Racine, Wisconsin Public Records

If you are arrested in the City of Racine, Wisconsin, you will be transported to the Racine County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the Racine County Court. Under Wisconsin law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. You can contact the Racine County Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about a detained individual.

The Racine Unified School District serves the city of Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the district's overall performance score for the 2018-19 school year was 73.7 out of 100. This score is based on a variety of factors, including student achievement, student growth, closing gaps, and on-track and postsecondary readiness.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the total number of reported crimes in Racine County in 2019 was 8,945. Of those, 4,845 were reported in the City of Racine. The most common crimes reported in Racine County were larceny/theft (2,845), burglary (1,072), and motor vehicle theft (717).

The Racine Public Library in Racine County, Wisconsin provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Wisconsin government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, which governs access to government documents in Wisconsin. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Racine Wisconsin Archives and Genealogy at https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/. Contact the Racine Public Library reference desk at (262) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.

The Racine Public Library is located at 75 7th Street, Racine, WI 53403.

Fingerprinting services for Racine, Wisconsin residents are provided at the Racine Police Department, which serves Racine County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Racine Police Department at (262) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Wisconsin Department of Justice at https://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/criminal-history-record-search.

To obtain vital records for Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin, you must contact the Racine County Register of Deeds.

The Register of Deeds office is responsible for maintaining and issuing vital records such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. To obtain a vital record, you must provide a valid photo ID and the appropriate fee. The fees vary depending on the type of record requested.

In addition to the vital records, the Register of Deeds also maintains property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. These records can be accessed online through the Racine County Register of Deeds website.

A background check in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in Wisconsin. Criminal background checks are processed through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for Wisconsin residents. The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides official criminal history checks at https://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/criminal-history-record-search. Under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.