What are Vernon County Public Records?
Per Wis. Stat. § 16.61(4), Vernon County public records are documents or pieces of information maintained by the State of Wisconsin Public Records Board and are not considered confidential to the public. Typically, public records may be in the form of optical discs, papers, photographs, books, maps, films, recordings, or electronically formatted documents. According to Wisconsin law, public records do not include envelopes, routing slips, and documents in possession of a museum or library made or acquired for exhibition or reference.
Per Wis. Stat. § 19.35, requesters have the right to inspect any record in Vernon County not considered confidential or sensitive. However, individuals who are incarcerated or who have been involuntarily admitted to a mental institution have limited rights of access to public records. Record seekers can not inspect or obtain copies of the following:
- Records containing personally identifiable information collected or maintained in connection with a complaint or investigation that may lead to administrative, arbitration, or court proceedings.
- Security records that, if disclosed publicly, could endanger a person's life or the security of the general public.
- Records containing the actual address of a participant in the confidentiality program.
- Records that disclose the identity of a confidential informant.
Some public records may be accessible from non-government websites. These third-party platforms have tools that allow for extensive searches. Record seekers would have to provide enough information to assist with the search, like the subject's name, address of the requestor, case or file number, document location, and registrant's last known or current address. Note that third-party sites' record validity and results differ because government agencies do not sponsor them.
Vernon County Crime Statistics
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Data Dashboard Center publishes crime statistics received from law enforcement agencies across the state. According to 2021 data, Vernon County had a total of 252 offense counts. Out of these 252, 7 were rape incidents, 20 aggravated assaults, 32 burglaries, 115 larceny theft, 23 motor vehicle theft, 1 arson case, and 54 simple assault.
Are Vernon County Criminal Records Public?
The Wisconsin Open Records Law is designed to guarantee that the public, including Vernon County residents, has access to government public records. Hence, Vernon County's criminal records are public. These records are available at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DoJ).
?The Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau (CIB) maintains and makes criminal history repositories available to the public through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) Website. Record seekers must provide specific information like full name, gender, date of birth, and race to gain access to criminal records and pay a $7 fee for each record request.
How to Obtain Vernon County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Vernon County police reports and arrest records are available at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. Record seekers can obtain police reports or arrest records in person, through the phone at (608) 638-5710, or by sending a completed Record Request Form to:
Vernon County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Records
1320 Bad Axe Court
Viroqua, WI 54665
Email: vcsorecords@vernoncounty.org
The sheriff's office will send a response to the requester and the required fees after receiving the request.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Vernon County
Per WI Statute 301.46, anyone can access sex offenders' information in Vernon County, but not all of this information is available to the public due to sensitive and confidential reasons. Sex offender information in Vernon County is available at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry. Requesters can find sex offender information by either using a name search or a geographical search. Record seekers should be able to find specific information regarding the sex offender like demographic information, compliance status, length of registration, address, and supervision status.
More information about sex offenders can be obtained by requesting criminal complaint and/or sentencing documents from the Clerk of Court in Vernon County. Note that a fee may be charged for these documents. Additionally, requesters may access the sex offender's case information on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP) using the sex offender's full name and/or case number.
How to Find Vernon County Inmate Records
Vernon County residents can find inmate records at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. In searching for an inmate's records, individuals must be ready to provide specific information like the case number, date of occurrence, type of case, and the parties involved. Requesters can request access, an inspection of, and/or copies of inmates' records by calling (608) 638-5710 or in person by going to the lobby window at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, interested parties may use the Record Request Form and email or mail the completed form to the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. Once the Sheriff's Office receives a request, a response will be sent along with the associated fees to the requester.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Vernon County Jail?
Visiting an inmate in Vernon County jail is limited to 2 hours, 10 minutes non-contact visits on weekdays and 2 hours 40 minutes on weekends. Individuals must call and schedule a time before visiting an inmate. You can contact the jail at (608) 638-5780 to schedule a visit. All calls to schedule a visit must be done after 8 am on the Monday of the week of the visit. If all visitation slots are full, a time can be scheduled for the following week. You can visit an inmate in Vernon County jail at:
Vernon County Jail
1320 Bad Axe Court,
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 638-5780
Fax: (608) 638-5785
All visitors at the Vernon County jail must register on the visitor’s sheet, and the jail staff will enter their names in the computer visitation log. Individuals under 18 years are prohibited from visiting unless they are in the company of their parents or guardians. The following individuals are not allowed to visit inmates in the Vernon County jail:
- Persons who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Persons who have been convicted of smuggling or attempted to smuggle contraband into the jail.
- Persons under domestic abuse injunction that relate to inmates they want to visit.
Jail staff can terminate a visit if a visitor or inmate becomes disorderly, disruptive, or unruly. In addition, visitors are typically subject to a metal detector search before entering the secure jail area, visitation room, or sheriff’s office.
Court Records
The court systems available in Vernon County are circuit court and municipal court. The Vernon County circuit court is a court of general jurisdiction where all criminal and civil matters like felony, collection, misdemeanor, personal injury, traffic, probate, and juvenile are heard.
The Vernon County municipal court is a court with limited jurisdiction that processes traffic citations, including first-time OWI and ordinance violations issued in Vernon County. Vernon County courts are located at:
Vernon County Circuit Court
Vernon County Courthouse
400 Courthouse Square, Suite 115,
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-5340
Fax: (608) 637-5554
Hidden Valleys Municipal Court
202 N. Main Street
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-7186
Email: lpolhamus@viroqua-wisconsin.com
Are Vernon County Court Records Public?
Yes, Vernon County court records are public records. Per Wis. Stat. 19.35(1)(a), all requesters have the right to inspect or obtain copies of court records. However, records containing confidential or sensitive information are not available to the general public. For instance, requesters cannot obtain any record containing personally identifiable information, that if disclosed, would identify a confidential informant.
How to Obtain Vernon County Civil Court Case Records
Requesters can obtain Vernon County civil court case records from the Vernon County Clerk of Court Office. Record seekers must provide information like civil court case details, including names, charge information, court dates, and other related details during the application. Note that requesters may have to pay a requesting fee. All requests can be submitted by mail or in-person to:
Vernon County Clerk's office
400 Courthouse Square
Room 108 Courthouse Annex
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-5380
Fax: (608) 637-5556
Email: countyclerk@vernoncounty.org
How to Obtain Vernon County Criminal Court Records
Vernon County criminal court records are essential case files generated in the court during criminal trials. These records are available at the Vernon County Clerk of Court Office. Requesters may have to provide information such as names, charge details, dates, and the court’s final disposition upon application. Some criminal court records may be unavailable to the general public because they contain confidential or sensitive information. Also, interested parties need a court order to access sealed court records. Record seekers can apply for criminal court records by email or in-person. However, they must submit requests with the necessary application fees to the Vernon County Clerk’s office.
What are Vernon County Vital Records?
Vernon County vital records are records of important life events like birth, death, marriage, and divorce kept by the Government. Record seekers can request vital records from the Vernon County Register of Deeds, and each vital record costs $20. Every vital record in Vernon County comes in certified or uncertified copies. The certified copy is usually printed on security paper, has the signature of the State Registrar or Local Registrar, and can be used for legal purposes. In contrast, uncertified copies of vital records are usually printed on plain papers for information purposes and not legal purposes. Interest parties requesting certified copies of vital records must have proof of identification that shows their names and addresses. Those applying in-person are required to apply with their original IDs, while mail applicants can apply with photocopied IDs. It is important to note that expired cards or documents will not be accepted. Acceptable forms of identification include one of the following:
- State-issued driver’s license or ID card
- Tribal or Military ID card
- US Government-issued photo ID
- The US or Foreign passport
Alternatively, record seekers can use any two of the following forms of identification:
- Vehicle registration/title
- Bank/Earnings statement
- Utility bill or traffic ticket
- Current, dated, signed lease
- Health insurance card
Per Wis. Stat. § 69.24(1), Vernon county residents who illegally possess any vital record with the knowledge that the vital record has been illegally obtained are guilty of a Class I felony, including a maximum fine of $10,000 or maximum imprisonment of 3 years and 6 months, or both.
Where and How to Obtain Vernon County Divorce Records
Vernon County divorce records are records that provide evidence that a married couple has legally and officially terminated their marriage. Divorce records include divorce papers, records created during the divorce procedure, and a divorce certificate. A divorce decree is the official court-issued document that formally ends a marriage that contains information like child support, spousal support, visitation, custody, property division, and other information. In contrast, a divorce certificate is a document that provides minimal information like the spouse's name and the date and places a divorce was granted.
Vernon County residents can request divorce decrees from the Vernon County Clerk of Courts. Vernon County divorce certificates are available at Vernon County Register of Deeds and can be gotten online, by mail, or in-person. Requesters applying for divorce records by mail or in-person must submit a completed Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Application Form to:
Vernon County Register of Deeds
400 Courthouse Square, RM 110
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-5371
Fax: (608) 637-5304
Email: deeds@vernoncounty.org
Where and How to Get Public Vernon County Marriage Records
Vernon County marriage records are public records that certify that a couple has been married. These records can be inspected or obtained by one of the persons named on the marriage certificate, immediate family members, legal custodian or guardian, and authorized representatives. Vernon County marriage records are available at Vernon County Register of Deeds and can be gotten online, by mail, or in-person at $20. Record seekers applying via mail or in-person must submit a completed Wisconsin Marriage Certificate Application Form alongside the appropriate fees and valid ID to the Vernon County Register of Deeds.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Vernon County
According to the Wisconsin Public Records Law, all marriage records in Vernon County are considered public records.
Where and How to Find Vernon County Birth Records
A birth record is an official report containing essential details like the child’s name, date of birth, gender, place of birth, and the full names of both parents. Vernon County birth records are available at Vernon County Register of Deeds, which can only be assessed by immediate family members, legal custodian or guardian, and authorized representatives. Record seekers can apply for birth certificates online, by mail, or in-person during regular business hours. Individuals applying via mail or in-person must download the Wisconsin Birth Certificate Application Form and submit the completed copy to the Vernon County Register of Deeds.
Interested parties must submit their birth certification application form with a valid ID like a driver’s license, military card, or passport. Alternatively, applicants can submit two secondary IDs like bank/earnings statement, health insurance card, utility bill, traffic ticket, or vehicle registration. Additionally, requesters must pay $20 for a birth certificate alongside their applications.
Where and How to Find Vernon County Death Records
Vernon County death records are legal documents that certify the death of an individual. They contain essential information regarding the deceased, including full name, age, date of birth, time and place of death, cause of death, name of hospital and funeral home, burial information, spouse and parents’ names, and Social Security Number. Record seekers can request death records from the Vernon County Register of Deeds. According to Wisconsin law, only members of the decedent’s immediate family, legal custodian or guardian, and authorized representatives can access the decedent’s death record. Interested parties can apply for death records online, by mail, or in-person during regular business hours. Individuals applying via mail or in-person must download the Wisconsin Death Certificate Application Form and submit the completed form with a copy of their photo ID and an application fee of $20 to the Vernon County Register of Deeds.
