Eau Claire County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Eau Claire County?
Public records in Eau Claire County are defined according to Wisconsin Public Records Law § 19.32(2), which states that a record is "any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information or electronically generated or stored data is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that has been created or is being kept by an authority."
Eau Claire County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate case files maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded with the Register of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (with certain access restrictions)
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax payment histories
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board of Supervisors and committee meetings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs, and jail records (with certain exemptions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans
Each record type is maintained by a specific county department. The Eau Claire County Register of Deeds maintains property records, while court records are accessible through the Wisconsin Court System's Circuit Court Access Program.
Is Eau Claire County an Open Records County?
Eau Claire County fully complies with the Wisconsin Public Records Law § 19.31-19.39, which establishes that "all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them."
The statute specifically declares that providing citizens with information about governmental affairs 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."
Under this law, Eau Claire County maintains a presumption of openness for most government records. The county has established procedures for record requests that align with state requirements, including reasonable response times and appropriate fee structures.
Eau Claire County's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its Open Records Policy, which outlines the process for requesting records and the county's obligations under Wisconsin's sunshine laws. This policy ensures consistent application of open records principles across all county departments.
How to Find Public Records in Eau Claire County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Eau Claire County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
-
Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Court records can be searched through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website
- Property records are accessible via the Eau Claire County Land Records System
- County Board agendas and minutes are posted on the County Board website
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court records, visit the Clerk of Circuit Court office
- For property records, visit the Register of Deeds office
- For vital records, visit the County Clerk's office
-
Written Requests: Submit a written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- A detailed description of the records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)
-
Records Request Form: Complete the county's Public Records Request Form and submit it to the appropriate department.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(4), the county must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." For complex requests, the county will provide an estimated timeframe for completion.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Eau Claire County?
Eau Claire County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3), which permits charging "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records.
Current standard fees include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for black and white copies
- Color Copies: $0.50 per page
- Large Format Documents: $5.00 per page for maps, plats, and other oversized documents
- Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for scanned documents; no charge for records already in electronic format
- Staff Time: For requests requiring extensive search or redaction, fees may include the actual cost of staff time (typically after the first hour)
- Mailing Costs: Actual postage costs if records are mailed
Accepted payment methods include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit cards (for certain departments)
Fee waivers or reductions may be available if the county determines that providing the records without charge is in the public interest. Additionally, pursuant to state law, fees may be waived if the total cost is less than $5.00.
Specific record types may have statutorily set fees that differ from standard copying charges:
- Certified copies of vital records: $20 for the first copy, $3 for additional copies
- Recorded documents from Register of Deeds: $2 per page
- Court records: Varies by document type and certification status
Does Eau Claire County Have Free Public Records?
Eau Claire County provides free access to certain public records as required by Wisconsin law. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), any person has the right to inspect public records during regular office hours at no cost.
Free public records services include:
- In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine records at no charge during normal business hours at the appropriate county office
- Online Access: Several record systems are available at no cost:
- The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website provides free access to court case information
- The Eau Claire County Board website offers free access to meeting agendas, minutes, and videos
- The County Budget Portal provides financial documents and reports
- The County GIS Map Portal offers property and zoning information
Additionally, the Eau Claire County Law Library, located in the courthouse, provides public access terminals where visitors can search certain county records at no charge.
While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested, as outlined in the fee schedule section above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Eau Claire County?
Under Wisconsin Public Records Law § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The term "requester" is defined broadly to include any person who requests to inspect or copy a record.
Key eligibility points include:
- Residency: Wisconsin law does not restrict access based on residency status; both residents and non-residents may request records
- Identification: For most general records, requesters are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request
- Anonymous Requests: Anonymous requests are permitted for most records, though providing contact information is necessary if copies are to be mailed or if fees apply
- Purpose Disclosure: Requesters generally do not need to explain why they want records, except in limited circumstances where access is restricted by statute
Certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates have access restrictions based on relationship to the subject of the record
- Confidential Court Records: Some court records may only be accessible to parties to the case or their legal representatives
- Juvenile Records: Access is typically limited to the juvenile, parents/guardians, attorneys, or agencies with legal authority
When requesting your own records versus records about others, different standards may apply. For example, a person has greater access rights to their own health records than to those of another individual.
What Records Are Confidential in Eau Claire County?
While Wisconsin's Public Records Law favors transparency, Wisconsin Statute § 19.36 establishes several categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Eau Claire County maintains the following types of confidential records:
- Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors under 17 years of age, except in specific circumstances outlined in state law
- Child Welfare Records: Reports and records of child abuse or neglect investigations
- Health Records: Medical and mental health information protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
- Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and certain personal information, though general employment information remains public
- Ongoing Investigations: Records related to active law enforcement investigations or pending prosecutions
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy documents between county officials and legal counsel
- Personally Identifiable Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other sensitive personal data
- Computer Programs and Data: Software and security information that could compromise county systems
- Competitive or Proprietary Information: Trade secrets or confidential business information submitted to the county
- Sealed Court Records: Records that have been sealed by court order
- Adoption Records: Information about adoptions, which are confidential by statute
- Certain Victim Information: Details that could endanger victims of crimes, particularly in domestic violence cases
When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(6).
The county applies a "balancing test" when considering certain record requests, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure, as established by Wisconsin Supreme Court precedent.
Eau Claire County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Eau Claire County Register of Deeds
721 Oxford Avenue, Room 1260
Eau Claire, WI 54703
715-839-4762
Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court
721 Oxford Avenue, Room 2220
Eau Claire, WI 54703
715-839-4816
Clerk of Circuit Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Eau Claire County Clerk
721 Oxford Avenue, Room 1510
Eau Claire, WI 54703
715-839-4836
County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Eau Claire County
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
Eau Claire County Clerk of Courts