Dunn County

Dunn County is located in west-central Wisconsin, covering approximately 850 square miles of diverse landscape characterized by rolling hills, fertile farmland, and the scenic Red Cedar River valley. The county seat is Menomonie, home to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, a polytechnic institution that significantly influences the local culture and economy. Established in 1854 and organized in 1855, Dunn County was named after Charles Dunn, the sixth Governor of Wisconsin Territory. As of recent census estimates, the county has a population of approximately 45,000 residents.

• Key county offices include the Dunn County Register of Deeds at the Courthouse complex, the County Clerk's office at the same address, and the Assessor's Office which maintains property valuations.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Dunn County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining public safety and law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. The office oversees the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. It also provides patrol services, investigates crimes, and supports community safety initiatives. The Sheriff's Office is known for its community engagement programs and specialized units such as the K-9 unit and drug enforcement task force, which are tailored to address specific local needs.

Police Departments

Law enforcement in Dunn County is provided by the Dunn County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Menomonie Police Department serves the city of Menomonie, while other towns such as Colfax and Boyceville have their own police departments. These agencies work together to ensure public safety, coordinating on major crimes and sharing resources when necessary. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective area, handling local law enforcement duties and community policing efforts.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Law enforcement in Dunn County is primarily provided by the Dunn County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 3001 US Highway 12 East in Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (715) 232-1348 and maintains a website at dunncountywi.gov where citizens can access various law enforcement services and information. The Dunn County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same location, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving short-term sentences.

• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a public records request to the arresting agency, either the Sheriff's Office or the applicable municipal police department.
• Requests can typically be made in person, by mail, or through email.
• Mugshots and booking photos are usually included in jail rosters and may be available through the Sheriff's Office website or by specific request.
• Response times vary, but agencies must respond to public records requests as soon as practicable and without delay.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Dunn County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Dunn County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Wisconsin Department of Justice provides statewide background checks through the Wisconsin Bureau of Investigation. Residents can request background checks to access criminal history information, which includes details of convictions, arrests, and court dispositions.

• The sex offender registry is publicly accessible, providing information on registered offenders residing in Dunn County.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Dunn County are maintained by the Dunn County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrested individual. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the guidelines set forth by Wisconsin's public records law, known as the Wisconsin Open Records Law. Arrest records typically contain information such as the date and location of the arrest, charges filed, and court dates.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Dunn County Jail, located in Menomonie, is the primary detention facility for individuals arrested within the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate information can be accessed through the Dunn County Sheriff's Office website, which provides an online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule visits in advance and adhere to strict security protocols.

• The bond and bail process in Wisconsin allows for the posting of bail to secure release, with the amount set by the court based on the charges and circumstances.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Dunn County are taken and retained by the Dunn 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 request. Wisconsin does not have specific mugshot removal laws, so mugshots remain part of the public record unless expunged by court order. Individuals seeking to view or obtain mugshots can do so by contacting the Sheriff's Office or checking online databases that may host these images.

The Dunn County Circuit Court is part of Wisconsin's unified court system and serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction for the county. Located at 800 Wilson Avenue in Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751, the Dunn County Circuit Court handles criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and small claims matters. The court can be reached at (715) 232-1677. Dunn County is part of Wisconsin's Judicial District 10. The Circuit Court has two branches, each presided over by an elected judge serving six-year terms.

• For more detailed records, certified copies, or documents not available online, requests must be made to the Clerk of Circuit Court's office at the courthouse.
• Fees for certified copies are established by Wisconsin Statute § 814.61 and typically include $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
• The Register in Probate, part of the Clerk of Circuit Court's office, handles estate matters, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
• These municipal courts operate independently and maintain their own records, which must be requested directly from the respective city clerk's office.

Property and land records for Dunn County are maintained by the Dunn County Register of Deeds, located at 800 Wilson Avenue, Room 112, Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751. The office can be reached at (715) 232-1228 and maintains a website accessible through the main county portal at dunncountywi.gov. The Register of Deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining documents affecting real property, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgage documents, liens, easements, land contracts, plat maps, surveys, and death certificates.

• Dunn County offers online access to land records through a searchable database, typically provided through a third-party vendor, allowing users to search by name, parcel number, or document type.
• While basic searching is often free, there may be fees associated with printing or downloading documents.
• The recording fees for documents are established by state statute and vary based on document type and page count.
• This tool is typically accessible through the county website and provides valuable information for property research.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested in person, by mail, or sometimes online, with fees typically ranging from $5 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page.

Vital records for Dunn County, Wisconsin, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records, are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. The Dunn County Register of Deeds, located at 800 Wilson Avenue, Room 112, Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751, (715) 232-1228, maintains death records and can provide certified copies of death certificates for deaths occurring in Dunn County. Birth certificates for births occurring in Dunn County are also available through the Register of Deeds office.

• The fee for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate is typically $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time.
• Processing time for in-person requests is usually immediate if the record is on file, while mail requests may take one to two weeks.
• Eligible requestors typically include the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a direct interest.
• Marriage licenses must be obtained from the Dunn County Register of Deeds before the marriage ceremony, with both parties present to apply.
• The marriage license fee is set by state law and currently costs approximately $110, with a reduced fee of $60 available to couples who complete a premarital counseling program.

Business and licensing records in Dunn County, Wisconsin, are maintained by various county and state agencies depending on the license or filing type. The Dunn County Clerk's office, located at 800 Wilson Avenue in Menomonie, (715) 232-1677, handles certain local business filings, including fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) for businesses operating under a name different from the owner's legal name. These filings are public record and can be searched by contacting the County Clerk's office.

• This free database provides information on business names, registered agents, formation dates, current status, and principal office addresses.
• Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are processed through the Dunn County Zoning and Land Information Office, located in the Courthouse complex at 800 Wilson Avenue, (715) 232-1655.

Elections in Dunn County, Wisconsin, are administered by the Dunn County Clerk's office, located at 800 Wilson Avenue in Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751. The office can be reached at (715) 232-1677, and election information is available through the county website at dunncountywi.gov. Voter registration in Wisconsin is available through multiple methods: online at myvote.wi.gov (the statewide voter portal), in person at the County Clerk's office or any municipal clerk's office, by mail, or at the polling place on Election Day.

• Wisconsin offers Election Day registration, allowing eligible residents to register when they vote provided they bring proper proof of residence documentation.
• These records can be requested from the County Clerk or viewed through the Wisconsin Elections Commission website at elections.wi.gov.
• Absentee voting in Wisconsin is available to any registered voter without requiring an excuse.
• Absentee ballot requests can be submitted online through the MyVote Wisconsin portal, by mail, email, fax, or in person at the municipal clerk's office.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is typically 5:00 PM on the Thursday before Election Day, though in-person absentee voting is available up to the Sunday before the election.

Dunn County's economy is diverse, blending higher education, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism sectors that contribute to a relatively stable economic base. The University of Wisconsin-Stout, located in Menomonie, is the county's largest employer with over 1,000 employees, and its approximately 9,000 students generate significant economic activity through spending on housing, food, and services.

• The median household income in Dunn County is approximately $62,000, slightly below the Wisconsin state median, though this figure is influenced by the large student population.
• The county benefits from its proximity to the Twin Cities metropolitan area, approximately 75 miles to the west, which provides access to broader markets and attracts Twin Cities residents for recreational activities.

Court Records: ✅ Online (WCCA) | Property: ✅ Online GIS/Records Search | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Roster Available | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail | Business: ✅ Online (State Portal) | Elections: ✅ Online (MyVote) | Overall Score: 8/10 — Dunn County provides strong digital access to most public records, with court, property, and election information readily available online, though some vital records require in-person or mail requests.

Explore public records for 12 cities and communities in Dunn County, Wisconsin.