What are Clark County Public Records?
Clark County public records are any documents or materials that are created or maintained by government agencies in Clark County, Wisconsin. According to the provisions of the Wisconsin Public Record Law, these records are available for public inspection and copying. However, there may be some restrictions on access to certain types of records, such as those involving personal information or confidential business information.
There are a number of different types of Clark County public records, including but not limited to: birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, property records, election results, criminal records, and court documents. These records can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as researching family history, checking up on the background of a potential business partner or employee, or investigating possible fraud or criminal activity in a neighborhood.
To request copies of Clark County public records, the requesting will need to contact the appropriate government agency responsible for maintaining the records. In some cases, records may be available online, but in other cases, they will need to be requested in person or by mail. There may be a fee associated with obtaining copies of public records, and the amount will vary depending on the type of record and the agency involved.
Public records are typically available to the public for inspection and copying, but there may be some restrictions on certain types of records. For example, confidential or sealed records may not be accessible to the general public.
Records that are usually not disclosed to the public include but are not limited to:
- Social security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Medical records
- Juvenile records
To get access to these types of records, a person would need to file a petition with the court. The court will then review the petition and decide if the records should be made available to the public.
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Clark County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, per Wisconsin FOIA law, criminal history information is public record unless otherwise specified by a court order or unless the record contains sensitive or redacted information. Clark county criminal records are typically maintained by the County Sheriff’s office as well as the Wisconsin Department of Justice at county and state level respectively.
To obtain criminal record information from the Clark county Sheriff’s office, interested members of the public may download and complete the Records Request Form. The form must contain information required to facilitate the record search as well as every additional data indicated. Completed requests may then be sent to the Records Division of the Sheriff’s office at:
Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Records
517 Court Street, Room 308
Neillsville, WI 54456
Email: records@co.clark.wi.us
Fax: (715) 743-4350
Similarly, interested members of the public may obtain criminal records by querying the Criminal History Unit of the Wisconsin Police Department. The Unit provides the Wisconsin Online Record Check System with which requestors can search for the record of interest online. To use the system, requestors will be required to register and obtain a Wisconsin Unique Personal Identification Number (WiUPIN). Subsequently, they will be able to login using the WiUPIN and search for the record of interest.
How to Obtain Clark County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Clark county police reports refer to crime-related incidents and activities documented by the police department in Clark county, Wisconsin. Police reports can be useful when trying to obtain information about a particular incident or criminal activity.
Arrest records are also generated and maintained by the county Sheriff and police department. They contain information about individuals who have been arrested by the police. These records can be useful when trying to obtain information about someone's criminal history.
To obtain Clark county police reports and arrest records, interested persons may contact the Clark County Sheriff's office directly. To request a record, the requesting party may download and complete the Records Request Form and submit it in person or via mail to:
Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Records
517 Court Street, Room 308
Neillsville, WI 54456
(715) 743-4350
Email: records@co.clark.wi.us
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Clark County
Persons who are concerned about sex offenders in Clark county may find information about them through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections website. Researchers can search for offenders by name, address, or county on the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry. Queries may also be made in person or via mail at:
DOC SORP Administration
3099 E Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 240-5830
When information regarding the offender of interest has been provided, the requestor can contact the Clark County Sheriff's Office to get more information. The sheriff's office can tell if the offender is still living in the county and provide requestors with their current address. They can also provide information about the offender's criminal history.
Further questions about sex offender registration in Wisconsin may be directed to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry Program.
Where and How to Find Clark County Inmate Records
Clark county Inmate records typically feature the inmate’s name, date of birth, race, sex, and booking photo. They may also include the inmate’s criminal history, if any. Records typically become public record once an individual has been convicted of a crime.
The Clark county jail and its operations are overseen by the sheriff’s office. The Clark county jail does not have an online database of its inmates. However, the sheriff’s office does maintain a list of recent arrests. This list includes the name, age, address, and charges of each inmate.
To obtain more information about an inmate, including their mugshot and full criminal history, interested persons may contact the sheriff’s office via or visit the office in person at 317 W Main St, Neillsville, WI 54456.
To Contact the Clark County Jail:
Jail Phone: (715) 743-5380
Jail Fax: (715) 743-4009
Jail Email: sheriffcorrections@co.clark.wi.us
Alternatively, requestors may obtain inmate information by contacting the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The DOC maintains an online searchable database of all inmates currently in custody.
To obtain records for inmates who are no longer in custody, contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation. The DCI houses a statewide criminal history repository and can provide copies of criminal history reports upon request.
How to Visit an Inmate in Clark County Jail
To visit an inmate in Clark county Jail, interested persons may follow the steps below
- Schedule your visit by calling (702) 671-4500 or by visiting the jail's website.
- On the day of your visit, arrive 30 minutes early and present a valid photo ID at the entrance.
- Follow the instructions of the staff at all times while on jail property.
- Be respectful of the inmates and their rights during your visit.
- Leave any food, drinks, or personal belongings with the front desk staff before entering the visiting area.
- Adhere to the dress code for visitors, which includes no revealing or offensive clothing.
- Follow all other rules and regulations during your visit.
- End your visit by checking out with the front desk staff.
Visitors are required to be listed on the inmates approved visitors list in order to be able to enter the facility. The list can be obtained through the inmate or by contacting the jail directly. Only two adults and two children under the age of 18 are allowed to visit an inmate at one time. Each visitor is allowed one 20-minute visit per day.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times while on jail property. Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children behave appropriately while visiting an inmate. disruptive children will not be allowed to remain on the premises.
Clark County Court Records
There are two types of courts in Clark county: municipal courts and circuit courts.
The Clark county circuit court is the Wisconsin trial court of general jurisdiction. The circuit court handles all types of cases including criminal, civil, probate, family, juvenile, small claims, and traffic. In addition to its general jurisdiction duties, the circuit court also hears appeals from decisions made by lower courts and administrative agencies. Municipal courts hear cases involving ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and other non-criminal matters within their municipality.
Clark county court records are maintained by the circuit court clerk. The clerk is responsible for keeping track of all filings and case proceedings.
Are Clark County Court Records Public?
Yes, court records are public in Clark county, Wisconsin. However, there may be some restrictions on what information is available to the public. For example, certain types of information may be sealed or unavailable for release. Some court record information exempt from public disclosure include:
- Criminal history information
- Juvenile court records
- Victim information
- Confidential informant information
- Some mental health and medical records
How to Obtain Clark County Court Records
The office of the Clark county clerk of courts is tasked with maintaining and disseminating records of dispositions within county limits. Interested members of the public may obtain these records by making in-person or mail queries to the office.
To make an in-person query, contact the clerk of courts at:
Clark County Courthouse
517 Court Street, Room 405
Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: (715) 743-5181
When making an in-person query, the requesting individual will need to fill out a form with their personal information and the specific record they are requesting. The form must then be submitted to the clerk of courts, who will conduct a search of their records. If the requested records are found, the individual will be able to view and/or copy them on site. There may be a fee for copying the records.
To make a mail query, send a letter containing the following information to the address below:
- The name of the court case you are requesting records for
- The case number
- The names of the parties involved in the case
- Your name and contact information
Mail requests may take longer to process than in-person requests. Once the clerk of courts receives the query, they will conduct a search of their records. If the requested records are found, they will be mailed to the individual who made the request. There may be a fee for copying the records.
Location of All Courts in County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of courthouses in Clark County, Wisconsin:
Clark County Circuit Court
Clark County Courthouse
517 Court Street,
Room 405,
Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: (715) 743-5181
Fax: (715) 743-5154
City of Abbotsford Municipal Court
203 North 1st Street,
P.O. Box 589,
Abbotsford, WI 54405
Phone: (715) 223-3444
Fax: (715) 223-8891
Clark County Vital Records
The Office of the Clark Register of Deeds maintains county vital records and processes in-county requests to obtain these records. Similarly, the Vital Records Office of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services processes requests for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records.
Where and How to Get Clark County Divorce Records
Clark county divorce records are maintained by the Office of the Clark Register of Deeds and issued to eligible persons upon request. To be eligible to obtain copies of divorce records, the requesting party must be:
- One of the named registrants on the certificate
- A member of the registrant's immediate family
- Legal guardians or legally authorized persons.
Eligible parties may request copies of divorce records by completing sending a Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Application along with the ID requirements and fees indicated on the form to:
Clark County Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 384
Neillsville, WI 54456-0384
Ineligible persons may print out and complete the Wisconsin Vital Records Consent Form, which should be completed by either of the persons stated on the certificate and sent along with the application.
Where and How to Get Clark County Marriage Records, Birth Records, and Death Records
Requests for marriage, birth and death records are processed by the Clark County Register of Deeds office. The eligibility requirements are the same across the board: the requester must be named on the certificate, must be directed related to the named registrant(s) or must be legally authorized to access the record.
To obtain any of these records, the requesting party may complete and submit a Clark County Marriage Certificate Application, Clark County Birth Certificate Application or a Clark county Death Certificate Application. The application may then be sent along with the fees stated on the form, and any indicated ID requirements to the office of the Register of Deeds.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
