Wisconsin Background Checks

It's not uncommon to find that you need to learn more about someone or something in your life. The best way to do that is with Wisconsin background checks. However, in the past these background checks used to be difficult to gather. Most required that you get the permission of the individual you're hoping to research.

Yet that doesn't work well for everyone, especially because anyone that is hiding something is likely to not give permission. That is why public records searchers have made completing Wisconsin background checks much easier.

Why Is It So Easy?

Wisconsin background checks have the advantage of being conducted through websites that have already gathered publically available records. Information included on these sites is substantial, and contains such things as:

  • Criminal histories
  • Marital statuses
  • Home addresses
  • Social media profiles

    • You can access these data easily. All you need to do is find a website that has already done the public records searching for you, compiling it like a people search engine to help you discover information about those that you're curious about - including what they have to say about yourself.

    This allow you to find anything you need about anyone, without being forced to ask them specifically for permission (and possibly creating problems with the other person). It's quick and easy, and since the information is already there, you no longer need to fill out forms and wait several business days for the information to be located. You can simply complete your search and view the records as needed.

    Wisconsin Criminal Records

    To research Wisconsin criminal records, begin your search through the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Wisconsin is an open records state, meaning that most records are available to the general public. Excluded from this ruling are any juvenile records which are considered confidential. Records are based on arrest fingerprint cards submitted by police departments. Arrests without supporting fingerprints are not included.

    You can request Wisconsin criminal records online, by mail or fax. The online record check system allows users to access records using their account or MasterCard/Visa credit cards. The search will give you the best possible match.

    To request criminal records online do the following:

    Mail and fax requests will be returned by mail, and the CIB must be provided with a self-addressed stamp envelope. You will need to use form DJ-LE-250 or form DJ-LE-250A to make your request. You will need to include your requestor type, purpose, and payment type on the form, along with as much information as possible regarding the individual for whom you would like to access Wisconsin criminal records.

    To request criminal records by mail do the following:

    For both types of requests, you will be charged for a search fee, regardless of whether a record or a “no record found” result is returned. Internet requests cost $7 for non-profits and government agencies and $13 for anyone else. Mail requests cost $12 for non-profits and government agencies and $18 for anyone else. There is also an additional fee of $3 for caregiver and daycare type requests.

    For additional information regarding accessing Wisconsin criminal records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

    Wisconsin Department of Justice
    P.O. Box 7857
    Madison, WI 53707
    (608) 266-1221

    Resource Links
    Wisconsin Criminal Background Checks
    Request Form

    Wisconsin Court Records

    If you need Wisconsin court records for conducting your Wisconsin background check, then you can use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access. The Consolidated Court Automation Programs allows you to search public court record summaries that are available to the public under the open records law. It will allow you to do a simple case search, which allows you to search by party name, birth date, business name, county, and case number.

    To search for court records online do the following:

    For more information regarding accessing Wisconsin court records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

    Clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
    110 East Main Street, Suite 215
    P.O. Box 1688
    Madison, WI 53701
    (608) 266-1880

    Resource Links
    Wisconsin Case Search

    Wisconsin Jail Records

    To review Wisconsin jail records, contact the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The office uses the VINELink system, which allows users to find out information about offenders at any time. Clicking on the state of Wisconsin on the VINELink map will allow you to conduct a search for offenders in the state of Wisconsin. The Offender Locator allows you to search by offender ID or name. You can also narrow down results by entering the offender’s date of birth. Results will show the offender ID, name, birth date, age, custody status, location, race, and gender.

    To search for jail records online do the following:

    For more information regarding accessing Wisconsin jail records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

    Wisconsin Department of Corrections
    3099 East Washington Avenue
    P.O. Box 7925
    Madison, Wisconsin 53707
    (608) 240-5000

    Resource Links
    Wisconsin Inmate Search

    Wisconsin Driving Records

    If you would like to review Wisconsin driving records, you can request your own record from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Your Wisconsin driving record will include entries from the past 5 years and serious offense and alcohol related convictions from the past 55 years. You must request your copy of your Wisconsin driving record by mail or over the phone.

    When requesting your Wisconsin driving record over the phone, you will be prompted to enter your Social Security Number. Follow all instructions carefully. Your bill and Wisconsin driving record will be mailed to you the next business day. To request Wisconsin driving records by mail, you will need to complete a Vehicle/Driver Record Information Request Form and mail it along with fees. A driver record abstract costs $7, a certified driver record costs $12, a Public Abstract Request System costs $5, and an Automated system telephone request costs $5.

    If you need more information regarding accessing Wisconsin driving records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

    Wisconsin Department of Transportation
    4802 Sheboygan Ave.
    P.O. Box 7999
    Madison, WI 53707
    (608) 266-2353

    Resource Links
    Wisconsin Driving Record Information

    Additional Resources

    Wisconsin Sexual Offender Registry
    Wisconsin Attorney General