About Green Lake County
Green Lake County is located in central Wisconsin, including approximately 354 square miles of land and water area. Green Lake County Seat is Green Lake, a city known for its picturesque namesake lake, which is the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin at 237 feet. As of the 2020 Census, Green Lake County has a population of approximately 18,913 residents. Green Lake County was established in 1858 from portions of Marquette County and is bordered by Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Waushara, and Marquette counties.
Major landmarks include Green Lake area itself, a premier recreational destination; the historic Heidel House Resort; and the Lawsonia Links golf course designed by Langford and Moreau. Green Lake County's economy has historically been anchored by agriculture, particularly dairy farming and crop production, alongside a strong tourism sector driven by the lake's natural beauty. Key governmental offices include Green Lake County Clerk located at the Government Center, 571 County Road A in Green Lake, WI 54941; the Register of Deeds office at the same address handling all land records; and the Municipal Assessor's office managing property valuations.
Green Lake County is home to several incorporated communities including the City of Green Lake, the City of Berlin (partially), and the City of Markesan, along with numerous townships such as Brooklyn, Green Lake area, Kingston, and Manchester. Green Lake County maintains a rural character while acting as a recreational hub for southeastern Wisconsin residents seeking outdoor activities including boating, fishing, and winter sports.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Green Lake County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order within Green Lake County's unincorporated areas. The office handles patrol duties, manages Green Lake County Correctional Facility, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records.
Police Departments
In addition to Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Green Lake County. These include the Berlin Police Department, Princeton Police Department, and Markesan Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits, while the Sheriff's Office handles rural areas. Coordination between these agencies occurs for major crimes and investigations that cross jurisdictional boundaries.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 571 County Road A, Green Lake, WI 54941, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Green Lake County. Inmate lookup and current custody information can be obtained by contacting the jail directly at the same phone number or through Green Lake County's official website.
- Citizens may submit written public records requests to the Sheriff's Office or individual police departments to obtain arrest reports, incident reports, and related documentation.
- Processing times vary, and requesters may be charged for copying costs and staff time as permitted under state law.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the Sheriff's Office, though some agencies may require a formal records request.
Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Berlin Police Department serving the City of Berlin, the Markesan Police Department for the City of Markesan, and Green Lake County Police Department for the City of Green Lake area. Under Wisconsin Statutes §19.31-19.39, the Wisconsin Public Records Law, arrest records and booking logs are generally considered public information unless sealed by court order or involving juveniles. Green Lake County does not host tribal law enforcement agencies, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands within Green Lake County boundaries.
Sex offender registry information is available through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry website, searchable by name, address, or zip code for Green Lake County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Green Lake County maintains a full criminal records system that includes felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and a sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the Wisconsin Department of Justice's online portal, which provides access to criminal history information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Green Lake County are maintained by Green Lake County Sheriff's Office. These records are available to the public under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. Residents and attorneys can request copies of arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. A Green Lake County arrest record typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, and any charges filed.
Jail & Inmate Records
Green Lake County Correctional Facility is the main detention center for Green Lake County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Green Lake County, where they are fingerprinted and photographed. Inmate information can be accessed through Green Lake County's online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance. Bail can be posted under Wisconsin's bond process, which allows for cash or surety bonds.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Green Lake County are taken and retained by Green Lake County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. Wisconsin does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, so availability is subject to the Sheriff's Office policies.
Courts & Case Records
Green Lake County is served by the Wisconsin Circuit Court, Green Lake County Branch, located at Green Lake County Justice Center, 571 County Road A, Green Lake, WI 54941. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. This court has general jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and small claims matters arising in Green Lake County. Wisconsin Circuit Courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction and handle felonies, civil cases exceeding $10,000, divorces, paternity actions, juvenile matters, probate and estate proceedings, and appeals from municipal courts.
- Certified copies of judgments, orders, and other court documents can be obtained for a fee, typically $5.00 for certification plus copying costs.
Green Lake County also has municipal courts operated by individual municipalities including the City of Green Lake County Municipal Court, City of Berlin Municipal Court, and City of Markesan Municipal Court, which handle ordinance violations, traffic citations, and other minor offenses. Court records are accessible under Wisconsin Statutes §19.21 and Supreme Court Rule 72, which govern public access to court records. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website provides free online searching of circuit court case records, including civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases, though certain sensitive records such as adoption and certain juvenile matters are restricted.
In-person access to complete court files is available at the Clerk of Circuit Court office during regular business hours. The Clerk of Circuit Court also maintains probate records, guardianship files, and estate proceedings, which are generally public unless sealed by court order.
Property & Public Records
Green Lake County Register of Deeds, located at 571 County Road A, Green Lake, WI 54941, maintains all land and property records for Green Lake County. The office can be reached at and is responsible for recording and preserving documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgages, land contracts, liens (mechanics, tax, judgment), easements, plat maps, condominium declarations, and UCC financing statements. The Register of Deeds office provides public access to these records during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
- Many Wisconsin counties, including Green Lake County, participate in the Wisconsin Land Records program, and property records may be searchable through online databases, though availability and search capabilities vary.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Register of Deeds for a statutory fee, typically $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Green Lake County website may offer access to land records indexes and images through a subscription-based service or free search portal. Property tax information is managed by Green Lake County Treasurer's office at the same Government Center address, phone, where citizens can look up current and delinquent tax records, parcel identification numbers, assessed values, and payment history. Green Lake Municipal Assessor's office maintains property assessment records, including property characteristics, square footage, building details, and valuation history.
Green Lake County may offer a Geographic Information System (GIS) parcel viewer accessible through Green Lake County website, allowing users to search properties by address, parcel number, or owner name and view parcel boundaries, zoning information, and aerial imagery.
Vital Records
Vital records for Green Lake County residents are maintained both at the local and state level. Green Lake County Clerk's office, located at 571 County Road A, Green Lake, WI 54941, phone, maintains records of births and deaths that occurred in Green Lake County. Birth certificates can be requested from the County Clerk for births that occurred within Green Lake County, with fees typically around $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
- Only eligible individuals may request certified copies, including the person named on the certificate (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper identification.
- Death certificates follow similar restrictions and fee structures.
- Processing time for vital records requests is typically 4-6 weeks by mail, though expedited service may be available for additional fees.
- Both parties must appear in person to apply, provide valid government-issued identification, and pay the marriage license fee.
- Online ordering of vital records may be available through VitalChek or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website for expedited processing.
For full statewide access, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, located at 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703, maintains records for all births and deaths occurring in Wisconsin since 1852. Marriage licenses must be obtained from Green Lake County Clerk's office prior to marriage ceremonies taking place in Green Lake County. There is a six-day waiting period after issuance before the license becomes valid, though this may be waived by court order.
Divorce records (final divorce decrees) are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court, not the County Clerk. Wisconsin Statutes §69.20-69.24 govern access to vital records and establish eligibility requirements to protect privacy.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Green Lake County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Green Lake County Clerk's office at 571 County Road A, Green Lake, WI 54941, phone, processes and maintains local business registrations including doing-business-as (DBA) filings and fictitious name registrations for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating in Green Lake County. These local registrations create a public record of business ownership and trade names.
- This free online search allows users to look up any Wisconsin business entity by name, registered agent, or filing number, and view formation documents, annual reports, and current status.
For formal business entity registration including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, businesses must register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, which maintains the statewide business entity database searchable at https://www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch. Professional licenses such as those for cosmetologists, real estate agents, plumbers, electricians, and healthcare providers are issued by respective Wisconsin state licensing boards under the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Sales tax permits are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Local business licenses and permits, including health permits for food establishments, liquor licenses, and building permits, are typically handled by individual municipalities or Green Lake County Zoning Department, located at the Government Center Building permits, land use permits, and zoning compliance are managed by Green Lake County Planning and Zoning office. Green Lake County Area Chamber of Commerce, serving Green Lake community, provides business networking and economic development support and can be a resource for entrepreneurs and business owners seeking local information.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Green Lake County are administered by Green Lake County Clerk, serving as the chief election official, located at the Government Center, 571 County Road A, Green Lake, WI 54941 Green Lake County Clerk's office oversees voter registration, maintains voter registration records, coordinates with municipal clerks, provides absentee ballots, and certifies election results.
- In the November 2024 general election, Green Lake County reported turnout of approximately 72% of registered voters.
- Absentee ballots can be requested through the MyVote Wisconsin website, by contacting the municipal clerk in your city, village, or town, or by written request to the appropriate clerk.
- Wisconsin law permits any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
- Citizens may request copies of campaign finance reports, nomination papers, and election results under the Wisconsin Public Records Law.
Voter registration in Wisconsin can be completed online through the MyVote Wisconsin website at https://myvote.wi.gov, by mail, in-person at the County Clerk's office or municipal clerk offices, or on Election Day at the polls. Wisconsin law requires voter registration at least 20 days before an election for online and mail registration, though same-day registration is available at the polls on Election Day with proper proof of residence. Voters can find their polling place, view sample ballots, check registration status, and track absentee ballots through the MyVote Wisconsin portal by entering their name and date of birth.
Public election records include voter registration lists (with limited personal information redacted per Wisconsin Statutes §6.36), campaign finance reports filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission and local clerks, candidate nomination papers and declarations of candidacy, and official precinct-level election results. Green Lake County typically sees voter turnout ranging from 65-75% in presidential general elections and 45-55% in midterm elections, consistent with rural Wisconsin patterns. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races, Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly seats, and statewide constitutional officers in some cycles. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Thursday before Election Day for regular mail ballots, though in-person absentee voting at clerk offices typically continues through the Sunday before Election Day. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 5-12 govern election administration and public access to election records, for public access while protecting voter privacy.
Economy & Demographics
Green Lake County's economy is characterized by a mix of agriculture, tourism, and small manufacturing. Agriculture remains a cornerstone, with dairy farming, corn, soybeans, and other crop production generating significant economic activity. Green Lake County's farms contribute substantially to Wisconsin's status as a leading dairy state, with numerous family-owned operations and some larger commercial dairy facilities.
- The median household income in Green Lake County is approximately $58,000-$62,000 based on recent American Community Survey estimates, slightly below the Wisconsin state median.
- Major employers include Ripon Foods (food processing), various school districts, Green Lake County government, and healthcare providers such as ThedaCare Berlin Memorial Hospital.
Tourism is the second major economic pillar, driven primarily by Green Lake itself, which attracts thousands of visitors annually for fishing, boating, swimming, and seasonal recreation. The historic Heidel House Resort & Spa and various other hospitality businesses cater to this tourism market. Manufacturing employers in Green Lake County include facilities producing food products, machinery, and industrial equipment, though the sector is smaller than in more urbanized Wisconsin counties.
Green Lake County's unemployment rate typically tracks close to state averages, ranging between 3-4% in recent years, though seasonal fluctuations occur due to tourism-related employment. Economic development efforts focus on supporting agricultural diversification, enhancing tourism infrastructure, and attracting small manufacturers and remote workers drawn to Green Lake County's quality of life. Green Lake Conference Center, one of the oldest conference centers in North America, contributes to tourism and hospitality employment.
Retail and service sectors are concentrated in the cities of Berlin, Markesan, and Green Lake, serving both locals and seasonal visitors.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online via WCCA | Property: Yes: Online GIS/Register of Deeds | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person Request | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: State Online Database | Elections: Yes: MyVote Wisconsin Online | Overall Score: 7.5/10, Green Lake County provides good digital access to court and property records, with state-level election tools, though jail records and vital records require direct contact.