What are Milwaukee City Public Records?
According to the Wisconsin Open Records Law, public records consist of any document kept or created by a government agency. This standard holds for handwritten notes, typewritten documents, conversation transcriptions, photographs, and video. However, some Milwaukee City records are exempt from public view, including:
- Records exempted explicitly by State or Federal Law.
- Law enforcement investigative information withheld by State or Federal Law
- Certain portions of government contractor’s records that personally identify the contractor’s employees
- Computer program codes
- Trade Secrets
- Identity of all applicants for state positions or local public offices
- Identity of Law Enforcement Informants
- Plans or specifications for State buildings
- Home addresses, e-mail addresses, and social security numbers of State and Local Public employees
- Certain public employee records
Milwaukee City Crime Statistics
The Milwaukee City Police Department creates reports for offenses committed and arrests made throughout the city. It compiles those reports into understandable maps and statistics, publishing them on its Crime Maps & Statistics page. A look at 2018 - 2019 shows an overall reduction in crimes and arrests throughout the period. In 2018, local law enforcement reported 8739 violent crimes and 13362 property crimes. With 8448 reports, theft-larceny was the most recurrent crime, closely followed by burglaries, which the police reported 5820 times. These numbers dropped over the following year. In 2019, reports of theft-larceny cases decreased by 5%, and there were 5748 cases of aggravated assault, reflecting a 1% decrease from the previous year. Reports of robberies dropped from 2318 cases to 1981, marking a 15% decrease.
Are Milwaukee City Criminal Records Public?
Per the Wisconsin Open Records Law, most Milwaukee City criminal records are in the public domain. Interested persons can obtain Milwaukee City criminal records by visiting the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). Anyone can access the information provided on WORCS, provided they pay the required sum.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Milwaukee City Police Department grants individuals’ requests for access to public Milwaukee City records through its Open Records Section. Interested persons must call the Open Records Section to confirm the records’ existence. Upon confirmation, interested individuals can request copies by visiting the Open Records Section on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, between 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Police Department
2333 N. 49th Street,
2nd Floor,
Milwaukee, WI 53210
Individuals can also mail requests for Milwaukee City police reports to the following address:
Open Records Section,
Milwaukee Police Department,
P.O. Box 531,
Milwaukee, WI 53201
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Milwaukee City
Wisconsin requires all convicted sex offenders in Milwaukee City and other state parts to register their home and employment details for regular surveillance. The state, through the Department of Corrections, provides this information on its online Sex Offender Registry. Public members have full access to this registry and can search for sex offenders using full names or known aliases. Researchers can input specific addresses or geographical areas to find any known sex offenders residing in the area. Interested persons may also subscribe for community notifications - email alerts that the Department of Corrections sends out whenever known sex offenders move into a new community.
How to Find Milwaukee City Inmate Records
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office maintains records for all inmates incarcerated in the Milwaukee County Jail and makes those records available through an online search page. Interested persons can search for inmates by name and will be able to view the following information:
- Mugshot
- DOB
- Race
- Sex-Age
- Height
- Weight
- Hair
- Eye
- Bail/Fine amount
- Custody Date
Interested persons can also contact the Jail Records Office of the Milwaukee County Jail in-person, Monday through Friday.
Milwaukee County Jail - Records Office
949 N 9th St,
Milwaukee, WI 53233
How Do I Visit an inmate in Milwaukee County Jail?
The Milwaukee County Jail allows inmates to receive video visits onsite and offsite. Onsite visits are free, while offsite visits cost 65 cents per minute plus a $1 service fee. Each inmate is entitled to one twenty-minute onsite visit per week and a maximum of two visitors per session. Onsite visitation is by appointment only, and visitors must schedule appointments up to a week in advance but no less than 24 hours in advance.
Onsite visitors must arrive at the facility fifteen minutes before a scheduled visit and present a valid photo ID. Anyone who comes after visitations begin will not gain access to the facility. Visitors must wear proper clothing at all times, wearing shoes, shirts, and pants or skirts that drop below the knees. Suggestive clothing, see-through fabrics, halter, or tube-type tops; short shorts or skirts are not permitted.
All onsite visitors are subject to search, and staff monitor video visits continuously. The prison staff will deny entry to individuals who arrive at the prison under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Loud talking, disruptive behavior, and excessive emotionalism are unacceptable.
Court Records
As part of the Wisconsin Court System, the Milwaukee County Circuit Court gives the public access to different Milwaukee City court records, including civil records, criminal records, and family records. The Milwaukee City Municipal Court also provides traffic court records to interested individuals.
Locations of Courts in San Francisco
Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 North 9th Street,
Room 104,
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Phone: (414) 278-4190
Milwaukee County Circuit Court - Children's Court
10201 Watertown Plank Road,
Room 1530,
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone: (414) 257-7700
Fax: (414) 454-4074
City of Milwaukee Municipal Court
951 North James Lovell Street,
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Phone: (414) 286-3800
Fax: (414) 286-3615
Are Milwaukee City Court Records Public?
According to Wisconsin statutes, most Milwaukee City court records are open to the public. However, state statutes prevent the public from viewing confidential court cases. Examples of confidential court cases include:
- Records exempted explicitly by State or Federal Law.
- Records of ongoing court cases
- Court cases involving juveniles
Can You Look up a Milwaukee City Court Case Online?
Most Milwaukee City court records are available online. The Wisconsin Circuit Court system provides online access to Milwaukee County Circuit Court records. Simultaneously, the Milwaukee City Municipal Court offers public access to its records through its Municipal Court Query System.
How to Obtain Milwaukee City Civil Court Case Records
The Milwaukee County Circuit Court generates and stores all Milwaukee City civil court records. Interested persons can get civil records online, by email, and in person. To request a civil record by email, the requester must download and complete a record request form and then send it to the appropriate address. Some civil case records are only available at the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court's Civil Records Center. Interested persons may call or visit the office between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Courts
901 North 9th Street,
Room 104
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Phone: (414) 278-5362
The Clerk charges $1.25 per page of information. Certification of copies costs an additional $5.
How to Obtain Milwaukee City Criminal Court Case Records
The Criminal Division of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court generates and stores all Milwaukee City criminal court records. Interested persons can get Milwaukee City criminal records online, by email, and in person. To request a criminal record by email, the requester must download and complete a criminal record request form and then send it to the appropriate address. Some criminal case records are only available at the Criminal Court Division, Room 117 of the Safety Building. Interested persons may call or visit the office between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Criminal Division
821 W. State Street, Room 117
Milwaukee, WI 53233
The price for copies of criminal court records is $1.25 per page of information. Certifying copies cost an additional $5.
What are Milwaukee City Vital Records?
In Milwaukee City, vital records are public records. These government-generated documents provide information on important life events within the city and include marriage licenses and certificates, divorce decrees and verification letters, and birth certificates. Requesters can obtain vital records by applying to the custodian agency. However, state law may restrict individuals from obtaining certified records, according to eligibility.
Where and How to Obtain Milwaukee City Divorce Records
The Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court processes divorce cases in Milwaukee City. Interested individuals can access Milwaukee City divorce records by completing a divorce decree request form and attaching it to a written request. The request must include the divorcee’s names and the case number. If the requester does not have a case number, they must pay a $5 search fee to find it. A copy of the decree is $5, and certification costs an additional $5. The requester must include the total amount in a money order or check made payable to the “Clerk of Circuit Courts.”
The Record Center
Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 N 9th St,
Milwaukee, WI 53233
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services - through its Vital Records Office - also provides divorce verification letters for Milwaukee City from 2016 till date. Available to the public, divorce verification letters only hold necessary details of the divorce, such as the divorcee’s names, the divorce date, and the presiding court. To obtain these Milwaukee City divorce records, requesters must complete a divorce certificate request form and provide a copy of a valid, government-issued ID. Copies of divorce certificates cost $20 for the first order and $3 for added copies. The Vital Records Office accepts in-person requests from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at:
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
1 West Wilson Street,
Room 160,
Madison, WI 53703
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Milwaukee City
The Milwaukee County Register of Deeds stores copies of Milwaukee City marriage records and provides uncertified copies to the public while reserving certified copies for eligible parties, including:
- The couple named on the record
- Immediate family members of the record holders
- Legal representatives of the couple named on the record
- Anyone with a subpoena for the record
Eligible requesters can apply for Milwaukee City marriage records by completing a marriage certificate request form and submitting it to the Register of Deeds Office in person or by mail. A marriage certificate costs $20 for the first order and $3 for added copies. Requesters sending mail-in applications must make payment by check or money order and include a replica of a valid ID and proof of eligibility.
Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Office,
901 N. 9th St.,
Room 103,
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Where and How to Get Milwaukee City Birth Records
The Milwaukee County Register of Deeds stores copies of Milwaukee City birth records from Oct 1907 to date. It provides uncertified copies to the public while reserving certified copies for eligible parties, including:
- The person named on the record
- A parent named on the record
- Immediate family members of the record holder
- A legal representative of the person named on the record
- Anyone with a subpoena for the record
Eligible requesters can apply for Milwaukee City birth records by completing a birth certificate request form and submitting it to the Register of Deeds Office in person or by mail. A birth certificate copy costs $20 for the first order and $3 for added documents. Requesters sending mail-in applications must make payment by check or money order and include a replica of a valid ID and proof of eligibility.
Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Office,
901 N. 9th St.,
Room 103,
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Where and How to Get Milwaukee City Death Records
The Milwaukee County Register of Deeds stores copies of Milwaukee City death records from Sept 1, 2013, to date. It provides uncertified copies to the public while reserving certified copies for eligible parties, including:
- A surviving spouse of the deceased
- Immediate family members of the deceased
- A legal representative of the deceased
- Anyone with a subpoena for the record
Eligible requesters can apply for Milwaukee City death records by completing a death certificate request form and submitting it to the Register of Deeds Office in person or by mail. A death certificate copy costs $20 for the first order and $3 for added documents. Requesters sending mail-in applications must make payment by check or money order and include a replica of a valid ID and proof of eligibility.
Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Office,
901 N. 9th St.,
Room 103,
Milwaukee, WI 53233
