Fond du Lac County Court Records Search

Fond du Lac County is located in east-central Wisconsin, with its county seat in the city of Fond du Lac. The county’s court system operates under the Wisconsin Circuit Court framework as part of the state’s unified court structure. Court records generated by proceedings in Fond du Lac County — including criminal complaints, civil filings, family law petitions, probate matters, traffic citations, and juvenile cases — are maintained by the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Courts. These records document the full lifecycle of a case, from initial filing through final disposition, and encompass docket entries, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, and exhibits.

Residents and members of the public looking for court case information in Wisconsin can begin by consulting official clerk of courts offices, public access terminals located at courthouses, and online tools maintained by the state judiciary. The statewide case search system, accessible through WisconsinCourts.us, can help users locate publicly available case data across all Wisconsin circuit courts, including those in Fond du Lac County.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Fond du Lac County?

Court case records in Fond du Lac County can be searched through several channels: the statewide online portal, direct contact with the Clerk of Courts, or an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Online Search via WCCA

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal is the primary free tool for locating case information filed in any Wisconsin circuit court. Users can search by case number, party name, business name, or citation number. WCCA displays case type, filing date, charges or claims, scheduled hearings, and disposition information. Although WCCA provides extensive docket data, it does not display the actual documents filed in a case. Obtaining copies of filings, motions, or orders requires a separate request to the Clerk of Courts.

Fond du Lac County Clerk of Courts

The clerk’s office is the official custodian of all circuit court records in the county.

Address: 160 S. Macy Street, 2nd Floor, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Phone: (920) 929-3038
Fax: (920) 929-3933
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays)
Clerk of Circuit Courts: Michelle Weber

To request records by mail, send a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the full names of the parties, the case number (if known), a description of the records needed, your return address, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment should accompany the request.

Department-Specific Phone Numbers

Callers can reach the division handling their specific case type directly:

Civil / Family: (920) 929-3034 or (920) 906-4730
Small Claims: (920) 929-3032 or (920) 929-3033
Criminal: (920) 929-3044 or (920) 929-3043
Juvenile: (920) 929-3042 or (920) 929-3734
Traffic: (920) 929-3030, (920) 929-3031, or (920) 929-3039
Ordinance (Non-Traffic): (920) 929-3041
Jury Clerk: (920) 929-6899 or (920) 929-3042
Accounting (fines, bail, fees): (920) 929-6813

Copy and Certification Fees

Wisconsin Statutes §§ 814.61(5) and 814.61(10) set the fees charged by circuit court clerks statewide:

Copies of court documents: $1.25 per page
Certification of a document: $5.00

Credit card payments for fines and guardian ad litem obligations can be processed through Government Payment Service at (888) 604-7888 using location code 2031; a service fee applies.

eFiling

Attorneys and self-represented parties may file documents electronically through the Wisconsin court eFiling system. A per-case eFiling fee of $35.00 per party applies (or $70.00 for attorney-mediators). Details on eFiling procedures and fees are available through the Wisconsin Court System publications page.

Are Court Records Public in Fond du Lac County?

Wisconsin has a strong presumption of public access to government records. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.31, commonly known as the Wisconsin Public Records Law, the public has a right to inspect records maintained by governmental authorities, including court records. The stated policy of the law is that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information about the affairs of government.

Court records in Fond du Lac County are generally open to inspection and copying unless a specific statute, court order, or rule makes them confidential. Individuals may view records at the Clerk of Courts office during business hours or request copies by mail, in person, or — for docket-level information — through WCCA online.

Categories of Restricted or Confidential Records

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Wisconsin law:

Juvenile proceedings (Wis. Stat. § 938.78): Records involving persons under 18 are generally confidential and not available to the public through WCCA or the clerk’s office without a court order.
Adoption records (Wis. Stat. § 48.93): Adoption files are sealed and may only be accessed by court order or under specific statutory exceptions.
Child in need of protection or services (CHIPS): Proceedings under Chapter 48 are confidential.
Sealed records: A court may order any case record sealed, which removes it from public view. Expunged records are similarly not accessible.
Domestic abuse and harassment injunction petitions that are denied or dismissed may be restricted.
Mental health commitment records under Chapter 51 are confidential.

Records available through WCCA are limited to what the Wisconsin Court System authorizes for public display. Certain personally identifying information, such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth of minor children, may be redacted from public documents. Filers bear responsibility for ensuring that confidential information is not included in publicly filed documents. Additional guidance on Wisconsin’s public records framework can be found in the Wisconsin Department of Justice Public Records Law guide.

For records that may be held outside the court system, such as law enforcement incident reports, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Open Records portal provides a separate request pathway.

Fond du Lac County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Fond du Lac County are handled by the Circuit Court and prosecuted by the Fond du Lac County District Attorney. The Criminal Division of the Clerk of Courts manages case files for offenses ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. These records include complaints, arrest warrants, bail documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgment of conviction documents.

Searching Criminal Court Records

The WCCA portal allows users to search criminal cases by party name or case number. Criminal case numbers in Wisconsin are typically prefixed with codes indicating the case type — for example, CF for felonies and CM for misdemeanors. WCCA will display the charges, hearing dates, and case disposition but will not show the underlying documents.

To obtain copies of criminal court documents, contact the Criminal Division at (920) 929-3044 or (920) 929-3043, or visit the Clerk of Courts office at 160 S. Macy Street, 2nd Floor.

Wisconsin Criminal Background Checks

For a broader criminal history search beyond a single county, the Wisconsin Department of Justice operates the Wisconsin Online Record Check System. This database searches criminal history records maintained by the Crime Information Bureau.

Online search fee: $7.00 per name
Paper form (mail submission): Available as a single-name request form or a multi-name request form
Mail requests should be sent to: Division of Law Enforcement Services, Crime Information Bureau, Record Check Unit, P.O. Box 2688, Madison, WI 53701-2688; Phone: (608) 266-5764

The statewide record check includes convictions and pending charges from all Wisconsin counties but does not include federal offenses, out-of-state records, or juvenile adjudications.

Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office

Arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement documents are maintained by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office rather than the Clerk of Courts. Requests for these records can be submitted through the sheriff’s open records request process.

Fond du Lac County Civil Court Records

Civil matters in Fond du Lac County are divided between two case classifications based on the amount in controversy:

Civil cases exceeding $10,000 are filed and managed by the Civil/Family Division of the Clerk of Courts. Contact: (920) 929-3034 or (920) 906-4730.
Small claims cases (amounts up to $10,000, or up to $5,000 for personal injury claims), evictions, and replevin actions are handled by the Small Claims Division. Contact: (920) 929-3032 or (920) 929-3033.

Civil court records include summons and complaints, answers and counterclaims, motions, court orders, default judgments, stipulations, and satisfaction of judgment filings.

Searching Civil Records

Civil case information can be searched on WCCA using case number or party name. Wisconsin civil case numbers use prefixes such as CV for large civil claims and SC for small claims. WCCA will show the parties, claim type, amount demanded, hearing schedule, and outcome.

Filing Fees

Wisconsin circuit court fee schedules apply uniformly across all counties. Relevant civil filing fees include:

Action	Fee
Civil action (over $10,000)	$265.50
Small claims (up to $10,000)	$94.50
Third-party complaint	$94.50
Garnishment	Varies by statute
Copies	$1.25 per page
Certification	$5.00

Fee amounts are governed by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 814. Courts may waive fees for indigent parties upon petition.

Property and Land Records

Property-related records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are not held by the Clerk of Courts. These records are maintained by the Fond du Lac County Register of Deeds.

Register of Deeds
Address: 160 S. Macy Street, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 509, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-0509
Phone: (920) 929-3018
Fax: (920) 929-3293
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Property records can be searched online through the LandShark portal, which provides access to recorded instruments and document images.

Fond du Lac County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Fond du Lac County are heard by the Circuit Court and administered through the Civil/Family Division of the Clerk of Courts at (920) 929-3034 or (920) 906-4730. Case types include divorce (dissolution of marriage), legal separation, child custody and placement, child support, paternity, domestic abuse injunctions, and harassment restraining orders.

Searching Family Case Records

Family case docket information appears on WCCA. Dissolution of marriage cases use the prefix FA. Docket entries, hearing dates, and disposition data are publicly viewable, though the underlying documents — particularly financial disclosure statements and guardian ad litem reports — may contain confidential information and are not displayed online.

Divorce Records

Divorce decrees and related filings are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court. Certified copies of a divorce judgment can be requested in person, by mail, or by phone from the Civil/Family Division. The fee is $1.25 per page plus $5.00 for certification.

For a certified copy of a divorce certificate (a summary document rather than the full decree), the Fond du Lac County Register of Deeds accepts requests using the county’s Divorce Certificate application form. The fee is $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy. Payment methods include cash, credit or debit card, cashier’s check, or money order. Eligibility to obtain a certified copy is limited to the subject of the record, an immediate family member, a legal guardian, an authorized representative, or a person who demonstrates a direct and tangible interest.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and marriage certificates are filed with the Register of Deeds, not the Clerk of Courts. Requests can be submitted using the Marriage Certificate application form. The same fees and eligibility requirements apply: $20.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for each additional.

Birth and Death Records

Birth and death certificates are also issued by the Register of Deeds. Application forms are available online for birth certificates and death certificates. Fees are $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional. Only individuals with a direct and tangible interest as defined by Wisconsin Statute § 69.20 may obtain certified vital record copies.

Domestic Abuse and Harassment Injunctions

Petitions for temporary restraining orders and injunctions under Wisconsin Statutes §§ 813.12 (domestic abuse) and 813.125 (harassment) are filed with the Clerk of Courts. These filings appear on WCCA when granted, though petitions that are denied or dismissed may have limited visibility. Confidential addresses provided under the Safe at Home program are not disclosed in court filings.

Fond du Lac County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Fond du Lac County are heard by the Circuit Court. Wisconsin does not maintain a separate probate court; instead, probate cases are assigned to circuit court branches handling that calendar. Probate case records are managed by the Clerk of Courts and can be searched on WCCA using the PR case prefix.

Types of Probate Records

Probate filings in Fond du Lac County include petitions for formal or informal administration of estates, last wills and testaments admitted to probate, inventories, accountings, orders for distribution, claims against estates, small estate affidavits (for estates under $50,000), guardianship and conservatorship petitions, and trust-related proceedings.

How to Access Probate Records

Probate records are public unless sealed by court order. To review or obtain copies:

Online: Search WCCA by the decedent’s name or case number to view docket entries and case status.
In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts on the 2nd floor of the City/County Government Center at 160 S. Macy Street during business hours.
By mail: Send a written request with the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death or case number, a description of the records needed, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
By phone: Call the Clerk of Courts at (920) 929-3038 to confirm whether a probate case exists and what records are available.

Probate Filing Fees

Filing fees for probate proceedings in Fond du Lac County follow the statewide circuit court fee schedule:

Filing Type	Fee
Formal probate petition	$265.50
Informal probate petition	$265.50
Small estate affidavit	$94.50
Guardianship / Conservatorship petition	$265.50
Certified copy	$5.00 + $1.25 per page

Guardianship Records

Guardianship proceedings for both minors and adults are filed in the probate division. These records include the petition, medical or psychological evaluations (which may be sealed or restricted), the order appointing a guardian, and annual reports filed by the guardian. Interested parties may review the public portions of guardianship files through the Clerk of Courts.

Municipal Court

Fond du Lac County also has a municipal court that handles local ordinance violations. The Lakeside Municipal Court is located at:

Address: 16 Garfield Street, North Fond du Lac, WI 54937
Phone: (920) 924-2479
Fax: (920) 922-7926

Municipal court records are maintained separately from circuit court records and are not searchable through WCCA. Requests for municipal court records should be directed to the municipal court clerk at the phone number above.