How long must you wait before you can file a missing persons report in Wisconsin?

There is no set time, but before you call the police and file a missing persons report you have to make sure that they really are missing. Phone around friends to trace their last movements, call school/work/places where they were last, have a thorough look before you phone the police.

Another View: For a non-threatened and non-impaired adult - 24 hours is the "customary" amount of time law enforcement will let lapse before actually filing a report and looking into the circumstances.

For a child - a 'threatened' adult - or someone missing under clearly suspicious circumstances, report it immediately.

Little known fact: (in the US) It is not against the lawto be a "missing" person. An adult in control of their faculties, and not under duress, has the right to go wherever they choose, take up residence anywhere they like, and do whatever they (lawfully) choose to do, without interference from the authorities. Even when located, if they choose NOT to have law enforcement disclose their location and advise anyone of their whereabouts this request must be honored. Law enforcement can advise the person who reported the individual missing, that they have been found and are safe, but they may not disclose their whereabouts.