About Adams County

Population 20,000 residents
County Seat Friendship
Established 1848
Named After John Quincy Adams
  • Adams County Register of Deeds office, located in the courthouse in Friendship, maintains property records and land documents.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Processing times and fees may apply depending on the extent of the request and the format required.
  • Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in Wisconsin and may be obtained through the same public records request process.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Courts & Case Records

  • Fees for copies are established by Wisconsin Statutes Section 814.61(10), which sets the fee at $1.25 per page for photocopies and $5.00 for certification.

Property & Public Records

  • Wisconsin law under Section 59.43 of the Wisconsin Statutes establishes the duties and responsibilities of the Register of Deeds.
  • There may be fees associated with accessing images of recorded documents online.
  • The office also provides walk-in access during regular business hours for those who prefer to conduct research in person.
  • Current property tax bills and payment history can be accessed through this system.

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Certified copies of birth certificates cost $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.
  • Death certificates cost $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for additional copies.
  • Processing time for vital records requests is typically 5-10 business days when requested in person or by mail, though expedited service may be available for an additional fee.
  • Box 309, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-0309, or by phone for The state office accepts online orders through the VitalChek service at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords, which offers expedited processing for an additional fee.
  • Marriage licenses are issued by Adams County Register of Deeds office, which requires both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers.

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • Fees vary based on project scope and valuation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Adams County, Wisconsin?
To search for someone recently arrested in Adams County, Wisconsin, you can contact the Adams County Jail. The jail is located at 301 Adams Street, Friendship, WI 53934. You can also use the online inmate search tool available on the Sheriff's Office website to find current inmates and their booking information.
Mugshots or booking photos in Adams County, Wisconsin, can be obtained from the Adams County Sheriff's Office. They may provide access to these records through their office or an online portal. For more information, you can visit their official website or contact them directly at their office in Friendship, WI.
To obtain a criminal background check in Adams County, Wisconsin, you need to contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau. You can request a background check online through their website or by submitting a request form. The process involves providing personal information and paying a fee for the service.
You can look up sex offenders in Adams County, Wisconsin, by accessing the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and provides information on registered sex offenders in the state. You can search the registry online by name, location, or other criteria to find relevant information.
Voter registration in Adams County is handled through the Adams County Clerk's office at (608) 339-4200 and through municipal clerks in each municipality. Wisconsin allows online voter registration through the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov up to 20 days before an election. You can also register in person at your municipal clerk's office or at your polling place on Election Day by providing proof of residence as required by Wisconsin law. Absentee ballot requests can also be submitted through the MyVote website once you are registered.
Property records in Adams County can be accessed through the Adams County Register of Deeds office located at 402 Main Street, Friendship, phone (608) 339-4218. The county offers online access to recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens through a subscription-based land records search system accessible via the county website at co.adams.wi.us. Property tax information and assessments can be viewed through the county's online GIS parcel viewer, which provides free search access by owner name, address, or parcel number. Certified copies of documents can be obtained in person or by mail for statutory fees.
Birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Adams County are available through the Adams County Register of Deeds office at 402 Main Street, Friendship, Wisconsin 53934, phone (608) 339-4218. Certified copies cost $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously. Processing typically takes 5-10 business days, and you must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a qualified interest in the record as required by Wisconsin Statutes Section 69.21. You can also order Wisconsin vital records through the Wisconsin Department of State Vital Records Office online at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords or through VitalChek for expedited service.
Business records in Adams County are maintained at multiple levels. The Adams County Clerk's office at (608) 339-4200 handles fictitious name (DBA) registrations for businesses in unincorporated areas. For formal business entity information including corporations and LLCs, use the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions' free online Business Entity Database at www.wdfi.org, which provides searchable records of all registered Wisconsin businesses. Municipal business licenses are handled by individual village and city clerk offices within Adams County. Building permits and zoning compliance for unincorporated areas are managed by the Adams County Zoning Department at (608) 339-4251.

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