Wisconsin public records
Wisconsin's WCCA is a court-information service; DOJ background checks have different scope and identity limits. DFI, rather than the Secretary of State, maintains corporate records. County registers of deeds hold property instruments, and certified vital copies have their own eligibility rules.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsWisconsin Court System | Choose Wisconsin Circuit Court Access or appellate case search. | Public case lookup and certified clerk copies are separate. WCCA entries are case information, not a certified criminal-history report; protected cases are excluded. |
| Property and land recordsWisconsin Department of Revenue assessor resources | Find local assessment resources; request recorded deeds from the county register of deeds. | County copies and certification have separate fees. Assessment data does not replace the recorded land instruments or establish clear title. |
| Business recordsWisconsin Department of Financial Institutions | Search corporate records by name and review entity status and filings. | Basic lookup and document/certificate orders differ. Wisconsin corporate records belong with DFI rather than the Secretary of State. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceWisconsin Department of Health Services | Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate ordering. | Search and certificate fees apply. Certified-copy eligibility differs from uncertified copies; a divorce certificate is not the complete court judgment. |
| Criminal-history checksWisconsin Department of Justice | Use Wisconsin Online Record Check System instructions for the appropriate request. | Name-based and fingerprint services have different charges. A name-based match may concern another person; verify identity and dispositions before relying on it. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Wisconsin
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any requester generally may inspect public records, subject to statutory exceptions and the public-interest balancing test. Special restrictions apply to incarcerated requesters.
- How to submit
- Identify the Wisconsin agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The authority must respond as soon as practicable and without delay. There is no single fixed-day production period for every Wisconsin request.
- Fees and estimates
- Charges can cover authorized actual, necessary and direct costs. Location charges and prepayment have statutory thresholds; request an estimate.
- If access is denied
- Ask for a written denial stating the reasons and review rights. A requester can seek mandamus or ask the district attorney or Attorney General to enforce access.
Wisconsin records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Wisconsin public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.35), I request electronic copies of the municipality's executed contract and paid invoices for [project] between [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Wisconsin public records FAQ
Where can I find Wisconsin court records?
Choose Wisconsin Circuit Court Access or appellate case search. WCCA entries are case information, not a certified criminal-history report; protected cases are excluded.
Sources: Wisconsin Court SystemAre Wisconsin public records free?
Charges can cover authorized actual, necessary and direct costs. Location charges and prepayment have statutory thresholds; request an estimate. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Wisconsin official public-records guidance; Wisconsin Court System; Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Wisconsin?
Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate ordering. Certified-copy eligibility differs from uncertified copies; a divorce certificate is not the complete court judgment.
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Health Services; Wisconsin Court SystemIs a Wisconsin court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. A name-based match may concern another person; verify identity and dispositions before relying on it. Use Wisconsin Online Record Check System instructions for the appropriate request.
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Justice; Wisconsin Court SystemSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Wisconsin official public-records guidance — checked
- Wisconsin Court System — checked
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue assessor resources — checked
- Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — checked
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services — checked
- Wisconsin Department of Justice — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions