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How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Washington County, Wisconsin may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state-maintained databases, and online portals. WashingtonWIRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating relevant records. Washington County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law.

Records that may be accessible through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
Property tax and assessment records
Land use, zoning, and survey documents
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Business licenses and permits

Online Access: Members of the public may search Wisconsin court records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, which provides case information for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and circuit courts statewide. Property ownership data, assessment information, and land records are accessible through the Washington County GIS data portal, which allows users to explore parcel-level information without registration. The WashCoGIS interactive map provides access to surveys, plats, and flood insurance studies. Vital records are administered at the state level through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court, located at 432 E. Washington Street, West Bend, WI 53095, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM) to inspect court records or submit a records request. The Register of Deeds office, located in the same Government Center complex, maintains real estate documents available for in-person inspection.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the relevant custodial office by mail. Requesters should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and a return mailing address. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, government authorities are required to respond to records requests as soon as practicable and without delay.

Phone/Email: The Clerk of Circuit Court accepts general inquiries and open records requests by phone at (262) 335-4341. The Washington County Sheriff's Office open records unit may be reached through the main county switchboard at (262) 335-4411.

A record search request form is available online through the Clerk of Circuit Court's website for individuals who wish to submit a formal written request.

What Are Public Records in Washington County?

Public records in Washington County are defined under Wis. Stat. § 19.32(2) 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 following record types are maintained by county departments:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Clerk of Circuit Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	WI Dept. of Health Services / Register of Deeds
Property tax and assessment records	County Treasurer / Assessor
Land use, zoning, survey records	Planning & Parks Department
Law enforcement records	Sheriff's Office
County board minutes and agendas	County Clerk
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk / Municipal offices

The Register of Deeds maintains recorded real estate documents as a matter of public record, available for inspection during regular business hours or online. Criminal case records maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court include case indexes and brief descriptions accessible through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website.

Is Washington County an Open Records County?

Washington County operates in full compliance with Wisconsin's open records law. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the legislature declares that "the public is entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." This statutory presumption of openness applies to all county departments and offices.

As stated on the Washington County Sheriff's Office open records page, "The Wisconsin public records law authorizes requesters to inspect or obtain copies of records maintained by government authorities." The open records policy of the Sheriff's Office reflects this statewide mandate and outlines the process for submitting requests to that department specifically.

Wisconsin's open records law functions similarly to a state-level Freedom of Information Act, establishing that denial of access is the exception rather than the rule. Any denial must be accompanied by a written explanation citing the specific legal basis for withholding the record. County departments are not permitted to require requesters to state a reason for their request as a condition of access.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?

The fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by state law and varies by record type and custodial office. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), fees charged for copies must be limited to the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction.

Standard copy fees:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (standard)	$0.25 per page (standard rate)
Certified copies of court records	$5.00 per document (plus copy fees)
Certified copies of vital records	$20.00 per copy (state fee)
Electronic record reproduction	Actual cost of reproduction
Record search fee	May apply if search requires substantial time

Fees for certified vital records are set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and are subject to change. The Register of Deeds charges recording fees established under state statute. Inspection of records at a public counter does not require payment of a copy fee; fees apply only when physical or electronic copies are produced. Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or money order payable to the relevant county department. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Wisconsin law, though individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.

Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices of the custodial authority during regular business hours, as required by Wisconsin open records law. No fee is charged solely for the act of inspecting a record in person.

Several online resources provide free access to Washington County records without requiring registration or payment:

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system provides free online case searches for circuit court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court records.
The Washington County GIS portal offers free access to ownership data, assessment information, imagery, and land records.
The WashCoGIS interactive mapping application provides free access to surveys, plats, and other spatial data.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while in-person inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain records, such as a person's own vital records, may be obtained at the standard certified copy fee rather than at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?

Any person may request public records in Washington County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Wisconsin's open records law does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation. Requesters are not required to be Wisconsin residents, and government authorities may not demand that a requester explain the reason for their request as a precondition to processing it.

Identification is not required to inspect records at a public counter, though certain offices may request identification when the nature of the record or the method of delivery warrants it. Requesters seeking certified copies of vital records — such as birth or death certificates — must demonstrate a qualifying relationship to the subject of the record, as governed by state vital records statutes administered through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services vital records program.

Individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same general process as any other requester, though they may have additional rights under specific statutes governing personnel records or law enforcement data. Non-residents retain the same access rights as residents for the vast majority of record categories maintained by Washington County.

What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?

Not all government records in Washington County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the general presumption of openness. Custodial offices apply a balancing test when a record does not fall within a defined exemption, weighing the public interest in disclosure against any harm that disclosure may cause.

Records that are exempt from public access include:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or child welfare proceedings are confidential under state law
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 identifiers are protected from disclosure
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child protective services records — records of child welfare investigations and proceedings are confidential
Personnel records — employee records are subject to limited disclosure, with exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security and infrastructure plans — records whose disclosure could compromise public safety

These exemptions are codified in Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which enumerates specific categories of records that government authorities are not required — and in some cases are prohibited — from disclosing. When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Washington County Register of Deeds
432 E. Washington Street, Room 2066
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 335-4324
Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on county-observed holidays

Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court
432 E. Washington Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 335-4341
Clerk of Circuit Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Washington County Sheriff's Office (Open Records Unit)
335 E. Washington Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 335-4411
Sheriff's Office Open Records