Hudson, Wisconsin Public Records

In addition to the Hudson, St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within the county, including the Hudson Police Department, New Richmond Police Department, and River Falls Police Department. Each department is responsible for maintaining law and order within their respective city limits, handling local crimes, traffic enforcement, and community policing initiatives. These agencies collaborate with the Sheriff's Office on major investigations and emergencies, ensuring a coordinated response across the county. The police departments also engage with the community through outreach programs and public safety education.

The St. Croix County Jail, located in Hudson, is the primary detention facility for individuals arrested within the county. The booking process at the jail involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current inmates by name. Visitation rules at the St. Croix County Jail require scheduling in advance, with specific hours designated for family and attorney visits. The bond and bail process follows Wisconsin state guidelines, where individuals can post bail to secure their release pending court proceedings. Information on recent arrests can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or the county's online inmate search tool.

Hudson residents are served by multiple courts depending on case type. The City of Hudson Municipal Court, located at Hudson City Hall, 505 Third Street, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4765), handles city ordinance violations, traffic citations issued within Hudson city limits, and other municipal matters. The court typically holds sessions multiple times per month, and individuals can pay fines or contest citations through this court.

The St. Croix County Circuit Court, located at the St. Croix County Justice Center, 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4625, website: https://www.sccwi.gov/113/Clerk-of-Circuit-Court), serves as the primary trial court for Hudson residents and all of St. Croix County. The Circuit Court has broad jurisdiction handling felony criminal cases, misdemeanors, civil cases (including small claims up to $10,000), family law matters (divorce, child custody, child support), probate and estate cases, juvenile matters, and traffic offenses. The Clerk of Circuit Court office maintains all case files and provides public access to court records during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).

Wisconsin offers statewide online access to circuit court records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system at https://wcca.wicourts.gov. This free public portal allows searching by name, case number, or other criteria to view case information, parties, charges, dispositions, and court dates for both criminal and civil cases. Some sensitive records such as certain family law documents may be restricted. The Clerk of Circuit Court charges $5.00 per document for certified copies, with additional fees for exemplified copies or larger documents. Regular photocopies are typically $1.25 per page. Appeals from Circuit Court decisions go to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and potentially the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The criminal records system in St. Croix County encompasses various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The St. Croix County Clerk of Courts maintains court records, while the Sheriff's Office and local police departments handle arrest and incident reports. Residents can request background checks through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which provides comprehensive criminal history information. The Wisconsin Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for accessing statewide criminal records, ensuring that residents and employers have access to necessary information for safety and employment purposes.

Arrest records in St. Croix County are maintained by the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through formal applications, adhering to the Wisconsin Open Records Law. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking information. To obtain these records, individuals may need to submit a written request to the appropriate law enforcement agency, and fees may apply for processing and copying documents. The records provide crucial information for legal proceedings and background checks.

Property and land records for Hudson are maintained by St. Croix County. The St. Croix County Assessor's Office, located at 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4610, website: https://www.sccwi.gov/126/Real-Property-Listing), maintains assessment records for all properties in Hudson and throughout the county. The Assessor's website provides a searchable online database where users can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to access detailed property information including assessed values (land and improvements), property class, acreage, legal descriptions, and assessment history. The assessment data is updated annually following the state's assessment cycle, with properties typically reassessed periodically. This online tool is free to use and provides transparency into property valuations used for tax purposes.

The St. Croix County Register of Deeds, also located at 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4612, website: https://www.sccwi.gov/134/Register-of-Deeds), records and maintains all official land records including property deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other instruments affecting real estate. Wisconsin law requires these documents to be recorded to establish priority and provide public notice. The Register of Deeds office offers online access to recorded documents through their website, typically allowing searches by grantor/grantee name, document type, date range, or parcel number. Some historical records dating back to the county's founding in 1840 have been digitized. There may be fees for printing or obtaining certified copies of documents, though online viewing is generally available at no charge.

St. Croix County also provides a comprehensive GIS (Geographic Information System) parcel viewer accessible through the county website, allowing users to visually search properties on interactive maps, view parcel boundaries, zoning information, aerial imagery, and links to assessment and deed records. This tool is particularly useful for researching properties by location rather than owner name.

Hudson's economy benefits significantly from its strategic location on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border adjacent to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, making it a popular residential community for commuters while maintaining a strong local economic base. Major employers in Hudson include Hudson Hospital & Clinic (part of HealthPartners), which provides healthcare services and employs several hundred medical professionals and support staff; the St. Croix County government complex, which serves as a significant public sector employer as the county seat; and the Hudson School District, which operates multiple elementary schools, Hudson Middle School, and Hudson High School. The retail sector thrives along Highway 35 and Interstate 94 corridors, with concentrations of restaurants, hospitality businesses, and service providers catering to both local residents and Minnesota visitors seeking Wisconsin's lower sales tax rates on certain goods. Notable employers include Fleet Farm, various automotive dealerships, and banking institutions.

The city's economy has diversified beyond its historical roots in lumber milling and agriculture to embrace tourism, professional services, and small manufacturing. Hudson's picturesque downtown along the St. Croix River attracts visitors year-round for boutique shopping, dining, festivals including the annual Hudson Hot Air Affair (one of the largest hot air balloon festivals in the nation), and recreational activities on the river. The median household income in Hudson is estimated at approximately $75,000-$85,000, notably higher than Wisconsin's state average, reflecting the city's character as an affluent commuter suburb. Recent economic development has focused on expanding the city's commercial tax base while preserving its historic character, with new residential subdivisions, retail developments along the I-94 corridor, and revitalization efforts in the historic downtown. The city has experienced steady population growth over the past two decades, with corresponding increases in housing construction and commercial development. Hudson's economy is closely tied to the broader St. Croix County and Twin Cities regional economy, benefiting from access to major metropolitan job markets while offering lower housing costs than comparable Minnesota suburbs.

The Hudson Police Department, located at 405 Stageline Road, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4701, website: https://www.ci.hudson.wi.us/government/departments/police.php), serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Hudson. The department handles patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response within city limits. To request police reports or incident records, individuals can visit the police department during business hours or submit written requests; accident reports typically cost $5.00 and other reports may have variable fees depending on copying costs. The department maintains records of arrests, citations, crash reports, and incident logs subject to Wisconsin's public records law.

The St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4701, website: https://www.sccwi.gov/148/Sheriffs-Department), provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of St. Croix County and assists Hudson PD when needed. The Sheriff's Office operates the St. Croix County Jail and maintains arrest and booking records for the entire county. To search for current inmates and recent arrests, the public can access the jail roster at https://www.sccwi.gov/150/Jail which displays inmate names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photos when available. This roster is updated regularly and provides transparency into who is currently detained in the county facility.

All public records requests for law enforcement records in Wisconsin are governed by Wisconsin Statutes §19.31-19.39, the state's public records law. This statute presumes that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. Exemptions may include ongoing investigations, certain juvenile records, and information that would endanger individuals. Requesters do not need to provide a reason for requesting records, and agencies must respond to requests as soon as practicable, typically within a few business days. Fees may be charged for the actual cost of copying and staff time if extensive.

Vital records for Hudson residents are managed at both the county and state levels. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, located at 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703 (phone: 608-266-1371, website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords/index.htm). Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates are also $20 each. Certified copies can be ordered online through the state's VitalChek service (additional processing fees apply), by mail, or in person at the state office in Madison. Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests and faster for online orders. Wisconsin law restricts access to birth records for 100 years and death records for 50 years, with only eligible individuals (parents, legal representatives, persons with direct and tangible interest) able to obtain certified copies of recent records. Birth records are available from 1852 forward and death records from 1835 forward.

Marriage licenses and marriage records for Hudson residents are issued and maintained by the St. Croix County Clerk's Office, located at 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4600, website: https://www.sccwi.gov/115/County-Clerk). Couples planning to marry must apply for a marriage license in person at the County Clerk's office; the license costs $110 and is valid for 30 days from issuance. Wisconsin has no waiting period, and marriages can be performed immediately after obtaining the license. The County Clerk maintains records of all marriages performed in St. Croix County dating back to the county's establishment. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $20.

Divorce records are not maintained by the County Clerk but rather by the St. Croix County Circuit Court Clerk at the same address (1101 Carmichael Road, phone: 715-386-4625), as divorces are court proceedings. Divorce case files can be searched through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system online, and certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Clerk of Circuit Court for $5.00 per document. Requesters must provide case numbers or sufficient identifying information. Wisconsin requires photo identification for obtaining certified copies of vital records.

Business licensing and registration in Hudson involves multiple levels of government. The City of Hudson requires business licenses for certain activities within city limits. Business owners should contact Hudson City Hall at 505 Third Street, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4765) to determine if their specific business requires a city license. Common licensed activities may include retail establishments, restaurants, and various service businesses. License fees and renewal schedules vary by business type. The City Clerk's office can provide information about existing city business licenses. Additionally, businesses must comply with city zoning ordinances and may need building permits from the Community Development Department.

St. Croix County does not typically require general business licenses but does regulate specific activities. For fictitious business name registration ("doing business as" or DBA), businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name may register with the St. Croix County Clerk at 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4600). While Wisconsin does not mandate DBA registration statewide, it is commonly done at the county level for public record purposes.

Corporations, LLCs, and other business entities in Wisconsin must register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The state maintains a searchable online database at https://www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch/Search.aspx where anyone can look up business entities by name, registered agent, or registration number. This free database shows entity status (active, dissolved, etc.), formation date, registered office address, registered agent information, and sometimes officer or member names. Annual reports and entity documents can also be accessed through this system. Businesses can file formation documents and annual reports online through the same portal.

UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which record security interests in personal property and business assets, are filed with and searchable through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions at https://www.wdfi.org/ucc/. This online system allows lien searches by debtor name to discover existing encumbrances on business assets. Business personal property taxes and commercial real estate assessments are handled through the St. Croix County Assessor's Office, with records searchable at https://www.sccwi.gov/126/Real-Property-Listing. Commercial property owners can view assessed values and tax information through the county's online property search system.

Hudson voters are served by the St. Croix County Clerk's Office, located at 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016 (phone: 715-386-4600, website: https://www.sccwi.gov/115/County-Clerk). The County Clerk serves as the chief election official for St. Croix County, managing voter registration, administering elections, maintaining voter registration lists, and certifying election results for all Hudson residents and county voters.

Wisconsin residents can register to vote online through the statewide MyVote Wisconsin portal at https://myvote.wi.gov. Voters must register by 11:59 PM on the third Wednesday before any election to vote in that election, though Wisconsin also allows same-day registration at polling places on Election Day with proper proof of residence. To register, voters need their Wisconsin driver's license or state ID number. First-time voters and those registering on Election Day must provide proof of residence such as a utility bill, bank statement, or government document showing name and current address. Wisconsin requires voters to present an acceptable photo ID when voting, including Wisconsin driver's licenses, state ID cards, military IDs, passports, or certain other government-issued IDs.

Hudson municipal elections are held in the spring of odd-numbered years. The City of Hudson elects a mayor to a two-year term and seven Common Council members representing different districts, with alderpersons also serving two-year terms on staggered schedules. The next Hudson municipal elections will be held in April 2025 and April 2027. Local ballot issues occasionally include referendums on school funding, city infrastructure, or other municipal matters. Information about Hudson candidates and local issues can be found through the Hudson City Clerk at 715-386-4765 or at city council meetings held at City Hall.

Hudson voters can find their assigned polling place using the MyVote Wisconsin website at https://myvote.wi.gov by entering their address. The site shows polling location, hours (typically 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM), and sample ballots. Hudson has multiple voting wards with polling places typically located at schools, community centers, and public buildings throughout the city.

Under Wisconsin public records law, voter registration lists are public records available from the County Clerk and accessible through the MyVote portal. Campaign finance records for state and local candidates are maintained by the Wisconsin Ethics Commission and searchable at https://cfis.wi.gov, showing contributions and expenditures for candidates and political committees. Candidate nomination papers and declarations of candidacy are filed with and available from the County Clerk (for county offices) or City Clerk (for municipal offices). Complete precinct-by-precinct election results are public records posted by the County Clerk following each election and available on the county website.

In the November 2024 presidential election, St. Croix County reported approximately 68-70% voter turnout with roughly 48,000 ballots cast from approximately 70,000 registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement in this politically competitive Wisconsin county. The county has trended more conservative in recent cycles while maintaining competitive races.

The November 3, 2026 general election will be crucial for Hudson and St. Croix County voters. Wisconsin will elect a Governor (incumbent Tony Evers' term expires), a U.S. Senator (if 2026 is the cycle—Wisconsin's Senate seats are Class 1 and Class 3, with Class 3 up in 2022/2028, so 2026 will not have a U.S. Senate race), all members of the Wisconsin State Assembly for two-year terms, odd-numbered State Senate districts (half the Senate), and various county offices including St. Croix County Board supervisors, Sheriff, Clerk of Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, and other constitutional offices. Local municipal offices may also appear on the ballot depending on the election calendar. Voters should consult the County Clerk's website closer to the election date for a complete list of races and any ballot questions.

Wisconsin offers absentee voting by mail for any voter who requests it; no excuse is required. Voters can request an absentee ballot online through MyVote Wisconsin at https://myvote.wi.gov, by mail, email, or in person at the County Clerk's office. Absentee ballot requests must be received by 5:00 PM on the Thursday before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk's office by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted; ballots can be mailed (recommended at least one week before Election Day) or delivered in person to the clerk's office or designated drop boxes. Wisconsin does not have permanent absentee status; voters must request an absentee ballot for each election.