What are Wood County Public Records?
Wisconsin Public Records Law describes public records as any material on which information is recorded or data is preserved or stored regardless of its physical format or characteristics that have been made or are in possession of an authority. Records that are exempt from the Wisconsin Public Records Law include law enforcement records, trade secrets, and records exempted from disclosure by state or federal laws.
Wood County Crime Statistics
The Wisconsin Department of Justice publishes the annual Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Offense data in Wisconsin. The 2020 data shows a total of 1460 offenses committed in Wood County, including 1 homicide, 53 rape offenses, 2 robberies, and 26 aggravated assaults. There were also 117 burglaries, 943 larceny thefts, 53 motor vehicle thefts, 1 arson, and 264 simple assaults.
In comparison, the 2019 data describes a total of 1442 offenses reported in Wood County. This was a collation of 1 homicide, 54 rape offenses, 2 robberies, and 22 aggravated assaults. Law enforcement also reported 107 burglaries, 963 larceny thefts, 39 motor vehicle thefts, 2 arson, and 252 simple assaults. This shows a 1.25% increase in offenses committed in Wood County between 2019 and 2020.
Are Wood County Criminal Records Public?
Public access to criminal history information is available on the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). This service is name-based, and the requester must provide the following details to facilitate a search: subject’s full name, date of birth, or social security number. Alternatively, send a mail request for criminal records using the Single Subject Request Form or the Multiple Subject Request Form. Submit the application and fee by mail to the address below:
Crime Information Bureau
Attn: Record Check Unit
P.O. Box 2688
Madison, WI 53701-2688
How to Obtain Wood County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Wood County police reports and arrest records are available at the Admin Records division of the Wood County Sheriff’s Department. Requesters can make requests for these records in person, by telephone, by mail or by, sending an email, or using a contact form. Visit or submit your request to the following address:
Wood County Sheriff’s Department
Attn: Records
400 Market Street
P.O. Box 8095
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Phone: (715) 421-8715
Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Admin Records division charges the following for copies of records as follows:
- Accident reports cost 25 cents for copies over 10 pages
- Normal size photographs are $1 each
- All copies of records cost 25 cents per page
- If the total exceeds $5, the department may request a prepayment of fees.
Copies of records are delivered to the requestor in person or by US mail. Note that juvenile records, as well as reports relating to ongoing cases or records containing sensitive information, are typically unavailable for public access.
Arrest records contain demographic information on the arrested individual (name, age, race, gender, etc.), booking date, bail amount (if applicable), fingerprint, charge, and a mugshot. Police reports are a detailed description of the alleged crime that includes witness statements, details of the arresting officers, crime scene photos (if applicable).
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Wood County
Wood County sex offender information is available on the Wisconsin sex offender registry. The registry supports a name-based search using the suspected offender’s full name or a geographical search using the offender’s address or zip code.
Available information on registered sex offenders includes bio-data (height, weight, hair color, eye color, and known alias names), as well as compliance status, length of registration, and known addresses. Also, a search will display the offender’s recent mugshot, a description of the convicted sexual offense, supervision status, and Department of Correction (DOC) number. For more inquiries, contact the Department of Corrections.
DOC SORP Administration
3099 East Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: (608) 240-5830
How to Find Wood County Inmate Records
The Wood County Sheriff’s Department is the record custodian for the county’s inmate records. Interested persons may search the online inmate database, visit the Sheriff’s Department in person to obtain inmate records, or call the jail on (715) 421-8730.
Generally, inmate records contain information obtained from the individual at the time of booking or incarceration, including the inmate’s name, birth date, demographic information, race, gender, height, mugshot, and bail amount (if applicable).
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Wood County Jail?
Prospective visitors are to call (715) 421-8730 to schedule a visit at least 24 hours in advance. An inmate can have one visit in a week that starts on Sunday. The individual making a request for the visit must be the same person making an appointment for a visit. The Wood County jail does not permit more than two approved visitors during visitation.
The Wood County jail conducts visitation via the aid of glass-partitioned visitation booths and audio that is through a handset. Face-to-face visitation with inmates is reserved for legal agents and services with prior approval. Visits last approximately 45 minutes, and all visitors must present valid photo identification before entering the facility. Visiting hours are Tuesday to Sunday at these times: 10:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 7:15 p.m.
Meanwhile, video visitation is permitted at Wood County jail for a fee. A family member or friend can fund an inmate’s account by creating an account and funding the inmate’s account via Inmate Canteen. The service is only available during distinct hours at the Wood County jail; an inmate may not have access to a video visit if all tablets are in use by other inmates at specific housing units at the same time another inmate placed a call or sent a message. The Wood County jail has two video visitation booths provided for public use at the Wood County jail lobby. Hours for video visitation are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wood County Court Records
Wood County court records are documents created throughout the history of a case. These documents are typically available to interested members of the public who can identify the record custodian at the court where the case was filed. The courts in Wood County include the Marshfield Municipal Court, Wood County Circuit Court (Branch I, II, and III), Municipal Court of Port Edwards, and Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Court.
Wood County Circuit Court
Wood County Courthouse
400 Market Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Circuit Branch I: (715) 421-8520
Circuit Branch II: (715) 421-8518
Circuit Branch III: (715) 421-8415
Marshfield Municipal Court
Marshfield City Hall
207 West 6th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Phone: (715) 486-2000
Municipal Court of Port Edwards
201 Market Avenue
P.O. Box 10
Port Edwards, WI 54469
Phone: (715) 887-3531
Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Court
444 West Grand Avenue
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Phone: (715) 421-6212
Are Wood County Court Records Public?
Yes. Wood County Court records are publicly accessible at the Office of the Clerk of Courts. The disclosure of these records for public inspection and copying is dependent upon a receipt of a record request, payment of applicable fees, and the submission of a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. Interested parties can also access them on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website.
How to Obtain Wood County Civil Court Case Records
Interested parties can obtain Wood County civil court case records from the Clerk of Courts. Parties should provide pertinent details to the clerk to facilitate the search, such as filing date, name of parties, and attorney details. Typically the Clerk of Courts requires a record request, payment of stipulated fees, and the submission of a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID before the release of the court record. Alternatively, record checkers can access Wood County civil court case records from the WCCA website. Users can utilize the following search parameters that include party name, business name, county, and case number.
How to Obtain Wood County Criminal Court Records
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website is publicly accessible to the general public to carry out a search for a Wood County criminal court record. The database allows users to find court records online with search parameters that include county, case number, party name, and business name. The records are stored according to case status, case type, county name, and filing date. The Wood County Clerk of Courts is also responsible for maintaining the county’s criminal court record. Interested parties must provide a filing date, attorney details, description of the charge, and party name in order to locate the criminal court record of interest. Typically, obtaining a criminal court record requires the submission of an application for the criminal court record, a copy of a current and valid government-issued photo ID, and payment of applicable fees.
What are Wood County Vital Records?
Wood County vital records document all life events that occur in Wood County. The vital records include marriage records, divorce records, birth records, and death records. Wood County vital records are under the maintenance of the Register of Deeds. Interested parties can send a request in person or by mail by submitting an application and paying stipulated fees. All requesters must submit a valid photo ID.
Acceptable primary identification documents:
- Passport
- A driver’s license
- Tribal or Military ID card
- A valid government-issued ID card
Acceptable secondary identification documents (any two):
- Bank statement
- A current, dated, signed lease
- Utility bills
- Traffic ticket
- Hunting or Fishing license
- Vehicle registration
Furthermore, note that certified copies of vital records are confidential documents and only available to the following persons:
- Self
- Parents
- Current spouse
- Siblings
- Offspring
- Maternal grandparent
- Paternal grandparent
- Current domestic partner (must be registered in the Wisconsin Vital Records system)
- The legal custodian of the registrant
- An authorized representative by the aforementioned individual, including a lawyer
- An individual that can prove the birth record is a necessity for the determination or protection of property or personal rights
Where and How to Obtain Wood County Divorce Records
Wood County divorce records filed after January 1st, 2016, are available at the Office of the Register of Deeds. Divorce records prior to this date are available at the Clerk of Courts. The office is responsible for storing the records and releasing them to interested parties upon receipt of the requirements.
Requests for Wood County divorce records can be made in-person or by mail. Requirements include a $20 payment per record plus an additional $3 (acceptable as cash, money order, or cashier’s check) for additional copies ordered at the same time. Record checkers must also submit a Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Application, and a valid proof of ID is also required.
The ID must indicate a current name and address and not have expired. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, driver’s license, military or tribal ID, or a valid government-issued employee ID card or a badge with a picture (one of these). Users can also present two of these forms of identification that include vehicle title, utility bills, bank statements, or a traffic ticket.
Persons sending requests by mail must include a self-addressed stamped envelope, a copy of valid photo ID, and payment (money order or cashier’s check payable to the Register of Deeds). Send requests to:
Wood County Register of Deeds
400 Market Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 8095
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Phone: (715) 421-8450
Fax: (715) 421-8446
Email: register@co.wood.wi.us
Wood County Clerk of Courts
Wood County Courthouse
400 Market Street
P.O. Box 8095
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Phone: (715) 421-8490
Fax: (715) 421-8691
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Where and How to Get Public Wood County Marriage Records
The Wood County Register of Deeds is the record custodian for the county’s marriage records. The records are available upon request by mail or in person. The records cost $20 per record and an additional charge of $3 when additional orders are made at the same time. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, money order, or cashier’s check. To make a marriage record request by mail, the party must submit a Wisconsin Marriage Certificate Application, the fee for the payment (money order or cashier’s check), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a valid ID.
Visit or send requests to:
Wood County Register of Deeds
400 Market Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 8095
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Phone: (715) 421-8450
Fax: (715) 421-8446
Email: register@co.wood.wi.us
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Wood County
There are no confidential marriage records in Wood County. All marriage records are available at the Office of the Register of Deeds. Record checkers must submit an application, pay applicable fees and submit a copy of an approved form of identification to retrieve a Wood County marriage record either by mail or in person.
Where and How to Find Wood County Birth Records
Wood County birth records are available at the Office of the Register of Deeds. They cost $20 to purchase. Parties interested in obtaining additional copies at the same time must pay an extra $3. Payment is acceptable in cash, money order, or cashier’s check. Payment for mail requests must be paid in cashier’s check or money order. Interested parties who wish to send a request by mail must send a Wisconsin Birth Certificate Application, payment of applicable fees, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a copy of a valid photo ID.
Wood County Register of Deeds
400 Market Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 8095
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Phone: (715) 421-8450
Fax: (715) 421-8446
Email: register@co.wood.wi.us
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Where and How to Find Wood County Death Records
Wood County death records are under the maintenance of the Register of Deeds. Record checkers must pay the sum of $20 to purchase them and an extra $3 for additional copies ordered at the same time as the first copy. Acceptable types of payments are cash, money order, or cashier’s check. Mail requests should be paid only in cashier’s checks or money orders.
In addition to applicable fees, authorized requesters must submit a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and a Wisconsin Death Certificate Application that must include a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests. Requesters can send a request by mail or in-person, including all the aforementioned requirements.
Send a request for Wood County death records either in person or by mail to:
Wood County Register of Deeds
400 Market Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 8095
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Phone: (715) 421-8450
Fax: (715) 421-8446
Email: register@co.wood.wi.us
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday