About Wisconsin Public Records

About Wisconsin public records

Look up Wisconsin records for a person's background history, criminal records and personal information such as property ownership and divorces. Request marriages, death records, birth records from the state. Access the state of Wisconsin courts for divorce filings and other civil cases. See where and how to order copies of documents recorded and held by the state. Request official certificates from a list of government agencies.

State background and court information

The state of Wisconsin is the 23rd largest state in size and 20th most populated with over 5.5 million residents. The state's economy begun with the fur trade with its first settlers to today's 10th largest manufacturer in the United States. Estimates put manufacturing over fifty billion dollars annually, approximately twenty percent of the state's gross income. Regardless of its manufacturing, Wisconsin is known as a major producer of cheese and dairy. 25 percent of all butter and cheese come from the dairy state also houses the largest food manufacturers of amongst states.

Wisconsin is governed by a governor and its lieutenant, 33 state senators, assembly in 99 districts, attorney general heading state's department of justice, Supreme court with seven justices, State Superintendent of Public Instruction in charge of education, Secretary of state which oversees elections, voting, records and databases, and State Treasurer.

The state capitol is located at 2 East Main Street in Madison and is recognized as a National Historic Monument. It houses the state's Supreme Court, governor's office and conference room where bills are heard, passed, press conferences, cabinet meetings and receptions are held. The state's legislature's two houses, Senate and Assembly, meet in the senate chambers located at the capitol building where meeting are held, debates and voting occurs. The 33 member Senate are elected to four-year terms and 99 Assembly members are elected to two year terms. Both, Senate and Assembly members must vote on bills to become law then sent to the Governor for signature.

The Milwaukee State Office Building at 819 North 6th Street Milwaukee, is the central office location for the department of justice, corrections, health services, workforce development, transportation, revenue, financial institutions, children and family services, Milwaukee governor's office, board of aging and long term care and the state public defenders office.

The Wisconsin municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases which involve ordinance violations. If a municipality does not have a court, ordinance violations are heard in circuit court.

Circuit courts have jurisdiction to hear all civil and criminal cases, including probate, juvenile, and traffic matters, as well as jury trials.

State's court of appeals mostly handle cases of mandatory jurisdiction, meaning appeals from circuit courts required to hear under the Wisconsin's law.

Wisconsin's highest court is the supreme court with jurisdiction over all lower courts, has discretion to determine which appeals it will hear, can also hear original actions, cases that have not been heard in a lower court. The court selects the cases it will review based on criteria described in state statutes.

Court records and filings

Access Wisconsin Courts online directly. Search court records; from Wisconsin county courts to Supreme courts. Find criminal filings, Wisconsin dissolution of marriage or divorce records from official state websites. File small claims lawsuits. Link to Wisconsin probate sources with helpful information. Bankruptcy courts by jurisdiction or by districts. Wisconsin state courts contact information such as telephone numbers and more.

Court search routes

As there may be more one source to obtaining Wisconsin criminal, civil and divorce records, it is important to search multiple state courts to find the correct records.

Wisconsin State Court Structure:

The Wisconsin municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases that involve ordinance violations. If a municipality does not have a municipal court, ordinance violations are heard in circuit court. Wisconsin's circuit courts have jurisdiction to hear all civil and criminal matters written within the state, including probate, juvenile, and traffic matters, as well as civil and criminal jury trials. Wisconsin's court of appeals for the most part deal with cases of mandatory jurisdiction, meaning appeals from circuit courts and that they are required to hear by law. Wisconsin's highest court is the supreme court. The supreme court has jurisdiction over all Wisconsin courts and has discretion to determine which appeals it will hear. The supreme court may also hear original actions, cases that have not been heard in a lower court. The court selects the cases it will review based on criteria described in the Wisconsin Statutes.

Criminal records and background checks

Wisconsin court records are publicly accessible through the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) case search system, which covers Wisconsin Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and all circuit courts. CCAP is one of the most comprehensive state court record systems in the country. The Wisconsin DOC maintains a sex offender registry and offender locator system.

Vital records

Statewide Wisconsin vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in Wisconsin and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in Wisconsin to conduct research online. Department of health services, annulments, application forms, local government offices providing services, earliest filed records, historical society, reference materials for use in completing and researching records, certified and uncertified copies by regular or expedited service, obtain an authentication or apostille.

Property and asset records

Search for assets in Wisconsin and obtain records of property, business ownership, professional license verification and other personal or corporate assets. Find bankruptcies, liens, UCC judgment filings and find out about information that can effect a person's or company's asset. See the status of a business and verify ownership, DBA, status, activity and whether the corporation or business filed in Wisconsin owns property, vehicles, real estate and more. Unclaimed property and asset search from official government databases open to the public.

Government records and agencies

Access Wisconsin government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Direct Wisconsin official government links to driver license and registration resources. Vehicle registration, tags, driving history, online forms, office locations, and hours.

Expungements and record clearing

Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of Wisconsin. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous Wisconsin criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.

Genealogy and historical research

Wisconsin genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online. Research Wisconsin cemetery records.

Missing children resources

Wisconsin law enforcement, department of justice and other agencies join forces when a child is reported missing in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Missing Children Clearinghouse has a wealth of information on abduction and plays an important role by providing resources for families, caregivers, and the professionals who serve them in assisting in the recovery of children who go missing from Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Child Amber Alert website tells you what to do in case of an amber alert. This emergency alert system broadcasts information that could help recover a missing child. The Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force counters the emerging threat of offenders using the Internet or other online technology to sexually exploit children. Family members can download information for those who have experienced a family abduction, learn about the laws that will help them, prevention methods, and suggestions for aftercare following the abduction. Parents can find the eight rules of safety to teach their children to help prevent abductions.