About Portage County

County Seat Stevens Point
Established 1836
Population 70,375 residents
Area 823 square miles

Portage County is located in central Wisconsin, covering approximately 806 square miles with a population of around 71,000 residents as of recent census estimates. Portage County seat is Stevens Point, a vibrant city known for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and its role as a regional hub for commerce and culture. Established in 1836 and organized in 1844, Portage County derives its name from the historic Fox-Wisconsin portage, a crucial Native American and fur trade route connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. Portage County includes diverse geography including the Wisconsin River corridor, extensive agricultural lands, forested areas, and numerous lakes. Major municipalities include Stevens Point, Plover, Whiting, and the Village of Junction City. Portage County is home to notable landmarks such as Schmeeckle Reserve, Green Circle Trail, and the historic Portage County Courthouse at 1516 Church Street in Stevens Point. Portage County government provides essential services through several key agencies: the County Clerk's office at 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481, handles vital records and elections; the Register of Deeds maintains land records at the same courthouse location; and the County Assessor's office manages property valuations. Portage County's economy blends manufacturing, agriculture, education, and healthcare sectors. Portage County is known for its strong educational institutions, environmental conservation efforts, extensive trail systems, and quality of life that attracts families and retirees alike. Portage County's rich history includes significant logging heritage, paper mill industry legacy, and ongoing agricultural traditions that continue to shape Portage County's character today.

1516 Church Street in Stevens Point. Portage County government provides essential services through several key agencies: the County Clerk's office at 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481

Court Records & Case Information

The Portage County Circuit Court serves Portage County and is located at 1516 Church Street in Stevens Point. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for this county. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Wisconsin online court portal.

Portage County Wisconsin court jurisdiction is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The address is 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481. The court has jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family, juvenile, probate, and traffic cases.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • To request arrest records, citizens must submit a written or verbal request to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest, and agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and processing.
  • Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the jail roster system or by specific public records request to the Sheriff's Office.
  • Response times for records requests vary but must be fulfilled within a reasonable timeframe as defined by Wisconsin law.
  • For criminal history background checks, the Wisconsin Department of Justice provides statewide criminal record searches.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Jail & Inmate Records

  • The bond and bail process in Wisconsin allows for the release of detainees pending trial, with conditions set by the court.

Courts & Case Records

  • The Clerk of Circuit Court office, located at the courthouse, maintains official court records and provides certified copies for a fee typically ranging from $5 for the first page to additional per-page charges.
  • The court accepts online filing through the Wisconsin Court System's eFiling platform for attorneys and registered users.

Property & Public Records

  • Document images can typically be viewed and printed for a small per-page fee.
  • Recording fees vary by document type but generally range from $30 for standard documents.
  • Certified copies can be requested in person, by mail, or in some cases online, with fees of approximately $5 for certification plus per-page copying charges.
  • Property tax records are maintained by Portage County Treasurer's office at the courthouse (phone: 715-346-1368) and can be searched online through Portage County's property tax lookup system.
  • The Register of Deeds office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding county holidays.
1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481 • Phone: 715-346-1343

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Historical vital records may require additional research time and genealogical requests have different access provisions under state law.
1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481 • Phone: 715-346-1335

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • This searchable database includes entity name, registration number, status, registered agent, formation date, and principal office address.
1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481 • Phone: 715-346-1335

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Portage County, Wisconsin?
To search for someone recently arrested in Portage County, Wisconsin, you can use the inmate lookup tool provided by the Portage County Jail. The facility is located at 1500 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, WI 54481. You can also contact the jail directly at (715) 346-1400 for more information on recent arrests and inmate status. The online inmate search is available through the county Sheriff's Office website, which provides up-to-date information on current detainees.
Mugshots or booking photos in Portage County, Wisconsin, can be obtained from the Portage County Sheriff's Office. They maintain records of all individuals processed through the county jail. You can visit their office at 1500 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, WI 54481, or check their website for any online portals that may provide access to booking photos. Keep in mind that access to mugshots may be subject to privacy laws and regulations.
To obtain a criminal background check in Portage County, Wisconsin, you should contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau. You can request a background check online through their website or by submitting a request form. Locally, you may also visit the Portage County Sheriff's Office for guidance on the process. Fees may apply, and you will need to provide identification and any necessary consent forms.
To look up sex offenders in Portage County, Wisconsin, you can use the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and provides information on registered sex offenders in the area. You can search the registry online by name, address, or proximity to a specific location. The registry is a valuable tool for staying informed about sex offenders in your community.
Voters in Portage County can register online through MyVote Wisconsin at myvote.wi.gov up to 20 days before an election, or register in person at their municipal clerk's office until the Friday before Election Day. Wisconsin also offers Election Day registration at your polling place with proof of residence. For registration assistance, contact the Portage County Clerk's office at 715-346-1335. The same MyVote system allows you to request absentee ballots, find your polling place, and check your registration status.
Property records in Portage County can be searched through the Register of Deeds office at 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, or online via the Mix system accessible through co.portage.wi.us/department/register-of-deeds. The free online search allows you to find recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other land records by name, date, or legal description. For property tax information and assessment data, use the county's GIS parcel viewer or contact the County Treasurer at 715-346-1368. Document images can be viewed online and certified copies can be requested for a fee.
Birth and death certificates for events in Portage County are available from the Portage County Clerk's office at 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481, phone 715-346-1335. The fee is $20 for the first copy and $3 for additional copies of the same record. In-person requests are processed immediately if the record is available; mail requests take approximately 7-10 business days. You can also order certificates from the Wisconsin Department of State Vital Records Office online at dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords through VitalChek with additional convenience fees, though you must provide identification and proof of eligibility.
Business entity records can be searched through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions' CRISP system at corporationsearch.wicourts.gov, which provides free access to corporation and LLC registrations. For local fictitious name (DBA) filings in Portage County, contact the County Clerk's office at 715-346-1335. Building permits and zoning records are maintained by the Portage County Planning and Zoning Department at 715-346-1341 for unincorporated areas, while cities and villages maintain their own licensing records. Professional licenses are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at dsps.wi.gov.

Nearby Counties

Marathon County WI Wood County WI Waupaca County WI Shawano County WI Waushara County WI Adams County WI
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Wisconsin Public RecordsState records directory
County Info
StateWisconsin
County SeatStevens Point
Population70375
Area823 sq mi
Founded1844
Wisconsin Resources
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