la crosse wi public records: practical guide and key considerations

What counts as a public record

In La Crosse, many materials created or kept by local agencies are public under Wisconsin’s Open Records Law, unless a specific exemption applies. Knowing where records live helps you ask precisely and avoid delays.

• City Clerk: ordinances, meeting minutes, licenses, permits, and correspondence.
• County Register of Deeds: deeds, mortgages, property indexes, and plats.
• Sheriff’s Office: incident logs, calls for service, and jail rosters (with redactions).
• Circuit Court: dockets and filings; some matters are sealed or confidential.
• Vital records: birth, death, and marriage certificates via the Register of Deeds; certified copies only to authorized requesters.

Requesting records

Submit a clear, dated request to the record custodian by email, mail, or in person. Agencies must respond as soon as practicable and without delay; they may charge actual copying, mailing, and permissible search costs, and can require prepayment. You may inspect in person at minimal cost or receive electronic copies when available.

Important considerations

Narrow scope with date ranges, names, addresses, and keywords. Ask for native formats and metadata. Expect redactions for privacy and ongoing investigations. If denied, request a written rationale and consider administrative review or assistance from the state’s open government office.