Retention of electronic records; originals
Wis. Stat. § 137.20
in effect(1) Except as provided in sub. (6), if a law requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by retaining the information set forth in the record as an electronic record which:
(a) Accurately reflects the information set forth in the record after it was first generated in its final form as an electronic record or otherwise; and
(b) Remains accessible for later reference.
(2) A requirement to retain a record in accordance with sub. (1) does not apply to any information the sole purpose of which is to enable the record to be sent, communicated, or received.
(3) A person may comply with sub. (1) by using the services of another person if the requirements of that subsection are satisfied.
(4) Except as provided in sub. (6), if a law requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, a person may comply with that law by using an electronic record that is retained in accordance with sub. (1).
(5) Except as provided in sub. (6), if a law requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an electronic record containing the information on the front and back of the check in accordance with sub. (1).
(6)
(a) Except as provided in sub. (6), a record retained as an electronic record in accordance with sub. (1) satisfies a law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes, unless a law enacted after May 5, 2004 specifically prohibits the use of an electronic record for the specified purpose.
(b) A governmental unit that has custody of a record is also further subject to the retention requirements for public records of state agencies, and the records of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority established under ss. 16.61, and 16.611 and the retention requirements for documents of local governmental units established under s. 16.612.
(7) The public records board may promulgate rules prescribing standards consistent with this chapter for retention of records by state agencies, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority and local governmental units.
(8) This section does not preclude a governmental unit of this state from specifying additional requirements for the retention of any record subject to the jurisdiction of that governmental unit.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/137.20Fetched: 10/7/2026