Vilas County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Vilas County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Vilas County, Wisconsin may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, state court systems, and online portals. The directory resource VilasRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating relevant record categories. Vilas County maintains official repositories across multiple departments, and the availability of specific records depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land contracts
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use, zoning, and survey records
Online Access: Members of the public may search property and land records through Vilas County Geospatial Online, which provides access to tax roll data, tax parcels, and Public Land Survey System (PLSS) information without requiring registration. Court records at the state level are searchable through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal, which covers circuit court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court cases statewide.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Vilas County Register of Deeds or the Clerk of Circuit Court during regular business hours. The Vilas County official website provides department directories and contact information for all county offices. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and a written description of the records sought.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and must include the requestor's name, contact information, a specific description of the records requested, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Wisconsin Stat. § 19.35, a records custodian must respond to a written request as soon as practicable and without delay.
Phone/Email: The Vilas County main administrative line is (715) 479-3600. Individual department contact information is available through the county's official web directory.
What Are Public Records in Vilas County?
Public records in Vilas 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 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 Vilas County departments:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, land contracts | Register of Deeds |
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court | Clerk of Circuit Court |
| Birth, death, marriage certificates | Register of Deeds / State Vital Records |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Treasurer / Assessor |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk |
| Zoning and land use records | Planning and Zoning Department |
| Law enforcement records | Vilas County Sheriff's Office |
The Vilas County Register of Deeds serves as the official county repository for real estate records, including deeds, land contracts, mortgages, and related property instruments. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all judicial records filed in the Vilas County Circuit Court.
Is Vilas County an Open Records County?
Vilas County operates in full compliance with Wisconsin's open records law, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. Under Wisconsin 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."
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, which oversees open records compliance statewide, has stated: "The open records law applies to all state and local government bodies, including counties, cities, villages, towns, school districts, and other governmental entities." This policy extends to all Vilas County departments and elected offices.
Wisconsin's open records framework does not require requestors to provide a reason for their request in most circumstances, and no formal application form is mandated by state law. County offices are required to respond promptly and may not impose unreasonable conditions on access. The Wisconsin Attorney General's office publishes guidance on open records compliance that county agencies are expected to follow.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Vilas County?
The fee structure for public records in Vilas County is governed by state statute and varies by record type and custodial office. Members of the public may inspect records at no charge; fees apply when copies or certified documents are requested.
Standard Copy and Certification Fees:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (black and white) | $0.25 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies of recorded documents | $3.00 per document (Register of Deeds) |
| Electronic copies | Varies by office and format |
| Document recording (deeds, mortgages) | Set by state statute |
| Court record copies | Set by Wisconsin Supreme Court rules |
Under Wisconsin law, fees for copies must be limited to the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction. Custodians may not charge for the time spent locating records unless a specific statutory provision authorizes such a fee. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in circumstances where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the records custodian.
Does Vilas County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public at the custodial offices during regular business hours. Wisconsin law requires that records custodians permit inspection of public records without charge; fees apply only when physical or electronic copies are produced.
The following resources provide free online access to Vilas County records:
- Vilas County Geospatial Online — free access to land records, tax parcel data, and PLSS information
- Wisconsin Court System case search — free online search of circuit court, appellate, and Supreme Court case records
- Vilas County official website — free access to county board minutes, agendas, budgets, and departmental information
In-person inspection at the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Circuit Court, and County Clerk's office is available at no cost during posted business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records without charge, but reproduction of those records is subject to applicable copy fees.
Who Can Request Public Records in Vilas County?
Any person may request public records in Vilas County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Wisconsin's open records law does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Members of the public are not required to be Wisconsin residents, and requestors are not required to state the reason for their request when seeking most categories of public records.
Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect records, though identification may be required when requesting certified copies of vital records such as birth or death certificates, where access is restricted to eligible parties under state law. Individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same procedures as any other requestor, with the exception that certain restricted records (such as sealed court files or juvenile records) may be accessible to the subject of the record under specific statutory provisions.
Non-residents retain full rights under Wisconsin's open records law and may submit requests by mail, email, or in person. Requests should be specific enough to allow the custodian to identify and locate the records sought.
What Records Are Confidential in Vilas County?
Not all government records in Vilas County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the open records requirement. The following records are withheld from public access under applicable state and federal law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
- Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records
- Child protective services and welfare records
- Personnel records containing personal information (with exceptions for disciplinary actions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and related documents
Wisconsin Stat. § 19.36 sets forth specific statutory exemptions to the open records law, including records made confidential by other statutes, records containing personally identifiable information, and records whose disclosure would endanger public safety. When a records custodian withholds a record, the custodian is required to provide a written explanation citing the specific legal basis for the denial. Wisconsin courts apply a balancing test in disputed cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause.
Vilas County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Vilas County Register of Deeds
330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521
(715) 479-3600
Register of Deeds – Vilas County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Vilas County Clerk of Circuit Court
330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521
(715) 479-3623
Clerk of Circuit Court – Vilas County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
As the official custodian of judicial records, the Clerk of Circuit Court plays a significant role in Wisconsin's judicial system. As stated on the office's official page: "As custodians of the courts' records, clerks of circuit court play a significant role in Wisconsin's judicial system." The office maintains all civil, criminal, family, and probate court filings for Vilas County.
Vilas County Administration (Main)
330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521
(715) 479-3600
Vilas County, WI
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM