Clark County Court Records Search

    Please enter a valid first name
    Please enter a valid last name

    WisconsinCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on WisconsinCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

    Clark County, Wisconsin, sits in the heart of the state’s central region, with Neillsville as the county seat and the home of all major court operations. The county’s judicial system runs through the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial District, supported by a Clerk of Courts, a Register in Probate, and a Register of Deeds — each maintaining distinct categories of records. Whether you are an attorney pulling case history, a researcher verifying a judgment, or a citizen checking on a neighbor’s property title, this guide covers where records are held, how to access them, and what fees apply.

    Anyone beginning a search for Wisconsin court records should know that the state’s unified case management system makes most public circuit court information available without a trip to the courthouse. WisconsinCourts.us offers a useful orientation point for understanding the Wisconsin court structure before diving into specific county resources. For actual case lookups, the Wisconsin Court System’s online search tools and the Clark County offices described below are the definitive sources.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Clark County?

    Online Search via WCCA

    The fastest way to locate a Clark County court case is through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) program, which provides free public access to circuit court case information statewide. Searches can be run by party name, case number, or business name. WCCA pulls from the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) database and is updated continuously during business hours.

    Appellate and Supreme Court cases are searchable separately through the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals case search, which tracks case status and filings at those levels.

    In-Person Access

    For documents not available through WCCA, or when certified copies are needed, visit the Clerk of Courts office in person:

    OfficeAddressPhoneHours
    Clark County Clerk of Courts517 Court Street, Room 405, Neillsville, WI 54456(715) 743-5181Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Clark County Circuit Court517 Court Street, 4th Floor, Neillsville, WI 54456(715) 743-5183Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Staff at the Clerk of Courts office maintain the official written record of all proceedings before the Circuit Court, handle court financial management, manage jury scheduling, and distribute information on filing procedures. Note that the clerk’s staff cannot provide legal advice; for attorney referrals, contact the Wisconsin Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 362-9082.

    Electronic Filing

    Attorneys practicing in Clark County circuit court can file documents electronically through the Wisconsin circuit court eFiling system. Mandatory eFiling has been phased in on a county-by-county basis across Wisconsin since 2016. Self-represented litigants should confirm with the clerk’s office whether eFiling applies to their case type.

    Municipal Court

    Minor traffic violations and local ordinance matters within the City of Abbotsford are handled by a separate municipal court:

    City of Abbotsford Municipal Court
    Address: 203 North 1st Street, P.O. Box 589, Abbotsford, WI 54405
    Phone: (715) 223-3444 | Fax: (715) 223-8891

    Are Court Records Public in Clark County?

    Wisconsin’s Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39) establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records, including court records. Under this framework, any member of the public — regardless of their stated reason — may inspect or obtain copies of court records unless a specific statutory exemption or court order restricts access.

    The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Public Records Law Compliance Guide is the authoritative reference for understanding the scope of that access and how to handle denials.

    Records Restricted from Public Access

    The following categories of Clark County court records are shielded from routine disclosure:

    • Juvenile court records and CHIPS (Children in Need of Protective Services) and JIPS (Juvenile in Need of Protective Services) proceedings
    • Adoption case files and related Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) records
    • Mental health commitment proceedings — both adult and juvenile
    • Alcohol and drug commitment cases
    • Child abuse restraining orders and injunctions
    • Guardianship proceedings involving minors
    • Unexecuted arrest warrants
    • Sensitive personal financial information submitted to the court
    • Military discharge records held by the Register of Deeds

    When a record is restricted, only the named parties, their legal representatives, and individuals authorized by court order may access it.

    Copy Fees

    Copy fees for circuit court records in Wisconsin are set by statute:

    • Uncertified copies: $1.25 per page (Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10))
    • Certified copies: $5.00 per document (Wis. Stat. § 814.61(5))

    Payment is typically accepted by cash, check, or money order. Confirm current accepted payment methods with the clerk’s office before visiting.

    Clark County Criminal Court Records

    The Clark County Circuit Court, managed by the Clerk of Courts, is the official repository for all criminal case records filed within the county. Records include charging documents, complaints, plea entries, motions, pretrial orders, sentencing documents, and final judgments. These are generally public once a case is open, subject to the sealed-records exceptions noted above.

    Searching Criminal Cases Online

    The WCCA case search portal is the primary tool for locating criminal case information. A basic search by name returns case type, case number, filing date, charges, case status, and court dates. More detailed document-level access requires an in-person visit to the courthouse or a formal records request.

    Sheriff’s Office Records

    Arrest records, incident reports, and warrant information are maintained separately by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office rather than the circuit court:

    Clark County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 517 Court Street, Room 308, Neillsville, WI 54456
    Website: Clark County Sheriff

    To obtain a Sheriff’s Office report or incident record, contact the Sheriff’s divisions office directly. The Sheriff’s Office handles public records requests in accordance with Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. Body-worn camera footage and active investigation records may be subject to disclosure limitations.

    Criminal History Information

    Statewide criminal history record information for Wisconsin is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. For purposes beyond a standard case lookup — such as employment background checks — requests for official criminal history records should be directed to the appropriate state agency rather than the circuit court.

    Fees

    Under Wisconsin statute, a clerk fee of $163.00 applies to all criminal actions when judgment is entered, per the Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee Schedule. That fee is distinct from copy fees, which follow the $1.25-per-page / $5.00-per-certification schedule described above.

    Clark County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Clark County are filed with and managed by the Clerk of Courts, which handles a broad range of civil matters including money judgments, contract disputes, property foreclosures, personal injury actions, condemnation proceedings, and appeals from municipal court judgments.

    Types of Civil Cases

    The circuit court’s civil docket covers, among others:

    • Personal injury and property damage actions
    • Mortgage foreclosures and agricultural foreclosures
    • Garnishments and debtor actions
    • Declaratory judgment actions
    • Name change petitions
    • Restraining orders and injunctions (domestic abuse, harassment, child abuse, individual at risk)
    • Civil appeals from administrative agencies and municipal courts

    Small Claims

    Small claims cases are capped at $10,000 in Wisconsin. Additional small claims categories handled by the circuit court include evictions, evictions due to foreclosure, replevin, and return of earnest money. The Clark County Circuit Court website provides small claims information as a quick reference for self-represented filers.

    Civil Filing Fees

    Filing fees for civil actions are established under Wisconsin statutes and detailed in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee and Surcharge Tables. The fee schedule lists each case type alongside its statutory authority. Jury fees, garnishment fees, and other procedural charges are also specified in that document. Courts may refuse to accept filings until the required fees are paid.

    Court Forms

    Statewide circuit court forms — including those for civil and small claims matters — are available through the Wisconsin Court System forms directory. Local Clark County Circuit Court rules are posted separately and can be accessed directly from the Clark County Circuit Court page.

    Court Payments

    Fines, fees, and other court-ordered financial obligations can be managed through the Clark County court payments portal.

    Clark County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Clark County — divorce, legal separation, annulment, paternity, child custody and placement, child support, and enforcement of existing family court orders — are filed with the Clerk of Courts and adjudicated in the Circuit Court.

    Accessing Family Case Information

    Family case records are searchable through WCCA in the same manner as criminal and civil cases. However, certain family case documents may be restricted. Adoption proceedings, termination of parental rights, and cases involving juveniles are sealed from general public access by statute.

    Divorce and Legal Separation

    Divorce proceedings in Clark County begin with the filing of a petition for divorce or legal separation in the Circuit Court. Wisconsin requires a 120-day waiting period before a divorce judgment may be entered. Self-represented parties can find guidance on the Clark County Family & Divorce Information page, which links to the Wisconsin Court System’s self-help family website and the statewide eFiling portal.

    Restraining Orders

    Domestic abuse restraining orders, harassment injunctions, and child abuse restraining orders are all civil filings handled by the Clark County Circuit Court. The Clark County Circuit Court page includes a direct quick link for restraining order information. Victims seeking emergency protective relief can contact the Clerk of Courts during business hours for procedural guidance (though staff cannot provide legal advice).

    Marriage and Divorce Records

    Certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates are issued by the Clark County Register of Deeds:

    Clark County Register of Deeds
    Address: 517 Court Street, Room 303, Neillsville, WI 54456 (mailing: Room 305, same address)
    Phone: (715) 743-5163 | Fax: (715) 743-5254
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Note: The Register of Deeds can issue divorce certificates only from January 1, 2016, to the present. Divorce records predating 2016 must be requested from the Clerk of Courts.

    To request a marriage or divorce certificate, complete the appropriate application form available on the Clark County Register of Deeds vital records page and submit by one of these methods:

    1. By Mail: Download and print the application, complete and sign it, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope, and mail with a check or money order payable to “Register of Deeds” to 517 Court Street, Room 303, Neillsville, WI 54456.
    2. By Fax: Fax the completed application to (715) 743-5254 and provide credit card payment by phone.
    3. In Person: Visit the office during business hours; certified copies can typically be issued the same day.
    4. Online: Certified vital records may also be ordered online through VitalChek.

    Fees:

    • First certified copy of a marriage or divorce record: $20.00
    • Each additional copy requested at the same time: $3.00
    • Credit card convenience fee: $1.50 (for fax/phone transactions)

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Clark County are also maintained by the Register of Deeds and are governed by Wis. Stat. ch. 69. The same fee structure applies — $20.00 for the first certified copy, $3.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Restrictions apply to certain records:

    • Birth records for children born out of wedlock may have limited availability absent established paternity.
    • Uncertified death records containing cause and manner of death are generally not public until 50 years after the date of death, unless the requester is otherwise legally entitled to access them.

    For statewide vital records requests or records not held locally, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office handles requests by mail and online.

    Clark County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Clark County are administered through the Office of the Register in Probate, located on the fifth floor of the courthouse:

    Clark County Register in Probate
    Address: 517 Court Street, Room 501, Neillsville, WI 54456
    Phone: (715) 743-5172
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Types of Cases Handled

    The Register in Probate manages a wide range of proceedings, including:

    • Estate administration — both formal (in-court) and informal (through the office) probate of wills, enabling proper transfer of solely owned property to heirs
    • Adult and minor guardianships — appointment of guardians for estate management and personal or medical decision-making, with annual reviews required by Wisconsin statute
    • Conservatorships
    • Mental health commitments — adult and juvenile, each requiring annual placement and accounting reviews
    • Alcohol and drug commitments
    • CHIPS and JIPS proceedings — children in need of protective or court services
    • Adoptions — requiring an in-court appearance with documentation forwarded to the state for amended birth certificates
    • Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) — closely monitored by the State of Wisconsin

    Probate records are generally public, with the exception of adoption files, TPR proceedings, mental commitment records, and any file sealed by court order.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate case information is included in the statewide WCCA case search database for cases that appear in the circuit court’s public record. For in-depth file review or copies of specific probate documents, visit the Register in Probate office in person during regular hours.

    Fees for Probate Copies

    • Uncertified copies: $1.25 per page (Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10))
    • Certified copies: $3.00 per document (Wis. Stat. § 814.61(5) and related provisions)

    Wills filed for safekeeping with the Register in Probate (as a separate filing category from formal probate) are retained by the office and can be accessed upon the testator’s death by eligible parties. Restitution payments in juvenile proceedings are receipted and distributed through the Register in Probate as well.