Marathon County

Marathon County is located in central Wisconsin, acting as a vital hub for commerce, culture, and outdoor recreation in the northwoods region. Marathon County seat is Wausau, a city of approximately 138,000 residents situated along the Wisconsin River. Marathon County spans 1,545 square miles and has a total population of approximately 138,000 residents, making it one of the most populous counties in northern Wisconsin. Marathon County was established in 1850 and named after Marathon, Greece, commemorating the ancient battle site. Major landmarks include Rib Mountain State Park, which features one of the highest points in Wisconsin at 1,924 feet elevation, and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, renowned for its Birds in Art exhibition. Marathon County's economy historically centered on lumber, paper manufacturing, and dairy farming, with major employers including Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau Paper, and several insurance companies. Public records services are administered through several key offices: Marathon County Register of Deeds, located at 500 Forest Street in Wausau, manages land and property records; Marathon County Clerk's Office at the same address handles vital records and elections; and the Assessor's Office maintains property tax records and valuations. Marathon County's diverse scene includes the Wisconsin River corridor, extensive forest lands, and productive agricultural areas that contribute to its mixed economy.

• Major landmarks include Rib Mountain State Park, which features one of the highest points in Wisconsin at 1,924 feet elevation, and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, renowned for its Birds in Art exhibition.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Marathon County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Marathon County. This office manages Marathon County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The department is committed to public safety and works closely with other local law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated response to crime and emergencies.

Police Departments

In addition to Marathon County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Marathon County, including the Wausau Police Department, Mosinee Police Department, and Schofield Police Department. These agencies are responsible for law enforcement within their respective city limits and work in coordination with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and regional initiatives. The Wausau Police Department, for example, handles urban policing, while the Sheriff's Office covers rural areas and provides additional support as needed.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Law enforcement in Marathon County is primarily provided by Marathon County Sheriff's Department, headquartered at 500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403. The department operates Marathon County Jail, a detention facility that houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's website, where the public can search current inmates by name or booking number, view booking dates, charges, and bond information.

• Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, arrest records and booking information are considered public records and must be made available upon request unless exempted for active investigation purposes.
• Citizens can request arrest records by contacting the law enforcement agency that made the arrest, either in person, by mail, or through written request.
• Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through Marathon County Jail's online inmate search system, though historical records may require a formal public records request.
• Response times vary based on the complexity and volume of the request, and fees may apply for copying and certification services.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Marathon County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Marathon County Clerk of Courts maintains court records, while the Sheriff's Office handles arrest and incident reports. To conduct a background check in Wisconsin, individuals can request records from the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Crime Information Bureau, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Wisconsin Department of Justice offers additional resources for residents seeking full background checks.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Marathon County are maintained by Marathon County Sheriff's Office and the local police departments within Marathon County. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the respective law enforcement agency. These records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking information. Under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, public access to these records is generally allowed, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy or ongoing investigations.

Jail & Inmate Records

Marathon County Jail, located in Wausau, is the primary detention facility for Marathon County. The booking process involves photographing and fingerprinting individuals, and inmates can be searched through an online inmate lookup tool provided by the Sheriff's Office. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, allowing scheduled visits with restrictions on the number of visitors and duration. In Wisconsin, the bond or bail process allows for the release of individuals pending trial, with conditions set by the court.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Marathon County are taken and retained by Marathon County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a request to the office. Wisconsin does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are found not guilty. Mugshots may also be available through third-party websites, although their accuracy and update frequency can vary.

Marathon County's judicial system operates under the Wisconsin Circuit Court system, with Marathon County Circuit Court located at Marathon County Courthouse, 500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Marathon County Circuit Court handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and small claims matters within its jurisdiction. The court is part of Wisconsin's Ninth Judicial District and currently has five circuit court branches serving Marathon County.

• The WCCA system provides statewide access to most circuit court records, though certain sensitive cases involving juveniles or sealed matters are restricted.
• Online access through WCCA is free for case information, but official certified documents require in-person or mail requests with appropriate fees.
• Probate matters are handled by the Register in Probate within the Circuit Court system and include estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.

Property and land records for Marathon County are maintained by Marathon County Register of Deeds, located at 500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403 The office maintains records dating back to Marathon County's establishment, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens (mechanics liens, tax liens, judgment liens), easements, plat maps, surveys, and other instruments affecting real property. Marathon County offers strong online access to land records through its official website at co.marathon.wi.us/departments/register-of-deeds.

• Certified copies of documents require a formal request and payment of statutory fees, currently $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page under Wisconsin Statute § 59.43.
• Recording fees are established by state statute, with recording a standard deed costing approximately $30.00.

Vital records for Marathon County are managed through multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates can be obtained from Marathon County Register of Deeds - Vital Records Division at 500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403 The office maintains birth records occurring in Marathon County and death records for Marathon County residents. Fees for certified copies are $20.00 for the first copy of a birth or death certificate and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously, as established by Wisconsin Statute § 69.22.

• Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if records are on file; mail requests generally take 7-10 business days.
• Requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record under Wisconsin law.
• The marriage license fee is $110.00, which includes the marriage certificate.
• Online ordering of Wisconsin vital records is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com, though convenience fees apply in addition to standard statutory fees.

Business and licensing records in Marathon County are maintained through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity and licensing requirement. For business name registrations and doing-business-as (DBA) filings, individuals should contact Marathon County Clerk's Office at 500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403 Marathon County Clerk maintains records of fictitious name registrations and certain local business licenses.

• This database includes formation documents, annual reports, registered agent information, and current status.

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

Marathon County's economy is diverse and strong, anchored by healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, paper production, agriculture, and tourism sectors. Marathon County's largest employer is Aspirus Wausau Hospital and its associated healthcare network, employing over 6,000 workers across Marathon County and acting as a regional medical hub for central and northern Wisconsin. The insurance industry has a significant presence with Greenheck Fan Corporation, a major manufacturer of air movement and control equipment, employing approximately 3,000 people at its Schofield headquarters.

• Manufacturing remains vital to the local economy, with companies producing everything from industrial fans to cranberry processing equipment.
• The median household income in Marathon County is approximately $60,000, slightly below the Wisconsin state median.

Election administration in Marathon County is managed by Marathon County Clerk's Office, located at 500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403. Marathon County Clerk is the chief election official and can be contacted through the office’s website. Election information, sample ballots, polling place locations, and absentee ballot requests are available at co.marathon.wi.us/departments/county-clerk.

• Wisconsin requires voters to register at least 20 days before an election to vote by absentee ballot, though same-day registration is permitted at polling places on Election Day with proper identification.
• Absentee ballots in Marathon County can be requested online through MyVote Wisconsin, by contacting the County Clerk or the clerk of the county where the voter resides, or by mailing a written request.
• Wisconsin law allows any registered voter to vote absentee without providing a reason.