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Sauk County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Sauk County?

Public records in Sauk County are defined under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.32 as any record created or maintained by a government authority in connection with the transaction of public business. This definition encompasses a broad range of documents, data, and materials held by county offices, boards, and agencies. Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of these records subject to the provisions of Wisconsin's open records law.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Sauk County offices:

  • Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Sauk County Clerk of Courts. Members of the public may search Wisconsin circuit court records through the Wisconsin Court System's case search portal.
  • Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Sauk County Register of Deeds.
  • Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are held by the Sauk County Clerk's Office and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
  • Business records — licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Sauk County Clerk and relevant municipal offices.
  • Tax records — property tax and assessment records are administered by the Sauk County Treasurer and Assessor's offices.
  • Voting and election records — maintained by the Sauk County Clerk's Office in accordance with state election law.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — records of county board and committee proceedings are maintained by the Sauk County Clerk.
  • Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Sauk County Finance Department.
  • Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Sauk County Sheriff's Office.
  • Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Sauk County Planning and Zoning Department.

Comprehensive legal resources and contact information for Sauk County offices are available through the Wisconsin State Law Library's Sauk County legal resources directory.

Is Sauk County an Open Records County?

Sauk County fully complies with Wisconsin's statewide open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. Under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31, the legislature declares that providing the public with the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government is an essential function of a representative government. This provision applies to all county agencies, departments, and offices operating within Sauk County.

Key provisions of the Wisconsin Open Records Law currently in effect include:

  • Every person has a right to inspect any record maintained by a government authority, subject to limited statutory exemptions.
  • Government authorities must respond to records requests in a timely manner and may not require requestors to state a reason for their request in most circumstances.
  • Custodians of records are required to provide access to records during regular office hours and must assist requestors in identifying the records sought.

Sauk County operates in compliance with Wisconsin's sunshine laws, which govern open meetings and public access to government information. Municipal entities within the county, such as the City of Reedsburg, maintain their own open records request procedures consistent with state law; members of the public may submit an open records request through the City of Reedsburg's official portal.

How to Find Public Records in Sauk County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Sauk County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a records request:

  1. Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records by the Clerk of Courts; vital records by the County Clerk; and law enforcement records by the Sheriff's Office.
  2. Submit a written request. Although oral requests are permitted under Wisconsin law, submitting a written request creates a clear record of the inquiry. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by email, or by fax to the appropriate office.
  3. Use online portals where available. Civil and criminal court case information may be searched directly through the Wisconsin circuit court case search system without submitting a formal request.
  4. Allow for statutory response time. Under current law, custodians must respond to records requests as soon as practicable and without delay.
  5. Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are available, requestors must remit any applicable fees before copies are released.
  6. Appeal if access is denied. If a request is denied, the requestor may seek review through the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office or pursue legal remedies under § 19.37 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

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

The fee structure for public records in Sauk County is governed by Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(3), which authorizes custodians to charge fees that do not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription. Current standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

  • Paper copies: Typically $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white reproductions, though fees may vary by office.
  • Certified copies: Vital records such as birth and death certificates carry a statutory fee set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, currently $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
  • Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies are generally limited to the cost of the storage medium or transmission, where applicable.
  • Research and retrieval fees: Custodians may charge for the actual cost of staff time required to locate, retrieve, and reproduce records, particularly for voluminous or complex requests.
  • Register of Deeds copies: Recording and copy fees for land records are set by state statute and may differ from general copy fees.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but commonly include cash, check, and money order payable to the applicable county office. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Wisconsin law, though custodians retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in appropriate circumstances, such as when disclosure is in the public interest.

Does Sauk County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Wisconsin law, which provides that no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a record in person. The following resources are currently available at no cost:

  • In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at the offices of the Sauk County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Clerk of Courts, and other custodial agencies during regular business hours without charge.
  • Online court records: Civil, criminal, and other circuit court case information for Sauk County may be accessed at no cost through the Wisconsin Court System's public case search database.
  • Circuit court information: Details regarding Sauk County's circuit court judges and court websites are available through the Wisconsin Court System's circuit court directory.
  • Wisconsin State Law Library resources: Legal resources specific to Sauk County, including court forms and contact information for county offices, are accessible through the Sauk County section of the Wisconsin State Law Library.

Fees apply only when copies or certified reproductions of records are requested.

Who Can Request Public Records in Sauk County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to request public records in Sauk County under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. The law does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Specific eligibility provisions currently in effect include:

  • Residency: Requestors are not required to be Wisconsin residents or Sauk County residents to submit a records request.
  • Identification: Custodians may not require requestors to provide identification as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personally sensitive information about the requestor.
  • Purpose: Under current law, requestors are generally not required to state the reason for their request. Custodians may not deny access based on the requestor's intended use of the records.
  • Non-residents: Non-residents of Wisconsin retain the same rights of access as residents under § 19.35(1)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes.
  • Requesting one's own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, subject to applicable verification procedures.
  • Restrictions for specific record types: Certain categories of records, such as juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Sauk County?

Not all government records in Sauk County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36 and related provisions identify categories of records that are exempt from the general right of public access. The following types of records are currently withheld from public inspection, in whole or in part:

  • Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
  • Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Wisconsin law.
  • Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records related to active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released records.
  • Medical records — records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are exempt from disclosure.
  • Adoption records — adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
  • Child welfare and protective services records — records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
  • Personnel records — employee records are exempt from disclosure except for information relating to the employee's name, position, and compensation.
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — records containing trade secrets submitted to government agencies in confidence are exempt from disclosure.
  • Security plans and infrastructure details — records relating to the security of public facilities and critical infrastructure are withheld to protect public safety.

Wisconsin law applies a balancing test in cases where the public interest in disclosure may outweigh the interest in confidentiality. Custodians are required to weigh these competing interests before withholding records and must provide a written explanation when access is denied.

Sauk County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Sauk County Register of Deeds serves as the principal custodian of land and property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related instruments. The Sauk County Clerk's Office maintains vital records, election records, and county board documents.

Sauk County Register of Deeds 505 Broadway, Baraboo, WI 53913 (608) 355-3285 Sauk County Register of Deeds Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sauk County Clerk's Office 505 Broadway, Baraboo, WI 53913 (608) 355-3288 Sauk County Clerk Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sauk County Clerk of Courts 515 Oak Street, Baraboo, WI 53913 (608) 355-3287 Sauk County Clerk of Courts Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sauk County Sheriff's Office 1300 Lange Court, Baraboo, WI 53913 (608) 356-4895 Sauk County Sheriff's Office Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sauk County Treasurer's Office 505 Broadway, Baraboo, WI 53913 (608) 355-3296 Sauk County Treasurer Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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