There are two methods of searching Wisconsin's criminal history database: by submission of fingerprints, or; by name, sex, race, date of birth and social security number (optional).
Fingerprint submission requires the requestor to submit a ten-print fingerprint card. These types of requests are normally restricted to government and non-profit organizations. In this type of search, a search by name plus a search by fingerprints are conducted. Only a match based on fingerprints is returned to the requestor.
A search by name, sex, race and date of birth may produce several possible matches. Information is returned only if the possible match reaches a set threshold and normally only the best possible match is returned. Searches based on name, sex, race and date of birth may be requested either through the mail or online at http://wi-recordcheck.org