What is the
Wisconsin Public Records Law
Each State has their own version of the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), which allows you to request public records from government agencies.
Calunah drafts your request letter so it’s professional and ready to submit—then you simply send it to the agency.
Our platform ensures your request is formatted correctly, saving time, and avoiding errors, while keeping your personal information private.
Whether it’s for business, research, or personal purposes, being able to request government records is your right.
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Wisconsin
State Records FAQs
Wisconsin’s Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39) requires state and local agencies to provide access to records unless a specific exception applies.
Any person, regardless of residence or purpose, may request public records from Wisconsin agencies.
Agencies must respond “as soon as practicable and without delay,” which means they should act promptly based on the scope and complexity of the request.
Requests may be oral or written, but submitting a written request is strongly recommended to establish clarity and a paper trail.
Agencies may charge the actual, necessary, and direct costs of reproduction, transcription, and mailing; search fees are limited and must be reasonable.
Typical requests include police reports, environmental permits and data, contracts and vendor payments, budgets and audits, and emails of public officials.
Yes. Common exemptions include records that would harm ongoing investigations, overly intrusive personal privacy information, and certain attorney-client or litigation materials.
The agency must cite a legal basis for the denial; you may seek review through the district attorney, the Attorney General, or the courts.
Federal FOIA applies only to federal agencies, while Wisconsin’s law applies to state and local bodies and uses a balancing test focused on the public interest.
No. Wisconsin’s Public Records Law is available to any requester, regardless of residency.




