US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 55129

Washburn County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Washburn County, Wisconsin. Serving a population of 16.930 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Shell Lake • Land Area: 797,114 sq mi • State: Wisconsin (WI)
Call: (608) 793-1199 Get Courthouse Directions Wisconsin Counties Association ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Washburn County Courthouse / Recording Office, Shell Lake, WI 54871

Seat of government for Washburn County in Shell Lake, WI.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(608) 793-1199

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 55129 • Coordinates: 45.8925° N, -91.7964° W
Visit Wisconsin Counties Association ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Washburn County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Washburn County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Wis. Stat. § 59.43 (Flat $30 document fee)
First Page Base Fee
$30.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$0.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$3.00 per $1,000 of value Real Estate Transfer Return (RETR)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Wisconsin:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Washburn County

License Fee $100 - $120
Waiting Period 72 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Washburn County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by County Clerk. 3-day waiting period from date of application.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $20.00
Death Cert $20.00
Marriage Cert $20.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office and the local Washburn County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Washburn County

Filing Fee: $30.00
1. Filing Authority

In Washburn County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Wisconsin.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name filed through the DFI Corporate & Consumer Services division.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Washburn County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Washburn County Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Wisconsin.

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Articles of Organization
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State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Wisconsin Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Wisconsin county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Wisconsin Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Wisconsin

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Wisconsin recording offices:

Burnett County Seat: Siren
~27.9 mi →
Sawyer County Seat: Hayward
~31.3 mi →
Barron County Seat: Barron
~31.6 mi →
Douglas County Seat: Superior
~39.7 mi →
Rusk County Seat: Ladysmith
~43.1 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Washburn County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Washburn County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Washburn County office is located at Washburn County Courthouse / Recording Office, Shell Lake, WI 54871. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (608) 793-1199.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Washburn County?
Under Wisconsin statute (Wis. Stat. § 59.43 (Flat $30 document fee)), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Washburn County costs $30.00 for the first page, plus $0.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $3.00 per $1,000 of value Real Estate Transfer Return (RETR).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Washburn County, WI?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Washburn County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $100 - $120. Wisconsin requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Washburn County?
In Washburn County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) with a standard statutory filing fee of $30.00. Trade name filed through the DFI Corporate & Consumer Services division.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Washburn County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $20.00 and death certificates starting at $20.00) can be requested through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office or directly at the Washburn County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.