Marathon County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Marathon County?

Public records in Marathon County are defined under Wisconsin's Public Records Law, Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39, as any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information or data is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics, which has been created or is being kept by an authority.

Marathon County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate case files maintained by the Marathon County Circuit Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded by the Register of Deeds
• Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates (with certain restrictions)
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax payment history
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Documentation from County Board meetings and committee proceedings
• Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
• Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, incident logs, and jail records (subject to privacy restrictions)
• Land Use Records: Zoning information, building permits, and land use plans

The Marathon County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized records are maintained by their respective departments. The Marathon County Register of Deeds maintains property and vital records, and the Marathon County Circuit Court maintains court records.

Is Marathon County an Open Records County?

Marathon County fully adheres to Wisconsin's Public Records Law as established under Wis. Stat. § 19.31, which declares that providing citizens with the greatest possible information regarding government affairs is an essential function of representative government.

The statute explicitly states: "To that end, §§ 19.32 to 19.37 shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business."

Marathon County has implemented policies in compliance with this state mandate. The county recognizes that transparency in government operations is fundamental to democratic processes and maintains procedures to facilitate public access to records. All county departments follow the state's open records requirements, ensuring that records are available for inspection during normal business hours.

Marathon County's commitment to open government extends to its Open Meetings Policy, which works in conjunction with the Public Records Law to ensure transparency. The county provides public notice of meetings and makes meeting minutes available as public records.

Any denial of access to records must be justified under specific statutory exemptions, and the county is required to provide written explanation for such denials in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4).

How to Find Public Records in Marathon County in 2026

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

In-Person Requests:

1. Identify the appropriate department that maintains the desired records
2. Visit the department during regular business hours
3. Complete a records request form (available at most county offices)
4. Present identification if required for certain records
5. Review records on-site or request copies

Online Access:

1. Visit the Marathon County website
2. Navigate to the specific department section that maintains the desired records
3. Access publicly available online databases and document repositories
4. Download available documents or submit online request forms

Written Requests:

1. Prepare a written request clearly identifying the records sought
2. Include contact information and preferred format for receiving records
3. Submit the request to the appropriate department by mail or email
4. Allow reasonable time for the county to respond (generally 10 business days)

Specific Record Types:

• For court records, utilize the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal
• For property records, access the Marathon County Land Records system
• For vital records, contact the Register of Deeds

Record custodians are required to provide assistance to requesters in identifying and locating records. Pursuant to state law, authorities must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay."

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

Marathon County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits charging for "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records.

Current standard fees include:

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
• Color Copies: $0.50 per page
• Large Format Documents: $5.00 per page for maps, blueprints, and other oversized documents
• Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for scanned documents; no charge for existing electronic files when provided via email
• Storage Media: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or other media if required
• Postage: Actual cost if records are mailed
• Location Fees: May apply if record location requires more than $50 in staff time (approximately 1 hour)

Payment methods accepted include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Personal checks
• Money orders
• Credit cards (for certain departments and online services)

Fee waivers or reductions may be granted when the custodian determines that waiver is in the public interest. Indigent requesters may petition for waiver of fees under certain circumstances.

Specialized records may have statutorily established fees:

• Vital Records: $20 for the first copy, $3 for additional copies ordered at the same time
• Certified Court Documents: $5 per document plus copy fees
• Recorded Documents: $2 per page for the first page, $1 for subsequent pages

Prepayment may be required if total costs are expected to exceed $5.00.

Does Marathon County Have Free Public Records?

Marathon County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Wisconsin's Public Records Law. Members of the public may inspect most records without charge during normal business hours at the appropriate county office.

Free record access options include:

• In-Person Inspection: Citizens may examine non-exempt public records at no cost at the office where records are maintained
• Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by the county, including:
  • Marathon County Board Agendas and Minutes
  • County Budget Documents
  • Election Results and Information
  • County Ordinances and Codes

The Marathon County Public Library provides free public computer access for searching online records.

While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. Additionally, certain records with statutorily established fees (such as vital records) cannot be provided without the required fee payment.

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal (WCCA) provides free access to court records from Marathon County and other Wisconsin counties through the state's online case search system.

Who Can Request Public Records in Marathon County?

Under Wisconsin's Public Records Law 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 person or organization.

Key eligibility factors include:

• Wisconsin residency is not required to request public records
• Requesters do not need to provide identification for most record requests
• Requesters generally do not need to state the purpose of their request
• Requests may be made anonymously for most records
• Organizations, businesses, and media outlets may request records
• Incarcerated persons have more limited rights to access certain records

Exceptions and special considerations:

• Certain vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require the requester to have a "direct and tangible interest" in the record or be authorized by law
• Requesters seeking access to their own confidential records may need to verify their identity
• Juvenile court records have restricted access under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
• Patient health records are subject to additional privacy protections under state and federal law

Marathon County record custodians may not deny access to records based on the requester's identity or presumed purpose, except where specifically authorized by statute. The law explicitly states that the identity of the requester is generally irrelevant, and access may not be conditioned upon the requester's willingness to provide identification.

What Records Are Confidential in Marathon County?

While Marathon County operates under Wisconsin's presumption of complete public access to government records, certain records are exempt from disclosure under state and federal laws. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36, the following records are confidential:

• Juvenile Records: Court records for individuals under 17 years of age, except in limited circumstances
• Law Enforcement Records: Ongoing investigation records that would impede investigation or endanger individuals
• Personal Information: Social Security numbers, employee personal addresses, and financial account numbers
• Medical Records: Patient health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
• Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary investigations, and certain employment examination information
• Computer Programs: Software and operating systems developed by government agencies
• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy documents between county officials and legal counsel
• Sealed Court Records: Records ordered sealed by a judge, including certain expunged criminal records
• Child Welfare Records: Child protective services investigations and reports
• Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents
• Critical Infrastructure Information: Security plans, access codes, and infrastructure vulnerabilities
• Competitive Bidding Documents: Until bids are opened and contracts awarded

Marathon County applies the "balancing test" required by Wisconsin law, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure. When records contain both confidential and public information, the county will redact confidential portions and release the remainder when feasible.

Confidentiality determinations are made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable statutes, and denials of access must cite the specific statutory basis for withholding records.

Marathon County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Marathon County Register of Deeds
500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403
715-261-1010
Marathon County Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of real estate documents
• Issuance of birth, death, and marriage certificates
• Maintenance of property records
• Processing of military discharge records
• Notary public services

Additional Contact Information:

Marathon County Clerk's Office
500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403
715-261-1500
Marathon County Clerk

Marathon County Clerk of Circuit Court
500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403
715-261-1300
Marathon County Clerk of Courts

Marathon County Sheriff's Office
500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403
715-261-1200
Marathon County Sheriff

Lookup Public Records in Marathon County

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