Walworth County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Walworth County?
Public records in Walworth County are defined according to the Wisconsin Public Records Law § 19.31, which declares that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government. The statute establishes a presumption of complete public access to government records, consistent with the conduct of governmental business.
Walworth County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court proceedings)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, plat maps)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
- Tax records (property tax information, assessment records)
- Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
- Meeting minutes and agendas (County Board, committees, commissions)
- Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports)
- Law enforcement records (incident reports, arrest logs where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records (permits, variances, zoning maps)
The Walworth County Clerk's Office maintains many of these records, while specialized departments handle specific record types. The Register of Deeds maintains property records, vital records, and related documents. Court records are maintained by the Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court.
Is Walworth County an Open Records County?
Walworth County fully complies with the Wisconsin Public Records Law § 19.31-19.39, which establishes 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 statute creates a presumption of accessibility that governs all record custodians in the county.
Under § 19.35(1)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes, "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The law further specifies that "any requester has a right to make or receive a copy of a record." These provisions establish Wisconsin as a state with strong open records protections.
Walworth County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains an official records access policy that outlines procedures for requesting and obtaining public records from county departments.
The county also adheres to Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law (§ 19.81-19.98), ensuring that government business is conducted with proper public notice and access to meetings where decisions are made.
How to Find Public Records in Walworth County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Walworth County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple access points for public records:
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Submit a written request to the appropriate department:
- Identify the specific records sought
- Provide contact information
- Submit in person, by mail, or by email to the relevant department
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Visit the appropriate county office in person:
- Court records: Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court
- Property records: Register of Deeds
- County Board records: County Clerk's Office
- Tax records: Treasurer's Office
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Access online resources:
- The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal provides public access to court records
- Walworth County's Land Information System offers property information
- The Register of Deeds provides access to land records and vital statistics
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Submit an official records request form:
- The county provides a Public Records Request Form that can be submitted to any department
For specialized records, requestors should contact the specific department:
- For driver records: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- For business filings: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
- For municipal records: Contact the specific municipality within Walworth County
Records custodians must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay" according to § 19.35(4)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Walworth County?
Walworth County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 19.35(3) of the Wisconsin Public Records Law, which permits agencies to charge for "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records.
Current standard fees for public records in Walworth County include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size
- Large format copies (maps, plats): $2.00-$5.00 per page
- Electronic records: Actual cost of reproduction
- Staff time: Fees may be charged for location costs if exceeding $50.00 (approximately 1 hour)
- 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
The county accepts the following payment methods:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Check
- Money order
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
Under § 19.35(3)(e), agencies may require prepayment of fees if the total exceeds $5.00. The county may waive fees when doing so is in the public interest, as permitted by state law.
Specialized records may have different fee structures:
- Court records: Set by the Wisconsin Court System fee schedule
- Register of Deeds: Fees established under § 59.43 of the Wisconsin Statutes
Does Walworth County Have Free Public Records?
Walworth County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours, as required by § 19.35(1) of the Wisconsin Public Records Law. While reproduction costs may apply, the public has the right to examine most records without charge.
The following free public record resources are currently available:
- In-person inspection of non-confidential records at the appropriate county office
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) - free online access to court records
- Walworth County Board agendas and minutes - available online at no cost
- Walworth County Code of Ordinances - accessible online
- County budget documents - available for download
- Election results and information - accessible through the County Clerk
Additionally, many municipalities within Walworth County maintain their own websites with free access to local ordinances, meeting minutes, and community information, such as the Town of Troy.
The Walworth County Public Library system also provides public computer access for residents to search online government resources at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in Walworth County?
Under § 19.35(1)(a) of the Wisconsin Public Records Law, "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The term "requester" is defined broadly in § 19.32(3) as "any person who requests inspection or copies of a record," with "person" including individuals, corporations, associations, and governmental bodies.
Key eligibility factors for requesting public records in Walworth County include:
- Residency is not required - any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request records
- Identification is generally not required for most records, though specific records (such as vital records) may require proof of identity or relationship
- Purpose need not be disclosed - requesters are not required to explain why they want records or how they will use them
- Age restrictions may apply to certain sensitive records
For specific record types, additional requirements may apply:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Requesters must have a "direct and tangible interest" as defined in § 69.20 of the Wisconsin Statutes
- Confidential court records: Access may be limited to parties to the case or their legal representatives
- Law enforcement records: Access to investigative records may be restricted while cases are active
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and protect privacy. When requesting records about others, access may be limited based on the type of record and privacy considerations.
What Records Are Confidential in Walworth County?
While Wisconsin's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of accessibility, § 19.35(1)(a) recognizes that access may be denied "as otherwise provided by law." Walworth County maintains several categories of confidential records exempt from disclosure under various state and federal statutes.
Records exempt from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile court records (§ 938.396, Wisconsin Statutes)
- Child welfare and protective services records (§ 48.981)
- Mental health commitment proceedings (§ 51.30)
- Certain law enforcement records, including:
- Active investigation materials (§ 19.36(2))
- Informant identities
- Information that would compromise officer safety
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
- Personnel records containing employee evaluations, disciplinary matters, or medical information (§ 19.36(10))
- Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers (§ 19.36(13))
- Records containing trade secrets or proprietary information (§ 19.36(5))
- Computer programs and data processing software (§ 19.36(4))
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Adoption records (§ 48.93)
- Income tax returns and financial information (§ 71.78)
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Records where the public interest in nondisclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure under the "balancing test" established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court
When a record contains both confidential and public information, § 19.36(6) requires that the record be released with the confidential information redacted.
Records custodians must specifically cite the statutory or common law exemption when denying access to records, as required by § 19.35(4)(b) of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Walworth County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Walworth County Register of Deeds
100 W. Walworth Street, Room 108
Elkhorn, WI 53121
262-741-4241
Register of Deeds
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court
100 W. Walworth Street, Room 338
Elkhorn, WI 53121
262-741-7012
Clerk of Circuit Court
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Walworth County Clerk
100 W. Walworth Street, Room 101
Elkhorn, WI 53121
262-741-4241
County Clerk
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
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