Kenosha County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Kenosha County?
Public records in Kenosha County are defined according to the Wisconsin Public Records Law, specifically under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31-19.39. This statute establishes that any record produced or maintained by a government authority in the course of official business is considered a public record. The law presumes complete public access to government records, limited only by specific statutory exemptions.
Kenosha County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate case files maintained by the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property tax information
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (with access restrictions)
- Business Records: Licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board and committee proceedings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, contracts, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs (with privacy restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans
The Kenosha County Register of Deeds maintains property records, while the County Clerk maintains meeting minutes and election records. Court records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court, and vital records are managed by the Register of Deeds. The Kenosha County Data Portal serves as a centralized resource for accessing many of these public records electronically.
Is Kenosha County an Open Records County?
Kenosha County fully adheres to the Wisconsin Public Records Law as established under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31-19.39. This comprehensive statute declares that providing citizens with information about government affairs is "an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees."
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently reinforced the state's commitment to transparency, ruling that the public records law "shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business" (Woznicki v. Erickson, 202 Wis. 2d 178, 549 N.W.2d 699 (1996)).
Kenosha County has implemented specific policies to ensure compliance with state transparency requirements. The county maintains a dedicated records request process through each department and provides public access terminals at various county offices. Additionally, Kenosha County has expanded digital access to many records through its online portals, exceeding the minimum requirements of state law.
The county's commitment to open government is further demonstrated through its compliance with Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law (Wisconsin Statutes § 19.81-19.98), which requires that government meetings be conducted in open session with proper public notice.
How to Find Public Records in Kenosha County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Kenosha County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
Online Access:
- Court records can be searched through the Kenosha County Court Case Tracker or the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system
- Property records are accessible through the Kenosha County Property Inquiry Portal
- County Board meeting minutes and agendas are available on the county website
- The Kenosha County Data Portal provides access to various geographic and property information
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form (available at each department or downloadable from the county website)
- Present identification if required for specific record types (such as vital records)
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records
- Include detailed information about the records sought
- Provide contact information for response
- Allow 10 business days for processing, as stipulated by Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(4)
For court records, the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts maintains a dedicated Record Search system. Property information can be accessed through the Property Information portal. For specialized records like sanitary system information, the county provides the Kenosha County Sanitary Maintenance Portal.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Kenosha County?
Kenosha County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(3), which permits charging "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and location of records. The current fee structure includes:
Copy Fees:
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size
- Large format documents (maps, plans): $5.00-$10.00 per page
- Digital copies to CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
- Email delivery of digital documents: No charge for transmission (copying fees may apply)
Search and Location Fees:
- Records requiring less than 30 minutes to locate: No location fee
- Records requiring more than 30 minutes to locate: $30.00 per hour, prorated to the nearest quarter hour
- Specialized staff time for redaction: May be charged at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task
Certified Copies:
- Court documents: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $20.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Property records: $2.00 certification fee plus copy fees
Payment methods currently accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (in person or online for certain records). All fees must be paid before records are released, though requestors may examine records at no charge before requesting copies.
Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(3)(e) provides that agencies may waive or reduce fees when doing so is in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with justification for the public interest served.
Does Kenosha County Have Free Public Records?
Kenosha County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:
Free In-Person Inspection: Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(1) guarantees the right to inspect public records during regular office hours at no charge. Any member of the public may visit the appropriate county office and request to view records without incurring fees, provided that:
- The inspection occurs during normal business hours
- The request does not disrupt normal operations
- Staff is available to supervise the inspection
Free Online Resources: Kenosha County has invested in digital access systems that provide free online access to numerous public records:
- The Kenosha County Court Case Tracker provides basic case information at no charge
- The Property Information Portal offers free access to property assessment data, ownership information, and tax status
- County Board meeting agendas and minutes are freely available on the county website
- The Kenosha County Data Portal provides free access to geographic information system (GIS) data and maps
Public Access Terminals: Free public access computer terminals are available at:
- Kenosha County Administration Building
- Kenosha County Courthouse
- Kenosha Public Library branches
While inspection and many online resources are free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or records requiring extensive search time as outlined in the fee schedule section.
Who Can Request Public Records in Kenosha County?
Under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The term "requester" is broadly defined to include any person who requests to inspect or copy a record. Kenosha County adheres to this inclusive standard with the following provisions:
Eligibility Requirements:
- Wisconsin residency is not required to request public records
- Requestors need not state a reason or purpose for most record requests
- Requestors need not identify themselves for most records, though certain records may require verification of identity
Identification Requirements:
- General public records: No identification required
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Valid government-issued photo ID required
- Records with restricted access: Proof of eligibility to access the specific record
Special Provisions:
- Incarcerated persons have more limited rights under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.32(1c)
- Requestors seeking their own records may need to verify identity
- Attorneys or legal representatives may need to provide proof of representation
- Commercial requestors have the same rights as any other requestor
Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(1)(i) specifically prohibits agencies from requiring requestors to provide identification for record requests unless security reasons exist or the record is subject to a statutory access restriction. The law further prohibits requiring requestors to state the purpose of their request except in narrow circumstances related to public safety records or where specific statutory restrictions apply.
What Records Are Confidential in Kenosha County?
While Wisconsin's Public Records Law presumes openness, Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36 establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Kenosha County maintains the following records as confidential:
Court and Law Enforcement Records:
- Sealed court records and expunged cases
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions under Wisconsin Statutes § 938.396)
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Confidential informant information
- Crime victim information protected under Wisconsin Statutes § 950.04(1v)(ag)
Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and Wisconsin Statutes § 146.82
- Employee personnel records (with exceptions for certain employment-related information)
Sensitive Records:
- Child protective services records under Wisconsin Statutes § 48.981(7)
- Adoption records (access restricted by Wisconsin Statutes § 48.93)
- Certain public assistance and welfare records
- Records containing trade secrets or proprietary business information
- Computer security information and network infrastructure details
Other Protected Records:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Records subject to specific statutory exemptions
- Records where the public interest in nondisclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure under the "balancing test" established in Wisconsin case law
When a record contains both confidential and public information, Kenosha County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36(6). The county must provide specific statutory justification when denying access to records or portions of records.
Kenosha County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Kenosha County Register of Deeds
1010 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-2444
Kenosha County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-2664
Kenosha County Clerk of Courts
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Kenosha County Clerk
1010 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-2552
Kenosha County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Kenosha County Planning and Development
19600 75th Street, Suite 185-3
Bristol, WI 53104
(262) 857-1895
Kenosha County Planning and Development
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays