Union Grove, Wisconsin Public Records

Union Grove, 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.

Union Grove residents are served by the Racine County Circuit Court, located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3133). The Circuit Court handles all criminal matters (felonies and misdemeanors), civil cases, family law matters (divorce, child custody, paternity), probate, small claims (up to $10,000), and traffic citations. Union Grove operates a municipal court for local ordinance violations and traffic matters; contact the Village Hall at (262) 878-1818 for municipal court dates and procedures. Wisconsin's Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) provides free online access to circuit court case records at wcca.wicourts.gov, where users can search by name, case number, or other criteria to view case details, parties, charges, dispositions, and court dates. The CCAP system includes criminal, civil, family, probate, small claims, traffic, and forfeiture cases statewide. Certified copies of court documents can be requested from the Clerk of Circuit Court; fees are typically $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus a $5 certification fee. The Register in Probate handles estate matters and can be reached at the same courthouse address. Court records are governed by Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and Chapter 19 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Many records are accessible online for free, though some sensitive family court and juvenile records are restricted.

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 Union Grove are maintained by Racine County offices in Racine. The Racine County Property Listing Department (Assessor) is located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3228). The county provides a free online property information system at www.racinecounty.com/property that allows searches by owner name, address, or parcel number to view assessed values, property characteristics, tax information, and sales history. The Racine County Register of Deeds, also located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3208, website: registerofdeeds.racinecounty.com), records and maintains land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other documents affecting real property. The Register of Deeds provides free online access to recorded documents through their website, where users can search by document type, name, date range, or parcel number and view scanned images of recorded instruments. Documents recorded since the early 1980s are typically available online, with earlier records on microfilm or paper accessible in person. Recording fees vary by document type but are generally $30 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. The county also maintains a GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping portal at gis.racinecounty.com that displays parcel boundaries, ownership, zoning, and other spatial data for all properties in Union Grove and throughout Racine County. Property tax bills and payment history can be viewed through the county treasurer's online system.

Union Grove's economy is characterized by a mix of small-scale manufacturing, retail, agriculture-related businesses, and service industries, supported by its strategic location along Highway 11 between Racine and Lake Geneva. Major employers in the immediate area include Chart Inc. (formerly known as Harsco), a manufacturer of cryogenic equipment, and several smaller manufacturers and distribution facilities. The Great Lakes Dragaway remains a significant draw for regional tourism and motorsports, generating economic activity during the racing season. The annual Racine County Fair, held in Union Grove, brings thousands of visitors and substantial revenue to local businesses each summer. Many Union Grove residents commute to larger employment centers in Racine (approximately 10 miles southeast) and Milwaukee (about 30 miles north), where major employers include SC Johnson, Modine Manufacturing, Case IH, Aurora Health Care, and numerous manufacturing and logistics companies. The village has seen steady residential growth as families seek affordable housing with small-town character while maintaining access to urban employment. Agriculture remains visible in the surrounding areas, though the village itself has transitioned toward residential and commercial development. The median household income in Union Grove is estimated at approximately $65,000-$75,000, slightly above the state median. Recent economic development has focused on attracting light industrial and commercial investment along the Highway 11 corridor while preserving the village's residential character.

Law enforcement services in Union Grove are provided by the Union Grove Police Department, located at 925 15th Avenue, Union Grove, WI 53182. The department can be reached at (262) 878-1818. To request police reports or incident records, residents must submit a written request to the department in person or by mail, citing Wisconsin's Open Records Law (Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 19.31-19.39). Fees for copies are typically charged per page as allowed under state law. The Racine County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 717 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3200, website: www.racinecounty.com/government/sheriffs-office), provides additional law enforcement services and has jurisdiction throughout the county including Union Grove for certain matters. For arrest and jail booking information, the Racine County Jail maintains an online inmate search at www.racinecounty.com/jailroster, which displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots where available. Under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 19, also known as Wisconsin's Open Records Law, all public records are presumed to be open unless specifically exempted by law. Requesters do not need to state a reason for seeking records, and agencies must respond to requests as soon as practicable, generally within days. Fees may be charged for actual reproduction costs and staff time if extensive. The Sheriff's Office processes requests for accident reports, arrest records, and incident logs through their Records Division.

Vital records for Union Grove residents are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Racine County offices. Birth and death certificates are primarily obtained through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309 (phone: 608-266-1371, website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords). Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy, death certificates cost $20, with processing time of approximately 2-4 weeks by mail. Online expedited ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com for an additional fee, with delivery in 5-10 business days. Certified copies can also be requested in person at the Racine County Register of Deeds office at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3208), which maintains vital records for events occurring in Racine County. Wisconsin law restricts birth certificates to the registrant (if age 18+), parents, legal guardian, or legal representative with proper identification. Death certificates are available to immediate family members or those with a direct legal interest. Marriage licenses are obtained from the Racine County Clerk's office at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3121). The marriage license fee is $110, and applicants must apply in person with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. Wisconsin has no waiting period, but the license is valid for 30 days. Marriage certificates (certified copies of marriage records) cost $20 from the Register of Deeds. Divorce records are maintained by the Racine County Circuit Court Clerk as court case files. Wisconsin vital records are available from 1852 forward at the state level, with varying digitization by county.

Business licensing in Union Grove is handled at both the village and county levels. The Union Grove Village Hall at 925 15th Avenue, Union Grove, WI 53182 (phone: 262-878-1818) issues business licenses for operations within the village limits; license requirements vary by business type, and fees are established by village ordinance. Contact the Village Clerk for specific license requirements, fees, and renewal schedules. Certain business types such as alcohol beverage licenses are processed through the village under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 125. Racine County does not typically require general business licenses but regulates specific activities such as food service through the Racine County Public Health Department at 14200 Washington Avenue, Sturtevant, WI 53177 (phone: 262-638-6500). Wisconsin does not have a statewide DBA (doing business as) registration system; fictitious name filings are recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county where business is conducted. To register a DBA in Racine County, file a "Registration of Firm Name" with the Register of Deeds at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3208); the filing fee is approximately $30. For corporations, LLCs, and other formal business entities, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions maintains the corporate registry at www.wdfi.org where users can search business entity status, registered agents, officers, and file formation documents online. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are filed with and searchable through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions UCC Division. Business property owners can look up commercial property assessments through the Racine County online property system at www.racinecounty.com/property. Sales and use tax permits are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

Union Grove voters access election services through the Racine County Clerk's office, located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (phone: 262-636-3121, website: www.racinecounty.com/government/county-clerk). Wisconsin residents can register to vote online at myvote.wi.gov, in person at the county clerk's office or municipal clerk, by mail, or at the polling place on Election Day. Wisconsin allows same-day voter registration with proof of residence. The deadline for online and mail registration is 20 days before an election, but in-person and Election Day registration remain available with proper documentation. Union Grove holds municipal elections for village board trustees and village president (mayor equivalent) in the spring of odd-numbered years; the next Union Grove municipal election is scheduled for April 2025, with positions including village president and village trustees. Wisconsin spring elections typically occur on the first Tuesday in April. Union Grove residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting myvote.wi.gov and entering their address; the village typically has one or two polling locations depending on ward boundaries. In the November 2024 presidential election, Racine County reported approximately 65-68% voter turnout with over 90,000 ballots cast from roughly 135,000 registered voters; Union Grove's turnout generally tracks with county averages. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Union Grove and Racine County voters will decide races including Wisconsin Governor (4-year term, 2026 election), U.S. Senator (Ron Johnson's seat is up in 2028, but Tammy Baldwin's seat is up in 2024, so 2026 will not feature a U.S. Senate race), Wisconsin State Assembly (all 99 seats elected every 2 years), and Wisconsin State Senate (odd-numbered districts in 2026). County-level races will include Racine County Executive, County Board supervisors, Sheriff, District Attorney, Clerk of Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, County Clerk, and Treasurer, depending on term cycles. Wisconsin election records including voter registration lists (available for purchase for election purposes), campaign finance reports (searchable at cfis.wi.gov), candidate filings, and precinct-by-precinct results are public records. To request an absentee ballot in Wisconsin, voters can apply online at myvote.wi.gov, by mail, email, or in person at the municipal clerk's office; the application deadline is 5 p.m. on the Thursday before Election Day, though in-person absentee voting is available until the Sunday before the election. Wisconsin requires voter ID for both in-person and absentee voting (copy of photo ID must be submitted with absentee ballot application). The Union Grove Village Clerk at 925 15th Avenue (phone: 262-878-1818) administers local elections and processes absentee ballots for village residents.