Adams County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Adams County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Adams County, Wisconsin may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. AdamsWIRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating relevant records. Adams County maintains documents across multiple departments, and the availability of specific records depends on 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 records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
Property tax and assessment records
Business licenses and permits
Meeting minutes, agendas, and county board proceedings
Environmental and well construction records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access: The Wisconsin Court System provides the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, which allows members of the public to search civil, criminal, family, and probate case records statewide, including those filed in Adams County Circuit Court. No registration is required for basic case searches. Property records and Register of Deeds documents may be accessed through the Adams County official website. The Wisconsin DNR's groundwater and well data portal provides well construction records and public water supply system information searchable by location.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Adams County Clerk's Office or the Register of Deeds to inspect records in person. The Adams County Courthouse is located at 402 Main Street, Friendship, WI 53934. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought and the approximate date range when visiting in person.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the relevant custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, the records custodian must respond to a written request as soon as practicable and without delay.

Phone/Email:

Adams County Clerk: (608) 339-4200
Adams County Register of Deeds: (608) 339-4200
Adams County Sheriff's Office: (608) 339-3304

The Adams County Sheriff's Office public records page provides forms and instructions for requesting inmate information, warrant searches, and case files from the Sheriff's Office.

What Are Public Records in Adams County?

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

The following record types are currently maintained by Adams County departments:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Adams County Circuit Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Register of Deeds / Wisconsin DHS
Property tax and assessment records	Adams County Treasurer / Assessor
Business licenses and permits	Adams County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	Adams County Clerk
Law enforcement records	Adams County Sheriff's Office
Well and environmental records	Wisconsin DNR
Election and voting records	Adams County Clerk

Vital records, including birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates, are available through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services vital records office as well as through the Adams County Register of Deeds. The Adams County Legal Resources page maintained by the Wisconsin State Law Library provides additional guidance on locating criminal background and arrest records from civil and municipal court proceedings.

Is Adams County an Open Records County?

Adams County operates in full compliance with Wisconsin's statewide open records law, which mandates public access to government records held by all state and local authorities. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the legislature declares that "providing persons with such information 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 open records law applies to all county departments, boards, commissions, and elected offices in Adams County. No county-specific ordinance restricts or expands the baseline rights established by state law. The Wisconsin Department of Justice publishes official guidance on open records compliance, and county custodians are required to follow those standards.

The law establishes a presumption of openness: all records are presumed public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Custodians who deny a request must provide a written explanation citing the legal basis for the denial.

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

The fee structure for public records in Adams County is governed by state law and varies by record type and custodial office. Under Wisconsin's open records statute, fees must be based on the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and, where applicable, location of the record.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (black and white)	$0.25 per page (standard)
Certified copies of vital records	$20.00 per record (Wisconsin DHS)
Certified copies of court records	Varies by document type
Electronic records	Cost of reproduction medium
Record search fee	Permitted only when location requires substantial time

Inspection of records is available at no charge at the custodial office.
Fees for certified vital records are set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and are subject to change.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office may assess fees for processing law enforcement records requests; current fee schedules are posted on the Sheriff's Office public records page.
Payment methods accepted at county offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers are not expressly mandated by Wisconsin statute for most record types, though custodians retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in appropriate circumstances.

Does Adams County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Adams County, as Wisconsin law requires custodians to permit in-person inspection of records without charge. Members of the public may review documents at the relevant county office during regular business hours without incurring a fee, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.

Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through official online portals:

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): Case records from Adams County Circuit Court, including civil, criminal, family, and probate proceedings, are searchable at no cost through the Wisconsin Court System online portal.
Well and groundwater records: Construction reports and public water supply system information are available without charge through the Wisconsin DNR groundwater data portal.
Property and land records: Basic property information may be reviewed through the Adams County online property search tool at no cost.
Meeting minutes and agendas: County board and committee documents are posted on the Adams County official website and are freely accessible.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Adams County?

Any person may request public records in Adams County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Wisconsin's open records law does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or reason for the request. As stated in the Wisconsin open records statute, the right to inspect and copy records extends to "any person."

Requestors are not required to be Wisconsin residents.
Requestors are not required to provide identification for most record types, though identification may be required for certain sensitive records such as certified vital records.
Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request.
Non-residents retain the same access rights as residents under state law.
Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal vital records) may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject of the record.
Requests for records pertaining to another individual may be subject to additional review if the records contain personal identifying information protected under state or federal law.

The Adams County Legal Resources page maintained by the Wisconsin State Law Library provides guidance on navigating requests for criminal background and court records.

What Records Are Confidential in Adams County?

Certain records maintained by Adams County are exempt from public disclosure under Wisconsin law. The open records statute establishes that the right of access is not absolute and must be balanced against competing public interests, including privacy, safety, and the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings.

Records that are currently exempt or restricted from public disclosure include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or child welfare 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 investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and Wisconsin health privacy statutes are exempt.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child protective services records: Records from child welfare and protective services investigations are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are subject to limited disclosure, with certain information exempt from release.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted business data qualifying as a trade secret is protected from disclosure.
Security and infrastructure plans: Records detailing security systems or critical infrastructure vulnerabilities are withheld in the interest of public safety.

Custodians who withhold records must identify the specific statutory basis for the exemption. The balancing test established by Wisconsin case law requires custodians to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure would cause.

Adams County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Adams County Register of Deeds
402 Main Street, Friendship, WI 53934
(608) 339-4200
Adams County Register of Deeds

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

Adams County Clerk's Office
402 Main Street, Friendship, WI 53934
(608) 339-4200
Adams County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Adams County Circuit Court Clerk
402 Main Street, Friendship, WI 53934
(608) 339-4515
Wisconsin Court System