Manitowoc County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Manitowoc County?
Public records in Manitowoc County are defined according to the Wisconsin Public Records Law, specifically under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31-19.39. This law establishes that any record produced or maintained by a government authority in the course of official business is presumed to be accessible to the public.
Manitowoc County maintains numerous types of public records across various departments, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate cases maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded by the Register of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (with access restrictions)
- Business Records: Licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens available through the County Treasurer's office
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board and committee proceedings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, revenues, and audits
- Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs, and jail inmate information as permitted by law
- Land Use Records: Zoning permits, land divisions, and environmental assessments
The Manitowoc County website serves as the central portal for accessing many of these records, with specific departments maintaining their respective record types. The Register of Deeds maintains property and vital records, while the Sheriff's Department maintains law enforcement records and publishes the current inmate list.
Is Manitowoc County an Open Records County?
Yes, Manitowoc County fully complies with the Wisconsin Public Records Law as established under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31-19.39. The statute explicitly 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."
Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31 states: "The denial of public access generally is contrary to the public interest, and only in an exceptional case may access be denied." This presumption of openness guides Manitowoc County's approach to records management and public access.
Manitowoc County has established specific public records policies that outline procedures for requesting and obtaining public records. These policies ensure compliance with state law while providing clear guidance to both county staff and the public.
The county also adheres to Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law (Wisconsin Statutes § 19.81-19.98), often referred to as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that government meetings be open to the public with limited exceptions. This commitment to transparency extends to the county's record-keeping practices.
Each county department serves as a records custodian for its respective documents and follows standardized procedures for processing records requests in accordance with state statutes and county policy.
How to Find Public Records in Manitowoc County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Manitowoc County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. Property records can be searched through the Real Estate Search portal, while court records may be accessed through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records:
- For court records: Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court office
- For property records: Visit the Register of Deeds office
- For tax information: Visit the County Treasurer's office
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Written Requests: Submit a formal written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. The county provides an Open Records Request form that can be used for this purpose.
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Law Enforcement Records: For incident reports or other law enforcement records, complete the Release of Information Request form available through the Sheriff's Department.
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Court Records: For copies from court files, submit the Open Records Request form to the Clerk of Circuit Court.
When making a request, individuals should provide specific information about the records sought, including relevant dates, names, and document types. While requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request under Wisconsin law, providing context may help records custodians locate the appropriate documents more efficiently.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(4), the county must respond to records requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Complex requests may take longer to fulfill than simple ones, particularly if they require extensive redaction or review.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Manitowoc County?
Manitowoc County charges fees for public records in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge for "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records, as well as location costs in some circumstances.
The current fee structure for Manitowoc County public records includes:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
- Certified Copies: Additional $1.00-$5.00 per document depending on record type
- Search Fees: May apply for requests requiring extensive staff time (typically after the first 30 minutes)
- Specialized Records: Fees vary for maps, plats, and oversized documents
- Electronic Records: Actual cost of reproduction, which may include the cost of storage media
Specific departmental fees include:
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Register of Deeds:
- Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for additional copies
- Real Estate Documents: $30.00 for recording, $2.00 per page for copies
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Clerk of Circuit Court:
- Court Records: $1.25 per page for copies
- Certified Court Documents: $5.00 certification fee plus copy costs
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Sheriff's Department:
- Incident Reports: $0.25 per page
- Photographs: $5.00 per photo
- Audio/Video Recordings: Actual cost of reproduction
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and money order. Some departments may accept credit cards for in-person transactions. Checks should be made payable to "Manitowoc County" or the specific department as instructed.
Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances where the county determines that waiving fees serves the public interest. Requests for fee waivers should be included with the initial records request and must demonstrate a public benefit.
Does Manitowoc County Have Free Public Records?
Yes, Manitowoc County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(1), which guarantees the right to inspect public records without charge. The following records are available for free inspection during normal business hours:
- County Board Agendas and Minutes: Available for review at the County Clerk's office and published on the county website
- Property Assessment Rolls: Available for inspection at the County Assessor's office
- Court Dockets: Available for viewing at the Clerk of Circuit Court's office
- Voter Registration Lists: Available for inspection at the County Clerk's office
- Budget Documents: Available for review at the County Finance Department
Additionally, Manitowoc County provides several free online resources:
- The county website offers access to meeting agendas, minutes, and various public notices
- The Real Estate Search portal provides basic property ownership information
- The current jail inmate list is published online
- Court case information is available through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system
While inspection of records is free, fees may still apply for copies or certified documents as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, some specialized databases or records systems may require subscription fees for full access.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact the specific department that maintains the desired records to confirm availability for free inspection and any applicable fees for copies.
Who Can Request Public Records in Manitowoc County?
Under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record." In Manitowoc County, this means that any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records. The following guidelines apply to records requestors:
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Identification Requirements: While requestors generally do not need to identify themselves, certain records (such as vital records or confidential court documents) may require verification of identity or legal interest.
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Purpose Statement: Wisconsin law does not require requestors to state the purpose of their request for most public records. However, certain specialized records may require demonstration of legitimate interest or legal authorization.
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Format Options: Requestors may specify their preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.), though the county is not obligated to create new records or convert existing records to different formats if doing so would be unduly burdensome.
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Requesting Your Own Records: Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity. This is particularly important for records containing personal or confidential information.
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Requesting Others' Records: Access to another individual's records may be limited by privacy protections. For example, vital records (birth, death certificates) have specific eligibility requirements under Wisconsin Statutes § 69.20.
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Commercial Use: Records may be requested for commercial purposes, though certain specialized databases may have licensing restrictions.
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Anonymous Requests: Anonymous requests are permitted for most public records, though practical limitations may exist if payment is required or if the county needs to contact the requestor with questions about the request.
The county may not deny access to records based on the requestor's identity or intended use of the records except in specific circumstances prescribed by law.
What Records Are Confidential in Manitowoc County?
While Wisconsin's Public Records Law presumes that government records are open to public inspection, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36 and other specific statutes. In Manitowoc County, the following record types are generally confidential:
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Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors are confidential under Wisconsin Statutes § 938.396, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
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Mental Health Records: Information regarding mental health treatment, commitment proceedings, and related records are protected under Wisconsin Statutes § 51.30.
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Child Welfare Records: Reports and records of child abuse or neglect investigations are confidential under Wisconsin Statutes § 48.981(7).
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Medical Records: Health information protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
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Personnel Records: Certain employee information, including performance evaluations, disciplinary records, and medical information, may be exempt from disclosure.
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Ongoing Investigations: Records related to active law enforcement investigations may be withheld if disclosure would impede the investigation.
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Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy discussions between county officials and legal counsel.
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Competitive or Proprietary Information: Trade secrets or proprietary information submitted to the county by businesses.
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Computer Programs and Data: Software and security-related information about county information systems.
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Personally Identifiable Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information are generally redacted from public records.
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Sealed Court Records: Records that have been sealed by court order.
Wisconsin law requires a balancing test when determining whether to release certain records. Under this test, the county must weigh the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure. This case-by-case analysis applies particularly to records that may contain sensitive information but are not categorically exempt.
When records contain both public and confidential information, the county will typically redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record.
Manitowoc County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Manitowoc County Register of Deeds
1010 South 8th Street, Room 115
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-4030
Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of real estate documents
- Issuance of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Maintenance of property records
- Processing of real estate transfer returns
- Military discharge recording
Manitowoc County Clerk of Circuit Court
1010 South 8th Street, Room 105
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-4030
Clerk of Circuit Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Maintenance of court records
- Processing of court filings
- Collection of court fees and fines
- Issuance of court-ordered documents
- Jury management
Manitowoc County Treasurer's Office
1010 South 8th Street, Room 102
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-4021
County Treasurer
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Property tax collection
- Tax deed processing
- Maintenance of tax records
- Dog license issuance
Lookup Public Records in Manitowoc County
Property ownership information
Court records and case information
Land records and vital statistics