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1. Who should seek help from a benefit specialist?

Older persons who:

• Just want to know more about any private or public benefit
• Need help in organizing their paperwork and applying for benefits
• Have been denied a benefit that they are entitled to receive

2. What can a benefit specialist help you with?

• Homestead Tax Credit
• Housing Problems
• Medical Assistance
• Medicare Supplemental Insurance
• Medicare
• Power of Attorney for Health Care
• Prescription Medications
• Social Security
• Other Legal and Benefit Problems

3. Who is eligible for benefit specialist services?

Anyone 60 years of age or older who is having a problem securing a public or private benefit is eligible for the Benefit Specialist Program. There is no charge for this program, although donations are accepted.

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1. What are the Courthouse hours of operation?

All county offices, departments and agencies, shall be open to the general public during usual business hours, which shall be defined as being the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday of each week with the express exception of legal holidays.


Legal holidays being observed at the present time are:

• New Year's Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving and the Friday after
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

2. Where can i obtain a copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate?

These certificates can all be acquired through the Register of Deeds Office in any county in Wisconsin. You must also provide a direct and tangible interest in the certificate you are requesting.

• In Buffalo County you may request the information in person, or by downloading the request forms directly from the Register of Deeds.
• To obtain a birth certificate, you need to provide your name, date of birth, father's name, mother's maiden name and your signature.
• To obtain a marriage certificate, provide the groom's name, bride's maiden name, date of marriage and your signature.
• To obtain a death certificate, provide the deceased person's name, date of death and your signature.

Fees for these certificates are as follows:

• Birth: $20
• Death: $20
• Marriage: $20

Each additional copy ordered with the first certificate is $3.

3. Where can I register my vehicle?

The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a satellite office located on the 4th floor of the Buffalo County Courthouse.  Office hours for the DMV are Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  (except holidays).

4. Where can I obtain a hunting or fishing license in the county?

In addition to the various businesses in the county that sell hunting and fishing supplies and equipment, hunting and fishing licenses can be obtained from the County Clerk's office.

5. Where can i find information on a municipality in the county?

By going to the map of Buffalo County Municipalities and moving your mouse to the area of the county that you are looking for and then clicking on this area you will automatically be taken to the web page of the corresponding county municipality.

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1. Where do I pay my property taxes?

Current year taxes paid before January 31st are payable to the local municipal treasurer as shown on your tax bill. Current year taxes after January 31st are to be paid to the Buffalo County Treasurer.
Delinquent taxes are all payable to the Buffalo County Treasurer.

2. Payment Options

Payment can be made in person at the Buffalo County Courthouse, Treasurer’s Office, 1st floor, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Payments made by check, money order, or cashier’s check may be mailed to the Buffalo County Treasurer, PO Box 28, Alma, WI 54610. Please include a self addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a receipt. Credit card or e-check payments can be made online or in the Treasurer’s Office through Point and Pay. There are additional charges for this service – 2.39% for credit card, $3.95 for a debit card, and $1.50 for an e-check. 

3. Delinquent Tax Payments

Payments can be made in any amount at any time on delinquent taxes. Interest and penalty are calculated on the unpaid tax on each parcel on the 1st of each month, so any payments made will reduce the amount of interest and penalty the following month.

4. What if I don't receive a tax bill?

Failure to receive the tax bill does not relieve the taxpayer of the obligation to pay the tax or any interest and penalty. If you have not received a tax bill, please contact the municipality (or County Treasurer's Office) to make sure your mailing address is correct.

5. Who is my local municipal treasurer?

Town of Alma Treasurer Christine Ruff S1599 County Road N Alma, WI 54610 608-685-3698	Town of Belvidere Treasurer Barbara J. Brommer S2376 County Road OO Cochrane, WI 54622 608-248-3053 belvideretreasurer21@gmail.com	Town of Buffalo Treasurer Lisa Braaten W394 Bluff Siding Road Fountain City, WI 54629 715-495-4736 townofbuffalowi@gmail.com
Town of Canton Treasurer Margo Traun S495 County Road F Durand, WI 54736 715-672-5752 jmktraun@nelson-tel.net	Town of Cross Treasurer Wanda Putz W397 County Road P Fountain City, WI 54629 608-687-9277 bwputz@centurytel.net	Town of Dover Treasurer Rosemary O'Connell S863 County Road H Mondovi, WI 54755 715-946-3237 townofdovertreasurer@yahoo.com
Town of Gilmanton Treasurer Connie Loesel S1089 State Road 88 Mondovi, WI 54755 715-946-3520 loedav@nelson-tel.net	Town of Glencoe Treasurer Kathleen A. Korrison W69 State Road 95 Arcadia, WI 54612 608-323-7839 agdc@centurytel.net	Town of Lincoln Treasurer Trinity Hungerford S1957 State Road 88 Alma, WI 54610 608-685-3175 townoflincolntreasurer@gmail.com
Town of Maxville Treasurer Carrie J. Lindstrom S460 State Road 25 Durand, WI 54736 715-672-7867 carrie@maxvilletruck.com	Town of Milton Treasurer Jane A. Baures W1091 Bay Street Fountain City, WI 54629 507-458-1893 jharleyb2@live.com	Town of Modena Treasurer Danielle L. Schalinske S1004 Rockwell Road Alma, WI 54610 715-495-8033 schlinsked@gmail.com
Town of Mondovi Treasurer Roxann Halverson W902 County Road TT Mondovi, WI 54755 tmondovitreasurer@townofmondovi.wi.gov	Town of Montana Treasurer Karen Ellis W326 County Road CC Independence, WI 54747 608-323-7146 ckls@centurytel.net	Town of Naples Treasurer Andrew Goss S415 Pheasant Trail Mondovi, WI 54755 715-926-5610 townofnaples.treasurer@gmail.com
Town of Nelson Treasurer Arlene Glass S1062 Chippewa Rd. Nelson, WI 54756 715-673-4005 maglass85@gmail.com	Town of Waumandee Treasurer David Halvorson W712 Hesch Valley Road Cochrane, WI 54622 608-323-5090 davidhalvorsonwaum@gmail.com	Village of Cochrane Treasurer Carrie Adams 102 E. 5th Street, PO Box 222 Cochrane, WI 54622 608-248-2737 cochraneclerk@outlook.com
Village of Nelson Treasurer Tina Anibas N519 E. Buffalo Court Nelson, WI 54756 715-495-0446	City of Alma Treasurer Linda Torgerson 314 N. Main St. Alma, WI 54610 608-685-3330 citalma277@gmail.com	City of Buffalo City Treasurer Jennifer Ehlenfeldt 245 E. 10th Street Buffalo City, WI 54622 608-248-2262 cityclerk@buffalocitywisconsin.com
City of Fountain City Treasurer Marcia Drysdale 42 N. Main Street, PO Box 85 Fountain City, WI 54629 608-687-7481 info@fountaincitywisconsin.com	City of Mondovi Treasurer Dawn Moy 156 S. Franklin St. Mondovi, WI 54755 715-926-3866 treasurer@mondovi.com

6. What is an Ag Conversion Charge?

Agricultural land receives use value assessment, and when it is taken out of production, there is a charge to make up for some of the tax advantages of the prior years. For detailed information, please click here:  

Ag Conversion Charge

7. What if I receive a tax bill and don't own the property?

If you receive a tax bill after you have sold the property, please contact the County Treasurer's office for help.

8. Can you forgive some of the interest and penalties on my delinquent taxes?

No, state law sets interest and penalties on delinquent tax amounts. There are no allowances to make any adjustments.

9. Is there help available if I am not able to pay my property taxes?

Please know we are here to help in case you were not able to
pay your taxes because of a financial hardship, be proactive to finding a
solution. By statutes we are not able to discount or remove penalty and interest
on your taxes, but below you will find a few resources we thought may be able
to assist you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to these organizations, they
are there to help you.

For more information please review the Economic Support Letter from the Treasurer.

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1. Where can I purchase a plat book?

At the Buffalo County Historical Society, located on 3rd Floor of the Buffalo County Courthouse. Phone: 608-685-6290

Buffalo County Plat Books

2. Do you require a parcel identification number (PIN) for recording, if so, how do I obtain a number?

No we do require a PIN for recording,

3. How can I find out if there is a lien on some property?

Mortgages and federal tax liens are filed in the Register of Deeds Office. Mechanics or construction liens and State tax liens are filed in the Clerk of Courts Office.

4. Where can I get a copy of my divorce?

The Clerk of Courts office.

5. Can the Register of Deeds tell me if I have a clear title?

No. The Register of Deeds office is not authorized to render opinions regarding the status of title.

6. Will the Register of Deeds staff help me draft my real estate document?

The only area we can assist you in is general process questions. We cannot assist you in the actual drafting of documents, as we are not licensed to practice law. We highly recommend that you obtain legal counsel for these transactions.

7. Where do I get a legal description of my property?

The legal description of how you acquired your property appears on your deed.

8. Can I do my own title search?

Strictly speaking, the answer is "yes". Practically speaking, the answer is probably "no". Our records are open for public inspection; however, it is our experience that the expertise a professional title searcher offers is well worth the money you will spend. The Register of Deeds does not preform title searches.

9. What type of documents do I need to record to transfer my property?

A. Legal instruments such as warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, etc., that convey title from one property owner to a new owner. These documents are usually drafted by attorneys, or paralegals or legal secretaries under the supervision of an attorney.

10. How do I change my deed so that it reflects my married name?

You are not required to change your name after marriage. However, your tax bill will always come in your prior name. We recommend that you update your deed. To do so you may seek the help of an attorney

11. Where can I get my passport?

You can apply for your passport in the Clerk of Courts office. You will need to have a certified copy of your birth certificate and possibly your marriage certificate which you can obtain from the Register of Deeds office.