OpenGov Portal User Guide

Submitting an Application Online Has Never Been Easier!

The OpenGov service portal is a single, online location where you can:

  • Submit an application for alcohol beverage retail license, cigarette/tobacco products/electronic vaping device license, and amusement devices
    • More applications types will be added soon, including:
      • Operator (Bartender) license applications
      • Planning and zoning applications
      • Right-of-way permit applications
      • Special Event permit applications
  • Track the progress of your application
  • Message the City
  • Schedule inspections (as necessary)
  • Print your approvals, inspection reports, permits and licenses, and more!
City of Oshkosh OpenGov public portal landing page header

Step 1

Create an Account

  • Start by opening https://oshkoshwi.portal.opengov.com
  • Next, click the Sign Up option in the top right corner of the page.
  • Next, click the Sign up using Secure Portal button and enter your email address and a secure password. Note: all passwords must be at least 8 characters and contain an upper case letter, lower case letter, and number.
  • Finally, click Sign Up to create an account.
City of Oshkosh OpenGov public portal screen, with a red circle on Sign Up

Step 2

Locate the Application You Need

  • Review the available categories in the Portal. Click the tile to open that category.
    • You can also use the search bar to locate record types, if you're not sure where to start.
  • More application types and services will be coming soon!
City of Oshkosh OpenGov public portal screen

Step 3

Select the Application

  • Review the list of available permits/licenses for that area.
  • Click Select to open the application you need.
City of Oshkosh OpenGov public portal screen for the business license area, with a red circle on the Select button for the Alcohol Beverage Retail License application.

Step 4

Begin the Application

  • Review the information about the permit/license you are applying for. This will contain information about who needs to use this application and any documents that may be required during submission.
  • When you are ready to begin the application, select Apply Online.
  • Complete the questions and upload any relevant attachments.
    • Note for renewal applicants: for your first year applying in OpenGov, you will be asked to complete all required information when completing your application. In future years, most of your information will already be in the system, and you will generally only need to review, confirm, and update your application if changes have occurred.
  • You will have the option to save an unfinished application as a draft and complete it at a later date by clicking on Save Draft and Exit. You can view your saved drafts by clicking the My Account page to pick up where you left off.
  • Helpful tips are given on the application form where you see a question mark in a circle – (simply hover your mouse over the question mark).
  • When finished, select Confirm and Submit to begin the review process by the City.
    • Please note: In the case of some applications, you will need to make a fee payment before City staff will receive your application for review. Keep an eye on your email for notifications about required actions by the applicant.
City of Oshkosh OpenGov public portal screen the Alcohol Beverage Retail License application with a red circle around the Apply Online button.

Step 5

Track the Progress of Your Application

Once submitted, an email link to a copy of the application will be available to you. You are also able to log in to your account at any time to view applications, complete required actions, make payments, and print documents. You can track the progress of your application from your account in real time as City staff completes their work.

  • Log in using your credentials
  • Click My Account in the upper right.
  • Select Applications from the left menu.
  • Select the application you would like to view the status of.
  • View the timeline on the left side of the screen. This timeline will update as the City completes each step in the review process.
  • Checked GREEN steps are complete. BLUE steps are in progress. If the step is GRAY, it just means that step has not yet become active or is not required.
  • Additional documentation can be uploaded directly by the applicant at any time.
  • You can also add guests to your application (for example, adding Surveyor to upload a survey, or adding a homeowner to pay fees, etc.).
    • Click Guests on the left menu to view any that have been added, or to add new guests to this record.
City of Oshkosh OpenGov applicant account screen with a red circle on the My Account button and a red arrow pointing to the Applications menu. City of Oshkosh OpenGov screen for the applicant's view of their completed application. There is a red arrow pointing to the timeline on the left.

Step 6

Make a Payment

In many cases, fees must be paid up front before City staff receives the application for review. You can pay online or in person!

  • You will receive an email when a payment is required.
  • Click Pay Online in the email and log into your account.
  • Choose a payment method from the options listed. Credit/debit card and e-check payments can be completed on this screen for a small fee. Cash or check payments will need to be dropped in our dropbox located at the front door of at City Hall (215 Church Ave) anytime or made in person at the City Hall Collections counter during regular business hours.
  • You will receive a receipt in your account following the completion of your payment.
City of Oshkosh OpenGov applicant account screen with a red circle on the My Account button and a red arrow pointing to the Payments menu.

Need to pay for multiple applications at the same time? No problem!

  • Log in to your account
  • Select My Account from any screen, then select Payments.
  • Check the box next to the payment(s) you wish to make, then click Pay to complete the transaction.
City of Oshkosh OpenGov applicant account screen showing the Payments area. There is a red arrow pointing to checkboxes to select payments due, and a red circle around the Pay button.

Step 7

Send a Message to the Reviewer (if necessary)

Have a question about your application? Leave a comment in the application for City staff to respond to!

  • Log in using your credentials
  • Click My Account in the upper right.
  • Select Applications from the menu on the left.
  • Select the application you would like to leave a comment for.
  • Input a message in the Message the Reviewer text box for the current step of the review process.
  • You will receive an email when you get a response, and you can view those within the application, or under Messages in your account.
City of Oshkosh OpenGov screen showing the applicant's view of a completed application. There are two red arrows - one is pointing at the timeline on the left and the other is pointing at a message box within an application step. City of Oshkosh OpenGov applicant account screen with a red circle on the Messages menu.

Step 8

Print Your License or Permit

Once your application has been approved, you will be notified by email and can easily print your license or permit right from your account.

  • Log in using your credentials
  • Click My Account in the upper right.
  • Select Permits & Docs from the menu on the left.
  • Select the document you would like to print.
  • Click Print Document.
City of Oshkosh OpenGov applicant account screen with a red circle on the Permits & Docs menu. A screenshot from the OpenGov public portal showing the button applicants can use to print their issued documents. The button is circled in red.