Public Records

The State of Wisconsin has a tradition of open government. It has tasked each municipality with providing access to public records.

Access to City of Madison public records is governed by:

• Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39
• Madison General Ordinance (MGO) 3.70
• Administrative Procedures Memorandum (APM) 3-6.

Visit the City Attorney’s Office for more information about policies and procedures.

Open Data Portal

The City has an Open Data Portal. This includes information on health, public safety, city projects and plans, city facilities, and much more.

Public Records Requests

Common Council records:

• The City Clerk's Office is the custodian of records for the Common Council as a body politic and maintains records related to Council legislation and proceedings.
• Each alder is the custodian of their individual records. This includes their correspondence and email. Requests for alder records should be directed to the Common Council Office.
• Any alder may appoint Council Office staff to act as the custodian of their individual official records.
• The City Clerk's Office is the custodian of records for City boards, committees and commissions.  Agendas and minutes are available in the online Legislative Center.
• The City Clerk’s Office is the custodian of local election and campaign finance records.
• Each department/division head is the records custodian for their department. This includes email records. Department/division heads designate one or more employees to process public records requests.

Making Requests Online

You may request records online using the City of Madison Public Records Request Center.

The Public Records Request Center (PRRC) is the most efficient way to get your request processed by

• ensuring your request goes to the appropriate department(s).
• allowing you to track your request as it is being processed.
• providing a way to receive your responsive documents.

The Public Records Request Center also includes an online payment option for required fees.

Other Request Options

You can also request records in person, in writing, via email or phone.  If you are submitting a request via email, see the list of Records Custodians for the appropriate email address - Records Custodians.

Language Interpretation

If you need language translation, interpretation, or a reasonable accommodation, please contact lap@cityofmadison.com or call (608) 266-4910.

Por favor comuníquese con nosotros si usted necesita interpretación, traducción, o algun otro tipo de ayuda. También puede enviar un correo electrónico lap@cityofmadison.com, o puede llamar al (608) 266-4910.

Yog tias koj xav tau kev txhais lus, pes lus, los sis kev pab cuam lwm yam, thov tiv tauj rau lap@cityofmadison.com los sis hu rau (608) 266-4910.

如果您需要翻譯、口譯或其他合理的便利需求，請聯系 lap@cityofmadison.com 或致電 (608) 266-4910。

Fees for Public Records Requests

The Director of Information Technology and the Finance Director have developed a uniform fee schedule for public records requests and the reproduction of records.

• Public Records Request Fee Schedule – English
• Public Records Request Fee Schedule - Spanish
• Public Records Request Fee Schedule - Hmong
• Public Records Request Fee Schedule - Traditional Chinese