How to request Wisconsin child care records
DCF posts about three years of inspection results online. The rest is still public record: older visits, complaint investigations and their findings, warning letters, correction plans, and incidents a program had to report. You can ask for it.
- Find the program on RecordWell Data and open its page. The "Get the full file" box has a letter already filled in with the program's DCF facility and provider numbers.
- Send it to the DCF Records Custodian. Email is fastest: DCFRecordsRequest@wisconsin.gov. Fax (608) 422-7161 and mail (201 W. Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703) also work. You can phone a request to (608) 422-7060.
- Copy the regional licensing office that oversees the program. It holds the licensing file. The program page picks the right one for its county.
- Wait for an estimate or the records. DCF may ask for prepayment if the cost will be over $5.00. Electronic copies are generally free. Child and reporter identities, and material that Wis. Stat. § 48.981 makes confidential, will be redacted.
Do I need to fax it?
No. Wisconsin accepts records requests by email, fax, mail, phone or in person. You don't have to give your name, say why you want the records, or explain your relationship to the program (Wis. Stat. § 19.35).
Regional licensing offices
| Region | Phone / fax | Counties | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern (Rhinelander) | DCFPlicBRLNRO@wisconsin.gov | 715-361-7700 / 715-365-2517 | Ashland, Bayfield, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Price, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, Wood |
| Northeastern (Green Bay) | DCFPlicBRLNERO@wisconsin.gov | 920-785-7811 / 920-785-7869 | Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Shawano, Sheboygan, Washington, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago |
| Southeastern (Milwaukee) | DCFPlicBRLSERO@wisconsin.gov | 262-446-7800 / 262-446-7991 | Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha |
| Southern (Madison) | DCFPlicBRLSRO@wisconsin.gov | 608-422-6765 / 608-422-6766 | Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Walworth |
| Western (Eau Claire) | DCFPlicBRLWRO@wisconsin.gov | 715-930-1148 / 715-930-1139 | Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Washburn |
Something happening now?
File a child care complaint with DCF. For suspected abuse or neglect, contact your county child protective services or law enforcement right away.
Sources: DCF public records, DCF licensing contacts. This page is not legal advice.