Taylor County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Taylor County in 2026

TaylorCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Taylor County, Wisconsin. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data that may include court filings, property documents, vital records, and other government-held information, subject to applicable state and local laws. The availability and completeness of records may vary depending on the record type, the custodial agency, and the date of the document.

Record categories that may be accessible through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning documents

Online Access: Members of the public may search Wisconsin circuit court records, including those filed in Taylor County, through the Wisconsin court case search portal, which provides public access to cases from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and circuit courts. Property and land records may be accessible through the Taylor County Register of Deeds online portal. Some records require account registration or identity verification prior to access.

In-Person Requests: Individuals seeking records in person may visit the Taylor County Clerk's Office or the Register of Deeds, both located at the Taylor County Courthouse, 224 S. Second Street, Medford, WI 54451. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should be prepared to identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office at 224 S. Second Street, Medford, WI 54451. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, the records custodian must respond to a request as soon as practicable and without delay.

Phone/Email: The Taylor County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (715) 748-1460. Email contact information is available through the county's official website.

What Are Public Records in Taylor County?

Public records in Taylor County are defined under Wisconsin's Open Records Law as any record maintained by a government authority, regardless of physical form or medium. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.32, a "record" includes any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information is recorded or preserved, and which has been created or is being kept by an authority.

The following record types are maintained by Taylor County government offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records	Taylor County Circuit Court
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens	Register of Deeds
Property tax and assessment records	Taylor County Treasurer / Assessor
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Taylor County Register of Deeds / Wisconsin Vital Records
Business licenses and permits	Taylor County Clerk
Voting and election records	Taylor County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	Taylor County Clerk
Budget and financial documents	Taylor County Treasurer
Law enforcement records	Taylor County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Taylor County Zoning Department

Court records filed in Taylor County Circuit Court are searchable through the Wisconsin Court System, which maintains an electronic case management system accessible to the public. Vehicle and driver records are maintained at the state level and may be obtained through the Wisconsin DMV records division.

Is Taylor County an Open Records County?

Taylor County operates in full compliance with Wisconsin's statewide open records framework, which mandates public access to government records held by all state and local authorities. Under Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, commonly referred to as the Wisconsin Open Records Law, all records maintained by a government authority are presumed open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has stated that "the public policy of this state is 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 policy underlies the obligations of Taylor County offices to respond to records requests in a timely and complete manner.

The law applies to all county departments, boards, commissions, and elected offices operating within Taylor County. No separate county ordinance is required to trigger these obligations; the state statute governs directly. 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 Taylor County?

The cost to obtain public records in Taylor County depends on the type of record, the format requested, and the office maintaining the record. Under Wisconsin's Open Records Law, fees charged must be limited to the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and, where applicable, the cost of locating the record.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page (standard letter or legal size)
Certification of records: Fees vary by office; the Register of Deeds charges a statutory certification fee per document
Electronic copies: Fees reflect the actual cost of reproduction; some records are provided electronically at no charge
Search fees: Permitted only when the cost of location is significant and directly attributable to the request
Vital records certified copies: Set by state statute; currently $20.00 per certified copy for birth, death, or marriage records issued through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office

Accepted payment methods at Taylor County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly when the requester demonstrates that disclosure serves a significant public interest.

Does Taylor County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices of the custodial agency during regular business hours. Wisconsin law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for the act of inspecting a record; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Free access to public records is available through the following official channels:

Wisconsin court case search: The Wisconsin court case search portal provides free online access to circuit court case information, including Taylor County cases, without registration
Taylor County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect voting records, meeting minutes, and other county documents at no charge during office hours
Taylor County Register of Deeds: Property records and land documents may be inspected in person at no cost
Wisconsin Local Health Departments: Public health data and related records for Taylor County are accessible through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services county health page

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining a physical or electronic copy of a record is subject to the reproduction fees described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Taylor County?

Any person may request public records maintained by Taylor County government offices. Wisconsin's Open Records Law does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. A requestor is not required to be a Wisconsin resident, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for the request in order to obtain non-exempt records.

Specific provisions applicable to requestors include:

Identification: Not required for most public records requests, though some offices may ask for contact information to facilitate response
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose; however, purpose may become relevant if an agency is weighing whether a specific exemption applies
Non-residents: Non-residents of Taylor County and Wisconsin retain full rights to request public records under state law
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure
Third-party records: Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same open records framework, with exemptions applying where personal privacy interests outweigh the public interest in disclosure

Certain record types, such as driver and vehicle records, are subject to additional federal restrictions under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act, which limits who may obtain personally identifiable information from motor vehicle records.

What Records Are Confidential in Taylor County?

Not all government records in Taylor County are open to public inspection. Wisconsin law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure, either by mandatory statutory exemption or through a balancing test weighing public interest against privacy or other protected interests.

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 state 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 data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld
Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child protective services records: Confidential under Wisconsin child welfare statutes
Personnel records: Employee records are subject to limited disclosure; certain personnel information is exempt from release
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would harm competitive interests
Security and infrastructure plans: Records detailing vulnerabilities in public infrastructure are withheld in the interest of public safety

Wisconsin's Open Records Law requires that when an agency withholds a record, it must provide a written explanation citing the specific legal basis for the denial. The balancing test established under state law requires agencies to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause.

Taylor County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Taylor County Register of Deeds
224 S. Second Street, Room 1100
Medford, WI 54451
(715) 748-1466
Taylor County Register of Deeds

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

Taylor County Clerk's Office
224 S. Second Street
Medford, WI 54451
(715) 748-1460
Taylor County Clerk

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

Taylor County Circuit Court
224 S. Second Street
Medford, WI 54451
(715) 748-1425
Wisconsin Court System