To make a request for Columbia County Sheriff's Office records, please download the Records Request Form and return it via email to openrecords@columbiacountywi.gov or call 608-742-4166 and select extension 2 to speak with a Sheriff's Office Administrative Assistant.
Records will have all personal information and highly restricted personal information redacted unless the requester meets the permissible use requirements specified under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) (18 USC § 2721). If applicable, records may also be redacted pursuant to Wisconsin Statute Chapter 19 (Public Records Law) and any other relevant state and federal laws.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office charges redaction fees to records requesters when permitted by law. The redaction fees shall be reasonable and shall not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of the redaction time. The redaction fee shall be based on the pay rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will not fulfill the request for records involving recorded audio and video content until the estimate of costs identified in the written fee estimate is paid by the requester. As the written estimate is an estimate of the time needed to complete redactions, it is possible that actual costs may exceed the estimate. If after redactions are completed, the actual costs exceed the estimate, the excess will need to be paid prior to the records being released.
The requester is responsible for providing sufficient information for the records custodian to determine whether an exception under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)(h) prohibits the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office from charging redaction fees.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office Records Request Form
Columbia County Sheriff's Office DPPA Certification Form
Columbia County Sheriff's Office Redaction Fee Exemption Certification