Clark County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Clark County in 2026
ClarkWIRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records in Clark County, Wisconsin. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or law enforcement reports may locate those materials through a combination of official county offices, state-maintained databases, and online search portals. The availability of specific records depends on the record type, the custodial agency, and applicable state law exemptions.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, family, and probate)
- 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
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: Members of the public may conduct a Wisconsin court case search through the Wisconsin Court System's online portal, which provides access to circuit court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court records statewide, including those originating in Clark County. No registration is required to perform a basic case search. Property records and certain county documents may be accessed through the Clark County official website.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Clark County Clerk of Courts or the County Clerk's Office to inspect records during regular business hours. The Clerk of Courts is located at the Clark County Courthouse, 517 Court Street, Neillsville, WI 54456. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: To obtain copies of accident or case reports, the Clark County Records & Services office requires a written request submitted via email, fax, or mail. The request must include the requester's full name, current address, and sufficient identifying information about the record sought. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, custodians are required to respond to written requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email: The Clark County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Courts may be reached by telephone during regular business hours. Contact information for each office is provided in the agency listings below.
What Are Public Records in Clark County?
Public records in Clark County are defined under 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 Wis. Stat. § 19.32, a "record" includes any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photograph, film, or other documentary material.
The following record types are maintained by Clark County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Clark County Clerk of Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk / 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 | Clark County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Zoning and Land Information Department |
The Clark County Clerk of Courts maintains a complete record of all proceedings that come before the Circuit Court System of the county, with the stated goal of providing prompt and efficient service to the public and all court users.
Is Clark County an Open Records County?
Clark County operates in full compliance with Wisconsin's open records law, which establishes a presumption of public access to government records. 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 statutory presumption means that all government records are open to public inspection unless a specific exemption applies.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, which oversees open records compliance statewide, affirms that "every person has a right to inspect any record" maintained by a state or local authority, subject to limited statutory exceptions. Clark County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the provisions of Wisconsin's open records statutes govern all requests submitted to county offices. Requesters who believe a denial is improper may seek review through the Wisconsin Attorney General's office or pursue legal remedies in circuit court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clark County?
The fee structure for public records in Clark County is governed by state statute and varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under Wisconsin open records law, custodians may charge fees that do not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (black and white) | $0.25 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies of court records | Varies by document type |
| Certified vital records copies | Set by Wisconsin Vital Records |
| Electronic record reproduction | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Search fees | Permitted only when location requires substantial time |
- Inspection of records is not subject to a fee; members of the public may examine records in person at no charge.
- Certification fees for court documents are established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and collected by the Clerk of Courts.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Wisconsin law, though custodians retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in appropriate circumstances.
Does Clark County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Clark County government offices during regular business hours. Wisconsin law does not permit custodians to charge a fee solely for the act of inspecting a record; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- The Wisconsin Court System online portal allows members of the public to search circuit court case records at no cost, including cases filed in Clark County Circuit Court.
- The Clark County Clerk of Courts office provides public access terminals at the courthouse for in-person record inspection.
- Property tax records and certain land records maintained by the Clark County Register of Deeds may be inspected in person at no charge.
- The Wisconsin Department of Corrections maintains a publicly accessible offender search tool that allows members of the public to locate information on individuals currently or previously under DOC supervision, at no cost.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing a record in person carries no fee, obtaining a paper or certified copy is subject to the reproduction fees described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Clark County?
Any person may request public records from Clark County government offices. Wisconsin's open records law does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requesters are not required to be Wisconsin residents, and custodians may not demand that a requester explain the reason for the request as a condition of access.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Identification: Custodians may not require requesters to provide identification as a precondition to inspecting records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requester.
- Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a purpose for their request under Wisconsin open records law.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Wisconsin retain the same right of access as residents.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or court filings, follow the same request process as any other requester, though certain agencies may require identity verification before releasing personal information.
- Restrictions by record type: Some record categories, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity.
What Records Are Confidential in Clark County?
Certain records maintained by Clark County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Wisconsin law. Wis. Stat. § 19.36 identifies specific categories of records that custodians are authorized or required to withhold, and courts apply a balancing test to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause.
Records that are exempt from public inspection include:
- 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 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 identifiers are protected from disclosure.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and Wisconsin health privacy statutes are exempt.
- Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
- Child protective services records: Records maintained by child welfare agencies are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are subject to limited disclosure, with certain information exempt from release.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies may be withheld.
- Security and infrastructure plans: Records detailing security systems or critical infrastructure are exempt to protect public safety.
Custodians are required to notify requesters of any denial in writing and to identify the specific statutory basis for withholding the record.
Clark County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Clark County Register of Deeds
517 Court Street, Room 104
Neillsville, WI 54456
(715) 743-5148
Clark County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Clark County Clerk of Courts
517 Court Street
Neillsville, WI 54456
(715) 743-5150
Clark County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Clark County Clerk
517 Court Street
Neillsville, WI 54456
(715) 743-5148
Clark County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Clark County Sheriff's Office
517 Court Street
Neillsville, WI 54456
(715) 743-3157
Clark County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Emergency dispatch available 24 hours.