Wisconsin Department of Health Services Phone, Vital Records, Medicaid, WIC & Official Help
This practical guide explains how to contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, which DHS service area to use, and where to find official help for vital records, Wisconsin Immunization Registry records, WIC, ForwardHealth, BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, licensing and certification, local health departments, open records, public health data, and emergency resources.
Wisconsin DHS is not one local clinic or one phone desk. Some services are handled by the state office in Madison, some by local health departments, some by county or tribal agencies, and some by separate official portals such as ACCESS, ForwardHealth, WIR, VitalChek, and DHS Provider Search.
This finder points you to the safest official starting place. It does not replace DHS, ForwardHealth, a county or tribal agency, a local health department, Wisconsin Vital Records, the Wisconsin Immunization Registry, or a licensed professional. It simply helps you avoid the most common mistake: calling the wrong office for your service.
For general Wisconsin Department of Health Services questions, start with the official contact page or call 608-266-1865. TTY users should dial 711 or 800-947-3529 before calling DHS. For vital records, WIC, ForwardHealth, immunization records, licensing, or local health department help, use the specific official page below.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number, services and official contact path
The main Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number is 608-266-1865. The main DHS address is 201 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703. TTY users are directed to dial 711 or 800-947-3529 before calling DHS.
That main number is useful for general routing, but it is not the best number for every task. For birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, use Wisconsin Vital Records and 608-266-1373. For Wisconsin Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, and ForwardHealth member help, use 800-362-3002. For immunization records, start with the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. For WIC, use local WIC agencies or the Wisconsin WIC program resources. For health care facility licensing and provider search, use DHS licensing and certification pages.
The right workflow is simple: choose the exact service, open the official DHS page for that service, then use the correct state program, county or tribal agency, local health department, or official portal. Do not rely on random directory sites for phone numbers, fees, hours, eligibility rules, or certificate instructions.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services fast facts for 2026
Official verification for this Wisconsin Department of Health Services guide
Publish-ready as of: May 9, 2026.
This guide was prepared using official Wisconsin Department of Health Services resources, including the DHS contact page, Contacts by Service Area, Division of Public Health, Vital Records, Wisconsin Immunization Registry, WIC, ForwardHealth, BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid contacts, Local Public Health pages, licensing and certification pages, Provider Search, Division of Quality Assurance, open records, public health statistics, and related DHS service pages.
Phone numbers, office hours, local agency contacts, benefit rules, certificate ordering options, Medicaid eligibility rules, WIC clinic schedules, licensing requirements, provider listings, open records routing, and public health guidance can change. Always verify the official DHS page, county or tribal agency, local health department, or program office before visiting, paying a fee, mailing documents, applying for benefits, requesting records, or relying on a deadline.
What this Wisconsin Department of Health Services guide covers
Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number directory by service
DHS has one main public phone number, but many common user needs belong to a specific DHS service area, local health department, county or tribal agency, vital records office, WIC office, ForwardHealth contact, Division of Quality Assurance unit, or public records inbox.
Best call strategy before contacting Wisconsin DHS
Write down the service name, county, case number, benefit program, certificate type, record name, date of birth or death, WIC agency, immunization record need, facility license type, provider name, public records topic, or open records date range before calling. A specific question usually gets routed faster than “I need the health department.”
Wisconsin DHS vs local health department near me
Wisconsin Department of Health Services is the statewide health and human services agency. Local public health departments, county Register of Deeds offices, city health offices, county and tribal income maintenance agencies, and local WIC agencies handle many services closer to residents.
This difference matters. DHS may publish statewide program guidance, but your local office may control appointment rules, local clinic hours, WIC appointments, local public health notices, county records access, local environmental health issues, and benefit enrollment help.
Major Wisconsin local search intent
Users often search for Milwaukee County, Dane County, Waukesha County, Brown County, Racine County, Kenosha County, Outagamie County, Winnebago County, Marathon County, La Crosse County, Rock County, Washington County, Sheboygan County, Eau Claire County, and Fond du Lac County health services. For those searches, the DHS state page helps with program guidance, but the county or local page may be needed for exact office phones, addresses, appointment rules, and local public health updates.
What Wisconsin Department of Health Services handles in 2026
Wisconsin DHS works to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin. It includes divisions and offices that cover public health, health care access, Medicaid, long-term care, mental health and substance use services, aging and disability services, provider licensing, vital records, public health data, emergency preparedness, and program oversight.
What Wisconsin DHS may not be the right office for
Many people search “Wisconsin Department of Health phone number” when their issue belongs to a local agency, federal program, county office, health care provider, insurance company, or another Wisconsin department. Picking the wrong office wastes time and creates frustration.
Wisconsin birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records and divorce records
Wisconsin Vital Records is the official starting point for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. DHS states that vital records requests are available by U.S. mail, online through VitalChek, or by phone through VitalChek at 877-885-2981. Wisconsin Vital Records customer service can be reached at 608-266-1373.
Wisconsin birth, marriage, death, and divorce records may also be available through Wisconsin county Register of Deeds offices. For Wisconsin birth and death records, users can also contact the Milwaukee City Health Office or the West Allis City Health Office. Availability can depend on the event type, event date, county, and record rules.
For regular certificate requests, do not assume the Madison office is the fastest option. Check the official DHS vital records page, the county Register of Deeds, or the local office that handles the record type you need.
Before you order a Wisconsin certificate
Prepare the full name on the record, event date, event county, parent names when required, spouse names if relevant, requester identity, proof of eligibility, mailing address, payment method, and whether you need a certified copy. If the record is needed for passport, school, estate, insurance, court, immigration, benefits, or legal use, confirm the exact certificate type before ordering.
Wisconsin Immunization Registry records, vaccine history and school proof
The Wisconsin Immunization Registry, commonly called WIR, is the official starting point for many Wisconsin vaccine record searches. DHS explains that public access to WIR allows people to look up their own immunization records and lets parents or legal guardians look up their children’s records.
WIR can help when you need vaccine records for school enrollment, child care, college, work, health care, travel, or personal documentation. DHS provider guidance notes that offering parents and guardians direct access to WIR can reduce record requests because families can view records themselves when they are available.
If a record is missing or locked, it does not automatically mean the vaccine was not given. Vaccines may have been recorded under a different name, reported by another provider, given in another state, entered with different demographic details, or not submitted to WIR. DHS also provides WIR record release authorization forms for certain record access issues.
Wisconsin vaccine record tip
Use the same legal name, birth date, and identifying information your provider used when the vaccine was recorded. If the record does not appear, check old provider records, pharmacy records, school forms, military records, prior state immunization systems, and local health department resources.
Wisconsin WIC phone number, local WIC agencies and food benefit help
Wisconsin WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children with nutrition support, healthy foods, breastfeeding support, referrals, and health-related guidance.
For general WIC information, DHS materials list 800-722-2295. Local WIC offices and agencies handle many appointment and clinic-level details. DHS also provides an Apply for WIC page with local agency listings, phone numbers, emails, and county/service-area details.
For WIC vendor or farmers market nutrition program topics, DHS has separate pages and contact paths. Do not use a vendor contact for a family WIC appointment, and do not use a family appointment page for vendor authorization or WIC fraud reporting.
What to prepare for a WIC appointment
Bring proof of identity, proof of Wisconsin address, proof of income or qualifying program participation, pregnancy information if applicable, child or infant information, and any instructions your local WIC agency gives you. Missing documents can delay the appointment or certification.
Wisconsin ForwardHealth, Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus and ACCESS help
Wisconsin DHS is closely connected with ForwardHealth programs, including BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid. For many members, the most important number is ForwardHealth Member Services at 800-362-3002. DHS pages list Member Services as available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ForwardHealth Member Services can help with covered services, copays, finding a provider, and getting a ForwardHealth card. For eligibility, enrollment, renewals, proof/verification, reporting changes, and local case questions, DHS directs users to local county or tribal agencies.
If you are applying for benefits, DHS provides the Apply for Benefits page and ACCESS resources. Depending on your situation, applications may involve BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, FoodShare, Family Planning Only Services, or other ForwardHealth-connected programs.
ForwardHealth card tip
If you need a new ForwardHealth card or have questions about covered services, call ForwardHealth Member Services or use ACCESS. If your question is about whether you qualify or what proof you must send, your county or tribal agency may be the correct office.
Wisconsin health care facility licensing, certification and provider search
Wisconsin DHS licenses, certifies, and regulates many health and residential care providers through licensing and certification programs. DHS also provides a Provider Search tool that helps users find health and residential care providers regulated by DHS Division of Quality Assurance.
Licensing is not one single process. Hospitals, critical access hospitals, home health agencies, hospices, residential care providers, adult day care centers, adult family homes, community-based residential facilities, nurse aide programs, medication aides, mental health treatment programs, clinical laboratories, and other provider types may have different rules.
DHS also has the DQA Provider Portal for certain licensure, certification, background check, plan review, and provider application workflows. Providers should use the official licensing page for the exact provider type before applying, renewing, submitting fees, or assuming inspection requirements.
Wisconsin caregiver background checks, misconduct and DQA Provider Portal
Wisconsin’s Caregiver Law requires background and criminal history checks of certain caregivers, and regulated entities must report certain incidents of misconduct. DHS explains that caregiver background checks are required at hiring, when certain circumstances change, and at least every four years.
DHS has caregiver background check pages, misconduct investigation resources, and DQA Provider Portal guidance. These are mainly for regulated entities, providers, caregivers, and people involved in licensing or employment processes. Do not confuse caregiver background checks with general public criminal background checks or court record searches.
Wisconsin DHS open records, public health statistics and data requests
Wisconsin DHS provides official open records request information under Wisconsin public records law. DHS pages list separate open records contacts for the Office of the Secretary and other DHS requests. DHS also provides program-specific records contacts, including Division of Quality Assurance information request contacts.
For public health statistics, use DHS public health statistics pages, WISH, reports, dashboards, data tables, and publications before filing an open records request. Many public health answers are already published in official data tools.
Open records request tip
Be specific. Include the DHS division, program, topic, date range, document type, provider or facility name if relevant, license number if relevant, county, and preferred format. Broad requests like “send all health records” can delay processing because DHS may not know which records you mean.
Wisconsin health portal confusion: which official page should you use?
Wisconsin health searches can be confusing because the correct website depends on the service. DHS.wisconsin.gov is the main state health services website. Vital Records has separate certificate pages. WIR handles immunization record lookup. ACCESS and ForwardHealth support benefits. Local health departments handle local public health services. DQA handles regulated provider licensing and quality assurance. Provider Search helps users find regulated facilities and care providers.
Wisconsin DHS checklist before you call, visit, apply or request records
Many delays happen because users contact the wrong service area or do not have the right documents. The exact requirements depend on the program, but this checklist helps you prepare before calling DHS, ordering vital records, checking immunization records, applying for benefits, contacting WIC, or requesting open records.
Wisconsin DHS free information vs paid certificates, licenses and records
Many Wisconsin DHS pages, program guides, forms, dashboards, publications, public health statistics, WIR lookup resources, local health department pages, and contact directories are free to access online. Some official services may still involve costs, including certified vital records, expedited orders, copies, licensing applications, provider certifications, inspection-related fees, and certain public records processing.
The important difference is not only “free vs paid.” The important difference is “official vs unofficial.” Pay only through official DHS, county, state, approved vendor, or clearly linked government payment paths. Private websites can look official while charging unnecessary fees or giving outdated instructions.
How to contact the right Wisconsin Department of Health Services office
Identify the exact service first
Decide whether you need general DHS contact, vital records, immunization records, WIC, Medicaid/ForwardHealth, local health department help, provider licensing, caregiver background checks, open records, or public health data.
Start from the official DHS page
Use DHS.wisconsin.gov or the exact official program page. Avoid private directories when you need current fees, forms, phone numbers, office rules, or eligibility instructions.
Use local or county offices when the service is local
For local public health services, county Register of Deeds offices, WIC appointments, county health department contacts, or benefit eligibility help, use the correct local, county, or tribal office.
Prepare documents before calling or visiting
Have ID, record details, benefit notices, member information, WIR details, local agency name, certificate application, provider license number, or request details ready where applicable.
Verify current rules before paying or mailing
Fees, forms, mailing addresses, local office hours, appointment rules, benefit processes, and program instructions can change. Check the official DHS or local page before taking action.
Do not use general Wisconsin DHS contact pages for emergencies
If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For suicide, mental health crisis, or emotional distress support in the United States, call or text 988. For poisoning, severe symptoms, violence, overdose danger, child abuse, elder abuse, or immediate safety threats, use emergency services or the correct urgent hotline.
DHS contact pages are useful for public health information, benefits guidance, records, WIC, vital records, licensing, provider search, and program routing. They are not a substitute for emergency medical care, crisis intervention, urgent law enforcement help, or immediate safety response.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Madison office map
The map below points to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services main office area in Madison. Most users should verify the correct program page, phone number, mailing address, appointment rule, and local office before visiting. For vital records, WIC, ForwardHealth, and local public health services, another state, county, tribal, or local office may be the better contact.
Official Wisconsin Department of Health Services links for services and phone help
Use these official resources before relying on directory sites, private records pages, unofficial benefit help pages, or old search snippets.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services official website Main official DHS website for Wisconsin public health programs, benefits, WIC, vital records, licensing, data, and services. DHS Contact Information Official DHS contact page with main address, phone number, TTY access, hotline numbers, and service contacts. Contacts by Service Area Official searchable DHS service contact directory for program-specific phone numbers and emails. DHS Divisions and Offices Official DHS page explaining department divisions and offices. Wisconsin Vital Records Official Wisconsin vital records page for birth, death, marriage, divorce, applications, ordering, and record guidance. Contact Wisconsin Vital Records Official vital records contact page with customer service phone, email, mailing address, and street address. Wisconsin Immunization Registry Official WIR page for looking up vaccine records and accessing Wisconsin immunization record resources. Wisconsin WIC Official Wisconsin WIC page for nutrition support, breastfeeding support, local agencies, and family resources. Apply for WIC Official Wisconsin WIC application and local agency page. ForwardHealth Apply for Benefits Official DHS page for applying for BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, FoodShare, and related programs. BadgerCare Plus Contacts Official contact page for BadgerCare Plus and ForwardHealth member and provider services. Wisconsin Medicaid Contacts Official Medicaid contact page for members, applicants, local agencies, and provider help. Wisconsin Local Public Health Official page for finding local health department contact information by county. Certification, Licenses, and Permits Official DHS page for provider licensing, certification, environmental certification, mental health certification, and related regulated services. DHS Provider Search Official provider search tool for health and residential care providers regulated by DHS Division of Quality Assurance. DHS Open Records Request Official Wisconsin DHS open records request page under Wisconsin public records law. Wisconsin Public Health Statistics Official DHS public health statistics and data resource area.Wisconsin Department of Health Services FAQ: phone, records, WIC, Medicaid and licensing
What is the Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number?
The main Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone number is 608-266-1865. TTY users should dial 711 or 800-947-3529 before calling DHS.
Where is Wisconsin Department of Health Services located?
Wisconsin DHS lists its main address as 201 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703. Many services are handled online, by mail, by phone, or through local offices, so verify the correct program page before visiting.
How do I contact Wisconsin Vital Records?
Wisconsin Vital Records customer service can be reached at 608-266-1373. The mailing address listed by DHS is Wisconsin Vital Records, PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309.
How do I get a Wisconsin birth certificate?
Use the Wisconsin Vital Records page, mail application forms, VitalChek ordering options, or a local county Register of Deeds office when available. Verify eligibility, ID, fees, and processing options before ordering.
How do I get a Wisconsin death certificate?
Use Wisconsin Vital Records or a proper local Register of Deeds office. Record availability and ordering rules can depend on the event date, county, requester eligibility, and certificate type.
Can I get marriage and divorce records from Wisconsin DHS?
Yes, Wisconsin Vital Records provides guidance for marriage and divorce certificates. Full court case files or divorce decrees may require the court or county office depending on what document you need.
How do I get Wisconsin immunization records?
Use the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to look up your own immunization record or your child’s record when available. If records are missing, contact your provider, local health department, school, pharmacy, or use WIR-related record forms.
What is the Wisconsin Immunization Registry?
The Wisconsin Immunization Registry is the state immunization record system that allows public access for people to find their vaccine records and lets parents or legal guardians look up children’s records when available.
What is the Wisconsin WIC phone number?
DHS materials list 800-722-2295 for WIC information. Local WIC agencies handle many appointment, eligibility, and clinic-specific questions.
How do I contact ForwardHealth or BadgerCare Plus?
ForwardHealth Member Services can be reached at 800-362-3002. For eligibility, enrollment, renewals, reporting changes, or sending proof, contact your local county or tribal agency.
Does Wisconsin DHS handle Medicaid?
Yes, Wisconsin DHS provides Medicaid and ForwardHealth information. Member Services can help with many member questions, while local county or tribal agencies often help with eligibility and enrollment issues.
Does Wisconsin DHS license health care facilities?
Yes. DHS licenses and certifies many health and residential care providers through licensing and certification programs. Use the exact provider type page and DHS Provider Search for regulated provider information.
How do I find a local health department in Wisconsin?
Use the Wisconsin DHS Local Public Health page. It lets users choose a county to find local health department contact information.
How do I request Wisconsin DHS public records?
Use the official DHS open records request page. For vital records, use Wisconsin Vital Records instead. For Division of Quality Assurance provider records, use DQA records request guidance.
Is this the official Wisconsin Department of Health Services website?
No. This is an independent informational guide. For official services, forms, fees, appointments, benefits, records, WIC, immunization records, licensing, or public health notices, use DHS.wisconsin.gov or the correct official local page.
Independent guide and official-use disclaimer
This article is an independent guide created to help users understand Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone numbers, services, vital records, immunization records, WIC, ForwardHealth, Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, local health departments, licensing, open records, public health data, and official links.
It is not the official Wisconsin Department of Health Services website and does not provide medical, legal, benefits, licensing, or emergency advice. Before visiting, paying, mailing documents, applying for benefits, filing a request, ordering records, or relying on a deadline, verify details directly with DHS.wisconsin.gov, ForwardHealth, Wisconsin Vital Records, the correct county or tribal agency, or the appropriate local health department.
Bottom line for Wisconsin Department of Health Services phone and service help
For general Wisconsin Department of Health Services contact, call 608-266-1865 or use the official contact page. For vital records, call 608-266-1373 or use the Wisconsin Vital Records page. For immunization records, start with the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. For WIC, use Wisconsin WIC resources, local WIC agencies, and 800-722-2295. For Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, and ForwardHealth member questions, call 800-362-3002. For licensing and regulated provider information, use DHS licensing pages and Provider Search.
The strongest user path is official first, exact service area second, local county or tribal office third. That is safer, faster, and more reliable than outdated directory pages or unofficial phone lists.