Access official Wisconsin background check resources. Search criminal history, court records, sex offender registry, and employment screening databases — all in one place.
A Wisconsin background check gives employers, landlords, and individuals access to criminal history, court records, and public records maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. This directory links you to official government databases, court portals, and free public record resources in Wisconsin.
Follow these steps to conduct an official criminal background check through Wisconsin state resources.
Decide whether you need a name-based check (court/public records search) or a fingerprint-based criminal history check. Employment and licensing often require the latter through Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Visit the Wisconsin Department of Justice website or an authorized fingerprinting location. Complete the required forms, provide government-issued ID, and pay the official fee of approximately $5.
Use Wisconsin court portals to search civil and criminal case history at no cost. Many counties offer online case lookups for convictions, arrest records, and civil judgments.
The Wisconsin sex offender registry is publicly searchable and free. It includes photos, addresses, and offense details for registered individuals.
If using results for employment or housing decisions, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires you to get written consent, provide adverse action notices, and use an accredited Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA).
A standard Wisconsin background check may include criminal convictions and arrests, sex offender status, court records (civil and criminal), driving/DMV records, employment history verification, education verification, and credit history (with consent). The scope depends on the purpose and which databases are searched.
Yes. You can request your own criminal history record from the Wisconsin Department of Justice for approximately $5. This is useful for checking your record before a job application or to verify accuracy. You can also search court records and the sex offender registry for free online.
Official Wisconsin criminal history records are comprehensive and may include records from any date. However, under the FCRA, most consumer reporting agencies limit reporting of most adverse items to 7 years (10 years for bankruptcies). Certain high-paying jobs or security clearances may allow unlimited lookback periods.
For employment purposes, yes. The FCRA requires written consent before running a background check on a job applicant or employee. For tenant screening, written authorization is also required. Self-checks and law enforcement searches do not require third-party consent. Many Wisconsin public court records are freely accessible without consent.