Wisconsin Public Records

(sponsored by Archives.com)

The Wisconsin Public Records Law (WPRL) is located within chapter 19 of the Wisconsin Code of Statutes and was created in keeping with the idea that all people are entitled to complete transparency in regards to 'government affairs and the official acts of government officers.' According to the statute, unless otherwise provided for by law, any requester has the right to inspect any record. Exceptions to what is considered 'public' can be found within the subsection 19.35. For a list of what types of information are generally considered public and exempt, please click here.

For further information regarding Wisconsin Public Records Law and Procedures, the Wisconsin Attorney General has created material and compiled resources that you can access here.

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Wisconsin Government Info

Executive Administration:

Office of Governor

Madison Office: P.O. Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707
P: (608) 266-1212

Northern Office: 400 4th Avenue South, Park, Falls WI 54552
P: (715) 762-5900

Milwaukee Office: Room 560, 819 North 6th St., Milwaukee, WI 53203
P: (414) 227-4344

News and Announcements

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Office of the Lieutenant Governor
19 East, State Capitol
P.O. Box 2043, Madison, WI 53702
P: (608) 266-3516 | F: (608) 267-3571

News and Announcements

Attorney General
114 East State Capitol, Madison WI 53707-7857

Opinion Search

Office of the Secretary of State
30 W. Mifflin 10th Floor
P.O. Box 7848, Madison, WI 53707-7848
P: (608) 266-8888 | F: (608) 266-3159

Notary Public Search

Trademarks and Trade Names

Municipal Records Search

Deeds Search

Legislature:

Wisconsin State Legislature

Senate

Assembly

Find Your Legislator

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State Agencies and Departments FULL LIST

Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
2811 Agriculture Drive, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911

Directory of Phone Numbers by Function/ Division

Department of Commerce
201 W. Washington Ave.
P.O. Box 7970, Madison WI 53707-7970
p: (608) 266-1018 | Public Records: (608)261-5402

Department of Corrections
3099 East Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7925, Madison WI 53707-7925
P: (608) 240-5000 | F: (608) 240-3300 | Director of Public Information: (608) 240-5060

Community Corrections
P: (608) 240-5300 | F: (608) 240- 3330

Directory of Community Corrections Locations

Adult Institutions Division
P: (608) 240-5104 | F: (608) 240-3310

Institutions and Institutional Divisions Directory

Juvenile Corrections
P.O. Box 8930, Madison WI 53708-8930
P: (608) 240-5900 | F: (608) 240- 3370

Juvenile Facilities

Sex Offender Registry

Wisconsin Most Wanted Sex Offenders

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Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street, Madison WI 53703
P: (608) 266-1865

Hotline Directory

Programs/ Services Directory

Vital Records

Birth Records

Death Records

Marriage Records

Divorce Records

Declaration of Domestic Partnership Records

Termination of Domestic Partnership Records

Local Vital Records Services

Wisconsin Historical Society and Archives
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706

Archives: (608) 264-6460

Library: (608) 264-6535

Historic Preservation – Buildings: (608) 264-6493

Preservation - Other Than Buildings: (608) 264-6489

Public History: (608) 264-6579

General Society Information and Admin.: (608) 264-6400

Wisconsin Historical Foundation: (608) 261-9364

Historic Sites and Museums Administration: (608) 264-6586

Research Collections and Resources

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Department of Justice
Risser Justice Center, 17 West Main Street
P.O. Box 7857 | Madison WI 53707-7857
P: (608) 266- 1221 | F: (608) 267-2779

Criminal Background Checks

Department of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster Street
PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921
P: (608) 266-2621 | F: (608) 261-4380

Regional Offices Directory

Open Records

Public Records Contacts by Region:

Kenosha, Racine: (262) 884-2324

Marinette, Oconto, Shawano: (715) 582-5002/5003

Pierce, St. Croix: (715) 839-3740

Walworth, Washington, Waukesha: (262) 574-2104

Statewide: (608) 267-9576 | (608) 261-0770