Dane County Court Records Search
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Dane County, the seat of Wisconsin’s state capital in Madison, operates one of the busiest court systems in the state. The Dane County Circuit Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction, handling all criminal, civil, family, probate, small claims, traffic, and forfeiture matters within the county. In addition to the Circuit Court, several municipal courts — in Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, Sun Prairie, Verona, Stoughton, and Edgerton — hear ordinance violations and certain forfeitures within their respective cities. The Dane County Clerk of Circuit Courts serves as the official custodian of all Circuit Court records and manages the processing, storage, and dissemination of case files to the public under Wisconsin law.
For those beginning a search for court records in Wisconsin, the state’s judicial branch provides several resources that can be accessed through WisconsinCourts.us. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, commonly known as WCCA, offers free online access to case information filed in circuit courts across the state, including Dane County. A criminal case index is available online from approximately 1984 forward, while civil case availability varies by year and case type. In addition to online tools, records can be searched in person at the Clerk of Courts’ Record Center, requested by mail or fax, or obtained through email. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow visitors to review case files during office hours without charge.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dane County?
Identifying the correct court and case type is the first step. All felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family law matters, small claims, probate, and traffic cases filed in the county are handled by the Dane County Circuit Court. Municipal courts in Madison and other cities handle local ordinance violations independently.
Online Searches Using WCCA
- Visit wcca.wicourts.gov.
- Accept the disclaimer.
- Choose a Simple Search or Advanced Search.
- Select “Dane” as the county.
- Enter the party name, case number, or other search criteria.
The Advanced Search option allows filtering by case type (e.g., Criminal, Civil, Family, Probate, Small Claims), which is helpful for narrowing results.
In-Person Searches
The Record Center is located inside the Dane County Courthouse and typically maintains approximately five years of records on-site (one year for traffic and non-criminal ordinance violations). Older files may be stored off-site and require several days for retrieval. Records prior to approximately 1992 are often available on microfilm at the courthouse.
Dane County Clerk of Courts — Record Center
Room 1002
215 S. Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-4311
Fax: (608) 267-8859
Email: Dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov
Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
Mail, Fax, and Email Requests
Written requests should include the full name of the party (and any alternate names), the case number if known, a description of the specific documents needed, whether certification is required, the requester’s contact information, and a return address or preferred delivery method. No phone requests are accepted for records. Turnaround time is typically 1 to 10 business days depending on volume, file location, and prepayment requirements.
Fees
| Service | Cost | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Name search (no case number provided) | $5.00 per name | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(11) |
| Copies | $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(5) |
| Exemplified copies (triple seal) | $15.00 + $1.25 per page | — |
If the total exceeds $5.00, prepayment is required under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)(f). An invoice will be sent, and records are released upon receipt of payment. Credit and debit card payments can be made online or by phone for an additional processing fee.
Are Court Records Public in Dane County?
Wisconsin’s Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39) establishes a strong presumption that government records, including court files, are open for public inspection. Unless sealed by court order or designated confidential by statute, Circuit Court case files in Dane County can be inspected at no cost at the Record Center. Cases available for review include civil, criminal, family, paternity, small claims, traffic, forfeiture, probate, and various lien filings.
Certain categories of records are treated as confidential by default under Wisconsin law and court rules, meaning they are not open for public inspection without special authorization:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile proceedings (Ch. 938) and children’s proceedings (Ch. 48)
- Guardianship records
- Jane Doe proceedings
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Grand juror lists and grand jury proceedings
- Search warrants (until executed)
- Paternity pre-adjudication records
- Presentence investigation reports
- Wills deposited for safekeeping during the testator’s lifetime
- Confidential name change petitions
- Child abuse restraining orders and injunctions
- Income and expense statements filed in family cases
- Family medical history questionnaires
Under Wis. Stat. § 801.20, parties must follow specific procedures when filing confidential documents. Wisconsin courts also require the redaction of protected information — including Social Security numbers, employer and tax identification numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data — from all filed documents under Wis. Stat. § 801.19. Anyone seeking access to sealed or confidential juvenile records must complete the required judicial request forms (JD-1738A and JD-1738B, or JD-1739A and JD-1739B), which are submitted to a judge for approval or denial. A photo ID is required with all juvenile records requests.
Dane County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Dane County — including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses — are prosecuted in the Circuit Court. The Criminal/Traffic/Forfeiture division of the Clerk of Courts manages these case files.
Searching Criminal Court Records
The WCCA portal indexes Dane County criminal cases from approximately 1984 forward. To view only criminal records, use the Advanced Search and select the appropriate case type. For records not available online or for certified copies, submit a request to the Record Center by email at Dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov, by fax at (608) 267-8859, or by mail. When requesting criminal records, include the subject’s full name, date of birth (if known), and case number if available. Inspection of files in person is free; copies are $1.25 per page, and certified copies are $5.00 per document.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state’s Centralized Criminal History (CCH) database through its Crime Information Bureau. Any member of the public can request an adult criminal history record through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). The record check requires the subject’s first and last name, gender, race, and date of birth. The fee is $7.00 per record, with an additional $5.00 for certification. WORCS is available to both registered (authorized) users and general public users.
Arrest Records
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest and incident records. Requests can be submitted through the office’s online records request form, by printed form sent by mail or fax, or in person during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Dane County Sheriff’s Office — Records Section
115 W. Doty Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 284-6827
Fax: (608) 284-6156
Email: sheriff.records@danesheriff.com
Requests over $5.00 may require prepayment. The Sheriff’s Office no longer processes accident or crash report requests; those should be directed to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Reports released to the public may contain redactions of personal identifying information under the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act.
Dane County Civil Court Records
The Dane County Circuit Court handles all civil litigation filed within the county, ranging from contract disputes and personal injury claims to landlord-tenant actions, evictions, and small claims. Small claims cases in Wisconsin involve disputes of $10,000 or less (or $20,000 or less for certain actions). The Civil/Small Claims division of the Clerk of Courts manages these case files.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information can be accessed online through the WCCA Advanced Search by selecting “Civil (CV)” or “Small Claims (SC)” as the case type. For copies or certified documents, requests can be submitted in person at Room 1002, by email at Dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov, by fax at (608) 267-8859, or by mail. Provide the party name or case number and specify the exact documents needed.
Filing Fees and Copy Costs
Civil filing fees are governed by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 814. Copy costs follow the standard schedule: $1.25 per page for plain copies, $5.00 per document for certification. Current court fee information is posted on the Dane County Clerk of Courts website. Questions about eviction and replevin scheduling can be directed to the dedicated phone line at (608) 283-4885.
Forms and Self-Help Resources
Unlike some states, Wisconsin provides extensive self-help resources through its court system. Civil action forms are available through the Wisconsin Court System forms page. The Dane County Law Library, located in Room L1007 of the courthouse, can assist with form availability and is reachable at (608) 266-6316.
Dane County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Dane County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, paternity, and domestic abuse restraining orders — are heard by the Circuit Court. The Family/Paternity division of the Clerk of Courts processes these filings, and the office can be reached at (608) 266-4311.
Divorce and Legal Separation
Divorce proceedings in Dane County require filing a summons and petition with the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Courts provides an extensive library of family court forms, including checklists for contested and uncontested divorces, summons and petition templates (with and without minor children), financial disclosure forms, parenting plan templates, and marital settlement agreements. The Wisconsin Court System self-help family law site also offers guided forms completion.
Dissolution of marriage records are available from the Clerk of Courts at the Record Center in Room 1002. Copies are $1.25 per page; the office does not provide records by phone. Requests may be submitted by email, fax, mail, or in person.
Child Support and Paternity
Court-ordered child support matters, paternity actions, and post-judgment modifications are all filed through the Circuit Court. Dane County Family Court Services provides mediation and support services. Paternity forms for voluntary acknowledgment cases — including a complete packet with summons, petition, and motion for hearing — are available on the family forms page.
Confidentiality of Family Records
Several categories of family records are treated as confidential under Wisconsin law. Income and expense statements, family medical history questionnaires, financial disclosure forms, and confidential petition addenda are filed under seal by default. Paternity pre-adjudication records are also confidential. Parties who need to file documents containing confidential information should use the designated cover sheet (Form GF-244) or the confidential disclosure form (GF-241). Motions to seal or redact information in the court record can be made using Forms GF-246A and GF-246B.
Marriage and Divorce Certificates
Certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates are issued by the Dane County Register of Deeds — Vital Records Section. Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or through the Official Records Online portal.
| Method | Fee | Payment | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person (Suite 110, 210 MLK Jr. Blvd., Madison) | $20.00 search/first copy; $3.00 additional | Cash, money order, cashier’s check, business check, credit/debit (+$2.50) | \~15 minutes |
| Mail (P.O. Box 1438, Madison, WI 53701-1438) | $20.00 search/first copy; $3.00 additional | Money order, cashier’s check, or business check | 1–2 business days after receipt |
| Official Records Online | $20.00 first copy + $3.00 additional + $10.00 expedite + delivery fees | Credit card | Next-day or 2-day FedEx |
| VitalChek (expedited) | $20.00 + $3.00 additional + $20.00 expedite + $12.95 VitalChek + $19.00 UPS | Credit card | Next-day UPS |
Applicants must provide a completed application form — available for marriage and divorce — along with a current photo ID for in-person requests. Personal checks are not accepted.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are also maintained by the Register of Deeds and follow the same fee structure of $20.00 for the initial search and first copy, plus $3.00 for each additional copy. Application forms are available for birth certificates and death certificates. In-person requests are handled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Suite 110, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Madison, WI 53703. The office can be reached at (608) 266-1373.
Dane County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Dane County are handled by the Probate division of the Circuit Court. This division oversees estate administration, guardianship of estates, conservatorships, wills, and related proceedings. The Record Center / Probate court manager can be contacted at (608) 266-4311.
Types of Probate Proceedings
Dane County recognizes several probate pathways, each with its own checklist and required documents: informal administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, special administration, summary assignment, and summary settlement. Checklists and forms for each type are available on the Dane County Probate Court page.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be viewed online through the WCCA portal. Use the Advanced Search and select “Probate (PR)” as the case type, then enter the party name or case number. For copies or certified documents, contact the Clerk of Courts by email at Dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov or visit Room 1002 of the courthouse.
Probate Fee Schedule
Probate fees in Dane County are set by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 814.66:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Inventory (estate ≤ $10,000) | $20.00 |
| Inventory (estate > $10,000) | 0.2% of estate value less encumbrances |
| Guardianship/Conservatorship (property < $50,000) | $20.00 |
| Guardianship/Conservatorship (property > $50,000) | 0.2% of property value less encumbrances |
| Objection to Probate of Will | $20.00 |
| Will for Safekeeping | $10.00 |
| Power of Attorney for Health Care (Safekeeping) | $8.00 |
| Declaration for Safekeeping | $8.00 |
| Claim Against Estate | $3.00 |
| Certificate Terminating Life Estate | $3.00 |
| Certificate signed by Register in Probate or Judge | $3.00 |
| File search (no case number) | $4.00 |
| Copies (certified or uncertified) | $1.00 per page |
| Petition for Grandparent Visitation | $60.00 |
Under Wis. Stat. § 853.09, a testator may deposit an original will for safekeeping with the Register in Probate at the Dane County Courthouse for a $10.00 fee. The will must be sealed, labeled with the testator’s name and address, and accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope for the receipt. Withdrawal of the original will requires the testator’s original receipt, photo identification, and either the testator’s personal appearance or a writing signed by the testator and two witnesses authorizing another individual to retrieve it.
All probate matters filed in Wisconsin are public records and may be inspected at the Clerk of Courts office, with the exception of wills deposited for safekeeping during the testator’s lifetime, which remain confidential until the testator’s death.