Public Records Request

Public Records Access

In the State of Wisconsin, laws exist to ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by state government. At the same time, there are exceptions to the public’s right to access public records that serve various needs: the privacy of individuals is included among these exceptions. Exceptions are provided by both state and federal laws.

In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Wisconsin Public Records Law or other law governing the disclosure of records, the Wisconsin Public Records Law or other applicable law will control.

WDVA strives to protect personally identifiable information by collecting only information necessary to deliver our services. All information collected at this site becomes public record that may be subject to inspection and copying by the public unless an exemption in law exists.

WDVA Public Records Notice and Fee Schedule.

Procedure for Making a Public Records Request

WDVA designates a Legal Records Custodian to satisfy its obligations under Wisconsin Public Records Law, pursuant to Wis. Stats. §§ 19.31 to 19.39. Members of the public may request copies of the WDVA’s public records by submitting a request via our Public Records Request website.

Requests for public records may also be emailed to DVAPublicRecords@dva.wisconsin.gov or mailed to:

WDVA
Attn: Records Custodian
P.O. Box 7843
Madison, WI 53707-7843

Tips to Help Us Respond to Your Request

When submitting a Public Records Request, be sure to provide enough information so that we can efficiently process your request. The following considerations may help you formulate your request for an expedited response: 

• A request must reasonably describe the records sought; e.g., specific documents concerning a specific subject matter AND time frame​​.
• Include in your request the date(s) or date range of records you are seeking.
• Include in your request the WDVA program or benefit (if applicable) for the records you are seeking.
• Include in your request the names and/or titles of WDVA personnel who may have had knowledge or involvement regarding the records you are seeking.
• Include in your request the date(s) of the event(s) that are the subject of the request.
• Include any other descriptive information about the subject or topic of interest.
• Include your contact information, including name and address or email. If an email address is provided, WDVA will provide the responsive records electronically to the email provided in your request, unless otherwise indicated. 
• ​Note: If you are aware of a specific document or record, please indicate the time frame, subject matter, and author (if known) when entering your request, as this will assist us to identify the specific record you are requesting and will expedite the location process. If you are not aware of a specific document or record, or if you cannot identify the time frame, subject matter, or author, we can work with you to clarify your request by recommending specific search terms in order to provide you the records that you seek and avoid prohibitive location costs.
• Withheld Records: WDVA does not release personnel records (with limited exceptions) including personal information (e.g., home address, personal phone numbers, social security number), information about current investigations, employment examinations, and staff management planning.
• WDVA does not release records subject to an attorney-client privilege or deemed attorney work product. 
• Redacted Information: Information redacted from records includes, but not limited to, names of members residing at a Wisconsin Veterans Home, an individual’s birth date, social security numbers, personal health and medical information or any information protected under HIPAA Law, federal employment identification numbers, financial information such as account numbers and routing numbers.​
• Information not on record: WDVA is not required to create a new record by extracting and compiling information from existing records into a new format or record.
• Format: When requested and whenever practical, WDVA will provide electronic copies of records that already exist in an electronic format.

WDVA’s Commitment to Public Records Compliance

• As soon as practicable and without delay, the records custodian will either notify you of the availability of the records requested or deny the request in whole or in part because the records do not exist or are not accessible under the public records law.
• The time it takes the records custodian to respond to a request will depend on factors including the nature and extent of the request, the availability of staff, and other resources necessary to process the request. If the records custodian denies a written request, the requester will receive the reasons for the denial in writing. If redactions are necessary, WDVA will provide the reasons for the redactions.
• When practicable, WDVA will email electronic copies of records that already exist in electronic format, without charging reproduction fees on a per-page basis for providing such copies. However, WDVA may charge for staff time, costs for postage or delivery services, and other actual costs to copy records from one electronic format to another electronic format and/or physical media.
• When clarification of a request is required, WDVA will make reasonable efforts to communicate with the requester as soon as practicable to clarify what the requester is seeking. 

Additional information can be obtained from the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of Public Records.

Performance Dashboard

Public Records Requests – Open or Closed

Open/Pending Public Records Requests

Past Closed or Completed Public Records Requests