What are La Crosse County Public Records?
According to the Wisconsin Open Records Law, La Crosse County public records include any paper or electronic document, with a few exceptions, that hold information about any government business and its dealings. Some examples of La Crosse County public records include:
- Handwritten messages
- Emails
- Videos
- Audio files
- Database content
- Instant messages
According to the ORL, the above definition of public records does not apply to:
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Duplicate copies of materials: the original must be physically available in the agency;
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Personal materials that have no relation to state business;
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Reference materials such as:
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Phone books
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Dictionaries
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Vendor catalogs
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Unsolicited notices and invitations such as spam, junk mail, and most listservs;
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Notes: personal notes are not records if you used solely for personal reasons;
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Drafts or working papers that do not contain substantive comments
La Crosse County Crime Statistics
The Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the FBI publishes annual index crime statistical data as part of the nationwide Uniform Crime Reporting Program. According to the 2017 report, the Division received data that reflects the predominance of property crimes in the county, with 87% of the reports comprising incidents of burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The Sheriffs Office recorded at least 105 incidents of larceny-theft, 47 of burglary, and three reported motor vehicle thefts. On the other hand, violent crimes accounted for 13% of reported crimes, which primarily constituted rape and aggravated assault incidents. There were no reported robberies or incidents of murder/manslaughter, according to the published report.
Are La Crosse County Criminal Records Public?
According to the Wisconsin Open Records Law, La Crosse County criminal records are in the public domain. The La Crosse County Sheriff's Office is the county's primary law enforcement agency. It is responsible for generating and maintaining reports and records about criminal activity within county limits. However, the Wisconsin Department of Justice serves as the central repository for statewide criminal history information. It processes requests for criminal records and background checks.
How to Obtain La Crosse County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The criminal history information available through the Wisconsin Department of Justice includes all arrest records, details of misdemeanors, felony offenses, and consequent charges, and conviction and disposition available. Interested persons can request arrest records and criminal history records on the Wisconsin Online Record Check System. Primarily, requesters may obtain name-based checks or fingerprint-based checks using the system - the preferred option may depend on the requestor’s authority or the request’s urgency. The requesting party will need to register on the platform and obtain login information to access the system.
Upon obtaining the required login information, the requestor may request a name-based check or fingerprint-based check on the system. Name-based requests require the requestor to provide the subject's full name and initials, social security number, and Wisconsin Unique Personal Identification Number (WiUPIN) if known. Fingerprint-based checks require similar information along with a complete set of the subject's fingerprints. All requests attract a nominal fee, which may be paid online via credit card. Individuals may make related queries regarding the process by calling the CIB on (608) 266-7314.
How to Find Sex Offender Information
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections maintains the statewide Sex Offender Registry, which houses information regarding offenders resident in La Crosse County. Interested persons may search the registry for details of sex offender locations, compliance status, and past crimes. Interested persons may search for offenders by name, registration number, or geography. County residents may also register for the Community Notifications feature to receive email alerts regarding sex offenders in specific vicinities.
How to Find La Crosse County Inmate Records
The La Crosse County jail is managed by the county Sheriff's Office, which is responsible for disseminating information regarding the facility. It is located at:
333 Vine Street,
La Crosse, WI 54601
General information relating to inmate welfare, bond posting, and commissary is available on the Jail Services Page. However, inmate-related information is only available on the La Crosse Inmate Locator Tool, which features detainees’ personal information, primary charges, arrest and booking details, as well as their mugshots. Interested persons may search for inmates by name, city or date arrested.
How Do I Visit an inmate in La Crosse County Jail?
The La Crosse County Sheriff allows friends and family to visit inmates through video visitation. Interested persons may use the jail’s on-site visitation facility, which is available daily (by appointment), according to the following schedule:
- 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- 6:00 p.m. - 9:20 p.m.
Friends and family can use the on-site facility for free. They can also conduct video visits from home or anywhere, at $6.95 per twenty-minute visit. The available daily visiting hours are:
- 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Inmates may receive only one adult video visitor (who may bring one pre-approved minor) during every visit. The adult visitor must have their own approved visitation account and may not use any other person’s account to visit. To pre-approve minors, adult visitors must register their name and birthdate before the visit. When visiting on-site, each visitor must only visit the inmate they filed to visit. The prison staff will not tolerate inappropriate behavior from on-site visitors, which includes but is not limited to:
- Exposing private parts or underwear
- Lewd behavior or sexualized gestures
- Gang signs
- Vandalism
On-site visitors may not use the following inside or anywhere close to the facility.
- Vaping devices or e-cigarettes
- Cell phones, tablets, or any other smart recording device
At-home visitors may not take pictures or screenshots of the screen during a visit.
La Crosse County Court Records
The Wisconsin legal system comprises Circuit Courts and Municipal Courts. The La Crosse County Circuit Court is responsible for dealing with criminal cases (felony and misdemeanor), civil and family cases, probate cases, small claims, and traffic citations.
The Wisconsin Court case search page provides online access to La Crosse County court records, while the La Crosse County Court Clerk offers copies of the court’s records to interested requesters.
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in La Crosse County, Wisconsin:
La Crosse County Circuit Court
La Crosse County Circuit Court
333 Vine Street,
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 785-9590
Fax: (608) 789-7821
City of La Crosse Municipal Court
400 La Crosse Street,
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 789-7290
Fax: (608) 789-8099
Coulee Region Joint Municipal Court
415 Main Street,
Room 150,
Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: (608) 781-9558
Fax: (608) 779-7903
Are La Crosse County Court Records Public?
The La Crosse County Clerk of Court's office is responsible for maintaining and disseminating court cases heard by the county courts. As per state laws, the office has to provide public access to non-confidential court records. However, some La Crosse County court records are not available for public view. These are typically records that include private information such as minor-related data, adoption records, individual tax records, and medical records.
How to Obtain La Crosse County Civil Court Case Records
The La Crosse County Clerk of Courts provides interested persons with copies of La Crosse County civil court case records. To find specific civil court cases, interested persons may search the CCAP internet access website, which holds La Crosse County court cases from 1996.
Requests to copy civil court records are generally made in person or via mail. Requestors will need to provide information regarding the record of interest, including; the names of the parties involved in the court case, the case file number of the record, and the record’s filing date. If the requestor does not know the case file number, the court clerk will charge a standard search fee of $5. The Clerk of Courts also encourages researchers to look for case files themselves at no charge, using the public access computers in a room just off the Clerk of Court’s office. The requesting party will also pay $1.25 per page to copy documents.
La Crosse County Clerk of Courts
333 Vine Street
LEC - Rm. 1200
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 785-9590
Fax: (608) 789-7821
How to Obtain La Crosse County Criminal Court Records
The La Crosse County Clerk of Courts provides interested persons with copies of La Crosse County criminal court records. To find specific criminal court cases, interested persons may search the CCAP internet access website, which holds La Crosse County court cases from 1996.
Requests to copy criminal court records are generally made in person or via mail. Requestors will need to provide information regarding the record of interest, including; the defendant’s name and birth date and the case file number. If the requestor does not know the case file number, the court clerk will charge a standard search fee of $5. The Clerk of Courts also encourages researchers to look for case files themselves at no charge, using the public access computers in a room just off the Clerk of Court’s office. The requesting party will also pay $1.25 per page to copy documents.
La Crosse County Clerk of Courts
333 Vine Street
LEC - Rm. 1200
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 785-9590
Fax: (608) 789-7821
La Crosse County Vital Records
La Crosse County vital records refer to government officials’ official documents that mark important events in residents’ lives. Vital records include marriage certificates, birth certificates, divorce decrees, and death certificates.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Service processes statewide requests for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records within the state, including La Crosse county. However, vital records services are also available at the county level by the Register of Deeds’ office and the County Clerk of Courts. Essentially, La Crosse County vital records are obtainable at the state or county level. The eligibility requirements for accessing these records remain the same across the board.
Where and How to Get La Crosse County Divorce Records
Records of divorces granted by the La Crosse County Court are managed and disseminated by the County Clerk of Courts. Interested persons may obtain copies of these records by querying the office in person or via mail. Requestors are generally required to provide information regarding the divorce and the parties involved, including their full names, the date and place of the divorce, and the case file number of the record if known. Requestors must pay a standard copy fee and additional certification fees to access the record
Divorce record requests may go to:
La Crosse County Clerk of Courts
333 Vine Street
LEC - Rm. 1200
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 785-9590
Fax: (608) 789-7821
The Vital Records Division of the La Crosse County Register of Deeds office also provides eligible persons with copies of divorce records from January 2016 to date. Eligible requesters typically include:
- The divorcees’;
- The divorcees’ immediate family members;
- The divorcees’ legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain the record.
Requesters may obtain copies of La Crosse County divorce records by visiting the Register of Deeds’ office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Divorce records cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy purchased simultaneously. The office accepts cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit & debit cards. Applicants must provide acceptable forms of identification, including:
- A driver’s license;
- A United States passport or foreign passport;
- A valid military ID.
Requestors may also apply for copies of divorce certificates by mail. To do so, they must fill out the divorce certificate application form and include the following details:
- Applicant information (including signature);
- Relationship to the record holder;
- The number of copies required.
Requesters must fill one form per record requested. The Register of Deeds’ office will only accept money orders or cashier checks made payable to the Register of Deeds. The applicants must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a photocopy of a valid drivers’ license along with the application form. If the request is complete and the record is available, the staff will mail it back to the requester on the same day they receive the application.
La Crosse County Register of Deeds Office
212 North 6th St.
Administrative Center, Room 1400
La Crosse, WI 54601
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in La Crosse County
The Vital Records Division of the La Crosse County Register of Deeds office provides eligible persons with copies of La Crosse County marriage records. Eligible requesters typically include:
- The married couple;
- The couples’ immediate family members;
- The couples’ legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain the record.
Requesters may obtain copies of La Crosse County marriage certificates by visiting the Register of Deeds’ office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Marriage records cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy purchased simultaneously. The office accepts cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit & debit cards. Applicants must provide acceptable forms of identification, including:
- A driver’s license;
- A United States passport or foreign passport;
- A valid military ID.
Requestors may also apply for copies of marriage certificates by mail. To do so, they must fill out the marriage certificate application form and include the following details:
- Applicant information (including signature);
- Relationship to the record holders;
- The number of copies required.
Requesters must fill one form per record requested. The Register of Deeds’ office will only accept money orders or cashier checks made payable to the Register of Deeds. The applicants must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a photocopy of a valid drivers’ license along with the application form. If the request is complete and the record is available, the staff will mail it back to the requester on the same day they receive the application.
La Crosse County Register of Deeds Office
212 North 6th St.
Administrative Center, Room 1400
La Crosse, WI 54601
Where and How to Find La Crosse County Birth Records
The Vital Records Division of the La Crosse County Register of Deeds office provides eligible persons with copies of La Crosse County birth certificates. Eligible requesters typically include:
- The record holder (above eighteen years old);
- The record holder’s parents (if listed on the record);
- The record holder’s immediate family members;
- The record holder’s legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain the record.
Requesters may obtain copies of La Crosse County birth certificates by visiting the Register of Deeds’ office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Birth records cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy purchased simultaneously. The office accepts cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit & debit cards. Applicants must provide acceptable forms of identification, including:
- A driver’s license;
- A United States passport or foreign passport;
- A valid military ID.
Requestors may also apply for copies of birth certificates by mail. To do so, they must fill out the birth certificate application form and include the following details:
- Applicant information (including signature);
- Relationship to the record holders;
- The number of copies required.
Requesters must fill one form per record requested. The Register of Deeds’ office will only accept money orders or cashier checks made payable to the Register of Deeds. The applicants must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a photocopy of a valid drivers’ license along with the application form. If the request is complete and the record is available, the staff will mail it back to the requester on the same day they receive the application.
La Crosse County Register of Deeds Office
212 North 6th St.
Administrative Center, Room 1400
La Crosse, WI 54601
Where and How to Find La Crosse County Death Records
The Vital Records Division of the La Crosse County Register of Deeds office provides eligible persons with copies of La Crosse County death certificates. Eligible requesters typically include:
- The deceased’s parents;
- The deceased’s spouse
- The deceased’s family members, including children and siblings;
- The deceased’s legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain the record.
Requesters may obtain copies of La Crosse County death certificates by visiting the Register of Deeds’ office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Death records cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy purchased simultaneously. The office accepts cash, money orders, certified checks, or credit & debit cards. Applicants must provide acceptable forms of identification, including:
- A driver’s license;
- A United States passport or foreign passport;
- A valid military ID.
Requestors may also apply for copies of death certificates by mail. To do so, they must fill out the death certificate application form and include the following details:
- Applicant information (including signature);
- Relationship to the record holders;
- The number of copies required.
Requesters must fill one form per record requested. The Register of Deeds’ office will only accept money orders or cashier checks made payable to the Register of Deeds. The applicants must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a photocopy of a valid drivers’ license along with the application form. If the request is complete and the record is available, the staff will mail it back to the requester on the same day they receive the application.
La Crosse County Register of Deeds Office
212 North 6th St.
Administrative Center, Room 1400
La Crosse, WI 54601
