Dunn County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Dunn County?

Public records in Dunn County, Wisconsin, are documents, files, and data created or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business and made available to members of the public under state law. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.32, a "record" is defined as any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that has been created or is being kept by a government authority.

The following categories of records are currently maintained and accessible through various Dunn County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Dunn County Clerk of Courts. Members of the public may search active and historical circuit court case records through the county office or via the statewide Wisconsin Court System portal.
Property records — Deeds, land contracts, mortgages, liens, and UCC realty-related filings are held by the Dunn County Register of Deeds.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are filed with the Register of Deeds and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Business records — Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits are processed through the County Clerk's office and relevant municipal authorities.
Tax and assessment records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Dunn County Treasurer and the County Assessor's office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data, election results, and related documents are held by the County Clerk.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of County Board meetings, committee sessions, and public hearings are maintained by the County Clerk and posted on the official county website.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and expenditure records are available through the County Administrator's office.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Dunn County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, land use permits, and GIS data are accessible through the Dunn County land information and mapping portal.

Is Dunn County an Open Records County?

Dunn County fully complies with Wisconsin's statewide open records framework, which establishes a broad presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the legislature declares that "the public is entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." This foundational policy applies to all county departments, boards, and agencies operating within Dunn County.

Key provisions of the Wisconsin Open Records Law currently in effect include:

Any requester may inspect or copy records held by a government authority without being required to state a reason for the request in most circumstances.
Government authorities must respond to records requests as soon as practicable and without delay.
Denial of a request must be accompanied by a written statement citing the specific legal basis for withholding the record.

Dunn County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all county offices operate in compliance with Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, Wisconsin's comprehensive public records statutes. These provisions are commonly referred to as Wisconsin's "sunshine laws" and are enforced through the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Public Records Compliance Assistance program.

How to Find Public Records in Dunn County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Dunn County records through several channels, depending on the record type and the custodial office involved.

In-Person Requests Requesters may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours and submit a verbal or written request at the public counter. Staff are available to assist in identifying the correct custodian for a given record type.

Written or Email Requests Formal written requests may be submitted by mail or email to the relevant department. Requests should include a clear description of the records sought, the preferred format for delivery, and the requester's contact information. No specific form is mandated under state law, though some offices provide optional request forms on their websites.

Online Access Several record categories are accessible online at no cost:

Court case information is searchable through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal, which provides access to circuit, appellate, and Supreme Court records statewide.
Property and land records, including deeds and mortgages, may be searched through the Dunn County Register of Deeds online database.
GIS mapping data and land information are available through the county's Maps, GIS, and Land Information portal.
Driver and vehicle records may be requested through the Wisconsin DMV records portal, consistent with the state's Open Records Law.

By Mail Requesters who are unable to appear in person may submit written requests by mail to the appropriate office. Copies will be provided upon receipt of applicable fees.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dunn County?

The cost of obtaining public records in Dunn County is governed by the fee provisions set forth in Wisconsin's open records statutes. Under current law, government authorities may charge fees that are reasonably calculated to cover the actual, necessary, and direct costs of locating, reproducing, and mailing records.

Standard fees currently applicable in Dunn County include:

Paper copies — Typically $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies, though fees may vary by office.
Certified copies — Vital records such as birth and death certificates carry a statutory fee set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, currently $20.00 per certified copy for most vital records.
Electronic records — Fees for electronic copies are generally limited to the cost of the medium (e.g., a USB drive or CD) and staff time for retrieval.
Research and retrieval fees — Where a request requires substantial staff time, an hourly fee may be assessed for time beyond the first quarter hour, consistent with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).
Postage and mailing — Actual postage costs may be charged when records are delivered by mail.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Wisconsin law, though individual offices retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in appropriate circumstances, particularly for indigent requesters or requests serving a significant public interest.

Does Dunn County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Wisconsin law. Government authorities are not permitted to charge a fee solely for the act of inspecting records on-site; fees apply only when copies or reproductions are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

On-site inspection — Members of the public may inspect records at the relevant county office during business hours at no charge.
Wisconsin Court System case search — The statewide circuit court case search provides free online access to case index information for Wisconsin courts, including Dunn County Circuit Court.
GIS and land information — Basic parcel data, zoning maps, and aerial imagery are accessible at no cost through the county's land information portal.
County website documents — Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other administrative documents are posted on the Dunn County official website and are freely accessible online.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dunn County?

Any person may request public records held by Dunn County government authorities under Wisconsin's open records law. The statute does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or organizational affiliation.

Specific eligibility provisions currently in effect include:

Residency — Requesters are not required to be Wisconsin residents or Dunn County residents to submit a records request.
Identification — Government authorities generally may not require a requester to provide identification as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances where identity is relevant to determining whether an exemption applies.
Statement of purpose — Requesters are not required to state the reason for their request in most cases. However, providing context may assist staff in locating the correct records.
Non-residents — Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1).
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as their own court files or vital records, follow the same general process but may be required to provide proof of identity to access certain restricted categories.
Restricted record types — Certain records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and sealed court documents, are subject to additional access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Dunn County?

Not all government records in Dunn County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin law recognizes a range of exemptions that protect sensitive personal, investigative, and security-related information from release. The following categories of records are currently exempt from public inspection under Wisconsin's open records statutes and related federal law:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or child welfare proceedings are confidential under Wisconsin law.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld where disclosure would compromise the investigation or endanger individuals.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure.
Medical and health records — Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are exempt from public release.
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to public officials' exercise of official duties.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public facilities and critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

Wisconsin's balancing test, as articulated in the open records statutes, requires government authorities to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause. Where no specific statutory exemption applies, authorities must demonstrate that the public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in access before withholding a record.

Dunn County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Dunn County Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of real property records, vital records, and related documents. Members of the public may visit the office in person, submit requests by mail, or access certain records online.

Dunn County Register of Deeds 800 Wilson Avenue, Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 232-1228 Register of Deeds – Dunn County, WI

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

Dunn County Clerk of Courts 615 Stokke Parkway, Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 232-2611 Clerk of Courts – Dunn County, WI

The Clerk of Courts office maintains civil, criminal, probate, and family court records. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dunn County Clerk 800 Wilson Avenue, Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 232-3807 Dunn County Clerk

The County Clerk's office maintains election records, meeting minutes, business filings, and related administrative documents.

Dunn County Sheriff's Office 615 Stokke Parkway, Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 232-1348 Dunn County Sheriff's Office

Law enforcement records, including incident reports and arrest logs available under current law, may be requested through the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.