Dodge County Court Records Search
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.
Dodge County, situated in south-central Wisconsin with its county seat in Juneau, operates a circuit court system that processes criminal, civil, family, and probate matters for a population spread across numerous cities, towns, and villages. Individuals who need to access court-related documents — whether to verify a legal proceeding, research a pending case, or obtain certified copies of filings — can do so through a combination of online tools, in-person visits, and written requests directed to the appropriate county office. This guide covers the specific procedures, fees, office locations, and digital resources available for searching and obtaining Dodge County court records.
Wisconsin residents and members of the public can locate court case information through several official channels. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) database is the state’s primary online portal for searching circuit court records by party name, case number, or date of birth. The Dodge County Clerk of Courts office in Juneau also makes records available for in-person inspection. For broader orientation to the state’s judicial system, including court locations, filing procedures, and self-help resources, WisconsinCourts.us can help individuals find publicly available court case information and related materials.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dodge County?
Dodge County court case information can be located through online databases, direct contact with the Clerk of Courts, or visits to the courthouse. The method that works best depends on the type of case and the level of detail needed.
Online Search via WCCA
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system is the most efficient starting point for locating Dodge County case records. This free, publicly accessible database covers circuit court cases statewide and allows users to search by:
- Party name
- Business name
- Case number
- Date of birth
Search results display case summaries, lists of parties, case type descriptions, and a limited chronological record of court events. WCCA does not display confidential records, sealed filings, or documents that have been restricted by statute or court order.
In-Person Requests
Individuals may visit the Dodge County Clerk of Courts to view paper or electronic case files. Public access computers are available in the office for looking up case numbers. If the case number is unknown and staff must conduct a search, a $5.00 search fee applies under Wis. Stat. § 814.61(11).
Dodge County Clerk of Courts
Address: 210 W. Center Street, Juneau, WI 53039
Phone: (920) 386-3570
Fax: (920) 386-3587
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (except holidays)
Requests by Phone, Mail, Fax, or Email
The Clerk of Courts accepts record requests through multiple channels. When submitting a request, include the case number (if known), the names of parties, and a description of the specific document sought. Provide a phone number so the clerk can arrange payment and delivery.
- By mail or fax: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above or fax to (920) 386-3587.
- By email: Submit copy requests only (not filings) to dodge.records@wicourts.gov.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copies | $1.25 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document + $1.25 per page |
| File/record search (no case number) | $5.00 per search |
| Digital audio recording (thumb drive) | $10.00 per recording |
Transcript requests for proceedings before Circuit Court Judges (Branches 1–4) should be directed to the court reporter assigned to that branch. Transcripts from proceedings before the Court Commissioner in Branch 5 are handled by the Clerk of Courts office.
Are Court Records Public in Dodge County?
Court records in Dodge County are generally open to public inspection. The Wisconsin Public Records Law, codified in Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, establishes a strong presumption of public access to government records, including those maintained by the courts. Additionally, Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule Chapter 72 addresses the retention and maintenance of court records and sets standards for protecting sealed or impounded materials within the court system.
Under Wis. Stat. § 801.19, specific protections apply to five categories of personal identifiers commonly found in court files: Social Security numbers, employer identification numbers, financial account numbers, driver’s license numbers, and state identification numbers. Parties filing documents are required under Wis. Stat. § 801.20 to identify confidential information at the time of filing, and courts may redact or seal such information to prevent unauthorized disclosure.
Categories of restricted records in Dodge County include:
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Termination of parental rights records
- Guardianship records involving minors
- Mental health commitment and treatment records
- Financial disclosure statements from divorce proceedings
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Information identifying confidential law enforcement informants
- Documents containing protected personal identifiers
The WCCA system automatically excludes confidential case information from public search results. However, complete case files — including non-confidential portions of restricted cases — may be available for in-person review at the Clerk of Courts office, subject to applicable statutory limitations.
Dodge County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Dodge County are handled by the Circuit Court and initiated by the Dodge County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office files between 1,100 and 1,300 criminal cases annually.
District Attorney’s Office
Address: 210 W. Center Street, Juneau, WI 53039
Phone: (920) 386-3610
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case records can be searched through the WCCA by entering the defendant’s name or case number. Results include case type, charges, court dates, and disposition information. For cases heard in Dodge County’s municipal courts — which handle ordinance violations and certain forfeiture matters — records are typically maintained by the individual municipal court clerk.
Key municipal courts in Dodge County include:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam Municipal Court | 123 Park Avenue, Beaver Dam, WI 53916 | (920) 887-4622 |
| Fox Lake Municipal Court | 248 East State Street, Fox Lake, WI 53933 | (920) 928-3708 |
| Horicon Joint Municipal Court | 220 Ellison Street, Horicon, WI 53032 | (920) 485-4376 |
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Criminal Information Bureau (CIB) within the Wisconsin Department of Justice is the state’s central repository for criminal history records. Name-based background checks are available to employers, landlords, and individuals through two methods:
-
By mail: Complete the Single Name Request Form or the Multiple Record Request Form. Submit the form with a check or money order payable to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, along with a self-addressed postpaid envelope, to:
Criminal Information Bureau
Attn: Records Check Unit
P.O. Box 2688
Madison, WI 53701-2688 - Online: Use the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). Account registration may be required. The site provides training documentation to guide users through the search process.
CIB Criminal History Check Fees:
- $7.00 per name-based search
- $5.00 additional for each paper copy requested
Sheriff’s Office
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office may maintain certain arrest and incident records. The Sheriff’s non-emergency line is (920) 386-3726, and the office can be reached for general information at (920) 386-3600.
Dodge County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Dodge County — encompassing contract disputes, personal injury actions, property matters, foreclosures, small claims, and other non-criminal proceedings — is adjudicated by the Dodge County Circuit Court at the Justice Facility in Juneau. Civil case files typically contain complaints, answers, motions, discovery materials, court orders, judgments, and settlement records.
Searching Civil Case Records
The WCCA platform allows users to search Dodge County civil cases by party name, business name, or case number. For a more targeted search, the advanced search function permits filtering by specific civil case type categories. Information returned includes case summaries, party names, and event histories.
For complete case file access — including documents not viewable online — visit the Clerk of Courts office in person. Copies cost $1.25 per page; certified copies are $5.00 per document plus the per-page copy charge, as established by Wis. Stat. § 814.61.
Civil Filing Fees (Selected)
| Action Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil claim over $10,000 | $265.50 |
| Personal injury/tort claim over $5,000 up to $10,000 | $147.50 |
| Small claims ($10,000 or less) | $94.50 |
| Small claims (tort/personal injury, $5,000 or less) | $94.50 |
| Foreclosure | $265.50 |
| No money judgment (name change, declaratory judgment, etc.) | $164.50 |
| E-filing fee (per case, per party) | $35.00 |
Fees are established by Ch. 814 of the Wisconsin Statutes and include base filing fees plus court support services and justice information surcharges. The complete fee schedule is published by the Wisconsin Court System.
Foreclosure Mediation
Dodge County offers a foreclosure mediation program for qualifying cases. Details are available through the Circuit Court’s website.
Dodge County Family Court Records
The Dodge County Family Court handles custody, placement, child support, divorce, and related domestic matters. Family Court Services — overseen by Court Commissioner Steve Seim ((920) 386-3543) and Family Court Counsel Director Jennifer Smith ((920) 386-3888) — provides co-parent education, mediation, and parenting plan evaluations for parents with custody and placement disputes.
Divorce and Legal Separation
Divorce and legal separation actions are filed with the Dodge County Clerk of Courts. The filing fee for a family action without a request for support or maintenance is $184.50; with a support or maintenance request, the fee is $194.50. These amounts include the $75.00 base filing fee, a $20.00 family court counseling services surcharge under Wis. Stat. § 767.405, and applicable court support and justice information surcharges. Post-judgment motions cost $30.00, and a custody/placement revision petition costs $50.00.
The Wisconsin Court System provides self-help divorce and legal separation forms online, which walk filers through a guided questionnaire to generate the necessary documents.
Dodge County also requires parents in newly filed divorce cases to attend a co-parenting education class conducted by Family Court Services.
Confidentiality of Family Court Records
Many family court records carry restricted access. Financial disclosure statements from divorce proceedings are not publicly available. Juvenile-related records, termination of parental rights proceedings, and guardianship matters involving minors are confidential under Wisconsin law. WCCA excludes these categories from public search results.
Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Dodge County Register of Deeds. The cost is $20.00 per certified copy, with additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously costing $3.00 each. Applicants must complete the Marriage Record Request Application and present acceptable identification for records dated 2016 to present.
Register of Deeds (Vital Records)
Address: 127 E. Oak Street, 3rd Floor, Administration Building, Juneau, WI 53039-1391
Phone: (920) 386-3720
Fax: (920) 386-3902
Email: rod@co.dodge.wi.us
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (Vital Records cutoff: 3:45 PM)
Mail requests must include a completed application, a photocopy of valid photo ID, and a $20.00 check or money order sent to the Register of Deeds at the address above. Birth and death records are also available through this office at the same fee schedule, using the Birth Record Request Application or Death Record Request Application respectively.
Dodge County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Dodge County are administered by the Circuit Court, with administrative support provided by the Register in Probate office. The Register in Probate oversees proceedings involving estates of deceased persons, guardianships of adults, guardianships of minors, adoptions, conservatorships, and trust-related proceedings. Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 851 through 882 govern the substantive and procedural rules for all probate actions in the state.
Register in Probate Office
Address: Dodge County Justice Facility, Room 2042, 210 West Center Street, Juneau, WI 53039-1091
Phone: (920) 386-3550
Individuals seeking records or information about pending estate or guardianship matters should call to schedule an appointment.
Searching Probate Records Online
Probate case information is available through the WCCA database. Users can search for open or closed estate cases, verify the name of a personal representative, check the final date for filing claims against an estate, and confirm whether an inventory has been filed. Standard probate court forms are available on the Wisconsin Court System website, and the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association at wripa.org offers additional guidance and county-specific information.
Probate Filing Fees
Probate inventory fees, governed by Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, are not paid at the time of case filing but rather when the inventory is submitted. The minimum inventory fee is $20.00, with estates valued above $10,000 subject to a fee of 0.2% of the value exceeding that threshold. For minor guardianships of the estate or adult guardianships of the estate, the minimum inventory fee is also $20.00, calculated at 0.2% of estate value over $50,000. Trust proceedings filed under Chapter 701 carry a $250.00 filing fee.
The Personal Representative’s Guide to Informal Estate Administration, prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association, provides a step-by-step handbook for those navigating the probate process without an attorney. Additional probate law resources are available through the Wisconsin State Law Library.