Chippewa County

Chippewa County is located in west-central Wisconsin, bordered by the Chippewa River which flows through the heart of Chippewa County. Chippewa County seat is Chippewa Falls area Falls, situated approximately 12 miles north of Eau Claire. Established in 1845, Chippewa County includes approximately 1,009 square miles and has a population of roughly 66,000 residents according to recent census estimates. Chippewa County was carved from Crawford County and named after the Chippewa Falls area (Ojibwe) people who historically inhabited Chippewa County. Major municipalities include Chippewa Falls, the largest city, along with Bloomer, Lake Hallie, and Stanley. Chippewa County is known for its lumber industry heritage, particularly the historic Leinenkugel Brewery founded in 1867, and the annual Northern Wisconsin State Fair held in Chippewa Falls area Falls. The scene features rolling hills, extensive forests, and numerous lakes including Lake Wissota, Wisconsin's second-largest lake created by a hydroelectric dam. Chippewa County Courthouse is located at 711 North Bridge Street in Chippewa County Falls. Key county offices include Chippewa County Clerk at the courthouse, the Register of Deeds office also at 711 North Bridge Street, and Chippewa County Assessor's office which maintains property valuations. Chippewa County's economy historically centered on timber, agriculture, and brewing, with modern diversification into manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail passes through Chippewa County, attracting hikers and nature enthusiasts Bay.

• Key county offices include Chippewa County Clerk at the courthouse, the Register of Deeds office also at 711 North Bridge Street, and Chippewa Municipal Assessor's office which maintains property valuations.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Chippewa County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Chippewa County. It operates Chippewa County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing initiatives and has specialized divisions such as a drug task force and a K-9 unit.

Police Departments

In addition to Chippewa County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Chippewa County, including the Chippewa Falls Police Department and the Bloomer Police Department. These agencies have jurisdiction within their respective cities and collaborate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations. The coordination between these departments ensures full law enforcement coverage across Chippewa County, addressing both urban and rural needs.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Chippewa County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 711 North Bridge Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, provides primary law enforcement services throughout the unincorporated areas of Chippewa County. Inmate lookup services are available through Chippewa County Sheriff's website at co.Chippewa.wi.us or by calling 715-726-7701.

• Under Wisconsin Statutes §19.31-19.39, the state's public records law, arrest records are generally considered public information and may be requested from the law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
• Written requests should specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest.
• Mugshots and booking photos are typically included in jail records and available through the Sheriff's Office, though some agencies may charge copy fees per Wisconsin Statutes §19.35(1)(c).
• Response time for public records requests must be as soon as practicable and without delay, though complex requests may require more time.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Chippewa County, WI are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see image of criminal background check form.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Chippewa County, WI are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Chippewa County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at Inmate Roster | Chippewa County, WI.
• Sheriff's Office: Sheriff | Chippewa County, WI.
• The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

Chippewa County is served by Chippewa County Circuit Court, part of Wisconsin's unified court system under the Tenth Judicial District. The courthouse is located at 711 North Bridge Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, with general information available at 715-726-7784. The Circuit Court has broad jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding $10,000, criminal felonies and misdemeanors, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and estate cases, juvenile proceedings, and small claims up to $10,000.

• Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains official court records and charges fees for certified copies: $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page per Wisconsin Statutes §814.61(5).
• Record requests should be directed to the Clerk of Circuit Court office during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Chippewa County Register of Deeds office, located at 711 North Bridge Street, Suite 252, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (phone 715-726-7774), maintains land and property records dating back to Chippewa County's establishment. The office records and preserves deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plat maps, condominium declarations, survey records, and other documents affecting real property title in Chippewa County. Under Wisconsin Statutes §59.43, the Register of Deeds must record instruments in the order received and maintain indexes searchable by grantor, grantee, and property description.

• Chippewa County offers an online property search system through its website at co.Chippewa Falls area.wi.us, allowing users to search property records by owner name, parcel number, or address.
• Recording fees are established by Wisconsin Statutes §59.43(2) with a base fee of $30 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
• Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.
• Property tax information including assessed values, tax amounts, and payment history can be searched through Chippewa County's online property information system.

Vital records for events occurring in Chippewa County are maintained by both Chippewa County Register of Deeds (which is the local vital records custodian) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office. Birth certificates for births occurring in Chippewa County can be requested from the Register of Deeds office at 711 North Bridge Street, Suite 252, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, or by calling 715-726-7774. The fee for a certified birth certificate is $20 for the first copy, with processing typically taking 5-10 business days for in-person or mail requests.

• Death certificates are also available through the same office for $20 per certified copy.
• Both parties must appear in person to apply, pay a $110 fee, and provide identification.
• Marriage certificates confirming the recorded marriage are available after the ceremony for $20.
• For events occurring elsewhere in Wisconsin or for expedited service, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office in Madison accepts requests online at dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords, by mail to P.O.
• Online ordering through VitalChek costs $34 with expedited shipping options available.

Business licensing and registration in Chippewa County involves multiple levels of government oversight. Local business licenses and permits are issued through individual municipalities rather than Chippewa County; businesses operating in Chippewa Falls should contact the City Clerk at 715-723-9771, while Bloomer businesses contact 715-568-2389. Chippewa County Clerk's office at 711 North Bridge Street, Chippewa County Falls, WI 54729 (715-726-7980) accepts and records trade name registrations (DBA - doing business as) and fictitious name filings under Wisconsin Statutes §134.16.

• These registrations cost $25 and must be renewed every five years.
• This free database includes entity names, registered agents, formation dates, and status information.

Explore public records for 9 cities and communities in Chippewa County, Wisconsin.

Chippewa County's economy represents a diverse mix of manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, retail, and tourism sectors with an estimated median household income around $67,000 based on recent American Community Survey data. Manufacturing remains the largest employment sector with major employers including Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company (owned by Molson Coors), Barron County Seymour Community Schools, Cray Inc.

Chippewa County Clerk's Office, located at 711 North Bridge Street, Suite 213, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (phone 715-726-7980), serves as Chippewa County's election administration hub. The office coordinates elections, maintains voter registration records, certifies results, and provides support to municipal clerks throughout Chippewa County. Wisconsin offers online voter registration through the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov, where eligible residents can register, check registration status, find polling places, view sample ballots, and track absentee ballots.

• These records can be requested through the County Clerk's office under Wisconsin Statutes §19.35.
• Absentee voting in Wisconsin allows any registered voter to request a ballot without providing a reason.
• Absentee ballot requests for Chippewa County voters should be submitted through the MyVote Wisconsin portal at myvote.wi.gov or by contacting your municipal clerk's office.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5:00 PM on the Thursday before Election Day, though in-person absentee voting is available at clerk's offices until 5:00 PM on the Sunday before Election Day.