Oconto County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Oconto County in 2026
OcontoRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records in Oconto County, Wisconsin. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data across a range of record categories, including court filings, property documents, vital records, and government meeting minutes. The information available through such resources reflects what government agencies have made accessible under Wisconsin's open records framework, and completeness may vary depending on the record type and the originating agency.
Records available through official channels in Oconto County include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Oconto County official website provides access to various county department portals, including the Register of Deeds and County Clerk.
- Wisconsin circuit court records are searchable through the Wisconsin Court System's case search portal, which covers Oconto County Circuit Court filings.
- Property records and land information may be accessed through the county's land records system. No registration is required for basic public record searches.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Oconto County Courthouse to inspect records in person. The County Clerk's Office and Register of Deeds are the primary offices for most record types. Requestors should identify the record type, provide relevant identifying information (such as names, dates, or parcel numbers), and submit a written or verbal request to the appropriate office. Staff will locate the record and make it available for inspection or copying.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail. The request must identify the record sought with reasonable specificity. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, the custodian must respond within a reasonable time, and no later than 10 business days for most requests.
Mailing Address: Oconto County Clerk's Office 301 Washington Street, Oconto, WI 54153 Phone: (920) 834-6800
Phone/Email: Members of the public may contact the County Clerk's Office by phone at (920) 834-6800. Email contact information is available through the Oconto County official website.
What Are Public Records in Oconto County?
Public records in Oconto County are defined under Wisconsin law as any record created or maintained by a government authority in the course of conducting public business. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.32, a "record" includes 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 an authority.
The following record types are maintained by Oconto County government offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Oconto County Circuit Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Register of Deeds / Wisconsin Vital Records |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Treasurer / Assessor |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Administrator |
| Law enforcement records | Oconto County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Zoning/Planning Department |
The Oconto County Clerk's Office serves as the central repository for many administrative records, while the Register of Deeds maintains land and vital records.
Is Oconto County an Open Records County?
Oconto County fully complies with Wisconsin's open records law, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.31, the legislature declares that "providing persons with such information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees whose responsibility it is to provide such information."
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, which oversees open records compliance statewide, states: "The public has a right to inspect any record maintained by a government body unless a specific exemption applies." This principle governs all public records requests submitted to Oconto County offices.
Oconto County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance that supersedes state law. All county departments operate under the Wisconsin Public Records Law, codified in Wisconsin Statutes §§ 19.31–19.39. The county's compliance with these statutes is overseen by the County Clerk and individual department heads acting as records custodians.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Oconto County?
The current fee structure for public records in Oconto County is governed by Wisconsin's public records statutes and applicable county fee schedules. Members of the public may inspect records at no charge; fees apply when copies are requested.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.25 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies of vital records | $20.00 per copy (Register of Deeds) |
| Electronic copies | Varies by record type and volume |
| Certification fee | Included in certified copy fee |
| Search fee | No separate search fee for most records |
- Inspection of records is free of charge.
- Fees for copies of court records are set by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and may differ from county administrative fees.
- The Register of Deeds charges statutory fees for certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records as established under Wisconsin law.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm with the specific office.
- Fee waivers are not broadly available under Wisconsin law, though agencies retain discretion in certain circumstances.
Does Oconto County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Oconto County. Under Wisconsin's open records law, any person has the right to inspect records held by a government authority at no cost. The right to inspect is distinct from the right to receive copies, for which fees may apply.
Free access to public records is available through the following official channels:
- In-person inspection at the County Clerk's Office, Register of Deeds, and other county department offices during regular business hours — no fee is charged for viewing records on-site.
- Wisconsin Court System case search — the Wisconsin circuit court records portal provides free online access to case information for Oconto County Circuit Court proceedings, including civil, criminal, family, and probate cases.
- Oconto County property records — basic land and property information is accessible through the county's online land records system at no charge.
- Meeting minutes and agendas — county board and committee documents are posted on the Oconto County official website and are available for free public review.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing a record carries no cost, obtaining a physical or electronic copy may be subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Oconto County?
Any person may request public records in Oconto County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Wisconsin's open records law does not restrict access based on who the requestor is or why the records are sought. As the Wisconsin Department of Justice has noted, "The requester need not provide a reason for the request."
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Requestors are not required to be Wisconsin residents or Oconto County residents.
- Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification for most public records requests, though identification may be required for certain sensitive records or to verify eligibility for restricted records.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request under Wisconsin's open records law.
- Non-residents: Non-residents hold the same rights as residents under state law.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal vital records) may be required to provide proof of identity and relationship to the record subject.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are subject to access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
What Records Are Confidential in Oconto County?
Not all government records in Oconto County are open to public inspection. Wisconsin law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The following records are confidential or restricted under current law:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records — records relating to juvenile court proceedings are confidential under Wisconsin law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — records compiled as part of an active law enforcement investigation may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar information are protected from disclosure.
- Medical records — protected under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations.
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Wisconsin child welfare statutes.
- Personnel records — employee records are subject to limited disclosure, with exceptions for certain public employee information.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt from disclosure when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety.
Wisconsin Statute § 19.36 sets forth the specific statutory exemptions to the open records law, including records made confidential by other statutes, records containing personally identifiable information, and records whose disclosure would harm the public interest. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Oconto County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Oconto County Register of Deeds
301 Washington Street, Oconto, WI 54153
Phone: (920) 834-6854
Oconto County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Oconto County Clerk's Office
301 Washington Street, Oconto, WI 54153
Phone: (920) 834-6800
Oconto County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Oconto County Circuit Court Clerk
301 Washington Street, Oconto, WI 54153
Phone: (920) 834-6868
Wisconsin Court System – Oconto County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Oconto County Sheriff's Office
301 Washington Street, Oconto, WI 54153
Phone: (920) 834-6900
Oconto County Sheriff's Office
Oconto County Treasurer's Office
301 Washington Street, Oconto, WI 54153
Phone: (920) 834-6845
Oconto County Treasurer
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Lookup Public Records in Oconto County
- Wisconsin circuit court case search — search civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in Oconto County and other Wisconsin circuit courts.