What are Door County Public Records?
Door County public records are documents and records that are available for public inspection and retrieval in the county. Public records may include court records, vital records, property records, and other types of records.
Door County public records are typically maintained by government agencies at the local or state level. For example, court records may be available from the Door County Circuit Court, while property records may be available from the Door County Register of Deeds office. Public Records can also be requested from certain state agencies, such as the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Members of the public may request copies of public records from government agencies in order to inspect them or to obtain information contained therein. In some cases, there may be a fee for requesting copies of public records.
Records that are typically exempt from public disclosure include records that are confidential by law, such as records that pertain to ongoing criminal investigations, and records that contain personal information, such as medical records.
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 Door County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, Door county criminal records are deemed public record information unless exempted by law or redacted following a court order. These records are managed by the Door County Sheriff's Office which provides law enforcement related services to county residents. They are also maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice which serves as the statewide repository of Criminal history information in Wisconsin.
To request these records from the county Sheriff’s office, the requesting party may call the Records Clerk at (920) 746-2415 or complete and submit the Public Records Request form.
Written requests must indicate the required information of the subject and the type of record being requested. Completed applications must be sent along with the indicated fees to:
Door County Sheriff’s Office
Records Clerk
421 Nebraska Street
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 743-5511
Requestors may also obtain these records by querying the Criminal History Unit of the Wisconsin Department of Justice. In this case, requests may be made using the Wisconsin Online Record Check System.
To request a record, the requestor will be required to provide:
- The first and last name of the record subject
- Their social security number
- Indicated fees
- A Valid ID
- For fingerprint-based queries, the application must include the fingerprint card of the subject
How to Obtain Door County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Door county arrest records are documents created after someone has been arrested by the police. The reports contain information about the arrest, as well as any other relevant information that may be useful to know.
On the other hand, police reports are official documents detailing the events leading up to an arrest. These reports can be useful in various ways, such as providing information about what happened before an arrest or helping to identify possible witnesses.
Police reports and arrest records are public documents. In Wisconsin, these records are available through the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Open Records Law.
To obtain copies of police reports and arrest records in Door county, Wisconsin, contact the local police department or the county Sheriff's office.
To request either document, the requesting party will be required to download and submit the Records Request Form to the Door county sheriff's office. Include the case number, if known, and the date of the incident. Requestors are typically required to pay a fee for these records.
Queries may be addressed to:
Door County Sheriff's Office
1201 S Duluth Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2400
Information about the fees for each category of the record requested is outlined on the Records Clerk Page on the county Sheriff's official website.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Door County
Interested members of the public may obtain information regarding sex offenders resident in Door County, Wisconsin, by one or more of the following methods:
- Accessing the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry Database maintained by the Department of Corrections.
- Contacting local law enforcement agencies in Door County - i.e. the county Sheriff's office
Some important things to keep in mind when seeking sex offender information:
- The Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry Program only contains information on offenders who have been convicted of certain sexual offenses and who are required to register under Wisconsin law.
- The Registry Program does not provide information on offenders who are currently incarcerated, on probation or parole, or who have left the state of Wisconsin
- Information in the Registry Program is subject to change at any time, without notice.
- This information is made available for the purpose of protecting the public.
- Anyone who uses this information to commit a crime or to harass an offender or his or her family is subject to criminal prosecution and civil liability.
With the registry, interested persons can search offenders by name, registration number or geographically. Searches may also be made with zip code, streets or proximity to stated addresses.
How to Find Door County Inmate Records
Door county inmate records are documents that detail an inmate's incarceration in Door County, Wisconsin. These records are typically maintained by the Door County Sheriff's Office, and they can be accessed by the public. To obtain inmate records from the Door County Sheriff's Office, interested individuals must request a person, by mail or in person, and pay a small fee. The records will be released if the requester provides identification and proves that they are not a convicted felon. The records can provide information about an inmate's criminal history, their current location, and their release date. Queries to the Door county Sheriff’s office may be addressed to:
Door County Jail
1203 S Duluth Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Enquires about Door county inmates may also be made through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Requestors will be required to enter the name of the inmate they are searching for into the search engine. If the inmate is currently incarcerated or via the office's website. The office will require the individual to provide some basic information about themselves, as well as the name of the inmate they are inquiring about.
How to Visit an Inmate in Door County Jail
To visit an inmate at the Door County Jail, interested persons must obtain a pre-approved inmate visitation form. The inmate is responsible for completing this form and including the visitor on their list of approved visitors.
Pre-approved visitors must contact the Sheriff's office at (920) 746-5652 to schedule a visit in advance. Visits are typically 30 minutes in length and are conducted through a glass partition.
All visitors must present valid government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or passport. Visitors must also submit to a search of their person and belongings before each visit.
Visitors who are under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Door County Jail enforces a dress code for all visitors. Shirts and shoes are required at all times. Tank tops, halter tops, tube tops, see-through clothing, miniskirts, and shorts are not allowed. Further information regarding the Door county inmate visitation process may be obtained from the Jail Information Page.
Door County Court Records
The Door County Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction for the county. It consists of two divisions: the Trial Court and the Family Court.
The Trial Court handles all criminal and civil cases, as well as appeals from decisions of lower courts. The Family Court division handles all matters relating to family law, including divorce, child custody, and support. Both divisions are located in the Door County Courthouse in Sturgeon Bay.
Door County also has a municipal court, which hears traffic violations and other ordinance violations committed within the city limits of Sturgeon Bay.
Are Door County Court Records Public?
Yes, court records are public in Door County, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that all court records are open to the public, except in cases where there is a specific reason to keep them sealed. For example, juvenile court records are typically sealed and not available to the public. Additionally, some types of cases may have confidentiality orders in place that restrict access to certain documents or information. Finally, some court records may be considered exempt from public disclosure under state or federal law.
How to Obtain Door County Court Records
The Door County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the custodian of records of all cases heard within state limits. Interested members of the public may obtain copies of court case records by querying the office through the following means:
- Calling (902) 746-2205 to request these records and making paying payments via credit or debit cards
- Faxing requests to (920) 746-2520; for fax requests, a fee of $2 will be charged.
In person and mail requests can be sent to:
Door County Clerk of Courts
1205 S Duluth Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Requests must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope to return the documents. Also, certified documents will require an additional fee of $5 per the provisions of 814.61(5)(a) Wis Statutes.
Location of Courts in Door County
The address and contact information of the Door county courthouse is:
Door County Circuit Court
Door County Justice Center
1205 South Duluth Avenue,
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2205
Fax: (920) 746-2520
Vital Records
The Wisconsin Vital Records Office is primarily tasked with maintaining and issuing statewide vital records of Wisconsin indigenes and residents. However, vital records are also issued at the county level and in Door county from the office of the Register of Deeds, thus, interested and eligible persons may obtain records at the county or state level. While eligibility requirements remain the same across the board, applicable fees may vary.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
The Door county office of the Register of Deeds processes requests for divorces that occurred in Door county and all other Wisconsin counties no later than January 1, 2016. Certified copies of divorce records may only be accessed by persons who can prove direct and tangible interest - thus, the requesting party must be:
- One of the divorcees named on the certificate
- A member of the registrant's immediate family or their legal custodian
- A legally authorized representative
- Persons who can specify their interest - such as, the determination of a property or personal right
Requestors who do not fit into any of the aforementioned categories may request and access uncertified copies of the record.
To obtain divorce records, interested and eligible persons may query the Register of Deeds office via mail or in person by completing and submitting a Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Application Form. The form should be sent along with the stated fees and ID requirements to:
Door County, Wisconsin
421 Nebraska Street
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 54235
Phone: (920) 743-5511
Only records of divorces from January 2016 till the present are available at county or state offices.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records
Interested persons may request and obtain marriage records from the Door County Register of Deeds Office. The office maintains records of all marriages licensed within county limits and copies of marriage certificates with statewide licenses issued no later than May 18, 2015. To obtain copies of these records, the requesting party is required to complete and submit a Wisconsin Marriage Certificate Application. The completed form should then be sent or brought along with the indicated fees to the office of the Register of Deeds.
Where and How to Get Birth and Death Records
The Door County Register of Deeds office manages and issues birth and death records of persons born within county limits. Also, statewide birth records from October 1907 till present and death records from September 2013 to date are also maintained and issued by the office. To obtain copies of these records, interested persons are required to be one of the following:
- The registrant
- An immediate family member of the registrant/decedent (as stated on the application forms)
- A legally authorized representative of any of the above.
Interested persons may request these records via mail or in-person by completing and submitting a Wisconsin Birth Certificate Application or a Wisconsin Death Certificate Application. Completed forms should be accompanied by the fees indicated on the applications and sent 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.
