Sturtevant, Wisconsin Public Records

Sturtevant, Racine County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Racine County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Racine Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and Caledonia Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective area, with the Sheriff's Office handling unincorporated regions. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies to ensure comprehensive public safety coverage throughout the county.

The Racine County Jail, located in the city of Racine, is the main detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrested individuals. Inmate information can be accessed through the Racine County Sheriff's Office website, which provides an inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance. The bond and bail process follows Wisconsin state guidelines, allowing for cash bonds or bail bonds through a licensed agent.

Sturtevant residents are served by multiple courts depending on the nature of their case. The Village of Sturtevant operates the Sturtevant Municipal Court, located at 2801 89th Street, Sturtevant, WI 53177 (phone: 262-886-7303), which handles municipal ordinance violations, traffic citations issued within village limits, and other minor offenses under village jurisdiction. For more serious matters, the Racine County Circuit Court is located at the Racine County Courthouse, 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3133). The circuit court handles all felony criminal cases, misdemeanor cases originating from county jurisdictions, civil cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate proceedings, small claims cases (claims up to $10,000), and juvenile matters. Wisconsin operates a unified court system, and Racine County is part of the First Judicial Administrative District. Court records for Racine County cases can be searched online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system at https://wcca.wicourts.gov, which provides free public access to case information including parties, charges, dispositions, and scheduled hearings. The database includes both circuit court and municipal court records. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requestors must contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at the Racine County Courthouse. As of 2024, the fee for certified copies is typically $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page, though fees are subject to change. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or in some cases online. The Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours, and appointments may be required for certain services.

The criminal records system in Racine County encompasses felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Racine County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Wisconsin Department of Justice provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Wisconsin Bureau of Investigation, which provides detailed criminal history reports. The county also participates in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access program, allowing public access to court records online.

Arrest records in Racine County are maintained by the Racine County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the procedures outlined under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. A Racine County arrest record typically includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and any court dates associated with the case.

Property and land records for Sturtevant are maintained by Racine County offices located in downtown Racine. The Racine County Property Listing and Tax Information Office provides assessment data accessible online through the county's GIS and property portal at https://racinegis.racinecounty.com and www.racinecounty.com/government/property-listing-and-tax-information. Residents can search property records by owner name, address, or parcel number to access information including assessed values, property characteristics, tax bills, payment history, and property boundaries. The Property Listing Office is located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3106) and provides in-person assistance for more detailed inquiries. For recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property, the Racine County Register of Deeds maintains official records at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3208, website: www.racinecounty.com/government/register-of-deeds). The Register of Deeds offers online document search and viewing through a subscription-based system or pay-per-view access at https://apps.racinecounty.com/LandShark/. Many historical records have been digitized and are available for viewing and printing for a per-page fee. Recording fees for new documents vary by document type, with standard deeds typically costing around $30 for the first page and additional fees for subsequent pages, plus any applicable transfer fees. The county's Geographic Information System (GIS) portal at https://racinegis.racinecounty.com provides an interactive parcel viewer with aerial imagery, zoning information, flood zones, and property boundaries overlaid on maps. This free tool is particularly useful for researching property before purchase or for verifying lot lines and dimensions. All property record searches and document recording in Sturtevant go through these Racine County offices rather than village-level departments.

Sturtevant's economy is dominated by distribution, logistics, and corporate operations, with the village serving as a strategic location between Milwaukee and Chicago along the I-94 corridor. The largest employer by far is Uline, the shipping and packaging supply company, which operates its corporate headquarters and a massive distribution center in Sturtevant. Uline employs thousands of workers and has invested heavily in expanding its facilities, making it one of the largest private employers in Racine County. The company's presence has transformed Sturtevant's economic landscape, generating substantial property tax revenue and attracting supporting businesses to the area. Other significant employers include automotive suppliers, logistics companies utilizing the village's highway access, and retail businesses serving local residents and travelers. The Mitchell Field/Racine Commercial Airport provides general aviation services and supports some business activity. Sturtevant's median household income is estimated at approximately $60,000-$65,000, slightly above the state median, reflecting the impact of well-paying distribution and corporate jobs. Recent development has focused on commercial and industrial expansion along Highway 20 and near I-94 interchanges, with new warehouse facilities and retail centers. The village benefits economically from its location within the Milwaukee-Racine metropolitan area while maintaining lower costs than more urbanized communities. As a growing suburb, Sturtevant attracts families and workers seeking affordable housing with access to employment centers in Racine and Milwaukee. The village's economic character is distinctly industrial and commercial rather than agricultural, with a strong emphasis on logistics and distribution sectors that capitalize on excellent transportation infrastructure. Population growth has been steady, driven by both residential development and commercial expansion, positioning Sturtevant as one of the faster-growing communities in Racine County.

Law enforcement services in Sturtevant are provided by the Sturtevant Police Department, located at 2801 89th Street, Sturtevant, WI 53177. The department can be reached at (262) 887-3600 and operates its own website at www.sturtevant.org (under the Police Department section). Residents can request police reports and incident records by contacting the department directly; requests must comply with Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 19.31-19.39, the state's Open Records Law, which establishes the public's right to inspect records maintained by government agencies. Written requests can be submitted in person or by mail, and the department typically responds within a reasonable time frame as required by statute. The Racine County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 717 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3200, website: www.racinecounty.com/sheriff), provides law enforcement services in unincorporated areas of Racine County and supports municipal departments with specialized services including the jail, investigations, and patrol backup. For arrests and jail bookings throughout Racine County, the Racine County Jail maintains an online inmate roster accessible through the Sheriff's Office website at www.racinecounty.com/government/sheriff/inmate-search. The inmate search tool displays current detainees with information including full name, booking date, charges filed, bond amounts, and booking photographs when available. Under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.32(2), arrest records and booking information are generally considered public records unless exempted by specific provisions. Citizens can submit public records requests to either the Sturtevant Police Department or Racine County Sheriff's Office for copies of incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records, though certain investigative records may be temporarily exempt under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10) during active investigations.

Vital records for Sturtevant residents, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records, are managed primarily at the county and state levels. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Sturtevant or elsewhere in Wisconsin are maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, located at 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703 (phone: 608-266-1371, website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords). Certified copies of birth certificates cost $20 per copy, and death certificates cost $20 per copy as of 2024. Applicants can order online through the state's VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com (with additional processing fees), by mail with completed application forms, or in person at the state office in Madison. Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests and immediate for in-person requests. Birth records in Wisconsin are confidential for 100 years and death records for 50 years, though immediate family members and legal representatives can obtain certified copies with proper identification and proof of relationship. The Racine County Register of Deeds, located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3208), also keeps records of births and deaths that occurred in the county and can issue certified copies. For marriage licenses, couples must apply at the Racine County Clerk's Office, located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3121). The marriage license fee is approximately $110, and there is no waiting period in Wisconsin once the license is issued; the license is valid for 30 days. Marriage records are public and can be requested from either the County Clerk or the state Vital Records Office. Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court at the Racine County Courthouse, 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3133), as divorce proceedings are civil court cases. Divorce decree copies can be requested from the Clerk's office with appropriate identification and payment of copying fees. Historical vital records dating back to the early 1900s are available, though earlier records may require additional research time.

Business and licensing records for Sturtevant operate at village, county, and state levels. The Village of Sturtevant requires certain business licenses and permits for operations within village limits. Prospective business owners should contact the Village Hall at 2801 89th Street, Sturtevant, WI 53177 (phone: 262-886-1702, website: www.sturtevant.org) to inquire about specific licensing requirements, which may include occupational licenses, building permits, and zoning approvals. The village's Community Development Department handles zoning matters and commercial development applications. Racine County does not generally require separate business licenses but does handle certain specialized permits and inspections. For businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name, fictitious business name (trade name) registration is filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions rather than at the county level. All Wisconsin corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities must register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The state maintains a searchable database at https://www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch/Search.aspx where anyone can look up business entity information including registration status, registered agent, business address, principal officers, and filing history. This free online search tool is invaluable for verifying business legitimacy and checking name availability. Business entity formation fees vary: LLC articles of organization cost $130 to file online ($170 by mail), while corporation articles of incorporation cost $100 online. Annual reports are required for most entities with a $25 fee for LLCs and $25 for corporations. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which are filed to perfect security interests in personal property and business assets, are also filed with and searchable through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions at https://www.wdfi.org/ucc/. For commercial property tax assessments in Sturtevant, business owners should contact the Racine County Property Listing Office at 262-636-3106 or search online at the county's property tax portal. Professional licensing for occupations such as contractors, electricians, plumbers, and health professionals is handled by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) at https://dsps.wi.gov/, where license verification and complaint history can be searched by licensee name.

Sturtevant voters are served by the Racine County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for the village and surrounding county. The Racine County Clerk is located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3121, website: www.racinecounty.com/government/county-clerk). This office handles voter registration, absentee ballot requests, polling place assignments, candidate filing, and election results for all federal, state, county, and municipal elections. Wisconsin residents can register to vote online at https://myvote.wi.gov, the state's centralized voter information portal operated by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Wisconsin allows same-day voter registration at polling places, but online and mail registration must be completed no later than 20 days before an election. Voters must provide proof of residence and a valid Wisconsin driver's license or state ID number when registering. The Village of Sturtevant holds municipal elections for Village President (mayor), Village Trustees (village board members), and other local offices in spring odd-numbered years, typically on the first Tuesday in April. The next Sturtevant municipal election is scheduled for April 2025, with Village President and trustee seats on the ballot. Candidate filing for village offices occurs in December and January preceding the April election, with filing taking place at the Racine County Clerk's office. Sturtevant residents can find their assigned polling place, view sample ballots, and check voter registration status at https://myvote.wi.gov by entering their address. The village typically operates multiple polling locations depending on ward assignments. Wisconsin has strong election transparency laws making voter registration lists, campaign finance reports, candidate nomination papers, and precinct-by-precinct election results public records available through the Wisconsin Elections Commission at https://elections.wi.gov and the Racine County Clerk. In the November 2024 presidential election, Racine County reported voter turnout of approximately 72-75%, reflecting high participation in the presidential race with over 100,000 ballots cast countywide. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Sturtevant voters will decide several important races: Wisconsin's gubernatorial race (Governor Tony Evers' seat is up in 2026), all Wisconsin State Assembly seats (Sturtevant is in Assembly District 64), Wisconsin State Senate seats in even-numbered districts, one of Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seats (pending the election cycle), Racine County executive and county board positions, and potentially village referendums or county ballot questions. The 2026 election will also include judicial races for circuit court and potentially state supreme court, along with local school board positions. Wisconsin voters can request absentee ballots online at https://myvote.wi.gov, by mail, or in person at the municipal clerk's office or county clerk's office. Absentee ballot applications must include a copy of an acceptable photo ID. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail (must be received by 8 PM on Election Day), in person to the clerk's office during business hours, or deposited in secure drop boxes where available. Wisconsin does not offer permanent absentee status; voters must request an absentee ballot for each election. Military and overseas voters have special provisions under the federal MOVE Act. Sturtevant's municipal clerk, located at Village Hall (2801 89th Street, phone 262-886-1702), assists village residents with absentee voting and election questions, while the Racine County Clerk handles all county-wide election administration and certification of results.