Green County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Green County?

Public records in Green County, Wisconsin, are defined under Wisconsin Statute § 19.32 as any record created or maintained by a government authority in the course of conducting public business, regardless of the medium in which the record is stored. This definition encompasses a broad range of documents held by county offices, state agencies, and local governmental bodies operating within Green County.

The following categories of records are currently available to members of the public:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files maintained by the Green County Clerk of Courts; members of the public may search Wisconsin circuit court records through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Green County Register of Deeds
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates; statewide records are administered by the Wisconsin Vital Records Office under the Department of Health Services
Business records — licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations maintained by the Green County Clerk and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Tax records — property tax bills and assessment records maintained by the Green County Treasurer and Assessor
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Green County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of county board meetings, committee sessions, and public hearings maintained by the Green County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records maintained by the Green County Finance Office
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, maintained by the Green County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, permits, and variance applications maintained by the Green County Planning and Zoning Department

Additional guidance on Green County court forms and civil, criminal, family, traffic, and ordinance case records is available through the Green County Legal Resources page maintained by the Wisconsin State Law Library.

Is Green County an Open Records County?

Green County fully complies with Wisconsin's statewide open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.31, the legislature has declared that providing the public with the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government is an essential function of a representative government. This statute further states that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding government affairs and the official acts of public officers and employees.

Key provisions of Wisconsin's open records law currently in effect include:

Any requester may inspect or copy records held by a government authority without being required to state a reason for the request
Government authorities must respond to records requests as soon as practicable and without delay
Denial of a records request must be made in writing and must cite the specific legal authority for the denial
The law applies to all county offices, boards, commissions, and departments operating within Green County

Green County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance that supersedes state law; all county offices operate in accordance with the Wisconsin Public Records Law as codified in Wisconsin Statutes §§ 19.31–19.39. Wisconsin's open records framework is commonly referred to as a "sunshine law" because it is designed to ensure transparency in government operations at every level, including county government.

How to Find Public Records in Green County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Green County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process currently in use:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office or agency maintains the record being sought. Court records are held by the Clerk of Courts; property and vital records are held by the Register of Deeds; tax records are held by the Treasurer; and law enforcement records are held by the Sheriff's Office.
Submit a written request. Although Wisconsin law does not require requests to be submitted in writing, doing so creates a clear record of the request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by email, or by fax to the appropriate office.
Search online portals. Many Green County records are accessible online at no cost. Civil, criminal, and traffic court cases may be searched through the Wisconsin Court System's public case search tool. Vital records may be ordered through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours at the relevant county office. Staff are available to assist requesters in locating responsive records.
Pay applicable fees. Upon retrieval of records, requesters are responsible for any applicable copying or certification fees as established by the custodial office.
Appeal a denial. If a request is denied, the requester may appeal to the Green County Corporation Counsel or seek a writ of mandamus in circuit court pursuant to Wisconsin law.

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

Current fees for public records in Green County vary by record type and the office responsible for maintaining the records. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3), a government authority may impose a fee for locating and copying records, provided the fee is limited to the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription.

Standard fees currently applicable in Green County include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies, though individual offices may set their own rates within statutory limits
Certified copies of vital records: $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time, as set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Register of Deeds document copies: Fees are established per document page in accordance with Wisconsin recording fee schedules
Court record copies: Fees are set by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and applied uniformly across all circuit courts, including Green County Circuit Court
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may differ from paper copy fees and are assessed based on the cost of reproduction

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Wisconsin law; however, certain nonprofit organizations and members of the media may negotiate reduced fees in specific circumstances. Requesters who believe a fee is excessive may challenge the fee through the open records complaint process.

Does Green County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public currently have the right to inspect many Green County public records at no charge. Wisconsin law guarantees the right to inspect records in person without paying a copying fee, provided the requester does not require physical copies to be made.

The following free public records resources are available through official government sources:

Wisconsin Court System case search — Members of the public may search and view circuit court case information, including Green County cases, at no cost through the Wisconsin Court System's online portal
Green County Clerk of Courts — In-person inspection of court files is available during regular business hours at no charge
Green County Register of Deeds — Members of the public may inspect property records in person without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested
Green County Treasurer — Property tax records and assessment information may be inspected in person at no cost
Wisconsin Vital Records Office — General information about vital records is available online; certified copies carry a statutory fee
Green County Public Health — Public health data and reports are available through the Green County Public Health office at no charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Green County?

Any person may request public records in Green County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Wisconsin's open records law does not restrict access to residents of the state or county, and requesters are not required to provide identification or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access.

Specific eligibility provisions currently in effect include:

Residency: Not required; non-residents of Wisconsin and Green County have the same right of access as residents
Identification: Not required for most records; certain sensitive record types, such as certified vital records, may require proof of eligibility or relationship to the subject
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests; however, the purpose may become relevant if the custodial office must weigh the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records
Requesting records about others: Access to records containing personal information about third parties may be subject to redaction of exempt information, such as Social Security numbers or medical data

Certain record categories, including juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are restricted regardless of the requester's identity or purpose, pursuant to applicable Wisconsin statutes.

What Records Are Confidential in Green County?

Not all government records in Green County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the general right of public access. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted under Wisconsin open records exemptions:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — Records relating to juvenile court 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 numbers, and similar data are routinely redacted from disclosed records
Medical and health records — Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Wisconsin health privacy statutes are not subject to general disclosure
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions
Child welfare and protective services records — Records relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to public officials' official conduct
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies may be withheld
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public facilities and critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure

Wisconsin Statute § 19.36 sets forth the specific statutory exemptions applicable to public records held by government authorities throughout the state, including Green County. When a custodial office withholds a record, it is required to apply a balancing test, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure would cause, unless a specific statutory exemption applies without qualification.

Green County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Green County Register of Deeds serves as the principal office for recording and maintaining property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related land documents. The Clerk of Courts maintains court records for all case types filed in Green County Circuit Court.

Green County Register of Deeds 1016 16th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566 (608) 328-9430 Green County Register of Deeds Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Green County Clerk of Courts 1016 16th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566 (608) 328-9433 Green County Clerk of Courts Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Green County Clerk 1016 16th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566 (608) 328-9430 Green County Clerk Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Green County Sheriff's Office 2827 6th Street, Monroe, WI 53566 (608) 325-4374 Green County Sheriff's Office Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Green County Treasurer 1016 16th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566 (608) 328-9435 Green County Treasurer Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wisconsin Vital Records Office 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 266-1373 Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Vital Records Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.