What are Kenosha Public Records?
The Wisconsin Public Records Law defines public records as any document regardless of medium or physical form that has been created or kept by government agencies. These records are usually created during the performance of government business. In Wisconsin, requesters are not mandated to reveal their reasons for the request, and custodians are not given a time requirement for request responses. Some records are labeled as confidential and are exempt from public access. Examples of these records are:
- Records of ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Computer programs and schematics
- Trade secrets
- Certain public library circulation records
Kenosha Crime Statistics
The Kenosha City Police Department keeps annual crime statistic reports and submits this to the FBI for use in the Uniform Crime Report system. According to the statistics for 2017 and 2018, there were decreases in most forms of crime prevalent in the city. The data showed that there was a 15.7% reduction in total violent crimes, a 20% reduction in murders, and a 5.9% reduction in assaults. Property crime, larceny, robbery, burglary, and arson also decreased by 17.7%, 14.1%, 31%, 26.4%, and 40% respectively.
Are Kenosha’s criminal records public?
All Kenosha criminal records are public, in accordance with Wisconsin Public Record Law some records may be deemed confidential and exempted from public view. These include records containing juvenile, medical, and records detailing ongoing information. All criminal records, reports, and background checks for Kenosha can be obtained by contacting the records department of the Kenosha Joint Services (KJS). Requesters will need to fill and return the records request form available on the KJS website and pay any fees required for reproducing the records
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The KJS records department maintains the records database for all public safety departments in Kenosha like the police department and the sheriff’s office. Copies of records and police reports for Kenosha can be obtained by filling the request form. Requests can be made in person, by phone, or by mail. Requested copies can only be collected in person or mailed to the requester. Some records will require the requester to provide a valid picture ID before they will be released. Record requests will usually be processed in 7 to 10 business days. Copies of records can be provided in CD or Paper format. Printed paper copies cost $0.03 per page and any requests that cost over $5 will require upfront payment. All inquiries and mail should be address to:
Kenosha Joint Services
Attn: Records
1000 55th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
Email: Info@KenoshaJS.org
Inquiries and requests can also be made by calling the records department at (262) 605-5050.
On the state level, criminal records for Kenosha can be obtained by contacting the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Kenosha
Information on sex offenders in Kenosha can be found by visiting the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry page on the Wisconsin Department of Justice website. The search tool allows requesters to search for information using various criteria.
How to Find Kenosha Inmate Records
Inmate information for Kenosha city inmates can be obtained from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s department website provides a search tool that allows requesters to search for both inmates in custody and released inmates. Searches can be made according to different criteria like name, booking date, release date, booking number, and if the inmate is currently in custody.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Kenosha County Jail?
Visitation at the county jail is all done remotely using the GTL visiting application. Visitors must register with a valid e-mail and ID at the GTL website or at any of the visitation kiosks at the detention facilities. Visitation can either be onsite via the kiosks at the lobby of the detention center or from home using a home computer or android device. All visits must be scheduled on the GTL application a day ahead and visitors must check in with their ID 15 minutes before the scheduled visit. All inmates are entitled to one free visit per week. Onsite video visitation is every day of the week excluding holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Offsite visits take place seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Off-site visits cost $4 for 10 minutes and $10 for 25 minutes. Friends and family of the inmates are provided with an unlimited visits service from GTL at a further cost. Rules and regulations for visitors can be found on the Sheriff’s Department website.
Court Records
The San Diego County Superior court provides access to Kenosha City court records. The court provides access to both civil and criminal case records. Requesters also have the option to view these court records online on the superior court website.
Locations of Courts in Kenosha
The names and locations of the courts in Kenosha are listed below:
Kenosha County Circuit Court
Kenosha County Courthouse
912 56th Street,
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 653-2454 (Family )
Fax: (262) 653-2753 (Family)
Phone: (262) 653-2664 (Probate)
Fax: (262) 653-2673 (Probate)
Municipal Courts in Kenosha County
City of Kenosha Municipal Court
625 52nd Street, Room 97,
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 653-4220
Fax: (262) 653-4222
Are Kenosha Court Records Public?
Court records for Kenosha are filed, received, and maintained by the clerk of courts of the circuit court. Most records are public but some records are classified as confidential under the law and can not be viewed or obtained by the public. These types of records include child custody and protection cases, juvenile delinquency cases, and some civil cases. Kenosha court cases also can be viewed online through the case search tool on the Wisconsin court system website.
How to Obtain Kenosha Civil Court Case Records
Kenosha civil court records can be obtained by contacting the Clerk of Courts of the Kenosha County Circuit Court. The requester will need to provide details of the records like the case number. If this is not available a $5 search fee will be charged for the file to be located. The requester will need to give 24 hours in advance for the record to be located and prepared for viewing. Copies of the records will cost $1.25 per page and the records can be certified for an extra $5. Request can also be made by contacting the Records Department of Circuit Court.
How to Obtain Kenosha Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records for Kenosha county can be requested by contacting the Records Department of the Kenosha County Circuit Court. These records can be viewed online and requests for copies can be made in person or over the phone. To assist with the search, the case number for the record may be required. If it is unavailable, the clerk may charge a $5 search fee. All requests and inquiries can be made at the records department at:
Kenosha County Courthouse
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 653-2664
What are Kenosha Vital Records?
Kenosha Vital records are described as the documents recording the life events like births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that have occurred in the city. The records can be obtained by different custodians on the state and county level. Kenosha vital records are obtained from the Kenosha County Register of Deeds or on the state level from the Wisconsin Vital Records Services Department. Residents are advised to visit the vital records page of the county website or call at (262) 653-2444 for any inquiries on obtaining vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Kenosha Divorce Records
Two types of divorce records are available in Kenosha, they are the divorce certificate and the divorce decree. The divorce decree can be obtained by contacting the Family Division located in room 109 of the Kenosha County circuit court. Requests can be made in person or by calling the division at (262) 653-2454. The cost of this record is $1.25 per page and certification of the document will cost an extra $5.
To obtain a divorce certificate, requesters will need to contact the Register of Deeds of Kenosha County. Requesters will need to fill and return the divorce certificate application either in person or by mail. Certified copies of these records will be given to authorized persons while unauthorized persons receive uncertified copies that cannot be used for any legal business. Requesters will need to provide one form of ID listed on the application form to prove their identity. The divorce certificate costs $20 for the first copy and $3 for any additional copy. Mailed requests should include a self-addressed and stamped envelope for the return of copies and payment in money order payable to Kenosha County Register of Deeds. These requests along with payment and a copy of the requester’s ID should be mailed to:
Kenosha County Register of Deeds
1010 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
Mailed requests take up to 2 weeks plus delivery time to complete while in-person requests can be complete in two hours.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Kenosha
Marriage records for Kenosha can be obtained from the Kenosha County Register of Deeds. Requests can be made by mail or by coming to the Vital Records office in person. Requesters will need to provide a completed marriage certificate application form along with a valid ID and the appropriate fees for the record. Requests by mail should include a copy of a valid photo ID, a self-addressed and stamped envelope, and fees in a money order. The money order should be made payable to the Register of deeds. The cost of the certificate is $20 for the first copy and $3 for every additional copy ordered at the same time. Members of the public are allowed to request a marriage record but only authorized persons will receive a certified copy that can be used for official or legal purposes. Authorized persons include:
- Either person on the record
- Immediate family of the couple on the record (grandparents, parents, children, and siblings)
- Legal guardian of any of the couple
- Anyone legally empowered by any one of the above-authorized persons
Where and How to Find Kenosha Birth Records
Kenosha birth certificates can be obtained from the Kenosha County Register of Deeds and the Vital Records Services of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The county register of deeds also provides birth certificates for any births that have occurred in the state since 1907.
Obtaining Copies of Kenosha Birth Certificates
Members of the public are allowed to request Kenosha Birth records but only authorized persons can receive certified copies of the record. Unauthorized persons will receive an uncertified copy of the birth certificate which cannot be used for official or legal purposes. Authorized persons who may request a certified copy of the vital records include:
- The person named on the record
- Immediate family of the person named on the record
- Current spouse and children of the person named on the record
- Legal representative or guardian of the person on the record
- Any person legally authorized by anyone of the above people
Both forms of Kenosha birth records cost the same and may be obtained from the same custodians by mail or in person. The Kenosha County Register of Deeds is the custodian of vital records in the County. To obtain the birth certificate, requesters are required to download and complete the birth certificate application form. The form must be filled out and returned to the vital records office with a valid government ID and the appropriate fee. Requests by mail require a copy of the identification, a self-addressed and stamped envelope, and a money order for the appropriate fees. The money order should be made payable to the Register of Deeds. The fee for the Kenosha birth record is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Requests for certified copies in person takes two business hours and by mail takes two weeks plus any delivery time. Requests for uncertified copies are usually completed in a month.
Where and How to Find Kenosha Death Records
The Kenosha County Register of Deeds at the county Vital records office is the custodian of Kensha Death records. These records can be obtained either in person or by mail and can either be certified or uncertified copies. Certified copies may only be obtained by the following authorized persons:
- Immediate family of the deceased (Parents, Grandparents, and siblings )
- Current spouse and children of the deceased
- Legal representatives or custodians of the deceased
others will receive an uncertified copy that cannot be used for legal purposes. To request the death record in person, the requester is required to bring a completed death certificate application form to the vital records office. A valid photo ID is also required to establish identity.
To make a request via mail, the completed form, a copy of the ID, and the fees in a money order made payable the register of deeds should be mailed to:
Register of Deeds Office
1010 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
The fee for the Kenosha County death record is $20 for the first copy and $3 for every extra copy ordered at the same time.
