Please don't judge all Wisconsin counties by Milwaukee's standards. I live way up north in the state and every courthouse I have been in has had people who have been extremely friendly and helpful. I tend to think that "big city" government people are less friendly than "small-town folks." It is true that post-1907 birth certificates cost $12.00, and marriage & death certificates are $7.00. Doesn't matter if they are certified or not, price is the same. It is much quicker to send a request to the Register of Deeds in the county of the event rather than sending to the state office in Madison. Same price, just quicker service. I sent for a death certificate from Ashland County and got it returned in 3 days! It's getting tougher to obtain vital records in all states. I started doing my genealogy research in 1991 and had quick & easy access to vitals in most states until about 2001. The events of 9/11/01 have precipitated changes affecting many areas of life. Just my 2¢ worth, Nancy