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How to Find Public Records in Juneau County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through JuneauRecords.org and through the official offices of Juneau County, Wisconsin. Records that may be available include court filings, property documents, vital records, law enforcement reports, tax records, and meeting minutes, subject to applicable exemptions under state law. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the custodial office, the nature of the document, and whether any statutory exemptions apply.

Records in Juneau County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Juneau County official website provides access to department pages, vital records forms and fees, genealogy resources, and grantee/grantor indexes maintained by the Register of Deeds.
The Wisconsin Court System's case search portal allows members of the public to search circuit court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court records statewide, including Juneau County cases.
Property tax records and related documents are accessible through the Juneau County Treasurer's Document Center.
No registration is required to search most publicly available online databases maintained by the county or state.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the relevant county office in person. The Clerk of Courts office accepts walk-in requests for circuit court records during regular business hours. The Register of Deeds office maintains real estate records available for in-person inspection. Requestors should identify the record type sought, provide sufficient identifying information (such as a party name, parcel number, or case number), and submit a written or verbal request to the appropriate custodian.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's name and contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under § 19.35(4) of the Wisconsin Statutes, a records custodian must respond to a request as soon as practicable and without delay.

Phone/Email:

Juneau County Clerk of Courts: (608) 847-9356
Juneau County Sheriff's Office Records: (608) 847-5649
Juneau County Register of Deeds: (608) 847-9300

What Are Public Records in Juneau County?

Public records in Juneau 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 Wisconsin Statutes § 19.32(2), a "record" includes any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photograph, film, or other documentary material.

The following categories of records are maintained by Juneau County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family): Maintained by the Clerk of Courts; members of the public may submit a court records request directly to that office.
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments): Maintained by the Register of Deeds, which keeps and protects real estate records for the county.
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates): Available through the Register of Deeds at the county level and through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office at the state level.
Tax records (property tax, assessment records): Accessible through the Juneau County Treasurer's office and the county's online document center.
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports): Processed by the Juneau County Sheriff's Office Records division in accordance with state open records law.
Human services records: Requests are handled by the Juneau County Department of Human Services, including Child Protective Services records.
Meeting minutes and agendas: Published on the Juneau County website for county commission and board meetings.
Budget and financial documents: Available through county department pages.
Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the county's planning and zoning department.
Business records (licenses, permits): Available through the relevant county or municipal licensing authority.

Is Juneau County an Open Records County?

Juneau County fully complies with Wisconsin's statewide open records law, which establishes a presumption of public access to government records. Under Wisconsin Statutes §§ 19.31–19.39, all state and local government authorities, including county offices, are required to make records available to the public upon request, subject to specific statutory exemptions.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Public Records Law Compliance Guide states: "The public policy of this state is 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." This policy applies directly to Juneau County offices and departments.

The same compliance guide references Juneau County directly, noting that a case involving the Juneau County Star-Times addressed law firm invoicing records generated when a Juneau County Sheriff's Department employee sued the county — illustrating that the open records presumption extends to a broad range of government-held documents.

County departments process all requests in accordance with state law and applicable department policy. The Sheriff's Office, for example, states that "all requests for information will be processed in accordance with State of Wisconsin Open Records Law and department policy." No county-specific ordinance narrows the scope of access beyond what state law permits.

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

The fee structure for public records in Juneau County is governed by Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(3), which permits custodians to charge fees that do not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (black & white)	$0.25 per page (standard rate)
Certification of records	Varies by office
Electronic copies	Actual cost of reproduction
Inspection of records	No charge
Search/location fees	Not permitted under state law

The Clerk of Courts may charge per-page fees for printed copies of court documents.
The Register of Deeds charges recording and copy fees established under state statute.
The Sheriff's Office processes records requests and may assess reproduction costs.
Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or money order payable to the relevant county department.
Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Wisconsin law, though custodians retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in appropriate circumstances.

Does Juneau County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Juneau County. Under Wisconsin's open records law, members of the public have the right to inspect records at no charge; fees apply only when copies or reproductions are requested.

The following resources provide free access to public records:

The Wisconsin Court System case search allows free online searching of circuit court case information, including Juneau County cases.
The Juneau County official website provides free access to meeting agendas, minutes, budget documents, and department information.
The Juneau County Treasurer's Document Center offers free online access to property tax documents and related public records.
In-person inspection at county offices — including the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Courts, and Sheriff's Office — is available at no cost during regular business hours.
The Wisconsin State Law Library's Juneau County legal resources page provides free access to legal references, agency contact information, and court forms relevant to Juneau County.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: viewing a record on-site or through an online portal carries no fee, while requesting a printed or certified copy may incur reproduction charges.

Who Can Request Public Records in Juneau County?

Any person may request public records in Juneau County. Under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(1)(a), every person has a right to inspect any record of a governmental authority, with limited exceptions. Requestors are not required to be Wisconsin residents, and the law does not require individuals to state a reason or purpose for their request.

Key eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Wisconsin retain full rights to request public records from Juneau County offices.
Identification: Custodians may not require identification as a condition of access to public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requestor.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records — such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files — are restricted by statute regardless of who is requesting them.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as human services case files, may be subject to identity verification requirements. The Juneau County Department of Human Services record request process outlines specific procedures for personal record requests, including Child Protective Services files.

What Records Are Confidential in Juneau County?

Certain categories of records held by Juneau County offices are exempt from public disclosure under Wisconsin law. Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36 and related provisions identify specific exemptions that custodians must apply when responding to records requests.

Confidential or restricted records include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or child welfare proceedings are restricted under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 938.
Ongoing investigation records: Records compiled as part of an active law enforcement investigation may be withheld if disclosure would harm the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed under Wisconsin law and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Juneau County Department of Human Services relating to child protective services are confidential under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48.
Personnel records: Employee records are subject to limited disclosure; certain personnel information is exempt from release.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt from disclosure when submitted to a government authority under a claim of confidentiality.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public facilities or infrastructure may be withheld.

When a custodian withholds a record or portion of a record, the custodian is required to notify the requestor and identify the legal basis for the denial. The Wisconsin DOJ's open records compliance guidance addresses the balancing test that custodians must apply when the public interest in disclosure is weighed against the public interest in nondisclosure.

Juneau County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Juneau County Register of Deeds
220 E. State St., Room 160
Mauston, WI 53948
(608) 847-9300
Register of Deeds – Juneau County

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

Additional Offices:

Juneau County Clerk of Courts
220 E. State St.
Mauston, WI 53948
(608) 847-9356
Court Records Request – Juneau County

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

Juneau County Sheriff's Office – Records Division
200 Oak St.
Mauston, WI 53948
(608) 847-5649
Sheriff's Office Records – Juneau County

Juneau County Department of Human Services
220 E. State St.
Mauston, WI 53948
(608) 847-9555
Human Services Record Requests – Juneau County

Juneau County Treasurer
220 E. State St.
Mauston, WI 53948
(608) 847-9300
Tax Bill Information – Juneau County