Dunn County Court Records Search
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Dunn County, Wisconsin sits in the west-central part of the state with Menomonie as its county seat. The county’s court system handles the full range of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters through its Circuit and Municipal Courts, generating a substantial body of public records that residents, attorneys, researchers, and interested parties may need to access for legal, personal, or professional reasons. Court records from Dunn County typically include case numbers, names of litigants, petitions and complaints, docket entries, pleadings, exhibits, orders, judgments, trial transcripts, and appeal information.
Wisconsin court records can be accessed through a combination of online portals, direct requests to clerk offices, and public access terminals located at the courthouse. WisconsinCourts.us provides a starting point for locating publicly available Wisconsin court case information, including links to official state search tools and guidance on which records are accessible at the county level. For case-specific searches, the primary official resource is the statewide Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, available directly through the Wisconsin Court System’s website.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dunn County?
The most efficient way to search Dunn County court cases is through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, a free, publicly accessible online system maintained by the Wisconsin Court System. WCCA provides search access to criminal, civil, family, small claims, and traffic records filed in Dunn County and all other Wisconsin circuit courts. To run a search, users can enter at least the first three characters of a party’s last name along with their first name, then click “Search”. Alternatively, selecting Dunn County from the dropdown menu and entering a specific case number returns targeted results.
The Dunn County Clerk of Circuit Court handles in-person and mail-based record requests for all court cases filed in the county. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is located at:
Dunn County Judicial Center — Clerk of Circuit Court
Address: 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1500, Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: (715) 232-2611
Fax: (715) 232-6888
The Clerk of Court’s office files all court actions, manages jury administration, processes payments for fines and forfeitures (including setting up payment plans and wage assignments), and handles record requests and searches. Those who need to make a payment on a court-ordered financial obligation can do so online through the Wisconsin Court System’s online payment portal.
For court date information, WCCA displays upcoming scheduled activities on a case record. Individuals who are unsure of their court date can also call the Clerk of Courts directly at (715) 232-2611. A text message reminder service is also available — participants submit a completed Text Message Reminder Agreement to the Clerk’s office by mail, in person, or by fax, and the system automatically sends a reminder at 6:00 p.m. two days before any scheduled court activity.
The Dunn County Circuit Court also operates two Municipal Courts for ordinance violations:
- Village of Boyceville Municipal Court — 903 Main Street, Boyceville, WI 54725 | Phone: (715) 643-7300 | Fax: (715) 643-2749
- Village of Colfax Municipal Court — 613 Main Street, Colfax, WI 54730 | Phone: (715) 962-3311 | Fax: (715) 962-2221
Are Court Records Public in Dunn County?
Yes, court records in Dunn County are generally public under the Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39), which establishes a broad presumption in favor of public access to government records. This statute applies to records held by circuit courts, municipal courts, and all county offices. However, the public’s right to access is not absolute — Wisconsin law permits withholding records when disclosure would violate specific privacy or confidentiality protections.
Records that are generally restricted from public view include:
- Adoption case files
- Civil commitment records
- Guardianship records
- Juvenile court records
- Records sealed by court order
- Certain domestic abuse-related financial and custody details within divorce proceedings
Requesters who are denied access to a court record may challenge that denial. The Wisconsin Department of Justice Public Records Law Guide explains how Wisconsin’s open records law is interpreted and enforced, including the balancing test courts apply when weighing public interest against privacy concerns.
The Clerk of Court and probate staff are statutorily prohibited from providing legal advice. Questions about legal rights, record restrictions, or court procedures should be directed to a licensed attorney or the Wisconsin State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 362-9082.
Dunn County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Dunn County are generated by the Circuit Court when the county prosecutes misdemeanor and felony offenses. These case files may include charging documents, arrest information, bail and bond orders, plea entries, conviction records, sentencing documents, and probation terms. Criminal case information that is not sealed or otherwise restricted is searchable through the WCCA case search portal.
For arrest records and law enforcement reports, individuals should contact the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, which is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. Police report copies can be obtained by contacting the Sheriff’s business office. General processing fees apply to record requests. Crash reports are handled separately through LexisNexis at the Sheriff’s website.
For statewide criminal history record checks, the Wisconsin Department of Justice operates the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), available to the public for background check requests. WORCS provides name-based criminal history searches and returns results based on records held in the DOJ’s criminal history database. Requesters should note that these results reflect conviction-level data and may not include pending cases or arrests without convictions.
Dunn County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Dunn County cover a wide range of non-criminal disputes, including personal injury claims, contract disputes, business litigation, property-related conflicts, landlord-tenant disagreements, and small claims matters. The Dunn County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all civil cases filed within the county.
The Wisconsin Circuit Court fee schedule governs filing costs for civil actions in Dunn County. The Wisconsin Court System also offers electronic filing for circuit court cases, and parties filing electronically are subject to an e-filing fee of $35 per case per party (effective May 1, 2024).
Small claims matters — typically involving disputes over money or property up to a set jurisdictional threshold — are managed through the Dunn County Clerk of Courts. The county’s small claims procedures page provides step-by-step guidance for filing a small claims action, proceeding after being served, handling judgment enforcement, and filing a satisfaction. Standard statewide forms for civil filings are available through the Wisconsin Court System forms library and at the Clerk of Courts office.
Civil case searches can be conducted through WCCA in the same manner as criminal searches. For certified copies of civil court documents, requesters may contact the Dunn County Clerk of Courts in person, by mail, or by fax at (715) 232-6888. When submitting mail requests, include the case number (if known), party names, case type, and a description of the specific documents needed.
Dunn County Family Court Records
Family court matters in Dunn County are handled by the Circuit Court and include divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody and physical placement, child support, paternity establishment, and domestic violence-related proceedings. The Dunn County Family and Paternity Court section of the county website provides guidance for residents navigating these proceedings.
Divorce records in Dunn County are accessible to the public through the WCCA portal. However, portions of divorce files are restricted — specifically, information relating to financial account details, child custody arrangements, and domestic abuse matters is not available for public inspection. Certified copies of divorce decrees may be requested through the Clerk of Courts office.
Marriage certificates and other vital records related to family matters are maintained by the Dunn County Register of Deeds, not the Clerk of Courts. To obtain a certified copy of a Dunn County marriage certificate, applicants must complete the Wisconsin Marriage Certificate Application Form and submit it to the Register of Deeds with a fee of $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. The Register of Deeds is located at:
Dunn County Register of Deeds
Address: 3001 US Highway 12 East, Suite 225, Menomonie, WI 54751
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Dunn County Register of Deeds also processes birth certificate and death certificate requests. All vital record applications follow the same fee structure — $20.00 for the first certified copy and $3.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Access to certified copies of birth and death records is restricted: only the record subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with a court order may obtain certified copies. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also provides an online option for ordering vital records through its Vital Records portal.
Statewide circuit court forms for family proceedings — including divorce worksheets, custody and placement agreements, and child support stipulations — are accessible through the Wisconsin Court System’s circuit court forms library.
Dunn County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Dunn County are administered by the Register in Probate at the Dunn County Circuit Court. The current Register in Probate is Lisa Crouse, who can be reached at (715) 232-6782 or by email at Lisa.Crouse@wicourts.gov. The probate office is located at 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1500, Menomonie, WI 54751.
The Register in Probate handles five primary case types, each identified by a case classification code:
| Case Type | Code |
|---|---|
| Probate / Estate Administration | PR |
| Guardianship | GN |
| Adoption | AD |
| Civil Commitment | ME |
| Wills Filed for Safekeeping | WL |
Estate Administration Procedures
The 10th Judicial District, which includes Dunn County, requires all probate estates to be closed within 12 months of the date initial documents are filed. The inventory of the estate must be filed no later than four months after the issuance of letters. Several estate procedures are available depending on the size and circumstances of the estate:
- Transfer by Affidavit — Available for estates where the total property subject to administration does not exceed $50,000. This is a non-court form available through the Wisconsin State Bar and is not filed with the probate court.
- Informal Probate — A court proceeding supervised by the probate registrar without continuous judicial oversight. In some cases, an attorney is not required. Guidelines are available at the Dunn County probate page and at wripa.org.
- Formal Probate — Requires an attorney and involves direct supervision by the circuit judge for all matters.
- Summary Assignment — Available when the estate value, less secured debts, does not exceed $50,000 and summary settlement is not applicable.
- Summary Settlement — Available when there is a surviving spouse or minor children and the estate does not exceed $50,000 less secured debts, or when the estate value does not exceed priority debts.
To file a claim against a probate estate, claimants must complete standard state form Claim Against Estate (PR-1819), have the signature notarized, and submit it to the Register in Probate with a statutory filing fee of $3.00.
Wills and Safekeeping
Wisconsin law requires the original will of every deceased person to be filed with the court. If no probate proceeding is needed, an Affidavit of No Probate (PR-3003) must accompany the will at filing. For those who wish to deposit an original will with the Register in Probate for safekeeping during the testator’s lifetime, the statutory fee is $10.00 under Sec. 853.09, Wis. Stats. Only the will’s author or their written designee (with two witnesses) may withdraw a will from safekeeping.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Guardianship in Dunn County is established by the Circuit Court when an adult has been found incompetent and requires someone to manage their health, safety, or financial affairs. A conservatorship is a voluntary arrangement for a person who is not found incompetent but chooses to have the court appoint someone to manage their estate. Guardians of estates are required to file annual accounts with the probate court. Detailed procedural guidelines for guardianship due to incompetency, temporary guardianship, guardian of estate, and guardian of person are available through the Dunn County probate office.
Probate records that are open to the public — generally estate administration and will filings — can be searched through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal. Case types classified as confidential, including guardianships, adoptions, and civil commitments, are not accessible through WCCA and must be requested in person with proper authorization.