Wisconsin Public Records: How to Find Public Records in Wisconsin

Wisconsin public records are available documents created and filed by government agencies. Such records include public files, like birth certificates, search warrants, arrests, marriage licenses, court cases, obituaries, and credit history. 

Thanks to technological advancements, Wisconsin government agencies have digitized their public records to make them more accessible online to interested persons or businesses. 

In this article, we will discuss popular reasons why residents and non-resident search for public records in Wisconsin and how to find this critical information in different circumstances efficiently.

Why do people request Wisconsin public records?

There are different reasons to search through public records. Some common causes include the following: 

● To research or compile a family tree 
● To find data about various persons
● To find family members/friends

A Wisconsin public records search can help you discover valuable information about the people in your life. 

Public Records in Wisconsin: The Search Methods

According to the Wisconsin Public Records Law, every citizen in the state can inspect and access Wisconsin public records in person, online via state organizations' websites, and by mail. 

Wisconsin's Open Records Law allows anyone to request public records, regardless of residency. However, some files, such as voter registration records, may only be restricted to Wisconsin residents.

If you find any record in person, you can first request printed Wisconsin public records at the Office of the Secretary of State during weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm. Here are the address details: 

Office of the Secretary of State,
30 W Mifflin St,
Madison, WI 53703

The following are other contact information of the office of the secretary of the state if you prefer to send a mail, fax, or call: 

Phone: (608) 266-8888
Fax: (608) 267-0500
Email: [email protected]

Before we fully explore how you can find the various types of records in Wisconsin, here are some exemptions to the Wisconsin Public Records Law: 

● Tax returns
● Internal and external formal and informal correspondence 
● Administrative draft documents 
● Juvenile records
● Court drafts containing information on witnesses
● Ongoing state police criminal investigations 
● Motor vehicle registration details

Accessible Public Records in Wisconsin

Here are available public records in the state and how you can efficiently find them:

Wisconsin Vital Records

Public vital records in Wisconsin include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. The State's Department of Health keeps these data for Health Statistics. Use the standard request form for mail-in applications and online requests to apply for any vital public record in Wisconsin. The current contact information of the Wisconsin State Department of Health is as follows: 

Wisconsin Department of Public Health,
Center for Health Statistics,
1 W Wilson St,
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-1865
Fax: (608) 267-9493

You can also visit the closest county's health department to issue a request and receive a copy of the vital records within 30 minutes. You must pay $20.00 per copy to get a certified vital record. 

The unit provides extra copies to requesters at the rate of $3.00 per copy when they request more. Note that fees are non-refundable, and an expedited shipping record request costs an extra $15.00.

Wisconsin Criminal Records

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains criminal records in the state and makes them accessible to the general public through the Wisconsin Criminal History Repository. The database contains accurate criminal history records on all Wisconsin residents and business owners. 

Visit the state's criminal history record check portal for more instructions on accessing this record. Alternatively, you can download the Wisconsin Criminal History Record Check form from the Wisconsin Justice Department website. You must provide personal details like your name and contact address and pay the attached fee to access the record. 

To access these details by mail, you must fill out the form indicating your personal and work details. Use the following contact details to locate available criminal records: 

Address: Wisconsin Department of Justice,
17 West Main Street,
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-1221

You can also seek details on arrest histories and outstanding warrants in Wisconsin by visiting a third-party website like truepeoplesearch.io. 

It's important to note that if you are an employer or landlord, you must follow federal and state laws regarding using criminal records for employment or housing purposes.  

Wisconsin Court Records

The Wisconsin court system permits public access to all concluded court records, such as civil, domestic, criminal, and traffic cases, online. However, certain court records can only be obtained in person by visiting the county clerk's office where the case was held. Here is the contact information for the Wisconsin State Court System: 

Wisconsin Court System,
P.O. Box 1688,
Madison, WI 53701-1688
Phone: (608) 266-1388

How to Retrieve Public Driving Records in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's Department of Transportation issues and maintains driving records in Wisconsin. To obtain a copy of your driving files via mail, you need to follow the below-listed steps:

1. Fill out the vehicle and driver record information request form
2. Add $7 for each non-certified record and $12 for each certified record
3. Prepare a check or money order payable to the "Registration Fee Trust"
4. Send the form and payment to "Driver Records" at WisDOT, P.O. Box 7995

You can also use an online tool to request a copy of your driving record. To do so, you need to provide the following information:

● Your Wisconsin driver's license or ID Card number
● The last four digits of your SSN
● Your date of birth
● Your gender 
● Your full name
● A valid email address   
● Your debit or credit card to complete the online requests

To conclude

Discovering public records in Wisconsin can be simple if you know where to look. You can navigate the world of public records in Wisconsin quickly and confidently with truepeoplesearch.io. It provides specific and accurate public records while abiding by state and federal laws regulating public records searches. 

The online public records search engine provides public records data in all 50 states. You can use it whenever you desire, and get access to all Wisconsin public records in one place.