About Ontario
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Ontario
Ontario Police Department
Ontario Police Department, Ontario. 2,200 likes · 7 talking about this · 16 were here. We are a local Police Department based in Ontario, Wisconsin.
Vernon County Sheriff's Office
Vernon County Sheriff's Office, Viroqua. 22,983 likes · 3,307 talking about this · 171 were here. Vernon County, Wisconsin Roy Torgerson, Sheriff
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Ontario
Wisconsin Court Records - Wisconsin State Law Library
Serving the Wisconsin Supreme Court and State of Wisconsin. Case dockets (summary of events and filings in a case) for most counties are available from 1994 to present on the Circuit Court Records (WCCA) database. The library does not have access to county court records. Request copies of documents and get more information on a case from the Clerk of Court in each county.
🏠 Property & Public Records in Ontario
Vernon County Register of Deeds
Property records for Ontario, Wisconsin are maintained by the Vernon County Register of Deeds. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Vernon County, including Ontario.
About Ontario — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Vernon County Jail in Viroqua is the primary detention facility for Vernon County. Booking procedures follow standard protocol: fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of arrestees. Family members and legal representatives can search for current detainees through online inmate lookup services. Visitation at the facility operates on an appointment system with strict guidelines that visitors must follow. Wisconsin's bond and bail process allows inmates to be released pending trial, with conditions determined by the court.
Arrest Records
The Vernon County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county, documenting details of each arrest, charges filed, and personal information about those taken into custody. Residents and attorneys seeking these records can contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, arrest records are publicly accessible, though certain information may be redacted for privacy or legal reasons. The records offer a view of an individual's law enforcement encounters within Vernon County.
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Vernon County covers various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks to obtain criminal history information, which is crucial for employment, housing, and other personal or professional purposes.
Vital Records
Vital records for Ontario, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, are maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Requests for these records can be made online, by mail, or in person at the regional vital records office. The nearest office is located at 110 E. Goold St, Viroqua, WI 54665. More information can be found at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vital records/index.htm
Business & Licensing Records
Local business records, including licenses and permits, are maintained at the Ontario Village Hall, located at 200 N. Washington St, Ontario, WI 54651. For property transactions and land ownership records within the village, residents can turn to the Vernon County Register of Deeds office, located at 318 Fairlane Drive, Viroqua, WI 54665. Information can be found on Vernon County's website: https://vernoncounty.org/departments/register-of-deeds/
Economy & Demographics
The Ontario Village Hall, located at 200 N. Washington St, Ontario, WI 54651, maintains records related to the local economy, including business licenses, building permits, and tax assessments. The Vernon County Economic Development Corporation, located at 318 Fairlane Drive, Viroqua, WI 54665, may have information on the economic activities and development within the village. Their website is https://vernoncounty.org/departments/economic-development/
Elections & Voter Records
Ontario voters rely on the Vernon County Clerk's Office for election administration across Vernon County. The Vernon County Clerk is located at 318 Fairlane Drive, Room 102, Viroqua, WI 54665, phone (608) 637-5383, website vernoncounty.org. Wisconsin residents can register to vote online through the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov, operated by the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Registration is available up to 20 days before an election online, or voters can register in person at their municipal clerk's office through the Friday before the election, or at their polling place on Election Day with proof of residence. Acceptable proof of residence documents include a Wisconsin driver's license, state ID card, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document showing current name and address. The village holds municipal elections in the spring of odd-numbered years for village board trustees and other local offices; the next Ontario village elections will be held in April 2025 and April 2027. Residents also participate in Vernon County elections for county board supervisors, sheriff, clerk, treasurer, and other county offices, as well as state and federal elections. To find their assigned polling place, residents can use the MyVote Wisconsin polling place lookup tool at myvote.wi.gov by entering their address. The system provides polling location, sample ballot, and information about early voting options. Wisconsin law makes certain election records publicly accessible, including voter registration lists (available to candidates and parties with restrictions on commercial use), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable at cfis.wi.gov), candidate registration forms and nomination papers, and precinct-level election results. The Vernon County Clerk's office can provide information about local candidates, ballot measures, and election results. Wisconsin will hold elections for Governor, U.S. Absentee voting in Wisconsin is available to any registered voter who requests an absentee ballot; no excuse is required. Voters can request absentee ballots online through MyVote Wisconsin at myvote.wi.gov starting 47 days before an election. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail (must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day) or delivered in person to the municipal clerk's office or at designated early voting locations. Wisconsin allows early in-person absentee voting beginning 14 days before an election at locations designated by each municipality, typically the clerk's office or other government building.
Public Records Resources for Ontario, Wisconsin
Official government websites for Ontario, Wisconsin and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov, .us, or .mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or .com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Wisconsin Criminal Records and Background ChecksWisconsin online criminal history record check system.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Milwaukee OfficeFind resources for criminal background checks, criminal records.
- Wisconsin Inmates and Offenders SearchFind the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections.
- Wisconsin Sex OffendersSearch the WI Dept. of Corrections database of registered offenders by name or location.
- Wisconsin Most WantedSearch the most wanted fugitives and absconders by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
- Wisconsin State PatrolLaw enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more
- Wisconsin Division of Natural ResourcesLicenses, permits, information and more
- Wisconsin Attorney GeneralCivil, criminal and appellate courts
- Wisconsin Court Records AccessDirect access to Wisconsin courts access online, from county to Supreme courts.
- Wisconsin Birth RecordsRequest birth and death certificates from the WI Dept. of Health Services.
- Wisconsin Business & Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the WI Department of Financial Institutions.
- Wisconsin Death RecordsOnline resource for finding free death records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Ontario, Wisconsin?
To register to vote in Ontario, Wisconsin, residents can register online through the Wisconsin Elections Commission's website, by mail, or in person at the Vernon 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 Ontario, contact the Vernon County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Ontario, Wisconsin?
Property records for Ontario, Wisconsin are maintained by the Vernon Municipal Assessor's Office and the Vernon County Register of Deeds. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Vernon County, including parcels in Ontario. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Vernon County Register of Deeds maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Wisconsin counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Vernon County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Ontario, Wisconsin?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Ontario, Wisconsin residents are available through both county and state offices. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records, located in Madison, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Wisconsin. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Vernon County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Vernon County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.