Mequon, Wisconsin Public Records

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, misdemeanors, civil actions over $10,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and guardianship proceedings, and small claims actions up to $10,000. Wisconsin's statewide Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) provides free online access to circuit court records at https://wcca.wicourts.gov, where users can search by name, case number, or party to view case information, charges, dispositions, judgments, and court calendar entries for most cases (some sensitive matters like juvenile and certain family cases are restricted). The CCAP system includes both criminal and civil case histories. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of Circuit Court's office for a fee of $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus a certification fee. Small claims filing fees are typically $94.50 for claims under $5,000 and $109.50 for claims $5,000-$10,000. The municipal court maintains separate records for ordinance violations.

Assessment data includes land value, improvement value, total assessed value, and property classification. The Ozaukee County Register of Deeds, located at 121 West Main Street, Port Washington, WI 53074 (phone: 262-284-8230, website: https://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/223/Register-of-Deeds), records and maintains land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, condominium declarations, and other instruments affecting real property. Wisconsin law requires most real estate documents to be recorded with the county. The Register of Deeds offers free online access to recorded land records through the Tapestry system at https://tapestry.fidlar.com/Tapestry2/Default.aspx?CountyID=57, where users can search by name, document type, or legal description and view scanned images of recorded documents dating back to the mid-1980s in most cases, with older records available on microfilm or in bound volumes. The county also provides a GIS mapping system with parcel viewer functionality showing property boundaries, zoning, floodplains, and other geographic data layers. Recording fees vary by document type but typically start at $30 for the first page.

The city's commercial corridors along Port Washington Road (Highway 57) and Mequon Road feature retail centers, restaurants, professional offices, and service businesses. Mequon's median household income exceeds $100,000, making it one of Wisconsin's most affluent communities, and the city maintains a strong property tax base despite its relatively low density. Major employers also include the Mequon-Thiensville School District, various financial services firms, professional practices (medical, dental, legal, accounting), and small businesses serving the local population. The city has seen recent development in mixed-use projects and upscale retail while maintaining its distinctive low-density residential character. Many Mequon residents are professionals who commute to Milwaukee for employment in corporate, financial, healthcare, and professional service sectors. Ozaukee County overall has a diversified economy including manufacturing in communities like Port Washington and Grafton, but Mequon itself is primarily residential and service-oriented. The city benefits from excellent schools, lake access, proximity to Milwaukee, and high quality of life, attracting affluent families and retirees.

The Mequon Police Department, located at 11200 North Riverland Road, Mequon, WI 53092 (phone: 262-242-3500, website: https://www.ci.mequon.wi.us/police), provides law enforcement services throughout the city. Citizens can request police reports and incident records by visiting the department in person or submitting written requests; certain records such as active investigation files may be restricted under Wisconsin law. The department handles patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and community policing services. The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1201 South Spring Street, Port Washington, WI 53074 (phone: 262-284-7172, website: https://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/397/Sheriffs-Office), provides county-wide law enforcement, operates the Ozaukee County Jail, and serves civil process. To search for arrests and jail bookings, the public can access the Ozaukee County Jail inmate roster online through the Sheriff's Office website, which typically displays current inmates, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and scheduled court appearances. Historical booking records can be requested from the jail. Under Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wisconsin Statutes §§ 19.31-19.39), law enforcement agencies must respond to public records requests promptly and may charge reasonable fees for copies. Requesters should submit written requests specifying the records sought; while arrest records and incident reports are generally public, certain records including ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and victim information may be exempt. Wisconsin law requires custodians of records to respond within a reasonable time and justify any denials in writing.

Birth records are restricted to the registrant (if adult), parents, legal guardian, or legal representative; death records are generally public. Certified copies typically arrive within 3-4 weeks for standard mail processing. The City of Mequon does not issue vital records but can provide historical information for records filed locally. Marriage licenses are issued by the Ozaukee County Clerk's Office at 121 West Main Street, Port Washington, WI 53074 (phone: 262-284-8110, website: https://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/177/County-Clerk). The marriage license fee is $110 in Ozaukee County, and Wisconsin requires a 6-day waiting period after application before the license is issued (waiting period can be waived by court order). Couples must apply in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. Marriage records are maintained by the county and can be certified for genealogical or legal purposes. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Ozaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court as part of family court case files and can be accessed through the CCAP system or by requesting certified copies from the court. Wisconsin vital records have been maintained statewide since 1907, with varying levels of digitization; many pre-1950 records require manual retrieval.

Fees and renewal schedules vary by license type; liquor licenses in particular have specific application periods and public hearing requirements. Business owners should contact the Community Development Department or City Clerk's office at 262-236-2912 to determine specific requirements. Fictitious business name (Trade Name) registration in Wisconsin is handled at the county level through the Ozaukee County Register of Deeds at 121 West Main Street, Port Washington, WI 53074 (phone: 262-284-8230). Trade name registration costs approximately $30 and must be renewed every five years. For corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other formal business entities, registration is required with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions at P.O. Box 7846, Madison, WI 53707-7846 (website: https://www.wdfi.org). The state maintains a free online business entity search at https://www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch where users can search by business name, registered agent, or registration number to view entity status, formation date, registered office address, officers, and annual report filing status. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are also filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and searchable online. Property tax information for commercial properties in Mequon can be searched through the Ozaukee County Assessor's online database by property address or parcel number to view assessed values, classifications, and tax history.

Mequon voters are served by the Ozaukee County Clerk's Office, Elections Division, located at 121 West Main Street, Port Washington, WI 53074 (phone: 262-284-8110, website: https://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/177/County-Clerk). The County Clerk administers elections for all Ozaukee County municipalities including Mequon. Wisconsin residents can register to vote online at https://myvote.wi.gov up to 20 days before an election, or register in person at the polls on Election Day with proof of residence (Wisconsin driver's license, state ID, utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck with current address). Wisconsin requires voter ID; acceptable forms include Wisconsin driver's license, state ID card, military ID, passport, or certain other documents. Mequon holds municipal elections in the spring of odd-numbered years for Common Council seats and other city offices; the next Mequon municipal elections will be held in April 2025 and April 2027. The Mayor of Mequon and eight alderpersons (representing eight districts) are elected on staggered terms. Local ballot measures occasionally appear for referendums on city issues, school district questions, or county matters. Mequon residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting https://myvote.wi.gov and entering their address; the city has multiple polling locations across its eight aldermanic districts, typically in schools, community centers, and public buildings. Wisconsin public records law makes certain election information publicly accessible including voter registration lists (available to candidates and parties for political purposes), campaign finance reports (filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission and searchable at https://cfis.wi.gov), candidate registration statements, and precinct-by-precinct election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Ozaukee County reported approximately 66,000 registered voters with turnout exceeding 80%, reflecting the county's high civic engagement; Mequon typically shows similar high turnout rates. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Wisconsin voters including Mequon residents will decide races for Governor (four-year term), one U.S. Senate seat (Ron Johnson's seat, Class III), all Wisconsin State Assembly seats (99 districts), odd-numbered Wisconsin State Senate seats (17 of 33 districts), and various county offices including Ozaukee County Executive, County Board supervisors, Sheriff, Clerk of Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, Treasurer, and Coroner. State legislative district maps were redrawn in 2023-2024; Mequon residents should verify their current Assembly and Senate districts at myvote.wi.gov. Wisconsin voters can request absentee ballots online at https://myvote.wi.gov or by contacting the municipal clerk; for Mequon, absentee ballot requests go to the Mequon City Clerk at 11333 North Cedarburg Road (phone: 262-236-2912). Absentee ballots must be requested by the Thursday before Election Day for mail delivery, or can be requested and cast in-person at the clerk's office during early voting periods. Wisconsin requires absentee voters to provide a copy of acceptable photo ID with their ballot request.