Brown County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Brown County?

Public records in Brown County, Wisconsin encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by various county departments and agencies pursuant to Wisconsin's Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). These records are created, received, maintained, or controlled by the county government and are generally available for public inspection and copying. The following categories of public records are maintained by Brown County:

Property Records - Real estate transactions, deeds, mortgages, liens, property tax information, and assessment records accessible through the Brown County property search portal
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses (with certain restrictions)
Court Records - Civil and criminal case files, court calendars, and judgments maintained by the Brown County Circuit Court
Land Records - Surveys, plat maps, zoning information, and geographic information system (GIS) data available through the Brown County Land Information Office
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies managed by the Brown County Treasurer
Election Records - Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports maintained by the County Clerk's Elections Office
Law Enforcement Records - Incident reports, arrest records, and jail records (with certain exemptions) from the Brown County Sheriff's Department
Meeting Records - Minutes, agendas, and recordings of county board and committee meetings
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditures, contracts, and procurement documents

Is Brown County an Open Records County?

Brown County is an open records county in accordance with Wisconsin's Public Records Law, which establishes a presumption of complete public access to government records. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the legislature has declared that providing citizens with information about the affairs of government 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."

The Wisconsin Public Records Law specifically states 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 statutory framework establishes Brown County's obligation to provide access to public records unless there is a clear statutory exception, the need for confidentiality outweighs the public interest in disclosure, or there is an overriding public interest in keeping the record confidential.

Brown County has implemented policies and procedures to facilitate public access to records in compliance with state law. The county maintains an online portal for many frequently requested records and has established protocols for responding to records requests within statutory timeframes. Records custodians within each department are designated to process requests in accordance with the law's requirements.

How Do I Find Public Records in Brown County in 2025

Members of the public seeking records from Brown County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access - Many records are available through the Brown County Public Records Portal, which provides 24/7 access to frequently requested documents including property records, tax information, and GIS data.
Department-Specific Requests - Records may be requested directly from the department that maintains them:
- Property and deed records: Register of Deeds Office
- Court records: Clerk of Circuit Court
- Vital records: County Clerk's Office
- Law enforcement records: Sheriff's Department
Written Requests - Submit a written request to the appropriate department specifying the records sought. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Detailed description of the records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)
- Date range of records, if applicable
In-Person Requests - Visit the appropriate county office during business hours to request records in person. Staff can assist with identifying and locating specific records.
GIS and Mapping Resources - Geographical and property information is available through the Brown County Maps portal, which provides interactive maps and downloadable data.

Requestors should note that response times may vary based on the complexity of the request and the volume of records sought. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4), the county must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay."

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Brown County?

Brown County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits charging "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records. The fee structure for obtaining public records in Brown County is as follows:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11")
Large Format Copies: $5.00 per page for oversized documents such as maps and plats
Electronic Records: $10.00 per CD/DVD for electronic copies; no charge for records emailed or provided via electronic transfer when feasible
Search Fees: $30.00 per hour for requests requiring more than one hour of staff time to locate records (prorated in 15-minute increments)
Specialized Documents:
- Certified copies of vital records: $20.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Recorded documents (deeds, mortgages): $2.00 per page
- Court records: $1.25 per page for copies, additional fees for certified copies

Prepayment may be required for requests estimated to exceed $5.00. The county accepts payment by cash, check, or credit card (a convenience fee may apply for credit card transactions). Fees may be waived or reduced if the custodian determines that waiver or reduction is in the public interest.

Requestors with financial hardship may submit a written statement explaining their circumstances, and fee waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the records custodian.

Does Brown County Have Free Public Records?

Brown County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to government transparency. The following records are available without charge:

Online Property Information - Basic property details through the Brown County Property Search portal are accessible without fees
County Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas - Available on the Brown County Government website
Election Results - Current and historical election data through the County Clerk's Elections page
Public Notices - Legal notices and announcements posted on the county website
Budget Documents - Annual county budgets and financial reports
GIS Basic Maps - Standard view maps through the Brown County Maps portal
Inspection of Records - In-person inspection of records during regular business hours (copying fees still apply)

Additionally, the Brown County Library provides free access to certain legal resources and public documents. Library patrons may use public computers to access online county records at no charge.

For records not available free of charge, the county is required by Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)(e) to waive or reduce fees when doing so is in the public interest. Journalists, researchers, and nonprofit organizations working in the public interest may qualify for fee waivers upon request.

Who Can Request Public Records In Brown County?

Under Wisconsin's Public Records Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Brown County. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The term "requester" is defined broadly to include virtually any individual or organization. Specifically:

Wisconsin Residents - All state residents have full rights to request records
Non-Residents - Individuals from other states or countries may request records
Organizations - Corporations, associations, and other legal entities may submit requests
Media Representatives - Journalists and news organizations have the same access rights as other requestors
Attorneys - Legal representatives may request records on behalf of clients
Government Agencies - Other governmental bodies may request records
Incarcerated Individuals - Persons in correctional facilities may request certain records, though some limitations apply under Wis. Stat. § 19.32(1c)

The law does not require requestors to:

Identify themselves
State the purpose of their request
Demonstrate a "legitimate" interest in the records
Make requests in person

Records custodians in Brown County may not deny access to records based on the requestor's identity or intended use of the records. However, certain specialized records may have additional statutory requirements for access, such as confidential law enforcement records or records containing personally identifiable information protected by federal law.

What Records Are Confidential In Brown County?

While Brown County operates under Wisconsin's presumption of open records access, certain categories of records are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure. Pursuant to various state and federal statutes, the following records are generally not available for public inspection:

Personal Identifying Information - Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account numbers are redacted from public records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10)
Juvenile Records - Court records and law enforcement records involving minors as specified in Wis. Stat. § 938.396
Health Records - Medical and mental health information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Ongoing Investigations - Law enforcement records pertaining to ongoing investigations that would impede prosecution if released (Wis. Stat. § 19.36(2))
Attorney-Client Communications - Legal advice and strategy discussions between county officials and legal counsel
Personnel Records - Employee evaluations, disciplinary records, and certain employment information as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10)
Computer Programs and Data - Software and codes used by the county (though the data produced by such programs is generally accessible)
Competitive or Proprietary Information - Trade secrets or proprietary information submitted to the county by vendors
Deliberative Process Materials - Drafts, notes, and preliminary documents used in decision-making processes
Sealed Court Records - Records sealed by court order
Adoption Records - Information regarding adoptions except as authorized by Wis. Stat. § 48.93
Child Abuse and Neglect Reports - Confidential reports maintained by Human Services

Records custodians must apply the "balancing test" established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure when determining whether to release records that may contain sensitive information.

Brown County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Brown County Register of Deeds
305 E. Walnut Street, Room 260
Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 448-4470
Brown County Register of Deeds

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Brown County Register of Deeds Office serves as the official repository for real estate and vital records in the county. The office is responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to:

Real estate documents (deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens)
Birth certificates (from 1907 to present)
Death certificates (from 1907 to present)
Marriage licenses (from 1907 to present)
Military discharge papers (DD-214)
Certified copies of vital records

The office provides both in-person and mail service for records requests. Certain records are also available through the county's online portal. Identification is required for obtaining vital records, and specific eligibility requirements apply for accessing birth certificates less than 100 years old and death certificates less than 75 years old.

Staff members are available during business hours to assist with locating records and processing requests. Customers are encouraged to call ahead for complex requests or to verify document requirements.