Caledonia, Wisconsin Public Records

Racine County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Racine County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Racine Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and Caledonia Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective area, with the Sheriff's Office handling unincorporated regions. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies to ensure comprehensive public safety coverage throughout the county.

The Racine County Jail, located in the city of Racine, is the main detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrested individuals. Inmate information can be accessed through the Racine County Sheriff's Office website, which provides an inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance. The bond and bail process follows Wisconsin state guidelines, allowing for cash bonds or bail bonds through a licensed agent.

Caledonia residents are served by the Racine County Circuit Court, located at the Racine County Courthouse, 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3133). The Circuit Court is Wisconsin's trial court of general jurisdiction and handles all criminal cases (felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations), civil cases (small claims up to $10,000, unlimited civil claims, and family law matters including divorce, paternity, child support, and custody), probate and estate matters, guardianships, mental health commitments, and juvenile proceedings. Wisconsin has a unified court system, and all trial-level proceedings occur in Circuit Court. The Village of Caledonia does not operate a separate municipal court; traffic and local ordinance violations are heard in Racine County Circuit Court. Court records can be searched online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system at https://wcca.wicourts.gov, a free statewide database that provides case information including party names, charges, court dates, dispositions, and judgments for both criminal and civil cases. The system includes records from all Wisconsin counties and is updated daily. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of Circuit Court office for a fee of $5.00 for the first page and $1.25 for each additional page, plus $2.00 for the court seal. Copies can be requested in person, by mail, or by phone with credit card payment. The court also handles protection orders (restraining orders and injunctions), adoption records (which are sealed), and appeals to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II, which has jurisdiction over Racine County.

The criminal records system in Racine County encompasses felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Racine County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Wisconsin Department of Justice provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Wisconsin Bureau of Investigation, which provides detailed criminal history reports. The county also participates in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access program, allowing public access to court records online.

Arrest records in Racine County are maintained by the Racine County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the procedures outlined under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. A Racine County arrest record typically includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and any court dates associated with the case.

Property and land records for Caledonia are maintained by Racine County offices. The Racine County Assessor's Office, located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3218), maintains property assessment records for all parcels in Caledonia and throughout the county. The Assessor's website at www.racinecounty.com provides free online access to property information through the Property Information Search portal. Users can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to view current assessed values, property classifications, lot sizes, building characteristics, sale history, and assessment history. The database includes photographs of many properties and tax information. The Racine County Register of Deeds, also located at the County Courthouse at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3208, website: www.racinecounty.com/government/register-of-deeds), is responsible for recording and maintaining all land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, easements, plats, condominium declarations, and other instruments affecting real property title. Wisconsin law requires that documents be recorded with the county where the property is located. The Register of Deeds office provides free online access to recorded documents through the Tapestry Land Records system at https://tapestry.racinecounty.com. Users can search by name, document type, date range, or legal description and view scanned images of recorded documents dating back to the early 1900s. The Racine County GIS (Geographic Information System) portal at https://gis.racinecounty.com offers interactive mapping tools showing parcel boundaries, zoning, floodplains, aerial imagery, and other geographic data layers for Caledonia and the entire county. All searches are free with no registration required.

Caledonia's economy is characterized by a diverse mix of retail, service, light industrial, and agricultural sectors. The village serves as a major retail hub for southeastern Racine County with extensive commercial development along Highway 32 (Douglas Avenue), including numerous shopping centers, restaurants, and service businesses. Festival Foods, a Wisconsin-based grocery chain, maintains its corporate headquarters in Caledonia, providing significant white-collar employment. The village is also home to multiple manufacturing and distribution facilities including Aurora Health Care facilities, Modine Manufacturing (heating and cooling equipment), and InSinkErator (food waste disposers), though the latter is headquartered in nearby Racine. The Caledonia Unified School District is one of the village's largest employers. Agricultural operations remain present in western portions of the village, though residential development has steadily converted farmland since the 1990s. Caledonia's median household income is estimated at approximately $75,000-$80,000, significantly higher than the Racine County median of approximately $60,000, reflecting the village's suburban character and newer housing stock. Recent economic development has focused on mixed-use developments and expansion of the tax base along major corridors. The village's proximity to Interstate 94 and its position between Milwaukee (30 miles north) and Chicago (75 miles south) makes it attractive for distribution and logistics operations. Many Caledonia residents commute to jobs in Racine, Milwaukee, and Kenosha, contributing to the regional economy while maintaining the village's primarily residential character. The village government has actively pursued business attraction and retention strategies to diversify the tax base beyond residential property.

The Caledonia Police Department, headquartered at 5043 Chester Lane, Caledonia, WI 53402 (phone: 262-835-4423), provides law enforcement services throughout the village. The department's website at www.caledoniapd.com offers information on services and programs. Citizens can request copies of police reports, accident reports, and incident records by visiting the department in person or submitting written requests. Reports are typically available within 7-10 business days of the incident, though active investigations may delay release. Fees for copies are set according to Wisconsin Statutes §19.35(3), generally $0.25 per page plus actual costs for copying. The Racine County Sheriff's Office, located at 717 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3200, website: www.racinecounty.com/government/sheriff), provides countywide law enforcement services and operates the Racine County Jail. The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of Racine County and provides backup support to municipal departments. Arrest and jail booking records for individuals detained in Racine County can be searched through the Sheriff's Office Inmate Inquiry system at www.racinecounty.com/inmate-inquiry, which displays current inmates, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs. Wisconsin's public records law, codified in Wisconsin Statutes §§19.31-19.39, establishes the right of citizens to access government records. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought, and agencies must respond as soon as practicable and without delay. Fees are limited to actual, necessary, and direct costs of reproduction and transcription.

Vital records for Caledonia residents are maintained at multiple levels. Birth and death certificates are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, P.O. Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309 (phone: 608-266-1371, website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords). Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy. Expedited service is available for an additional $20 fee and 2-3 business day processing. Online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com with additional service fees. Wisconsin restricts access to birth certificates for 125 years and death certificates for 50 years; only eligible individuals (the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with a direct and tangible interest) may request certified copies. Uncertified copies of older records are available to the public. Local registration of vital records can be done through the Caledonia Vital Records Deputy Registrar at the Village Hall, 5043 Chester Lane (phone: 262-835-6400). Marriage licenses are issued by the Racine County Register of Deeds at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3208). Wisconsin requires a 6-day waiting period after license application before the marriage ceremony can be performed, and licenses are valid for 30 days from issuance. The fee is $110. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each. Divorce records are maintained as part of court case files by the Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3133), and can be searched through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system. Divorce decrees and judgments are public records unless sealed by court order.

Business licensing and registration in Caledonia operates at multiple government levels. The Village of Caledonia Community Development Department at 5043 Chester Lane, Caledonia, WI 53402 (phone: 262-835-6400, website: www.caledonia-wi.gov) issues various local business licenses and permits including building permits, occupancy permits, sign permits, and special licenses for specific business types such as liquor licenses, food establishments, and temporary events. Business license requirements and fees vary by business type and location; prospective business owners should contact the Community Development Department to determine specific requirements. The village maintains zoning regulations that govern where different types of businesses may operate. Fictitious business name registration (trade name or "doing business as" registration) is not required at the county level in Wisconsin; instead, businesses register trade names with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Wisconsin state business entity registration is handled by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate & Consumer Services (phone: 608-261-7577, website: www.wdfi.org). All corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business entities must register with the state. The Wisconsin Business Entity Search is available free online at https://www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch allowing searches by business name, registered agent, or registered office address. The database shows entity status (active, dissolved, withdrawn), formation date, principal office address, registered agent information, and filing history. Annual reports are required to maintain active status. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements (liens on personal property and business assets) are also filed with and searchable through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions UCC system. Property tax information for commercial properties in Caledonia can be searched through the Racine County Assessor's online property database at www.racinecounty.com. Business owners can look up assessed values, property classifications, and tax amounts for commercial parcels. The Racine County Treasurer's office (262-636-3224) handles property tax collection.

Caledonia voters are served by the Racine County Clerk's Office, located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3121, website: www.racinecounty.com/government/county-clerk). The County Clerk administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Caledonia and is responsible for voter registration, absentee voting, polling place management, and election result certification. Wisconsin residents can register to vote online at https://myvote.wi.gov, the official state voter portal operated by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Online registration requires a valid Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card. Voters may also register in person at the County Clerk's office, at their polling place on Election Day, or by mail. Wisconsin does not have a registration deadline before Election Day; same-day voter registration is permitted at polling places with proof of residence. Acceptable proof of residence includes a Wisconsin driver's license, state ID, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document showing the voter's current name and address. The Village of Caledonia holds municipal elections for Village President (mayor), Village Board trustees, and Caledonia Unified School District board members on the spring election date (the first Tuesday in April) in odd-numbered years. The next Caledonia municipal elections will be held in April 2025 and April 2027, with Village President and trustee seats on rotating terms. Caledonia residents can find their assigned polling place by using the MyVote Wisconsin polling place finder at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/FindMyPollingPlace. The village has multiple polling locations including Village Hall, fire stations, and school buildings depending on ward assignments. In the November 2024 presidential election, Racine County reported voter turnout of approximately 73%, with over 90,000 ballots cast out of approximately 124,000 registered voters. Caledonia's turnout closely mirrored the county average. On November 3, 2026, Wisconsin voters will participate in the midterm general election, which will include races for Governor (incumbent Tony Evers' second term expires), all four of Wisconsin's constitutional officers (Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer), one U.S. Senate seat (Ron Johnson's seat, though it is not up in 2026; Wisconsin's other Senate seat held by Tammy Baldwin is up in 2024), Wisconsin State Assembly representatives (all 99 seats), approximately half of the Wisconsin State Senate seats (odd-numbered districts), and various Racine County offices including County Executive, County Board supervisors, Sheriff, Clerk of Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, Treasurer, and Coroner. Caledonia voters will also decide village offices if any are on the ballot for that cycle. Wisconsin voters can request absentee ballots online through the MyVote Wisconsin portal at https://myvote.wi.gov; absentee ballot applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election. Absentee ballots are mailed to voters and must be returned by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. In-person absentee voting is available at the County Clerk's office beginning two weeks before any election. Public election records in Wisconsin include voter registration lists (available for purchase by qualified requesters for election purposes only), campaign finance reports (searchable online through the Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System at https://cfis.wi.gov), candidate nomination papers and declarations of candidacy (filed with the County Clerk for county and local offices, or with the Wisconsin Elections Commission for state offices), and certified election results by ward and municipality (posted on the County Clerk's website after each election). Wisconsin law requires that all campaign contributions and expenditures be reported and made publicly available.