Register of Deeds 101

Published on July 23, 2026

Who We Are

The office of the Register of Deeds was established in Wisconsin in 1836, with the 1848 Wisconsin Constitution establishing it as a permanent element of the county-level government structure. The Register of Deeds is the county office that records, preserves, and provides access to property and certain vital records.

The Register of Deeds serves as the official county record keeper for land and real estate documents, including deeds, mortgages, plats, certified survey maps, and other instruments related to property ownership. By maintaining accurate land records, the Register of Deeds helps provide a clear history of property ownership and supports buyers, sellers, lenders, title companies, surveyors, attorneys, and the public.

The Register of Deeds also maintains and issues copies of certain vital records, such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, in accordance with Wisconsin law. These records are often needed for legal, financial, family, and historical purposes. By preserving these important documents and making them accessible, the Register of Deeds helps ensure that residents can obtain reliable records when they need them.

Did You Know?

Wisconsin’s statewide issuance allows you to obtain certified copies of vital records from any Register of Deeds office in the state, meaning that if the specific event occurred outside of Outagamie County, but within the state of Wisconsin and within a certain timeframe, we could issue the vital record right from our office.

For deaths prior to September 1, 2013, you must contact the specific county where the death occurred. For divorces prior to January 1, 2016, contact the Clerk of Courts where the divorce was filed.

For property owners, we offer a free service called Land Notification which helps you to monitor your most valuable asset. Land Notification is a fraud alert system that warns property owners when a document has been recorded using their personal or business name. Each time an alert is triggered, an email or text message is sent providing information on the type of document recorded. A valid email and phone number is required to sign up for this service, however, you will only receive an email or text when your alert information matches a new document recorded at the county, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Visit our Register of Deeds page to learn about all the services we offer.