About Brown County
Brown County, Wisconsin, located in the northeastern part of the state along the shores of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, is home to approximately 268,000 residents, making it the fourth most populous county in Wisconsin. Brown County Seat is Green Bay, a city renowned as the home of the Green Bay Packers NFL franchise and Lambeau Field. Spanning 530 square miles of land area, Brown County was established in 1818 and named after Major General Jacob Brown, a War of 1812 hero.
- Brown County Register of Deeds office manages property records at the same location, while Brown County Clerk's office handles vital records, marriage licenses, and election administration.
Brown County includes diverse communities including Ashwaubenon, De Pere, Allouez, Bellevue, Howard, and Suamico, along with numerous smaller villages and townships. Major landmarks include the historic Fox River, which flows through the heart of Green Bay, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, the National Railroad Museum, and Heritage Hill State Historical Park. Brown County Courthouse is located at 100 South Jefferson Street in downtown Green Bay.
Brown Municipal Assessor's office oversees property tax assessments. Brown County's economy centers on paper manufacturing, food processing, healthcare, and transportation logistics, with a rich history tied to French fur traders, Native American heritage from the Oneida Nation, and the development of the paper industry along the Fox River Valley.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Brown County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Brown County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office manages Brown County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. Community engagement and crime prevention programs are a significant focus, aiming to build strong relationships between law enforcement and residents.
Police Departments
Brown County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Brown County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Green Bay Police Department, De Pere Police Department, and Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department. Each agency has jurisdiction over its respective area, with the Sheriff's Office covering unincorporated regions. These agencies collaborate on major investigations and public safety initiatives, making sure of full law enforcement coverage throughout Brown County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Brown County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 3035 Curry Lane in Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311, provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas and communities without their own police departments. Inmates currently housed at Brown County Jail can be searched through the Sheriff's Office website at www.browncountywi.gov under the Inmate Information or Jail Roster section, which provides booking information, charges, bond amounts, and expected release dates.
- To request arrest records, citizens may submit written requests to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest, though some information may be restricted during active investigations.
- The Oneida Nation Department of Law Enforcement provides tribal police services on Oneida Nation lands within Brown County boundaries.
- Processing times for records requests vary, and agencies may charge fees for copies pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Brown County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and sex offender registry information. Background checks can be conducted through the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Crime Information Bureau, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The Wisconsin Department of Justice offers additional resources for residents seeking detailed criminal background checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Brown County are maintained by Brown County Sheriff's Office and the various municipal police departments within Brown County. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through formal applications, often requiring a fee. Arrest records typically include details of the incident, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Wisconsin's public records law, known as the Wisconsin Open Records Law, governs the accessibility of these records, for public access and public access to government documents.
Jail & Inmate Records
Brown County Jail, located in Green Bay, is the primary detention facility for Brown County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and strict guidelines to ensure security. The bond and bail process follows Wisconsin state laws, allowing for cash bonds or bail bonds through approved agencies.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
In Brown County, mugshots are taken and retained by Brown County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by formal request. While there is no specific Wisconsin law mandating the removal of mugshots from public databases, individuals can petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are found not guilty. The availability of mugshots online is subject to the policies of the Sheriff's Office and applicable privacy laws.
Courts & Case Records
Brown County Circuit Court, located at Brown County Courthouse at 100 South Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301, is the trial court of general jurisdiction handling criminal felonies, civil cases over $5,000, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate, juvenile cases, and appeals from municipal courts. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Wisconsin's unified court system provides online case access through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal at wcca.wicourts.gov, which allows the public to search civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and forfeiture cases filed in Brown County by party name or case number at no charge.
- The Clerk of Circuit Court charges fees for certified copies of court documents, typically $5 for certification plus copy fees.
Municipal courts in Green Bay, De Pere, Ashwaubenon, and other incorporated communities handle ordinance violations, traffic citations, and other municipal code infractions within their respective jurisdictions. Probate matters are handled by the Circuit Court and include estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Court records are presumed open to the public under Wisconsin Statute § 801.14 and Supreme Court Rule 20:20, though certain records such as sealed juvenile files and confidential family law documents may be restricted.
Remote access to most civil and criminal case information is free through WCCA, while obtaining physical copies or certified documents requires contacting the Clerk's office. Brown County Courthouse also houses Brown County Law Library, which is open to the public.
Property & Public Records
Brown County Register of Deeds, located at 100 South Jefferson Street, Room 40, Green Bay, WI 54301, maintains land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfaction of mortgages, liens, easements, plat maps, surveys, and other documents affecting real property title. The office can be reached at and operates a website at www.browncountywi.gov where users can access the Register of Deeds Online Search portal.
- This free online system allows searches by grantor/grantee name, document number, parcel number, or legal description, and provides digital images of recorded documents from recent decades.
- Historical records dating to Brown County's founding in 1818 are available on microfilm and in bound volumes at the Register of Deeds office.
- Recording fees vary based on document type and page count pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 59.43.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
- This GIS system integrates data from the Register of Deeds, Municipal Assessor, Planning and Land Services Department, and other agencies to provide full property information to the public free of charge.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates in Brown County are maintained by Brown County Register of Deeds - Vital Records Division at 100 South Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301 Birth certificates for births occurring in Brown County can be ordered in person at the Register of Deeds office for a fee of $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously. Death certificates follow the same fee structure.
- Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if records are available; mail requests take approximately 2-3 weeks.
- Marriage licenses must be obtained from Brown County Clerk's office at 100 South Jefferson Street, Green Bay, and cost $110 with a 6-day waiting period after application.
- Requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification when obtaining vital records in person.
Wisconsin law under Wisconsin Statute § 69.21 restricts access to birth certificates to the person named on the certificate (if age 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, and others with a direct and tangible interest. Death certificates have fewer restrictions but require valid identification. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office in Madison is the central repository for all Wisconsin vital records and can provide certified copies for any event in the state; their website at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords offers online ordering through VitalChek with expedited processing available for additional fees.
Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court as court case files and follow court records access procedures.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Brown County involves multiple levels of government. Brown County Clerk's office at 100 South Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301, handles certain local business registrations and DBA (doing business as) filings, though Wisconsin has largely centralized business entity registration at the state level.
- This free online system provides information on business names, registered agents, business addresses, formation dates, and status (active, inactive, dissolved).
- Most businesses operating in Brown County must register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for sales tax permits and employer withholding accounts.
- Certain business types require additional county licenses, including alcohol beverage licenses processed through municipal clerks and approved by local governing bodies.
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions maintains the official business entity database accessible at www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch, where users can search for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities operating in Wisconsin. Professional licenses for occupations such as real estate agents, contractors, cosmetologists, and healthcare providers are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (dsps.wi.gov). Building permits and zoning approvals in Brown County are handled by Brown County Planning, Development & Zoning Department, located at 305 East Walnut Street, Green Bay.
Individual municipalities including Green Bay, De Pere, and Ashwaubenon have their own building inspection and zoning departments for properties within city limits. The Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce (www.greatergbc.org) is a business resource organization providing networking, advocacy, and economic development support.
Elections & Voter Records
Brown County elections are administered by Brown County Clerk's Office, Elections Division, located at 100 South Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301. The Elections Division can be contacted through the office’s website, and election information is available at www.browncountywi.gov under the Clerk/Elections section. Voter registration in Wisconsin can be completed online at myvote.wi.gov, the state's centralized voter information portal, or in person at the County Clerk's office, municipal clerk offices, or at the polling place on Election Day.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, view their sample ballot, and track absentee ballots through the MyVote Wisconsin website.
- In the November 2024 general election, Brown County experienced approximately 72% voter turnout among registered voters, consistent with high turnout typical of presidential election years in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin allows same-day voter registration, though online and mail registration must be completed at least 20 days before an election. Voters need to provide proof of residence such as a driver's license, utility bill, or bank statement. Brown County election records that are publicly accessible include voter registration lists (though restricted from commercial use under Wisconsin Statute § 6.36), campaign finance reports filed with Brown County or state, candidate filing information, and election results broken down by ward and county.
Brown County Board of Canvassers certifies election results following each election. The next major election is November 4, 2025, featuring Wisconsin Supreme Court and local Spring elections, followed by the August 2026 partisan primary and November 3, 2026 general election for U.S. House of Representatives, U.S.
Senate, Governor of Wisconsin, and state legislative seats. Absentee ballots can be requested online through MyVote Wisconsin, by mail, email, or in person at the municipal clerk's office in the county where the voter resides; absentee ballot requests must be received by the Thursday before the election for mail delivery, though in-person absentee voting is available until the Sunday before Election Day. Wisconsin law requires photo ID for voting, with acceptable forms including Wisconsin driver's license, state ID card, military ID, passport, or tribal ID.
Election transparency in Brown County is governed by Wisconsin's open records law and election statutes; citizens may request copies of poll lists, tally sheets, and other election materials, though certain security information is protected from disclosure.
Economy & Demographics
Brown County's economy is anchored by diverse sectors including paper manufacturing, healthcare, food processing, logistics, and professional services. Major employers include the Bellin Health and HSHS hospital systems, Schneider National trucking and logistics, Georgia-Pacific paper products, Procter & Gamble, Schreiber Foods (one of the world's largest cheese manufacturers), and Humana Insurance. The Green Bay Packers organization contributes significantly to the local economy through direct employment, game-day economic activity, and tourism.
- Median household income in Brown County is approximately $64,000, slightly above the state median.
- Austin Straubel International Airport provides commercial air service supporting business travel and tourism.
Manufacturing remains a key part of the economy, particularly in paper and converting industries that historically developed along the Fox River, though the sector has declined from its mid-20th century peak. The Port of Green Bay is a significant economic asset, handling millions of tons of cargo annually including limestone, cement, coal, and salt, supporting construction and heavy industries throughout northeastern Wisconsin. Healthcare and social assistance comprise the largest employment sector, followed by retail trade and manufacturing.
Economic development initiatives led by Brown County Port & Resource Recovery Department and Greater Green Bay Chamber focus on attracting advanced manufacturing, technology companies, and expanding the logistics sector. Unemployment rates in Brown County typically track below state and national averages, ranging between 2.5-4% in recent years. The Oneida Nation operates significant business enterprises including casinos, retail operations, and manufacturing facilities, contributing substantially to regional employment and tax revenue.
Recent economic development projects include expansion of the Green Bay Business Park and redevelopment of former industrial sites along the Fox River corridor.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online Free Search (WCCA) | Property: Yes: Free Online Search & GIS | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Online Portal (MyVote) | Overall Score: 9/10, Brown County provides excellent digital access to most public records with online portals for court, property, jail, and election information.
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Cities & Towns in Brown County
Explore public records for 12 cities and communities in Brown County, Wisconsin.