Winnebago County

Winnebago County is located in east-central Wisconsin, with Oshkosh serving as Winnebago County seat. Winnebago County was established in 1840 and named after the Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) Native American tribe that originally inhabited Winnebago County. Winnebago County includes approximately 468 square miles and has a population of around 171,000 residents, making it one of the more populous counties in Wisconsin. Winnebago County is bordered by Lake Winnebago County to the east, the largest inland lake in Wisconsin, which is a major recreational and economic asset. Major municipalities include Oshkosh, Neenah, and Menasha, which form part of the Fox Cities metropolitan area. Winnebago County is home to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, EAA Aviation Museum, and hosts the world-famous EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show each summer, attracting hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts. The Fox River runs through Winnebago County, historically powering paper mills that defined Winnebago regional economy for over a century. Winnebago County government operates from Winnebago County Courthouse at 415 Jackson Street in Oshkosh. Key county offices include Winnebago County Register of Deeds, which maintains property records; Winnebago County Clerk located at 415 Jackson Street, Suite 104, handling vital records and elections; and Winnebago County Assessor's Office, which manages property assessments and tax information. Winnebago County's location along the Fox River Valley and proximity to both Green Bay and the Milwaukee-Madison corridor has made it an important manufacturing and distribution hub in Wisconsin.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of Winnebago County. This office oversees Winnebago County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office runs programs meant to reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety through community engagement and education initiatives.

Police Departments

Winnebago County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities like Oshkosh, Neenah, and Menasha. Each city department handles law enforcement within its jurisdiction, while the sheriff's office covers unincorporated areas. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, often collaborating through joint task forces and shared resources to enhance public safety across Winnebago County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 4311 West Witzel Avenue in Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901, provides law enforcement services throughout Winnebago County's unincorporated areas and operates Winnebago County Jail. Winnebago County Jail maintains an online inmate roster accessible through the Sheriff's website, allowing the public to search current inmates by name, booking date, or charges.

• Under Wisconsin Statutes §19.31-19.39, the Wisconsin Public Records Law, citizens have the right to request arrest records, incident reports, and booking logs from any law enforcement agency.
• Requests can be made in writing or in person, and agencies must respond promptly, though fees may apply for copying and certification.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Winnebago County, WI are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Records / Copy Requests | Winnebago County, WI.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Winnebago County, WI are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Winnebago County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at Winnebago County Jail Current Inmate List, by Name Run Date: 5/22/2026 10:04 AM.
• Sheriff's Office: Sheriff's Office | Winnebago County, WI.
• The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

Winnebago County is served by Winnebago County Circuit Court, located at Winnebago County Courthouse, 415 Jackson Street, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901. The Circuit Court can be reached through the office handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and small claims matters within Winnebago County. Wisconsin's unified court system places Circuit Courts as the trial-level courts with broad jurisdiction. Winnebago County Circuit Court operates multiple branches with several judges presiding over different case types.

• The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system provides free online access to circuit court case records at wcca.wicourts.gov, allowing the public to search by name, case number, or attorney.
• Physical copies of court documents can be requested from the Clerk of Courts office, with fees typically $1.25 per page for copies plus certification fees if required.
• The Register in Probate, a function of the Clerk of Courts, handles estate matters, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
• Online payment systems are available for certain court fees and fines through the Wisconsin Courts website.

Winnebago County Register of Deeds, located at 415 Jackson Street, Suite 107, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901, maintains all property and land records for Winnebago County. The office can be reached through the office operates during regular business hours Monday through Friday. The Register of Deeds records and preserves documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plat maps, surveys, and other instruments affecting real property titles in Winnebago County.

• Wisconsin law requires that most real estate conveyances be recorded with Winnebago County Register of Deeds to establish chain of title and provide public notice.
• The Land Records Database provides searchable access to recorded documents, though some older records may only be available by visiting the office in person or requesting copies by mail.
• Property tax information is managed by Winnebago County Treasurer's Office at 415 Jackson Street, and the Municipal Assessor's Office provides assessment data, tax bills, and valuation information online.
• Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a fee, typically $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus $4.00 for certification.
• The Register of Deeds also maintains vital records including older birth and death records filed before statewide registration.

Vital records for Winnebago County, Wisconsin are maintained by both Winnebago County Clerk's Office and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Winnebago County Clerk, located at 415 Jackson Street, Suite 104, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901, can be contacted through the office’s website. Birth certificates for births occurring in Winnebago County can be requested from the County Clerk's office, with fees typically $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.

• Death certificates follow similar procedures, with the same fee structure applying.
• Processing time for vital records requests at Winnebago County level is typically 1-2 weeks, though walk-in service may be available for immediate needs.
• The marriage license fee is approximately $110, and there is no waiting period in Wisconsin once the license is issued, though it is valid for only 30 days.
• Online ordering is available through VitalChek for an additional fee.
• Wisconsin Statutes §69.20-69.24 govern access to vital records and establish the confidentiality protections and authorized requesters for these sensitive documents.

Business and licensing records in Winnebago County, Wisconsin are managed through multiple governmental agencies depending on the type of business activity. Winnebago County Clerk's Office at 415 Jackson Street, Suite 104, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901, handles certain local business filings including fictitious name registrations (doing business as or DBA filings) for businesses operating under names other than the owner's legal name.

• The state maintains a searchable online database at www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch where anyone can look up registered business entities, view filing history, registered agents, and current status.

Explore public records for 13 cities and communities in Winnebago County, Wisconsin.

Winnebago County's economy is diverse and anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail sectors. Winnebago County has historically been part of Wisconsin's Fox River Valley paper industry corridor, though the economy has diversified significantly in recent decades.

• Other significant employers include Bemis Manufacturing Company, Plexus Corp, Miller Electric Manufacturing, and various food processing and distribution companies.
• The median household income in Winnebago County is approximately $62,000, slightly above the state average.

Elections in Winnebago County, Wisconsin are administered by Winnebago County Clerk's Office, located at 415 Jackson Street, Suite 104, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901. Winnebago County Clerk is the chief election official for Winnebago County and can be contacted through the office’s website. The office's website at www.winnebagocounitywi.gov/county-clerk provides election information, polling place locations, sample ballots, and election results.

• Wisconsin offers same-day voter registration, allowing eligible residents to register and vote on the same day by providing proof of residence.
• To register by mail or online before Election Day, applications must be received by the third Wednesday before the election.
• Voters can request an absentee ballot through the MyVote Wisconsin website, by contacting their municipal clerk, or through the County Clerk's office for county residents in unincorporated areas.