Douglas County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Douglas County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Douglas County, Wisconsin, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state databases, and online portals. The aggregator site DouglasWIRecords.us provides a starting point for locating publicly available data, though the completeness and currency of any third-party resource may vary. Douglas County maintains official records through several departments, and the categories of documents that may be available include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces)
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use, zoning, and GIS mapping records

Records may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Douglas County official website provides access to land records, foreclosure sales, staff directories, elections information, and court matters.
The Register of Deeds portal allows members of the public to search property and land records online.
The Wisconsin Court System case search provides public access to circuit court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court case records statewide.
The GIS and mapping portal offers aerial photography, survey maps, and U.S. Public Land Survey Monument Record sheets.
Vital records are administered at the state level through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services vital records office. No registration is required to search most online county portals.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Douglas County Courthouse to submit records requests in person. The County Clerk's Office and Register of Deeds are located at 1313 Belknap Street, Superior, WI 54880. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, the approximate date range, and any relevant party names.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate department at 1313 Belknap Street, Superior, WI 54880. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Wisconsin Stat. § 19.35, custodians are required to respond to records requests as soon as practicable and without delay.

Phone/Email:

Douglas County main line: (715) 395-1341
Register of Deeds: (715) 395-1369
County Clerk: (715) 395-1341

What Are Public Records in Douglas County?

Public records in Douglas County are defined by Wisconsin's open records law 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. Under Wisconsin Stat. § 19.32, a "record" includes any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photograph, film, or other documentary material.

The following record types are currently maintained by Douglas County departments:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Douglas County Circuit Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Register of Deeds
Vital records (births, deaths, marriages)	Wisconsin DHS / County Clerk
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
Land use and zoning records	Planning and Zoning Department
GIS and survey maps	GIS / Mapping Department

The Register of Deeds is responsible for archival storage and convenient access to property-related public records, as well as collecting and disbursing fees as imposed by Wisconsin Statutes.

Is Douglas County an Open Records County?

Douglas County operates in full compliance with Wisconsin's open records law, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. Under Wisconsin 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."

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, which oversees open records compliance statewide, states: "The open records law applies to all state and local government bodies, including counties, cities, villages, towns, school districts, and other governmental entities." Douglas County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the Wisconsin Public Records Law governs all requests submitted to county offices. Requestors are not required to provide a reason for their request in most circumstances, and denial of access must be based on a specific statutory exemption.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Douglas County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Current fees are governed by Wisconsin Statutes and individual office fee schedules.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Document copies (paper)	$0.25 per page (standard)
Certified copy of document	$5.00 per document (Register of Deeds)
Real estate recording fee	Set by Wisconsin Statutes
Vital records certified copy	$20.00 per copy (state fee)
Electronic record copies	Varies by office
Record inspection	No charge for inspection

Inspection of records is available at no charge at the relevant county office.
Copy fees are set pursuant to Wisconsin Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits custodians to charge the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction.
Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards.
Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as when the requester demonstrates that the information primarily benefits the public interest.

Does Douglas County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Douglas County offices during regular business hours. Wisconsin law requires that members of the public be permitted to inspect records without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following resources provide free access to public records:

The Douglas County official website provides free online access to land records, foreclosure sales, staff directories, and election information.
The Wisconsin Court System case search allows free online searching of court case records across all Wisconsin circuit courts.
The GIS mapping portal provides free access to aerial photography, survey maps, and land survey monument records.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services provides free online guidance on obtaining vital records, though certified copies carry a statutory fee.

Members of the public may inspect original records in person at the relevant county office at no cost. The distinction between free inspection and paid copies is a fundamental provision of Wisconsin's open records framework.

Who Can Request Public Records in Douglas County?

Any person may request public records in Douglas County, Wisconsin. Under the state's open records law, eligibility is not restricted to county residents, Wisconsin residents, or U.S. citizens. The following conditions apply:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be residents of Douglas County or the State of Wisconsin.
Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification for most public records requests, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records. Custodians may not deny access based on the requestor's identity or intended use, except where a specific statutory exemption applies.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal vital records or court records, may be required to provide proof of identity to verify eligibility for certified copies.
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 the requestor's identity.

Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under Wisconsin's open records law. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has affirmed that the open records law "applies broadly and does not limit access based on the identity of the requester."

What Records Are Confidential in Douglas County?

Not all government records in Douglas County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the open records requirement. The following records are currently withheld from public access under applicable state and federal law:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or child welfare proceedings are confidential under Wisconsin Stat. § 938.396.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption records are sealed by statute and accessible only to authorized parties.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies may be withheld.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety or critical infrastructure are exempt.

Wisconsin's open records law requires custodians to apply a balancing test when determining whether to withhold records not covered by a specific exemption, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure.

Douglas County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Douglas County Register of Deeds
1313 Belknap Street, Room 201
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 395-1369
Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Douglas County Clerk's Office
1313 Belknap Street
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 395-1341
Douglas County official website