In most states, individuals can access public records of others through a number of different channels. Wisconsin public records are available to anyone wishing to obtain information on another individual through the courthouse and the Department of Justice. Information contained in these records is extracted from various government entities located in Wisconsin.
What are Wisconsin Public Records?
Public records consist of arrests, convictions, and cases filed in a court of law against an individual. Wisconsin adopted a law that allows these records to be available for the public to obtain copies and view them.
There are certain records that are not available to the public. This includes cases involving juveniles, expunged or sealed cases, and depending on the circumstances dismissed cases. The Wisconsin public library provides further details about what information is available through public records and background checks. You can also find links on the public library’s website to different agencies that provide information that is available to the public.
Are Wisconsin Public Records Accessible Online?
If you wish to view these records online, you must submit a request through the Department of Justice’s website. There is a link on the site that will direct you to request a background check.
You can also visit the Wisconsin court’s website and access court records online. You can view cases through the unified court system by visiting one of the courthouses in Wisconsin or by using a laptop or desktop and remotely accessing the court records through the website.
Are Wisconsin Public Records Free?
Wisconsin public records can be obtained at no cost by contacting the court or jails. This is not the same as a background check, however, it is information that the public is able to view. To perform a background check on an individual, you would need to pay a fee when completing the online request.
Information that is obtained from the courts may not include all arrests in Wisconsin. You can perform a search for all court cases in Wisconsin but it may not include all the arrests that have occurred. Law enforcement agencies are the only entities that can provide accurate arrest records to the public.
If individuals wish to obtain birth, marriage, or death records that occurred in Wisconsin, they would need to contact the Office of Vital Statistics. There are forms and links on the public library website that you can use to access these types of public records.
Wisconsin Public Records Disclaimer
Information that is obtained through public records or an online background check is subject to verification. There are circumstances where the individual that is being searched and the information that is provided may not be accurate. To verify the accuracy of the information that you have received, you would need to contact the courts or the law enforcement agency that provided the information to you.
It is important to remember that information in public records can be removed or challenged by contacting the appropriate agency. More information can be obtained from the Department of Justice.