Portage County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Portage County?

Public records in Portage County, Wisconsin, are defined under Wisconsin Statute § 19.32 as any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photograph, film, sound recording, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any state or local authority in connection with the transaction of public business. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of records maintained by county offices.

The following record types are currently available through various Portage County offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Portage County Circuit Court
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and land surveys held by the Portage County Register of Deeds
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued through the Register of Deeds and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Business records — licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations maintained by the County Clerk and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Tax records — property tax bills and assessment records managed by the Portage County Treasurer and the County Assessor
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Portage County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of County Board, committee, and commission proceedings published by the County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports available through the County Administrator's office
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, available through the Portage County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, permits, and variance decisions maintained by the Portage County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Portage County an Open Records County?

Portage 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 this 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 is commonly referred to as the Wisconsin Open Records Law.

Key provisions of the law currently in effect include:

Every custodian of a public record must permit inspection of any record the custodian maintains, unless a specific statutory exemption applies
Requests must be fulfilled as soon as practicable and without delay
Denial of a request must be accompanied by a written statement of the specific legal authority for the denial

Portage County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all county departments operate in accordance with the statewide statute. The county's compliance with Wisconsin's sunshine laws means that board meetings, budget deliberations, and most administrative proceedings are open to the public.

How to Find Public Records in Portage County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Portage County records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

In-person requests may be submitted directly to the office that maintains the record. Requestors should visit the relevant department during public counter hours, identify the record by name, date range, or subject matter, and complete any required request form provided by the custodian.

Written or email requests are accepted by most county departments. A written request should include the requestor's name and contact information, a clear description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery (paper copy or electronic file).

Online access is available for select record categories. Property records and land documents may be searched through the Register of Deeds online portal. Court records for Portage County Circuit Court cases may be accessed through the Wisconsin Court System's statewide case search platform. Voter registration information is available through the Wisconsin Elections Commission's MyVote portal.

Steps to submit a request:

Identify which county office maintains the record
Prepare a written description of the record, including relevant dates, names, or case numbers
Submit the request in person, by mail, by email, or through the office's online portal
Pay any applicable fees upon receipt of the records
If a request is denied, ask for a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption

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

Current fees for public records in Portage County are governed by Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3), which authorizes record custodians to charge fees that do not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription.

Standard fees currently applied across Portage County offices include:

Paper copies: typically $0.25 per page for standard letter or legal-size documents
Certified copies of vital records: $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time, as set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Electronic records: fees may apply for the cost of the medium (CD, USB drive) or staff time required to compile and transmit data
Real estate documents: recording and copy fees for deeds, mortgages, and liens are set by the Register of Deeds and vary by document type and page count

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Wisconsin law; however, custodians retain discretion to reduce or waive fees when reproduction costs are minimal or when the request serves a significant public interest.

Does Portage County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Portage County, as Wisconsin law requires custodians to permit in-person inspection of records at no charge. Members of the public may review documents on-site at the maintaining office without incurring a fee, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.

The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection at any Portage County department during regular business hours, at no cost
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): the Wisconsin Court System provides free online access to circuit court case records, including Portage County cases, through its public case search portal
Wisconsin Elections Commission MyVote portal: free access to voter registration status and polling place information
Portage County property tax records: basic property tax and assessment information is available at no charge through the County Treasurer's and Assessor's online tools
County Board meeting minutes and agendas: published at no cost on the Portage County official website

Who Can Request Public Records in Portage County?

Any person may request public records in Portage County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under Wisconsin's open records law, requestors are not required to be Wisconsin residents, provide government-issued identification, or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access.

Specific eligibility considerations include:

Residency: not required; non-residents have the same rights as county residents to inspect and obtain copies of public records
Identification: custodians may not require identification as a precondition for access to public records, though identification may be required for certain sensitive records such as vital records
Purpose: requestors are generally not required to state a purpose; however, providing context may assist the custodian in locating the correct record
Requesting your own records: individuals seeking records about themselves, such as their own criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure
Requesting records about others: access to records concerning other individuals is subject to the same open records standards, except where specific exemptions apply to protect personal privacy

Certain record categories, including juvenile records, sealed court files, and records containing protected personal information, carry additional access restrictions regardless of who is making the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Portage County?

Not all government records in Portage County are open to public inspection. Wisconsin Statute § 19.36 and related provisions identify categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure, either because of a specific statutory exemption or because the public interest in nondisclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Records currently exempt or restricted from public access include:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or child welfare proceedings are confidential under Wisconsin 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 numbers, and similar data are redacted or withheld to prevent identity theft
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Wisconsin child welfare statutes
Personnel records — employee records are partially exempt, with exceptions for certain information about public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety

When a custodian withholds a record, Wisconsin law requires a written explanation identifying the specific statutory basis for the denial, allowing requestors to evaluate whether to seek review or appeal.

Portage County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Portage County Register of Deeds serves as the principal office for property records, vital records, and land documents. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail or telephone during regular business hours.

Portage County Register of Deeds 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: (715) 346-1428 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Portage County Register of Deeds

Portage County Clerk 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: (715) 346-1351 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Portage County Clerk

Portage County Sheriff's Office 1500 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: (715) 346-1400 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Portage County Sheriff's Office

Portage County Treasurer 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: (715) 346-1348 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Portage County Treasurer

Portage County Circuit Court Clerk 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: (715) 346-1364 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wisconsin Court System

Lookup Public Records in Portage County

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