Manitowoc County

Manitowoc County is located in east-central Wisconsin along the western shore of Lake Michigan. The county seat is Manitowoc, a historic port city at the mouth of the Manitowoc River. Established in 1836, Manitowoc County covers approximately 590 square miles of land and 49 square miles of water, with a population of approximately 81,000 residents as of recent census estimates. The county is bordered by Brown County to the north, Calumet County to the west, Sheboygan County to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east.

• The Manitowoc County Register of Deeds office maintains property records at the same courthouse complex.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining public safety in the unincorporated areas of the county. It oversees the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in various community programs aimed at crime prevention and public education. Notable divisions within the Sheriff's Office include the patrol division, which handles law enforcement duties, and the investigations division, which focuses on solving crimes and gathering evidence.

Police Departments

Manitowoc County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Manitowoc Police Department and the Two Rivers Police Department. Each agency has jurisdiction over its respective area, with the Sheriff's Office handling law enforcement in unincorporated regions and the city departments focusing on urban areas. These agencies collaborate on major investigations and emergencies, ensuring a coordinated response to crime and public safety issues across the county.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1025 South 9th Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (920) 683-4200 and maintains a website at www.manitowoccountywi.gov/departments/sheriff. The agency provides patrol services, criminal investigations, civil process service, and operates the Manitowoc County Jail.

• Citizens may request arrest records by contacting the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest, either in writing or in person.
• Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the jail's online roster or by making a formal public records request to the Sheriff's Office.
• Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and related documentation.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Manitowoc County encompasses a range of records, including felony and misdemeanor charges, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Manitowoc County Clerk of Courts maintains court records, while the Sheriff's Office and local police departments manage arrest and incident reports. Residents can conduct background checks through the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Crime Information Bureau, which provides access to statewide criminal history information.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Manitowoc County are maintained by the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office and the various municipal police departments within the county. These records are available to the public under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, which ensures transparency in government operations. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the relevant law enforcement agency, typically requiring a formal request form. A Manitowoc County arrest record includes details such as the individual's name, the nature of the offense, the arresting agency, and the date of the arrest.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Manitowoc County Jail, located in the city of Manitowoc, is the primary detention facility for individuals arrested within the county. The booking process involves photographing and fingerprinting the detainee, after which they may be held until bail is posted or they appear in court. Inmate information can be accessed through the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office, which provides an online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance, with guidelines on what visitors can bring.

• The bond process in Wisconsin allows for cash bonds or surety bonds, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the jail administration.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Manitowoc County are taken and retained by the Manitowoc 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 submitting a request under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. While Wisconsin does not have specific laws mandating the removal of mugshots from public records, individuals may petition for removal if the charges are dropped or they are acquitted. Mugshots are typically used for identification purposes and may be published in local media or online databases.

Manitowoc County court proceedings are handled by the Manitowoc County Circuit Court, part of Wisconsin's unified court system. The courthouse is located at 1010 South 8th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220, phone (920) 683-4045. The Circuit Court has broad jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and small claims matters. Wisconsin operates a consolidated court system where Circuit Courts serve as the trial courts of general jurisdiction. The Manitowoc County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all court records and case files.

• Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), available at wcca.wicourts.gov, provides free online access to circuit court case information including criminal, civil, family, small claims, probate, and traffic cases.
• Copies of court documents cost $1.25 per page as set by Wisconsin statute.
• Certified copies require an additional certification fee.

The Manitowoc County Register of Deeds, located at 1010 South 8th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220, maintains land and property records for the entire county. The office can be contacted at (920) 683-4006 and information is available at www.manitowoccountywi.gov. The Register of Deeds records and indexes documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, land contracts, easements, declarations, plat maps, condominium declarations, and other instruments affecting real property title.

• The office provides online property document searches through a subscription-based system, allowing users to search by name, legal description, or document type.
• Fees for document recording are established by Wisconsin Statutes § 59.43(2), with standard documents costing $30 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
• Certified copies cost $5 for certification plus copy fees.
• The Assessor's office provides property assessment data, assessment rolls, and valuation information.

Vital records for Manitowoc County are maintained by both the Manitowoc County Register of Deeds (which houses the Vital Records division) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. For birth certificates occurring in Manitowoc County, requests can be made to the Manitowoc County Register of Deeds, 1010 South 8th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220, phone (920) 683-4006. Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.

• Certified copies of death certificates are also available from the Register of Deeds at the same fee schedule.
• Processing time is typically same-day or within a few business days if requested in person or by mail.
• Requestors must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Wisconsin Statutes § 69.20-69.24, which governs vital records access.
• Eligible requestors include the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with documented legal need.
• Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $20.

Business licensing and registration in Manitowoc County involves multiple governmental levels. The Manitowoc County Clerk, located at 1010 South 8th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220, phone (920) 683-4003, handles certain local business filings and licenses. Businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must file a Trade Name Registration (also called a 'doing business as' or DBA) with the County Clerk. The filing fee is approximately $25 and the registration must be renewed every five years.

• This database is free and accessible 24/7.
• The Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, serving Manitowoc and Two Rivers, can be found at www.lakeshorechamber.com and provides business resources, networking opportunities, and economic development support.

Elections in Manitowoc County are administered by the Manitowoc County Clerk's office, located at 1010 South 8th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220. The County Clerk serves as the chief election official and can be reached at (920) 683-4003. Election information, sample ballots, and polling place locations are available at www.manitowoccountywi.gov/departments/county-clerk.

• Wisconsin offers same-day voter registration, meaning eligible residents can register and vote on Election Day by providing proof of residence.
• For those registering by mail or online, the deadline is 20 days before the election.
• Absentee ballots can be requested online through MyVote or by contacting your municipal clerk.

Manitowoc County's economy has historically been anchored by heavy manufacturing, particularly in the shipbuilding, metalworking, and industrial equipment sectors. Major employers include The Manitowoc Company, a global manufacturer of cranes and lifting equipment; Burger Boat Company, a custom yacht builder in Manitowoc; and Koenig Corporation, a precision machining company. The healthcare sector is represented by Holy Family Memorial Medical Center and Aurora Medical Center, which together employ over 1,500 people.

• Food processing and dairy production remain significant, with operations like Bel Brands USA (formerly Schreiber Foods facilities) and other cheese manufacturers reflecting Wisconsin's dairy heritage.
• The median household income in Manitowoc County is approximately $58,000, somewhat below the state median.

Court Records: ✅ Online (WCCA) | Property: ✅ Free Search (GIS) & Paid Documents | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person/Mail Required | Business: ✅ Online (State Portal) | Elections: ✅ Online (MyVote) | Overall Score: 8/10 — Manitowoc County provides strong digital access to most public records with free court case lookup, online jail roster, property mapping, and comprehensive election tools.

Explore public records for 15 cities and communities in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.