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lamonswifey · #1 03-21-2012, 08:35 PM

Im wondering If anyone could possibly help me out on any info. how to marry in Wisconsin Prisons?? Im not sure where my fiance is going to be sent off to, but all we know is that we want to marry soon!!

Hes been in jail over a year already, and we shall know what prison they choose in a month or so. Thank you

queenlynch · #2 03-23-2012, 07:34 AM

Here's what I know, but it could be wrong depending on where your guy ends up. I know you have to be on his visiting list (I believe for a year in some places), you have to go through mandatory counseling for six months, and you have to pay for that. Your guy will have to put in the request and wait to be approved before anything can happen.

lamonswifey · #3 03-24-2012, 06:01 PM

Thank you Queenlynch. Im just getting so worried about the whole marriage thing, because Ive read in a few other places, that its harder to marry in WI than what it is in any other state. My baby says if they deny us, we gonna keep fighting them and theyll have a lawsuit on them, cuz they have to marry us, lol. He thinks there's no absolute reason for them to deny us if we take the classes, pay the money, and follow everything else thats involved.

corvette_31 · #4 05-05-2012, 01:57 AM

Ok, I talked to the social worker at Fox Lake and here is the info I got.

Process takes 12-18 months and it begins when I send in a letter of intent to marry to his social worker along with a copy of my divorce judgement from my previous marriage. After that my man has to fill out a form and his PO gives input. I then pick a counselor and the warden has to approve him/her who has to be paid for by him so he needs money on his books. Minimum of 6 sessions with 30-60 days between each session. If he goes to seg or anything during the process it starts over from the beginning. After the counseling you coordinate the wedding which again has to be approved by the warden based on input from counselor and others involved with him. 6 guests are allowed but they all have to be on his visiting list. Wedding band must be mailed in prior to the wedding. He can wear personal clothes that he has or institution clothes but nothing from outside. I have to get ready before going there because they don't allow me to get ready there. Inmate photographer is available. Counselor, license and officiant all have to be paid off his books. Oh and they don't help find a counselor either but you can use a priest or anyone that can typically do premarital counseling outside the walls. It all comes down to the warden though and some are more willing to approve them than others. Good luck! I'm writing my letter of intent tonight. Include your name, dob, his name and #, and maybe the reason why you wish to marry him along with the fact that you know the nature of his crime and his sentence. Hope that helps. I got lucky and the social worker was very helpful and made sure to get me as much info as possible. I would double check with whatever institution he goes to though since it could vary.

wisconsin8 · #5 08-02-2012, 07:13 PM

My fiance is at KMCI. He was sentenced to 8 years and has been in almost 3 (drunk driving that killed someone). During the first year, we were intent on getting married while he was incarcerated. But then found out that we would have to pay for a counselor to drive in at least six times (quite expensive!). Plus.... we knew that if the warden wanted to deny us for any reason... he could. Too big of a risk financially for us. So... we're just going to wait until he gets out. In our hearts... we're already married. We're just missing the legal paperwork. Best wishes to you.

Amanda_UWW · #6 08-02-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamonswifey

Thank you Queenlynch. Im just getting so worried about the whole marriage thing, because Ive read in a few other places, that its harder to marry in WI than what it is in any other state. My baby says if they deny us, we gonna keep fighting them and theyll have a lawsuit on them, cuz they have to marry us, lol. He thinks there's no absolute reason for them to deny us if we take the classes, pay the money, and follow everything else thats involved.

They can deny it... If you choose to do it in county, a judge has to approve it... If he goes to Oshkosh, you will have to be on his visiting list for 9 months, but I believe county counts towards that... Then yes, you will have to do counseling...
When my husband was in Dodge, we decided to do a proxy marriage... I know more info on that... It was less expensive, but we are fighting the system on it now... I have NO regrets tough!