Wood County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Wood County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Wood County, Wisconsin may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state court systems, and online portals. WoodCountyRecords.org aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating records. Wood 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 include property deeds, court filings, vital records, tax assessments, and meeting minutes, among others.
Online Access:
Members of the public may search real estate and land records through the Wood County Register of Deeds online records portal, which provides two access tiers depending on the frequency and volume of use. Court records are searchable statewide through the Wisconsin Court System case search, which covers circuit court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court filings. Property tax information for parcels located within the City of Marshfield's Wood County portion is accessible through the Marshfield property information page. Some online databases require user registration prior to accessing detailed document images.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant custodial office. The Wood County Register of Deeds is located at 400 Market Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record type and provide relevant identifying information, such as a parcel number, party name, or document date range, to facilitate retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, custodians are required to respond to written requests as soon as practicable and without delay.
Phone/Email:
The Wood County Register of Deeds may be reached by telephone at (715) 421-8460. The Wood County Circuit Court Clerk's office may be contacted at (715) 421-8530. Email contact information is available through the Wood County official website.
What Are Public Records in Wood County?
Public records in Wood County are defined under Wisconsin's open records law 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. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.32, the definition encompasses a broad range of documents maintained by county offices.
The following record types are currently maintained by Wood County departments:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law) — maintained by the Wood County Circuit Court Clerk
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats) — maintained by the Register of Deeds
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) — maintained by the Register of Deeds and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious name registrations) — maintained by the County Clerk and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
- Tax records (property tax bills, assessment records) — maintained by the Wood County Treasurer and municipal assessors
- Voting and election records — maintained by the Wood County Clerk
- Meeting minutes and agendas — maintained by the Wood County Clerk and individual boards
- Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Wood County Finance Department
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted) — maintained by the Wood County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Wood County Planning and Zoning Department
Is Wood County an Open Records County?
Wood County fully complies with Wisconsin's open records law, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. 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 means that any denial of a public records request must be supported by a specific legal basis.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, which oversees open records compliance statewide, has stated that "the denial of public access generally is contrary to the public interest, and only in an exceptional case may access be denied." County departments are required to respond to requests promptly and to provide written explanations when records are withheld. Wood County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the provisions of Wisconsin's open records statutes apply uniformly to all county offices and departments.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Wood County?
The fee structure for public records in Wood County is governed by state statute and varies by record type and custodial office. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), fees for copies may not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction. The following standard fees apply at present:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.25 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies of recorded documents | $3.00 per document (Register of Deeds) |
| Birth, death, or marriage certificates | $20.00 per certified copy (state fee) |
| Electronic document downloads (land records) | Varies by subscription tier |
| Court record copies | Set by the Wisconsin Supreme Court fee schedule |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of public records.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of recorded instruments carry a separate certification fee.
- Electronic format fees: The Register of Deeds offers both a pay-per-document option and a subscription-based access plan for real estate records.
- Search fees: Custodians may charge for the actual staff time required to locate records when the search is not straightforward, consistent with state law.
- Payment methods: The Register of Deeds and County Clerk accept cash, check, and credit card payments at the public counter.
Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established by statute for general public records requests, though certain requestors — such as indigent individuals seeking their own records — may petition for reduced fees on a case-by-case basis.
Does Wood County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Wood County, as Wisconsin law requires custodians to permit in-person inspection at no charge. Members of the public may review records at the relevant office without incurring a fee, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records is free, obtaining physical or certified copies involves the fees described above.
The following free online resources are currently available:
- The Wisconsin Court System case search provides free access to court case information, including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and disposition data for circuit court cases statewide.
- The Wood County land records portal offers a no-cost browsing option for users with limited search needs, as described on the online records access page.
- Property tax and assessment data for parcels in the Marshfield area are accessible at no charge through the City of Marshfield property information portal.
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are posted at no cost on the Wood County government website.
Who Can Request Public Records in Wood County?
Any person may request public records in Wood County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Wisconsin's open records law does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances. This broad access right reflects the legislature's intent, as codified in Wis. Stat. § 19.31, that government records belong to the public.
Requestors are not required to:
- Be a Wisconsin resident
- Provide government-issued identification for general records requests
- State the purpose of the request
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are restricted under Wisconsin law to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. Juvenile court records and sealed court files require a court order for access. Individuals requesting their own records from law enforcement or court systems may be required to provide identification to verify identity before release.
What Records Are Confidential in Wood County?
Not all government records in Wood County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from the open records requirement. The following records are currently withheld from public access under applicable state and federal law:
- Sealed court records — including expunged criminal records and records sealed by judicial order
- Juvenile records — protected under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and related provisions
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account data, and driver's license numbers embedded in otherwise public documents
- Medical and health records — protected under HIPAA and Wisconsin health privacy statutes
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court petition
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential under state and federal child welfare law
- Personnel records — with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public employees
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety
The Wisconsin Attorney General's office has noted that "the public records law contains numerous specific exemptions, and custodians must identify the specific statutory basis for any denial." Requestors who believe a denial is improper may seek review through the district attorney's office or pursue a writ of mandamus in circuit court.
Wood County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Wood County Register of Deeds
400 Market Street, Room 110
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 421-8460
Register of Deeds – Wood County Wisconsin
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Wood County Clerk's Office
400 Market Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 421-8484
Wood County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wood County Circuit Court Clerk
400 Market Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 421-8530
Wisconsin Court System case search
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wood County Treasurer
400 Market Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 421-8484
Wood County Wisconsin
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM