Privacy Protections for Judicial Officers

Advocus is alerting its Wisconsin agents to Wisconsin Act 235, effective on April 1, 2025. This new law prohibits disclosure of the residential address of the following “protected persons”: supreme court justices, court of appeals judges, circuit court judges, municipal judges, tribal judges, temporary or permanent reserve judges, or circuit, supplemental, or municipal court commissioners.

Notably, the Act allows for protected persons to file an application specifically identifying the document recorded with the register of deeds to be kept confidential. This request would apply only to electronic images.

Title Insurance Implications

Concerning title examination, an issue can arise if a protected person files a request to make their vesting deed confidential, as a search might not locate the protected person’s name on the chain of title through electronic records.  

More Information

• Wisconsin Act 235 Memo
• Legislative History for the Act

We expect varied implementation by individual counties in Wisconsin, as well as additional guidance and future developments. Contact Advocus Underwriting at legal@advocustitle.com if you encounter any redacted records that interfere with the examination of title. 

As always, we appreciate your ongoing support and value your feedback.