Public Records
The State of Wisconsin has a tradition of open government. It has tasked each municipality with providing access to public records. Learn more about Wisconsin’s public record policies.
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.
You can find more information on the City Attorney’s Office webpage.
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
Address your public records request to the Records Custodian for the agency whose records you seek.
- The City Clerk's Office is the custodian of records for the Common Council as a body politic.
- The City Clerk's Office is the custodian of records for City boards, committees and commissions.
- The City Clerk’s Office is the custodian of local election and campaign finance records.
- Each agency head is the records custodian for their agency. This includes email records. Agency heads appoint one or more employees to act in their absence.
- Each alderperson is the custodian of their individual official records. This includes their correspondence, memorandums and email. Any alderperson may appoint Council Office staff to act as the custodian of their individual official records.
- For Madison Police Department records visit Police Department Records.
Not sure who to contact? The Clerk’s Office is always happy to help you figure out who has the records you seek.
You may request records in person, in writing, via email or phone.
Public Record Fees
The Director of Information Technology and the Finance Director have developed a uniform fee schedule for public records requests and the reproduction of records.