Racine County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Racine County?

Public records in Racine County are defined under Wisconsin's Public Records Law, Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39, which declares that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding government affairs and the official acts of government officers and employees. According to this statute, a public record is any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information or sounds are recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics, which has been created or is being kept by an authority.

Racine County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
Voting and election records
Meeting minutes and agendas (county board, committees)
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed by law)
Land use and zoning records

The Racine County Register of Deeds maintains property records, including deeds, mortgages, and land contracts. Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates are also maintained by this office. Court records are maintained by the Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court, while tax records are maintained by the Racine County Treasurer. Meeting minutes and agendas are typically maintained by the Racine County Clerk.

Is Racine County an Open Records County?

Racine County fully complies with Wisconsin's Public Records Law, making it an open records county. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the legislature has declared that providing citizens with information on government affairs is "an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees."

The statute further states: "To that end, ss. 19.32 to 19.37 shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business."

Racine County has established policies to ensure compliance with these state requirements. The county maintains a public records request process that outlines procedures for obtaining records from various departments. Each county department has a designated records custodian responsible for responding to public records requests.

Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law, Wis. Stat. § 19.81-19.98, further supports transparency by requiring that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public except in specific circumstances. Racine County adheres to these requirements for all county board and committee meetings.

How to Find Public Records in Racine County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Racine County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:
- Property records can be searched through Racine County LandShark, the county's land records system
- Court records are accessible through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP) system
- County Board agendas and minutes are available on the Racine County website
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For property records: Register of Deeds Office
- For court records: Clerk of Circuit Court
- For vital records: Register of Deeds Office
- For tax records: County Treasurer's Office
Written Requests: Public records requests may be submitted in writing to the appropriate department. The county provides a Public Records Request Form that can be used to submit requests.
Email Requests: Most departments accept public records requests via email. Contact information for each department is available on the Racine County website.

When making a request, individuals should:

Identify the specific records sought with reasonable clarity
Provide contact information for response
Indicate preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)

Records custodians are required to respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay" according to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4).

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

Racine County charges fees for public records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge for "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records, as well as mailing or shipping costs.

Current standard fees for public records in Racine County include:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
Large format copies (maps, plats): $2.00-$5.00 per page depending on size
Electronic records: Actual cost of reproduction (may include staff time for data compilation)
Certified copies of vital records:
- Birth certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for additional copies
- Death certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for additional copies
- Marriage certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for additional copies

For property records accessed through the Racine County LandShark system, users may be subject to a $50 preauthorization charge, which is only applied if $50 worth of documents are imaged.

Accepted payment methods include:

Cash (in-person only)
Check
Money order
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)

Under Wisconsin law, agencies may not charge for the cost of reviewing records for possible redaction or other preparation. Additionally, fees may be waived or reduced when doing so is in the public interest, as determined by the records custodian.

Does Racine County Have Free Public Records?

Racine County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Wisconsin law. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), any requester has the right to inspect any record during the regular office hours of the authority that maintains the record.

Free public records services in Racine County include:

In-person inspection of records during regular business hours (no charge for viewing)
Online access to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP) for court records
Basic property information through the Racine County Property Search
County Board meeting agendas and minutes on the Racine County website
Tax payment information through the Racine County Treasurer's website

The Racine County Geographic Information System (GIS) also provides free access to basic mapping information, though detailed maps may incur fees.

While inspection is free, requesters should note that fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or extensive searches requiring significant staff time.

Who Can Request Public Records in Racine County?

Under Wisconsin's Public Records Law, specifically Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The term "requester" is defined broadly to include virtually any person or organization.

Key eligibility points for requesting public records in Racine County:

Wisconsin residency is not required to request public records
Requesters do not need to provide identification for most records requests
Requesters generally do not need to state the purpose of their request
Requests may be made anonymously, though providing contact information is necessary if copies are desired
Organizations, businesses, and media outlets have the same rights as individuals

Certain restrictions apply to specific record types:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require the requester to have a "direct and tangible interest" in the record, as defined in Wis. Stat. § 69.20
Requesters seeking their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity
Records related to ongoing investigations may have restricted access
Certain court records may be sealed or have restricted access

The law prohibits records custodians from considering the identity of the requester when deciding whether to grant access, except in cases where specific statutory restrictions apply.

What Records Are Confidential in Racine County?

While Wisconsin's Public Records Law presumes public access to government records, certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure under Wis. Stat. § 19.36 and other state and federal laws. Racine County maintains confidentiality for the following types of records:

Records specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal law
Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile records, protected under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and personal identification numbers
Medical records protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Adoption records, which are sealed under Wisconsin law
Child welfare and protective services records
Personnel records containing information related to staff evaluations, disciplinary actions, or medical information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Computer programs and security information
Records where the public interest in nondisclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure

Wisconsin law requires records custodians to perform a "balancing test" when determining whether to release certain records. This test weighs the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in keeping the records confidential.

Records containing confidential information may still be released after appropriate redaction of the protected information, as required by Wis. Stat. § 19.36(6).

Racine County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Racine County Register of Deeds
730 Wisconsin Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 636-3208
Racine County Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other real estate documents
Issuance of birth, death, and marriage certificates
Maintenance of property records
Processing of real estate transfer returns
Recording of military discharge papers (DD-214)

Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court
730 Wisconsin Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 636-3333
Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court