Milwaukee County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Milwaukee County?
Public records in Milwaukee County are defined under Wisconsin Public Records Law § 19.31-19.39, which establishes 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." These records encompass a wide range of documents created, maintained, or controlled by government agencies within Milwaukee County.
Milwaukee County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court proceedings)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, transfers)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
- Tax records (property tax information, assessment records)
- Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
- Meeting minutes and agendas (County Board, committees, commissions)
- Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports)
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records (permits, applications, zoning maps)
The Milwaukee County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized records are maintained by various departments:
Milwaukee County Clerk's Office
901 N. 9th Street, Room 105
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 278-4067
Milwaukee County Clerk
Court records are maintained by the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, property records by the Register of Deeds, and vital records by the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Vital Records Division.
Is Milwaukee County an Open Records County?
Milwaukee County adheres to Wisconsin's robust open records laws. Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law § 19.31, the state legislature has declared that providing citizens with information about governmental affairs is "an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees."
The statute explicitly states: "The denial of public access generally is contrary to the public interest, and only in an exceptional case may access be denied." This presumption of openness guides Milwaukee County's approach to records management and access.
Milwaukee County follows the state's requirements for records retention and accessibility. The county has implemented policies to ensure compliance with both the letter and spirit of Wisconsin's open records laws, including procedures for timely responses to records requests.
Additionally, Milwaukee County complies with Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law § 19.81-19.98, often referred to as the "sunshine law," which requires that governmental meetings be open to the public except in specific circumstances.
The Milwaukee County Administrative Manual contains the county's official public records policy, which outlines procedures for records requests, fees, and processing timelines in accordance with state law.
How to Find Public Records in Milwaukee County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Milwaukee County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
-
Online Access: Many records are available through Milwaukee County's online portals:
- Property records can be searched through the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds
- Court records are accessible via the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system
- County Board records, including meeting minutes and agendas, are available on the County Legislative Information Center
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For general county records: Milwaukee County Clerk's Office
- For court records: Milwaukee County Courthouse Records Department
- For property records: Register of Deeds Office
- For vital records: Register of Deeds Vital Records Division
-
Written Requests: Pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law, requests may be submitted in writing to the records custodian of the relevant department. The Milwaukee County Records Request Form may be used to facilitate this process.
-
Electronic Requests: Many departments accept records requests via email. The county's Public Records Request page provides contact information for various departments.
When making a request, individuals should:
- Identify the specific records sought with reasonable clarity
- Provide contact information for response
- Specify preferred format (electronic or paper copies)
- Include any relevant date ranges or identifying information
The records custodian must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay" according to Wisconsin law, though complex requests may require additional time.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records.
Current standard fees for public records in Milwaukee County include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size
- Large format copies (maps, plans): $2.00-$5.00 per page depending on size
- Electronic records provided via email: No charge for the transmission, though fees may apply for time spent locating and preparing records
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
- USB drive: $10.00 per drive
Additional fees may apply for:
- Location costs: If the cost to locate records exceeds $50.00, the requester may be charged for the actual, necessary, and direct cost of location
- Specialized staff time: When extensive redaction or specialized handling is required
- Mailing/shipping: Actual cost of postage or delivery
Milwaukee County accepts the following payment methods:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit cards (for certain departments and online services)
Fees may vary by department and record type. For example, the Register of Deeds has a separate fee schedule for vital records and property documents as established by state statutes.
Pursuant to Wisconsin law, agencies may require prepayment of fees if the total exceeds $5.00. Fee waivers or reductions may be available when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
Does Milwaukee County Have Free Public Records?
Milwaukee County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Wisconsin law. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(a), any requester has the right to inspect public records without charge during regular office hours.
Free records access options include:
- In-person inspection of records at the appropriate county office during regular business hours (no charge for viewing)
- Online access to numerous digital records through county websites:
The Milwaukee County Public Library system also provides free public computer access where residents can search many online county records without charge:
Milwaukee County Federated Library System
709 N. 8th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 286-3000
Milwaukee County Federated Library System
While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested, as outlined in the fee schedule section above. Additionally, certain specialized searches or requests requiring extensive staff time may incur location fees even if the requester only wishes to inspect records.
Who Can Request Public Records in Milwaukee County?
Under Wisconsin's Public Records Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Milwaukee County. The statute defines "requester" broadly to include any individual, organization, or entity.
Key eligibility considerations include:
- Residency is not required – requesters need not be Wisconsin residents or U.S. citizens
- Identification is generally not required for most records requests, though certain records (such as vital records or adoption records) may require proof of identity or relationship
- Purpose need not be stated – requesters are not obligated to explain why they seek records or how they intend to use them
- Age restrictions do not generally apply, though minors may face limitations accessing certain records
According to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(i), no request may be refused because the requester is unwilling to be identified or to state the purpose of the request. However, this provision does not prohibit a records custodian from requiring verification of identity when:
- Federal law or regulations require identification
- The requested record is accessible only by certain individuals (such as the subject of the record)
- The record contains personally identifiable information that requires protection
When requesting records about oneself, additional verification may be required to protect privacy. For example, requesting one's own health records from a county facility would require identity verification under HIPAA regulations.
For certain vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), Wisconsin law restricts access to the subject of the record, immediate family members, or those with a direct and tangible interest in the record.
What Records Are Confidential in Milwaukee County?
While Milwaukee County operates under Wisconsin's presumption of openness for public records, certain categories of records remain confidential under state and federal laws. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.36, the following records are exempt from disclosure:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions under § 938.396)
- Records related to ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies
- Personal identifying information including Social Security numbers, employee ID numbers, and financial account numbers
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Adoption records (access restricted under § 48.93)
- Child welfare and protective services records (confidential under § 48.981)
- Personnel records containing evaluations, disciplinary information, or medical information (though general employment information remains public)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to county agencies
- Computer programs and security information that would compromise county systems
- Records where federal law prohibits disclosure
- Records containing information qualifying as attorney-client privileged communication
- Drafts, notes, and preliminary documents prior to completion
Wisconsin law also requires agencies to perform a "balancing test" when considering certain record requests. This test weighs the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure. Records may be withheld when the custodian determines that the public interest in withholding the record outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
When a record contains both confidential and public information, Milwaukee County agencies will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(6).
Milwaukee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Milwaukee County Register of Deeds
901 N. 9th Street, Room 103
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 278-4021
Milwaukee County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Vital Records Division
901 N. 9th Street, Room 103
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 278-4033
Milwaukee County Vital Records
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
The Milwaukee County Register of Deeds maintains and provides access to:
- Real estate documents (deeds, mortgages, liens, etc.)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Military discharge papers
- Plat maps and certified survey maps
- Condominium declarations and amendments
The office provides both in-person and online services for searching and obtaining copies of records. Certain records dating back to 1835 are available, though the availability of online records varies by document type and date range.
Lookup Public Records in Milwaukee County
Wisconsin Court System case search