Winnebago County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Winnebago County?
Public records in Winnebago County are defined under Wisconsin Statute § 19.32 as any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that has been created or is being kept by a government authority. The Winnebago County official website serves as the primary portal for accessing county government information and directing members of the public to the appropriate custodial office for each record type.
The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Winnebago County offices:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the Register of Deeds and the Treasurer's Office
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Register of Deeds and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious business names) — maintained by the County Clerk and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
- Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Treasurer's Office and the Assessor's Office
- Voting and election records — maintained by the County Clerk's Office
- Meeting minutes and agendas (county board, committees, and commissions) — maintained by the County Clerk's Office
- Budget and financial documents — maintained by the County Administrator's Office and Finance Department
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Planning and Zoning Department
The Winnebago County Clerk of Courts maintains all official court records filed with the circuit court and is responsible for ensuring public access in accordance with applicable statutes.
Is Winnebago County an Open Records County?
Winnebago County fully complies with Wisconsin's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.31, it is the public policy of the state that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them. This provision reflects Wisconsin's commitment to government transparency and accountability at every level, including county government.
Key provisions of the Wisconsin Open Records Law currently in effect include:
- Any requester is entitled to inspect or copy records held by a government authority, subject to limited statutory exemptions.
- Custodians must respond to records requests as soon as practicable and without delay.
- Denial of a request must be accompanied by a written statement citing the specific legal authority for the denial.
- The law applies to all county departments, boards, commissions, and elected offices operating within Winnebago County.
Winnebago County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all county offices operate in compliance with the Wisconsin Open Records Law as codified in Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39. Members of the public seeking records from any county department may direct their requests to the custodian of the relevant office.
How to Find Public Records in Winnebago County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Winnebago County public records through several channels, depending on the record type and the custodial office. The following steps outline the current process for submitting a records request:
- Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record being sought. Court records are held by the Clerk of Courts; property and vital records are held by the Register of Deeds; law enforcement records are held by the Sheriff's Office.
- Submit a written request. Although Wisconsin law does not require a formal written request form, submitting a request in writing — by mail, email, or in person — creates a clear record of the inquiry. Requests should identify the record with reasonable specificity.
- Use online portals where available. Wisconsin circuit court case information is accessible through the Wisconsin Court System case search, which allows members of the public to search cases from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and circuit courts statewide. Winnebago County also provides online access to court records through its case management system powered by Justice Systems Inc.
- Access property information online. The county's property records and tax information portal provides parcel data, assessment information, and tax records. This data is available for informational purposes and is not intended to constitute an official record.
- Visit the appropriate office in person. Members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at the relevant county office. In-person inspection is available at no charge.
- Request copies. If copies are needed, the requester may specify the preferred format (paper or electronic) at the time of the request. Fees may apply for reproduced copies.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Winnebago County?
Current fees for public records in Winnebago County are governed by Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3), which authorizes custodians to charge fees for locating, copying, and, in some cases, redacting records. The following standard fees currently apply:
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white photocopies (8.5" x 11")
- Larger format copies: Fees vary based on actual reproduction costs
- Electronic copies: Fees may be assessed based on the cost of the medium (e.g., CD or USB drive) and staff time required for locating and extracting records
- Certification fees: An additional fee applies when a certified copy of a record is requested; fees vary by office and record type
- Vital records (certified copies): The Register of Deeds currently charges a statutory fee per certified copy of birth, death, or marriage certificates, as set by Wisconsin law
Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Wisconsin law, though custodians retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in certain circumstances, particularly when the request serves a significant public interest and the requester demonstrates financial hardship.
Does Winnebago County Have Free Public Records?
Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no cost under Wisconsin's open records law, provided that inspection does not require the custodian to produce a copy. The right to free inspection is a foundational element of Wisconsin's open records framework. The following government resources currently provide free access to Winnebago County records:
- Wisconsin Court System case search — Members of the public may search civil, criminal, probate, and family court case information at no charge through the statewide online portal.
- Winnebago County online court records — Case information is available at no cost through the county's Justice Systems Inc. case management portal.
- Winnebago County property information portal — Parcel data, assessment records, and tax information are accessible online at no charge for informational purposes.
- In-person inspection — Any member of the public may visit the custodial office during regular business hours to inspect records without incurring a fee, as long as no copies are requested.
Who Can Request Public Records in Winnebago County?
Under Wisconsin's open records law, any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — is entitled to request and inspect public records held by Winnebago County government authorities. The following eligibility provisions currently apply:
- Residency: Requesters are not required to be Wisconsin residents or Winnebago County residents to submit a records request.
- Identification: Custodians generally may not require a requester to provide identification as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances where the identity of the requester is relevant to a statutory exemption.
- Purpose: Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request. Custodians may ask for the purpose but may not deny access solely because a purpose is not provided.
- Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), which broadly extends the right to inspect records to "any person."
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves — such as their own court case files, vital records, or tax documents — follow the same general request process, though additional identity verification may be required for certified copies of vital records.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity or purpose.
What Records Are Confidential in Winnebago County?
Not all government records in Winnebago County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin law provides specific exemptions that protect certain categories of information from release. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.36 and related provisions, the following record types are currently exempt from mandatory public disclosure:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or child welfare proceedings are confidential under Wisconsin's Children's Code.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — Records compiled as part of an active law enforcement investigation may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are protected from disclosure.
- Medical and health records — Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Wisconsin health privacy statutes are exempt.
- Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services are confidential under state and federal law.
- Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to public officials' exercise of their duties.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to the county in connection with permits or contracts may be withheld.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Records that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.
When a custodian withholds a record, Wisconsin law requires that the custodian apply a balancing test, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure would cause, unless a specific statutory exemption applies without qualification.
Winnebago County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The Winnebago County Register of Deeds serves as the primary custodian of property records, vital records, and related documents. Members of the public may inspect or request copies of records during regular public counter hours.
Winnebago County Register of Deeds 415 Jackson Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 232-3390 Winnebago County, WI | Official Website
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding county holidays)
Winnebago County Clerk of Courts 415 Jackson Street, Room 104, Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 236-4848 Clerk of Courts | Winnebago County, WI
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding county holidays)
Winnebago County Sheriff's Office 4311 Jackson Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 236-7300 Winnebago County, WI | Official Website
Winnebago County Clerk 415 Jackson Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 232-3477 Winnebago County, WI | Official Website
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding county holidays)