Register of Deeds

COVID-19 AND ERECORDING DOCUMENTS

2021 Century Farm or Home Application
2021 Sesquicentennial Farm or Home Application

Press Release - Expansion of Marriage Certificate Availability

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program
 Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial assistance to individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020. FEMA began accepting applications April 12, 2021.

This program can pay for things like the service, internment, cremation, a casket or urn, burial plot, marker or headstone, etc. for up to $9,000 per funeral. More information is available on FEMA's website(link is external).

To be eligible for assistance:

  • The death must have happened in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
  • The death certificate must say that the death was related to or caused by COVID-19.
  • The person applying for assistance must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who was responsible for funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
  • There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

Call the toll-free number to complete an application with help from a FEMA representative. Multiple languages are available when you call. Online applications will not be accepted.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number

844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time

Families are encouraged to have all the necessary documentation before calling FEMA. Applicants will need:

  • Certified copy of the death certificate that says the death was caused by or related to COVID-19: You can obtain a certified death certificate from your local county Register of Deeds office(link is external), even if the death occurred in a different county. The first certified death certificate costs $20, and it's $3 for each additional certified death certificate. The cost of the certificate is reimbursable through the FEMA funeral assistance program as part of their application.
  • Funeral expense documents: You will need itemized receipts, a funeral home contract, etc. that include the applicant's name, the deceased person's name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the expenses happened.
  • Proof of assistance received from any other source: Other sources include assistance from Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program or military service-related reimbursements.

For more information on who can apply, examples of covered expenses, and other information on the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program, visit the FEMA Funeral Assistance FAQ page(link is external).


Need help or have a question for the ROD?


If you need assistance the ROD has contact form that allows customers to ask questions at their own convenience.


The ROD will directly respond back to you with any information they've gathered via phone or email.


Buffalo County has updated the ways the public can search recorded documents from the Register of Deeds office

For those businesses or individuals who frequently search records Buffalo County is now using a desktop subscription search application called Laredo. This option is a subscription based on the amount of time the researcher uses within the application.

This allows the researcher to search, view and print the records from their offices. For more information about searching in Laredo click here or on the icon above.

For subscription information please contact Carol Burmeister in the Register of Deeds office.
Carol.burmeister@co.buffalo.wi.us
or contact the ROD here

Subdivision codes for Laredo search


For general and occasional users searching via the internet Buffalo County is now using Tapestry. Using credit card payment, this option allows the user to view and print the documents contained in a search. For more information on using Tapestry click here or the icon above.


The public is always welcome to search for free using the public access computers available in the Register of Deeds office during regular business hours, 8:00-4:30 Monday through Friday.

Documents presented for recording will be stamped the day and time as accepted. By County Board resolution 14-12-01 all documents received after 3:30 will be recorded the following business day.

The information on this website is presented as a service to the citizens of Buffalo County and other Internet users. While some of the information contained within is about legal issues or forms, it is not legal advice. We make no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content at this site or to the other sites to which we link.