Grant County

Grant County is located in the southwestern corner of Wisconsin, bordered by the Mississippi River to the west, forming natural boundaries with Iowa and Illinois. Grant County seat is Lancaster, situated in the central portion of Grant County. Grant County includes approximately 1,184 square miles, making it one of Wisconsin's larger counties by land area. As of recent census estimates, the population stands at approximately 52,000 residents. Grant County was established in 1836 and named after the mining grant given to early settlers during the lead mining boom. Major landmarks include the historic Nelson Dewey State Park, Wyalusing State Park at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, and the Potosi Brewery, one of Wisconsin's oldest breweries. Grant County is known for its rich agricultural heritage, scenic river bluffs, and its significant role in Wisconsin's lead mining history. Grant County Courthouse is located at 130 West Maple Street in Lancaster, housing various county offices. Grant County Clerk's office, also at the courthouse, maintains vital records and election administration. The Register of Deeds office operates at the same address, recording property transactions and maintaining land records. Grant County Assessor's office handles property valuations and tax assessment records. Grant County features several municipalities including Lancaster, Platteville (home to University of Wisconsin-Platteville), Boscobel, Cuba City, and Fennimore. The terrain varies from river bottomlands to steep limestone bluffs and rolling agricultural lands. Grant County's economy has transitioned from mining to agriculture, education, and tourism, while maintaining its small-town character and historical significance in Wisconsin's development.

• The Register of Deeds office operates at the same address, recording property transactions and maintaining land records.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Grant County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order throughout Grant County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office oversees the operations of Grant County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is committed to transparency and community engagement, often participating in local events to foster positive relationships with residents.

Police Departments

Law enforcement in Grant County is provided by Grant County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Platteville Police Department, Lancaster Police Department, and Boscobel Police Department are key agencies serving their respective cities. These departments handle local law enforcement duties, while the Sheriff's Office covers broader county areas and collaborates with city departments on major investigations. Coordination between these agencies ensures full coverage and efficient response to criminal activities.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Grant County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 128 East Maple Street in Lancaster, Wisconsin 53813, provides primary law enforcement services throughout unincorporated areas of Grant County. Grant County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same Lancaster address, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving sentences.

• Inmate searches can be conducted by calling the jail directly or visiting the facility during business hours; online inmate lookup capabilities may be limited and inquiries should be directed to the jail staff.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records and may be obtained through the same request process, though the Sheriff's Office may charge copying fees as permitted under Wisconsin law.
• Response time varies but agencies must respond to records requests as soon as practicable and without delay.
• The Wisconsin Department of Justice also maintains the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system where some criminal case information can be searched online.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Grant 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 Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS).

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Grant 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 Grant 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 Grant County Arrest Records | .
• Sheriff's Office: Grant County Wisconsin Sheriff Office.
• 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.

Grant County's judicial system operates under the Wisconsin Circuit Court system, with Grant County Circuit Court located at Grant County Courthouse, 130 West Maple Street, Lancaster, WI 53813. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Grant County is part of Wisconsin's Seventh Judicial District and handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and small claims matters within its jurisdiction.

• The Circuit Court hears felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $10,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and estate proceedings, and traffic citations.
• The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system provides free online searching of circuit court cases at wcca.wicourts.gov, where users can search by name, case number, or other criteria for most Grant County cases.
• The online system provides case summaries, party information, charge details, and disposition information, though complete case files require in-person review or formal requests.
• The Clerk of Circuit Court office at Grant County Courthouse maintains physical case files and can provide certified copies for a fee, typically $1.25 per page plus a certification fee.
• Probate records, including wills and estate proceedings, are maintained by the Register in Probate at the same courthouse location.

Grant County Register of Deeds office, located at 130 West Maple Street in Lancaster, WI 53813, maintains full land and property records for Grant County. The office phone number is unlisted. The Register of Deeds records and maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, military discharge papers (DD-214s), easements, land contracts, plat maps, surveys, and various other instruments affecting real property in Grant County. These records are public and available for inspection under Wisconsin's Open Records Law.

• Wisconsin Statute §59.43 establishes the duties and responsibilities of the Register of Deeds.
• Grant County offers online property record searching through its website, allowing users to search land records by grantor/Grant Countyee name, document type, or legal description.
• The Register of Deeds charges statutory fees for recording documents and providing certified copies, typically $30 for the first page of most documents plus $2 for each additional page, with certain exceptions.
• Grant County provides an online Geographic Information System (GIS) parcel viewer that allows users to view property boundaries, ownership information, assessed values, and tax information.
• This GIS system can be accessed through Grant County website and provides interactive mapping tools.

Vital records for Grant County, Wisconsin, are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Grant County may be obtained through Grant County Register of Deeds office at 130 West Maple Street, Lancaster, WI 53813 Wisconsin counties maintain birth records occurring within their jurisdiction, and the Register of Deeds is the local vital records custodian under Wisconsin Statute §69.21.

• Birth certificates cost approximately $20 for a certified copy, and requesters must provide proper identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Wisconsin law.
• Death certificates follow similar requirements and fees.
• Processing time for vital records requests at Grant County level is typically 1-2 weeks, though in-person requests may be fulfilled same-day if records are readily available.
• The marriage license fee is approximately $110, and there is a six-day waiting period before the license becomes valid.
• Online ordering typically includes additional convenience fees.

Business and licensing records in Grant County are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of business activity and licensing required. Grant County Clerk's office at Grant County Courthouse, 130 West Maple Street, Lancaster, WI 53813, handles local business registrations including fictitious name filings (doing business as or DBA registrations). These filings allow businesses operating under names other than their legal names to register with Grant County.

• The Wisconsin business entity search can be accessed online at www.wdfi.org where users can search for registered businesses by name, registered agent, or business ID number.
• This free online database provides information about business formation dates, registered agents, business addresses, and current status.
• The Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission provides planning assistance to Grant County.

Explore public records for 23 cities and communities in Grant County, Wisconsin.

Grant County's economy has diversified significantly from its historical foundation in lead mining to cover agriculture, education, manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. Agriculture remains a key part of the local economy, with dairy farming, crop production (primarily corn and soybeans), and livestock operations providing substantial employment and economic output. Grant County contains hundreds of family farms that contribute to Wisconsin's reputation as America's Dairyland.

• Grant County's manufacturing sector includes food processing, metal fabrication, and industrial equipment production.
• Median household income in Grant County is estimated at approximately $60,000, slightly below the Wisconsin state average but reflecting the rural character and cost of living in Grant County.

Election administration in Grant County, Wisconsin, is managed by Grant County Clerk's office, located at Grant County Courthouse, 130 West Maple Street, Lancaster, WI 53813. Grant County Clerk is the chief election official and can be contacted through the office’s website. The office website at grantcounty.org provides election information, though full voter resources are available through the Wisconsin Elections Commission at elections.wi.gov.

• To register, voters must be U.S.
• Grant County voters can request absentee ballots through the MyVote Wisconsin website, by contacting their municipal clerk directly, or through written request to Grant County Clerk for unincorporated areas.
• Absentee ballot requests must be received by the Thursday before Election Day for mail ballots, though in-person absentee voting is available at clerk's offices until the Sunday before the election.
• Grant County maintains transparency in elections by making results available after certification, providing access to campaign finance filings, and allowing observation of ballot counting.
• Citizens can request copies of election materials under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, and the County Clerk's office provides information about candidates and referenda questions appearing on ballots.