About Madison

Madison, Wisconsin is a community in Dane County, Wisconsin. This page consolidates verified public records resources for Madison, including law enforcement, court, vital, property, and government records.

Read more about public records in Madison

Madison is located in Dane County, Wisconsin and had a recorded population of approximately 275,568 at the last census. County and state agencies serving Dane County are the primary source for most government records affecting Madison residents.

Law enforcement in Madison is served by Madison Police Department and Dane County Sheriff's Office. Arrest records, booking information, and incident reports are maintained by these agencies and can usually be requested in person, by mail, or via online portals where available.

Court case records for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters in Dane County are maintained by the county trial court of general jurisdiction and, where applicable, by municipal or district courts. Statewide court case search tools published by the Wisconsin Judicial Branch can also be used to locate cases.

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates for Madison residents are issued through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, with local copies often available through the Dane County Clerk's office. Real-property records (deeds, mortgages, liens) and parcel assessments are recorded with the county Register of Deeds and the municipal Assessor.

Most government records held by Wisconsin agencies are accessible under the Wisconsin Public Records Law, which sets a response window of a reasonable time and requires agencies to publish procedures for written records requests. Certain records (juvenile, sealed, victim, and active investigation records) may be withheld or redacted under statutory exemptions.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Madison

Madison Police Department

We, the members of the Madison Police Department, are committed to providing high quality police services that are accessible to all members of the community.

https://www.cityofmadison.com/police

Dane County Sheriff's Office

The brave men and women of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office work daily to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and community service. As the Sheriff's Office with the largest number of sworn staff members in the State of Wisconsin, we have the pleasure to serve over 565,000 residents in a county that covers 1,200 square miles.

https://www.danesheriff.com/

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Madison

Public Records | Dane County Court

For online court records, the information includes the offender’s name, DOB, charges, timeline of court appearances, attorneys, and upcoming court hearings.. Sponsored Results Jeff Okazaki Dane County Clerk of Courts 215 S. Hamilton Street, Room 1000 Madison WI 53703-3285 (608) 266-4311

🔗 https://danecountycourt.org/public-records/

🏠 Property & Public Records in Madison

Dane County Register of Deeds

Property records for Madison, Wisconsin are maintained by the Dane County Register of Deeds. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Dane County, including Madison.

🔗 https://wrdaonline.org

Public Records & Services in Madison

Public Schools

Official source: NCES Public School District Search
  • 🎓Public schools are administered by local school districts under state Department of Education oversight.
  • 📊School performance data, enrollment, and district boundaries are published by the state Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).
  • 📞Contact the local district office for enrollment, transcripts, or attendance records.
Public schools in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Dane County school administration or the Wisconsin Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.

Crime Data & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Dane County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Madison police department or the Dane County Sheriff's Office.

Public Library Records Access

Official source: IMLS Library Search & Compare
  • 📚Public libraries provide free access to online databases, historical archives, and government-document collections.
  • 🔎Many libraries offer remote access to property records, court records, and genealogy resources with a valid library card.
  • 👤Reference librarians can assist with research, document retrieval, and government-records lookups.
The Madison Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Dane County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.

Fingerprinting Services

Official source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks
  • 👆Fingerprinting for background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening is offered by local police and authorized providers.
  • 📅Most agencies require appointments; walk-in hours and fees vary by location.
  • 🪪Bring valid government-issued photo ID; some agencies accept fingerprint cards mailed in for processing.
Fingerprinting services for Madison, Wisconsin residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Dane County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact local police (where present) or the Dane County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The Wisconsin Department of Justice or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.

About Madison — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

The Dane County Jail, located in Madison, is the primary detention facility For people arrested anywhere within Dane County. Once brought in, arrestees go through a booking process that involves photographing, fingerprinting, and recording personal information. Visitation at the facility requires scheduling appointments in advance, with specific rules governing each visit.

Arrest Records

Arrest records throughout Dane County are maintained by the Dane County Sheriff's Office and local police departments serving individual municipalities. Residents and attorneys can request these records through formal applications that adhere to the Wisconsin Open Records Law. A typical record includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and scheduled court dates. The process ensures transparency while allowing individuals to access their records for legal and personal purposes.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Dane County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which offers detailed information on an individual's criminal history within the state.

Vital Records

Individuals seeking vital records, such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses for Madison and Dane County, can visit the Wisconsin Vital Records website. This state-run portal provides instructions and application forms for requesting these important documents. The Madison Wisconsin Vital Records office, a division of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, also offers in-person assistance for those who need to obtain or replace official vital records.

Business & Licensing Records

Entrepreneurs and business owners in Madison can access essential information through the City of Madison's official website. The site covers business licenses, zoning regulations, building permits, and other requirements for establishing and operating a company within city limits. The Madison City Clerk's office oversees the licensing and permitting process, while the city's Planning Division manages zoning and development-related records. These resources provide local business owners with the guidance needed to navigate municipal requirements.

Economy & Demographics

Madison's economy is anchored by several key industries and major employers. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, as the city's largest employer, matters in driving innovation, research, and talent development. Other major sectors include healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and government, with companies like Epic Systems, American Family Insurance, and the Wisconsin State Government serving as major economic engines. The Dane County Regional Airport also is important in connecting Madison to broader regional and national markets.

Elections & Voter Records

Madison, the capital city of Wisconsin, relies on the Dane County Clerk's Office as its election authority. Located at 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Madison, WI 53703, the office can be reached at (608) 266-4121 or through its website at elections.countyofdane.com. Residents can register to vote online at myvote.wi.gov, though they'll need to do so at least 20 days before an election and provide a valid Wisconsin driver's license or state ID number. Municipal elections take place in the spring, with mayoral and city council races on the ballot.
Candidate filing deadlines and sample ballots are available on the City of Madison website at cityofmadison.com/clerk. Voters can look up their polling place using Dane County Clerk's online tool at elections.countyofdane.com/Where-Do-I-Vote. Most election records are considered public documents and can be requested from the Dane County Clerk's Office, including voter registration lists, campaign finance reports, and election results. The county saw a Looking ahead to 2026, key races will include the mayoral election and city council seats. Wisconsin offers no-excuse absentee voting by mail, voters can request a ballot online at myvote.wi.gov or by contacting the Dane County Clerk's Office, though completed ballots must be received by Election Day.
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Population275,568
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Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote in Madison, Wisconsin, residents can register online through the Wisconsin Elections Commission's website, by mail, or in person at the Dane County elections office. Wisconsin requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Wisconsin Elections Commission's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Madison, contact the Dane County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Madison, Wisconsin are maintained by Dane County. The county assessor's office holds property tax records, assessed values, and ownership information. Property deeds, liens, and mortgage documents are filed with the county recorder's office. Many counties in Wisconsin offer online portals where residents can search property records by address or owner name. For federal property related records, the USA.gov website provides guidance on accessing land patents, federal tax liens, and other property documentation.
Birth and death certificates for Madison, Wisconsin residents are available through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records. Requests can typically be made online, by mail, or in person. You will need to provide identification and proof of eligibility, as vital records in Wisconsin are restricted to authorized individuals such as the registrant, immediate family members, or legal representatives. Locally, the Dane County Clerk's office may also process vital record requests. Processing times and fees vary depending on the method of request and the issuing office.
Business license records for Madison, Wisconsin can be obtained through the city's municipal offices or Dane County administration. The city clerk's office or planning and development department typically handles business license applications, renewals, and public records requests. The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions's office maintains records of registered business entities, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, which can be searched through their online business filing database. For federal employer identification numbers and tax related business records, the IRS website provides relevant forms and search tools.