Adams County Court Records Search
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Adams County, Wisconsin, is a rural north-central county with its seat in the village of Friendship. Its court system handles the full range of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters through a Circuit Court with two branches and a municipal court serving one of its townships. Case filings, orders, judgments, and sentencing documents are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court and the Register in Probate; vital records and land documents are held by the Register of Deeds.
Wisconsin residents and out-of-state parties who need court case information can start with official resources maintained by the state and county. WisconsinCourts.us can help you locate publicly available court information, search portals, and clerk office contacts throughout the state. Records can also be searched online through the state's case search system, inspected in person at the courthouse, or requested by mail from the appropriate clerk's office.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Adams County?
Most circuit court matters — criminal, civil, family, and probate — are handled at the Adams County Courthouse in Friendship. The Clerk of Circuit Court is the official keeper of all circuit court filings and manages the public record of every case processed through the court's two branches.
Adams County Circuit Court — Clerk of Circuit Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Miranda Christensen |
| Address | 401 Adams Street, Suite 6, Friendship, WI 53934 |
| Phone | (608) 339-4208 |
| Fax | (608) 339-4503 |
| ClerkofCourts@co.adams.wi.us | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
The court operates two branches, both located at the courthouse:
- Branch 1: Honorable Judge Daniel G. Wood — 401 Adams Street, Suite 14, Friendship, WI 53934
- Branch 2: Honorable Judge Tania M. Bonnett — 401 Adams Street, Suite 14, Friendship, WI 53934
Town of Rome Municipal Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1156 Alpine Drive, Nekoosa, WI 54457 (inside Rome Town Hall) |
| Phone | (715) 325-8039 |
| Fax | (715) 325-8035 |
| Court Sessions | Third Tuesday of every month, beginning at 10:00 AM |
Online Case Search
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) case search tool provides free public access to circuit court case dockets statewide. Adams County dockets are available from 1994 to present. You can search by party name, case number, or county. Keep in mind that WCCA covers circuit court filings only — municipal court records are maintained separately at the municipal court level.
The broader Wisconsin Courts case search portal also covers Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and appellate matters alongside circuit court records.
Paying Fines
Fines and fees in Adams County circuit court cases can be paid by credit or debit card (Discover, Visa, Mastercard, American Express) through Government Payment Services. Call (888) 604-7888 or use the online system at allpaid.com with Pay Location Code #1041. A non-refundable service fee is added to all card payments.
Are Court Records Public in Adams County?
Under Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31 et seq.), all records held by government bodies — including courts — are presumed open to public inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Access may be denied only in limited circumstances defined by law or court rule.
Several categories of records are restricted or entirely exempt from public disclosure in Adams County:
- Juvenile court records — confidential under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48; access is strictly controlled
- Guardianship and mental health proceedings — exempt from general public access
- Adoption and paternity proceedings — sealed to protect the parties involved
- Unexecuted search warrants — withheld to protect active law enforcement operations
- Grand jury lists and grand jury proceedings — not subject to public inspection
- Child abuse injunctions and restraining orders — protected from disclosure
- Medical and health records — exempt from public access
- Personal financial information — withheld under privacy provisions
- Records sealed by court order — unavailable unless the court orders disclosure
For records that are publicly available, you generally do not need to state a reason for your request. Identification may be required when requesting certified documents. Note that documents may not be submitted for filing by email.
Adams County Criminal Court Records
The Adams County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases filed in the county. The Town of Rome Municipal Court handles ordinance violations and infractions within that township, which carry lesser penalties than state criminal offenses.
Felony and Misdemeanor Cases — Circuit Court
Felony prosecutions and Class A through Class C misdemeanor cases are filed in the Circuit Court and assigned to one of the two branches. Criminal case records — including charging documents, motions, plea hearings, verdicts, and sentencing orders — are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.
To search criminal case records online, use the WCCA case search tool, which provides docket entries and case history dating back to 1994. For certified copies of specific documents, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at (608) 339-4208 or visit Suite 6 at the Adams County Courthouse during office hours.
Arrest Records and Sheriff's Office
The Adams County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county, handling arrests, warrants, and jail operations. Arrest records and warrant information are maintained by the arresting agency rather than the circuit court clerk.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 Adams Street, Suite 1, Friendship, WI 53934 |
| Phone | (608) 339-3304 |
| Website | adamsso.com |
Public records requests to the Sheriff's Office — including requests for arrest information, incident reports, and inmate status — can be submitted directly to the office. When contacting the Sheriff's Office about a specific arrest, have the subject's full name and the approximate date of the incident ready to help expedite the request.
Municipal Ordinance Records
The Town of Rome Municipal Court handles ordinance violations within its jurisdiction. These records are held at the municipal court level rather than the Circuit Court. Contact the Town of Rome Municipal Court at (715) 325-8039 for case-specific inquiries.
Adams County Civil Court Records
The Adams County Circuit Court handles civil disputes beyond the jurisdiction of lower courts, including landlord-tenant matters, personal injury claims, contract disputes, and small claims cases. Civil case records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case dockets and party information are searchable through the WCCA case search tool by party name or case number. The system returns docket entries, hearing dates, and case dispositions. For copies of specific filings — such as complaints, judgments, or orders — contact:
Adams County Clerk of Circuit Court
401 Adams Street, Suite 6, Friendship, WI 53934
Phone: (608) 339-4208 | Email: ClerkofCourts@co.adams.wi.us
Submit a written or in-person request identifying the case number and the specific document needed. Standard copy fees apply; the clerk's office accepts credit card payments through allpaid.com for fines and certain fees.
Property and Land Records
Property deeds, mortgages, tax liens, financing statements tied to real estate, and federal tax liens are maintained by the Adams County Register of Deeds. The office transitioned to a tag-less recording system on January 2, 2025. Documents brought in by 4:00 PM are reviewed for recording on the same business day.
Register of Deeds
401 Adams Street, Suite 12, Friendship, WI 53934
Phone: (608) 339-4206 | Email: adamsrod@co.adams.wi.us
For online searches of recorded land documents, the Register of Deeds uses the Laredo platform, a downloadable subscription service that allows around-the-clock remote access to land records. The Adams County Land Records website provides additional links to parcel information, document data, and maps. The office also offers a free Property Fraud Alert service that lets residents monitor their names in recorded documents for possible fraudulent activity.
Adams County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence proceedings — are handled by the Adams County Circuit Court. These cases are assigned across both court branches and maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Divorce Proceedings and Records
Divorce cases are filed in and decided by the Circuit Court. Case records and final decrees are held by the Clerk of Circuit Court and can be searched through the WCCA case search tool. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available only to the parties named in the case; uncertified copies are generally accessible to the public.
For certified or uncertified copies of divorce certificates (as distinct from full case files), contact either the Adams County Register of Deeds or the Wisconsin Vital Records Office. The fee is $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy from either source. Applications for divorce certificates can be submitted using Wisconsin vital records applications and mailed to:
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 309, Madison, WI 53701
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and marriage records are maintained by the Adams County Register of Deeds. Certified copies are restricted to the record subjects and persons with a direct and valid interest; uncertified copies are available to anyone. Fees are $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy.
To request a marriage record, submit a completed vital records application with applicable fees and identification to the Register of Deeds at 401 Adams Street, Suite 12, Friendship, WI 53934, or contact adamsrod@co.adams.wi.us. Requests may also be directed to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office at the same per-copy fees.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Adams County events are available from both the Register of Deeds and the Wisconsin Vital Records Office. Both charge a $20.00 search and first copy fee, and $3.00 per additional copy. Certified copies are restricted to the registrant, close relatives, or others with a legitimate legal interest. Uncertified copies are available to the general public.
Be aware that third-party vendors sometimes charge significantly higher fees to "process" vital record applications. The Adams County Register of Deeds cautions residents to verify they are ordering directly through the state's official vendor (VitalChek) or the local Register of Deeds office.
Custody, Support, and Domestic Violence
Child custody, visitation, child support, and domestic violence protective orders are handled by the Circuit Court. Records related to these matters are filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court, though certain records — particularly those involving minors or domestic abuse restraining orders — may be restricted from general public access under Wisconsin law.
Adams County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Adams County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, with the Register in Probate serving as the dedicated office for estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, trusts, juvenile matters, and mental health cases.
Register in Probate
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Register in Probate | Molly Manzer-Biersack |
| Deputy Register / Juvenile Clerk | Christa Wollin |
| Address | 401 Adams Street, Suite 14, Friendship, WI 53934 |
| Phone — Molly Manzer-Biersack | (608) 339-4213 |
| Phone — Christa Wollin | (608) 339-4296 |
| Email — Register in Probate | molly.manzer-biersack@wicourts.gov |
| Email — Juvenile Clerk | christa.wollin@wicourts.gov |
| Fax | (608) 339-4596 |
Probate Fee Schedule
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Inventory Fee — Estates, Guardianships, Conservatorships ≤ $10,000 | $20.00 |
| Inventory Fee — over $10,000 | 0.2% of inventoried assets |
| Forms Packets | $10.00 each |
| Guideline to Informal Probate Booklet | $10.00 each |
| Filing Claim Against Estate | $3.00 |
| Objection to Probate of Will | $20.00 |
| Guardian ad Litem Deposit | $300.00 |
| Wills Filed for Safekeeping | $10.00 |
| Power of Attorney for Healthcare filed for Safekeeping | $8.00 |
| Declaration to Physicians (Living Will) filed for Safekeeping | $8.00 |
| Copies (and comparing) | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $3.00 |
| Certified Copy — one page only | $4.00 |
| Searching for Files or Records | $4.00 |
| Termination of Life Estates | $3.00 |
| Grandparent or Step-Parent Visitation Action | $60.00 |
Wills
Wisconsin law under Sec. 856.05, Wis. Stats. requires that the original will of every deceased person be filed with the Register in Probate. If probate is required, the will is filed alongside the probate administration documents. If no probate is needed, filers must complete and attach an Affidavit of No Probate, which must be notarized.
Living individuals may also deposit an original will for safekeeping with the Register in Probate for a statutory fee of $10.00 under Sec. 853.09, Wis. Stats. The envelope must include the testator's name, address, the date the will was signed, the name of the personal representative and any alternate, and the name of the attorney who prepared the will. Only the testator or a written designee — with the signature witnessed by two additional persons — may withdraw the will from safekeeping. Replacing a withdrawn will on the same day carries no additional charge; a new filing on a later date costs an additional $10.00.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate records are generally public, with the exception of guardianship and mental health proceedings. Case information for publicly accessible probate matters can be searched through the WCCA case search tool. For copies of specific probate documents or estate filings, contact the Register in Probate directly at (608) 339-4213. The office maintains probate forms on the county website to assist parties working through the process without an attorney.