matters, and legal affairs. Before ordering, ask the receiving agency exactly what it accepts.
Wisconsin Vital Records
Use the state Vital Records route for mail, VitalChek online, VitalChek phone orders, and statewide certificate guidance.
Open Vital RecordsRegister of Deeds / city health office
Use local vital records offices when the local office provides the record type you need and can serve you faster.
Local optionsAsk which certificate is required
Before ordering, ask the bank, attorney, court, insurer, pension office, benefit office, or funeral-related service whether it needs a certified copy, informational copy, or another document.
Do not order a large number of death certificates before checking which offices will keep a certified copy. Some agencies only need to review a copy; others may keep one.
Wisconsin marriage and divorce certificates: certificate route versus court record
Wisconsin Vital Records covers marriage and divorce certificates, but some legal situations may require a court document, decree, judgment, or case file. Confirm the exact document before paying.
Vital Records / VitalChek route
Use Wisconsin Vital Records for marriage and divorce certificate ordering options through mail, VitalChek, phone or local offices where available.
Open certificatesCounty court route
If the receiving agency asks for the full divorce judgment, decree or court case file, contact the court in the county where the case was filed.
Wisconsin courtsAsk the receiving agency whether a vital record certificate is enough. For some legal, immigration, court, or property matters, the agency may require a court-certified document instead.
Wisconsin immunization records: WIR vaccine record, school proof, work proof and missing records
If your search is “Wisconsin Department of Health Services immunization records,” “Wisconsin vaccine record,” “WIR record,” or “school immunization record,” start with the Wisconsin Immunization Registry public access page.
Use Wisconsin Immunization Registry public access
Wisconsin DHS says WIR is an online database that tracks vaccine records for Wisconsin children and adults. Public access lets you look up your own record, and parents or legal guardians can look up children’s records.
Have the right lookup details ready
To find a record in WIR, DHS says you need the person’s first and last names, date of birth, and either Social Security number, Medicaid identification number, or health care member identification number. Records can be printed when needed for child care, school, summer camp, or work.
Check spelling, birth date, and ID number. If the search still fails, contact your doctor, clinic, pharmacy, school, local health department, or WIR helpdesk route listed by DHS.
Wisconsin DHS Provider Search, license lookup, facility history and DQA oversight
Wisconsin DHS Provider Search helps residents find health and residential care providers regulated by the Division of Quality Assurance. This includes many nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care providers, adult day care centers, home health agencies, hospice providers and other regulated care settings.
| Search need | Best DHS route | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing home, assisted living or residential care | Provider Search / Consumer Guide | Provider name, address, county, provider type, capacity, contact, survey history if available |
| Adult day care, home health, hospice or personal care | Provider Search or DQA pages | Service type, city, county, provider status, compliance notes and complaint route |
| Survey history | Provider detail page | DQA survey history shown for many provider types from recent years |
| Hospital details | DQA and hospital licensing pages | Provider Search may not show hospital survey history the same way as other provider types |
| Provider licensing or renewal | DHS DQA Provider Portal or provider-specific licensing page | Provider type, MyWisconsin ID, renewal/reporting requirements, forms and fees |
Provider Search
Search by provider name, location, county, city, ZIP distance, or provider/facility type.
Open Provider SearchDivision of Quality Assurance
Use DQA pages for provider regulation, licensing, certification, complaints and provider resources.
Open DQADHS DQA Provider Portal
Some providers use the DQA Provider Portal with MyWisconsin ID for licensure, certification, registration and reporting.
Open portalWhen comparing nursing homes, assisted living or residential care, do not rely only on a star rating or a brochure. Check provider details, survey history, complaints route, location, care type, capacity, and visit the facility when possible.
Wisconsin health care facility complaints: nursing homes, assisted living, home health, hospice and caregiver misconduct
Use the DHS complaint route when the issue involves a health or residential care facility regulated by DHS DQA. The complaint line is not an emergency response number.
Call 800-642-6552
DHS says you can file a complaint with DQA by calling 800-642-6552. If you leave a voicemail, someone calls back the next workday.
Complaint guideReport abuse, neglect or misappropriation
DHS provides public reporting and misconduct reporting routes for Wisconsin treatment provider or facility misconduct.
Report misconduct| Prepare this | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Facility or provider name | Helps DQA identify the correct regulated entity. |
| Full address, city and county | Helps route the complaint to the correct office or provider type. |
| Dates, times and timeline | Creates a clear factual record. |
| Resident, patient or client details when appropriate | Helps identify who was affected and what happened. |
| Photos, bills, discharge papers, letters or other documents | Supports the complaint with more than memory. |
| Witness names or contacts if available | Can help confirm details during review. |
If someone is in immediate danger, needs urgent medical care, has life-threatening symptoms, is being actively abused, or needs immediate law enforcement response, call emergency services first. Do not wait for an online complaint or voicemail callback.
Wisconsin DHS benefits: BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, FoodShare, ACCESS, MyACCESS and ForwardHealth
Wisconsin DHS also handles major health and nutrition benefit programs. If you searched for Wisconsin Department of Health Services login, benefits, Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, ACCESS, MyACCESS, ForwardHealth card, or renewal, use the official benefit routes below.
ACCESS Wisconsin
Use ACCESS to apply for or manage benefits such as BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, Medicaid and related programs.
Open ACCESSBadgerCare Plus / Medicaid
BadgerCare Plus helps low-income children, pregnant people and adults in Wisconsin. Medicaid has multiple program routes.
BadgerCare PlusFoodShare
DHS says only use ACCESS or MyACCESS to apply for and manage benefits. FoodShare members can use ebtEDGE for account access.
FoodShare| Task | Best official route | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for benefits | ACCESS, mail, local county or Tribal agency | Income, household members, address, expenses, ID, insurance, citizenship/immigration details if applicable |
| Check letters or report changes | ACCESS / MyACCESS | Login, case number if available, new address, job, household, income or expense details |
| ForwardHealth Member Services | 800-362-3002 / memberservices@wisconsin.gov | Member ID, ForwardHealth card, program name and question |
| Find county or Tribal agency | Income Maintenance and Tribal Agency Contact Information | County, Tribe if applicable, program and notice deadline |
Wisconsin DHS open records request: agency records versus certificates, benefits and medical records
A Wisconsin DHS open records request is not the same as ordering a birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, immunization record, benefit case document, or personal medical chart. Use open records for DHS agency records and public records requests.
Use the correct DHS open records contact
DHS lists the Office of the Secretary open-records phone as 608-266-9622 and email as dhsosopenrecords@dhs.wisconsin.gov. For other DHS requests, DHS lists 608-267-5093 and dhsopenrecordsrequests@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Make the request narrow and searchable
Include the DHS program name, record type, subject, date range, facility name, county, names, license or provider details if relevant, and your preferred contact method. A focused request is easier to process than “send everything about health services.”
If you need your hospital, clinic or doctor medical chart, request it from the provider who treated you. DHS open records is not the fastest route for your personal medical chart.
Wisconsin local public health departments: county health offices, local services and regional routing
Wisconsin DHS works with local public health departments across the state. For many local public health questions, county or city health departments are the best first office.
County health department
Use the DHS Local Public Health directory to find contact information for your county health department.
Vaccine record help
If WIR cannot find your vaccine record, a local health department or doctor may help troubleshoot missing data.
Local vital records
County Register of Deeds offices and Milwaukee/West Allis city health offices may provide certain vital records.
County / Tribal agency
County and Tribal agencies help people apply for or enroll in BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid and FoodShare.
For Milwaukee County, Dane County, Waukesha County, Brown County, Racine County, Kenosha County, Outagamie County, Winnebago County, La Crosse County, Marathon County, Eau Claire County, Rock County and rural counties, check the local health department or county agency page before driving.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Madison map, address and before-you-visit warning
Wisconsin DHS lists 201 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703 as the department address. Wisconsin Vital Records lists a USPS mailing address of PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309 and street delivery address of 201 E. Washington Ave., Room C100, Madison, WI 53703. Do not assume every DHS service is handled at a walk-in counter.
| Need | Better than driving first |
|---|---|
| Birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate | Check Wisconsin Vital Records, VitalChek and local Vital Records Office options first. |
| Immunization record | Use WIR public access first. |
| Provider search | Use DHS Provider Search online before calling or visiting. |
| Health facility complaint | Use DQA complaint line 800-642-6552 or the official online complaint route. |
| BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid or FoodShare | Use ACCESS, MyACCESS, ForwardHealth or your county/Tribal agency. |
| Open records request | Use DHS Open Records contacts and send a specific request. |
Call or check the official page first. Your task may require Vital Records, a local Register of Deeds, WIR, Provider Search, DQA, ACCESS, ForwardHealth, a county or Tribal agency, or DHS Open Records rather than a general office visit.
Official Wisconsin DHS links used in this guide
Use these official pages for final details, phone numbers, forms, fees, eligibility, order methods, complaint routes, provider search, records requests, vaccine records and local office routing. This independent guide does not collect records, process applications, verify identities, file complaints or issue certificates.
People also search for: Wisconsin Department of Health Services Google and Bing intent guide
These are common Google and Bing search-style intents around “Wisconsin Department of Health Services.” Use the matching route instead of opening random third-party pages.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number
Use DHS Contact Information for the general phone, TTY, address, hotlines and service contacts.
Phone routeWisconsin Department of Health Services vital records
Use Wisconsin Vital Records for birth, death, marriage and divorce certificate ordering routes.
Records routeWisconsin birth certificate
Use Wisconsin Vital Records, VitalChek or local Register of Deeds / city health office options.
Birth routeWisconsin death certificate
Use Wisconsin Vital Records or a local Vital Records Office depending on record availability.
Death routeWisconsin immunization records
Use the Wisconsin Immunization Registry public access route and have name, date of birth and ID number ready.
Vaccine routeWisconsin DHS Provider Search
Use DHS Provider Search to find regulated health and residential care providers.
Provider routeWisconsin nursing home complaint
Use DQA complaint line 800-642-6552 or the official complaint route.
Complaint routeWisconsin ACCESS login
Use ACCESS or MyACCESS to apply for and manage benefits such as BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare and Medicaid.
Benefits routeSafety, privacy and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent help guide. It is not the official Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, not DHS.Wisconsin.gov, not ACCESS, not ForwardHealth, not Wisconsin Immunization Registry, not VitalChek, and not a county Register of Deeds or local health department.
Do not send Social Security numbers, birth certificates, death certificates, driver licenses, passports, vaccine records, Medicaid cards, FoodShare cards, ForwardHealth cards, medical records, payment cards, complaint evidence, resident information, patient information, or benefit documents to an independent guide page. Use only official secure pages for final submission.
Fees, forms, processing times, office hours, phone numbers, eligibility rules, ID requirements, local office availability, complaint categories, provider details and benefit rules can change. Confirm final details on official DHS, ACCESS, ForwardHealth, WIR, VitalChek, Provider Search, DQA, local health department or county office pages before taking action.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services FAQs
What is the Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number?
The Wisconsin DHS general contact phone number is 608-266-1865. TTY users can dial 711 or 800-947-3529 before calling DHS. For program-specific needs, use the DHS hotlines or contacts by service area pages.
What is the official Wisconsin Department of Health Services website?
The official Wisconsin Department of Health Services website is dhs.wisconsin.gov. Some official services also use ACCESS, MyACCESS, ForwardHealth, Wisconsin Immunization Registry, Provider Search, VitalChek and county or local agency pages.
How do I order a Wisconsin birth certificate?
Start with Wisconsin Vital Records or a local Vital Records Office. DHS accepts requests by U.S. mail, online through VitalChek, or by phone through VitalChek at 877-885-2981. Prepare the full name, date and place of birth, requester eligibility, ID, application and payment method.
How do I get a Wisconsin death certificate?
Use Wisconsin Vital Records, VitalChek or a local Vital Records Office when available. Ask the bank, insurer, attorney, court or benefits office which copy it accepts before ordering.
Can I order Wisconsin marriage and divorce certificates through DHS?
Wisconsin Vital Records provides marriage and divorce certificate ordering guidance. If the receiving agency requires a court decree, judgment or full case file, contact the Wisconsin court or county where the case was filed.
How do I find Wisconsin immunization records?
Use the Wisconsin Immunization Registry public access page. You need the person’s first and last name, date of birth, and either Social Security number, Medicaid identification number or health care member identification number. Parents and legal guardians can also look up children’s records.
How do I search a Wisconsin nursing home, assisted living facility or health care provider?
Use DHS Provider Search. You can search by provider name, location, county, city, ZIP distance or provider/facility type. Provider detail pages may include contact information and survey history for many provider types.
How do I file a complaint about a Wisconsin health or residential care facility?
Use the DHS DQA complaint route or call 800-642-6552. Prepare the facility name, full address, dates, facts, documents, resident or patient details if appropriate, and witness information when available. For immediate danger, call emergency services first.
How do I apply for BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid or FoodShare in Wisconsin?
Use ACCESS or contact your county or Tribal agency. ACCESS and MyACCESS can also help you manage benefits, view letters, report changes and check benefit information. ForwardHealth Member Services is 800-362-3002.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official Wisconsin DHS website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide that helps users find the correct official route. It does not process records, collect payments, verify identities, file complaints, decide benefits, issue certificates, or replace DHS.Wisconsin.gov, ACCESS, ForwardHealth, WIR, VitalChek, Provider Search, DQA or county offices.