Grant County Court Records
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Grant County sits in Wisconsin's southwestern corner, with Lancaster serving as the county seat. The Grant County Circuit Court is part of Wisconsin's unified judicial system and handles a broad range of cases — criminal, civil, family, probate, small claims, and traffic. Two circuit court branches serve the county, and a separate Register in Probate office oversees estate, guardianship, and mental health proceedings. The Clerk of Circuit Court and the Register in Probate maintain the records from these proceedings, and how you access them depends on the record type and your eligibility.
Wisconsin has centralized tools for locating court case information across all 72 counties. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access database, available through WisconsinCourts.us, lets you search circuit court case records filed anywhere in the state. Beyond that online option, you can visit the Grant County Clerk of Courts office in person, submit requests by mail, or use public access terminals at the courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Grant County?
Start with the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) case search — it's free, covers all circuit courts statewide, and lets you search by party name, case number, or date range. Case docket information for Grant County is generally available from 1994 to the present.
For in-person searches, all court files are kept at the county courthouse:
Grant County Clerk of Circuit Court
Address: 130 W. Maple St., P.O. Box 110, Lancaster, WI 53813
Phone: (608) 723-2752
Fax: (608) 723-7370
Email: Tina.McDonald@wicourts.gov
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Requesting Copies of Records
The Clerk of Courts office processes copy requests for court documents. Under the Grant County Circuit Court Rules and Wis. Stat. 814.61(10), the following copy fees apply:
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (from paper or electronic files) | $1.25 per page |
| Electronic copies (even when made by requester) | $1.25 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document (plus $1.25/page copy fee) |
| Simple file searches (when no case number is provided) | $5.00 per search |
| Complex searches | Actual, direct, and necessary costs |
Make payments to the Clerk of Courts. If you're requesting documents by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage. The Clerk's office also handles passport applications and collects various fines, fees, and forfeitures.
Two circuit court branches operate at the same courthouse address:
| Court | Judge | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court Branch I | Hon. Lisa A. Riniker | (608) 723-7826 |
| Circuit Court Branch II | Hon. Craig R. Day | (608) 723-6576 |
Both branches are at 130 W. Maple Street, Lancaster, WI 53813, share the fax number (608) 723-7370, and are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Are Court Records Public in Grant County?
Wisconsin law creates a strong presumption that government records — including court records — are open to the public. Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. 19.31–19.39), the Grant County Clerk of Courts, Register in Probate, and other county offices must make records available upon request. That said, certain categories are shielded from public disclosure.
Records that are typically restricted or confidential include:
- Sealed records — Cases sealed by court order due to statute or judicial directive are not accessible to the general public
- Expunged records — Criminal records expunged under Wisconsin law are removed from public view
- Juvenile court records — Proceedings involving minors under Chapters 48 and 938 of the Wisconsin Statutes are generally confidential
- Adoption records — Files related to adoption proceedings are restricted to authorized parties
- Personal identifying information — Records containing information about court officials or parties whose disclosure would compromise privacy or safety may be withheld
- Guardianship and mental health records — Certain protective placement and commitment records carry confidentiality protections
The local court rules also address proceedings that must be open to the public. Under Part 2 of those rules, a party who wants to close a proceeding must notify the court and the media coordinator in writing at least 72 hours before the hearing, and the burden falls on that party to show cause for closure.
Grant County Criminal Court Records
When a criminal case is filed in Grant County, it's assigned to the presiding intake court judge at the initial appearance. The Clerk of Courts keeps records for all criminal proceedings from first filing through final disposition — including case initiations, pleadings, judgments, bound-overs from associate to circuit level, license suspensions, and document copies.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Search criminal case records online through the WCCA case search system. Select Grant County and enter the defendant's name or case number to find a specific case. Traffic tickets can also be searched by litigant name through the online system. If you'd rather search in person or by phone, the Clerk of Courts office is available at (608) 723-2752.
Criminal Background Checks
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state's Centralized Criminal History (CCH) database. Public access to adult criminal history record information runs through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). Anyone can submit a name-based background check by creating an account on the WORCS portal and paying $7 for a standard search. Results draw from fingerprint-supported records of arrests, prosecutions, court findings, sentences, and corrections data submitted by Wisconsin law enforcement agencies under Wis. Stat. 165.84(1).
Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office
The Grant County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest reports and incident records. Submit public records requests to:
Grant County Sheriff's Office
Address: 8820 Hwy 35/61/81, Lancaster, WI 53813
Phone: (608) 723-2157
Emergency: 911
Hours: Open 24 hours
You can also submit public record requests for incident reports through the Sheriff's Office directly, or use the NextRequest public records portal, which lets you submit and track requests online. For questions about foreclosure sales, civil papers, and related matters, reach the Sheriff's civil process division at (608) 723-2157.
Grant County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Grant County are split between the two circuit court branches — even-numbered cases go to Branch II, odd-numbered cases to Branch I. Associate Circuit handles small claims and civil matters up to $10,000, while the Circuit division hears claims over $10,000, including foreclosures, personal injury, contract disputes, property damage, and declaratory judgments.
Civil Filing Fees
Wisconsin circuit court filing fees are set under Chapter 814 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The state circuit court fee tables list the current amounts. Here are the key civil filing fees:
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action money judgment over $10,000 | $265.50 |
| Personal injury/tort over $5,000 up to $10,000 | $147.50 |
| Civil action no money judgment (name change, declaratory judgment, etc.) | $164.50 |
| Small claims claim $10,000 or less | $94.50 |
| Small claims tort/personal injury $5,000 or less | $94.50 |
| Foreclosure (under Ch. 846) | $265.50 |
| Garnishment over $10,000 | $210.50 |
| Garnishment $10,000 or less | $92.50 |
An e-filing fee of $35 per party per case applies to electronically filed cases (effective May 1, 2024). Civil court forms are available through the Wisconsin Court System website.
Small Claims
Small claims cases in Grant County are assigned on the return date to the presiding intake court judge. The Clerk of Courts office can handle service of the summons by mail for $2 per defendant plus postage. If you want a jury trial in a small claims case, expect an additional $89 demand fee, which includes the jury cost.
Searching Civil Records
Search civil case records through WCCA or by visiting the Clerk of Courts office. Copies of civil judgments and other filings cost $1.25 per page, with certified copies running an additional $5.00 per document. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
Grant County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Grant County include divorce (dissolution of marriage), legal separation, annulment, paternity, child custody, child support, modification of judgments, and protective orders. These cases are divided between Branch I and Branch II based on case number assignment.
Family Court Filing Fees
Filing fees for family cases are set by Wis. Stat. 814.61 and include a family court counseling services (FCCS) surcharge:
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Family action without request for support/maintenance | $184.50 |
| Family action with request for support/maintenance | $194.50 |
| Post-judgment motion (e.g., modification) | $30.00 |
| Post-judgment revision of legal custody/physical placement | $50.00 |
| Mediation fee (first session free) | $200.00 or local fee |
Divorce Records
The Grant County Circuit Court keeps the official records of divorce proceedings. The Grant County Register of Deeds holds divorce certificates — which are separate from the full court case file. To get a certified copy of a divorce certificate, you'll need to:
- Complete an application for a divorce certificate
- Attach a copy of a valid photo ID
- Include a $20 copy fee by money order or check payable to the State of Wisconsin Vital Records
- Submit the application in person or by mail to:
Grant County Register of Deeds
Address: 111 S. Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 391, Lancaster, WI 53813
Phone: (608) 723-2727
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses issued in Grant County are also held by the Register of Deeds. Copies are available only to the record subjects, their immediate family members, and legal representatives. The same $20 fee and photo ID requirement applies. Submit your request to the Register of Deeds at the address above.
Protective Orders
Domestic abuse, child abuse, harassment, and individual-at-risk restraining orders carry no filing fee under Wisconsin law. These cases can be filed at the Clerk of Courts office and are heard by the intake court judge.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates aren't court records, but they're often needed in family and probate proceedings. The Register of Deeds holds birth records from 1876 and death records for events that occurred in Grant County. These are not public documents — only the individuals named on the record, their immediate family, legal custodians, authorized representatives, and persons with a documented need to protect personal or property rights may obtain copies. To request one, submit a completed application form, a valid photo ID, and a $20 fee. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also processes vital records requests statewide.
Grant County Probate Court Records
Probate, guardianship, mental health, and juvenile court matters in Grant County are administered by the Register in Probate. The office supports the court in these specialized areas while making sure proceedings comply with Wisconsin law. Probate cases are assigned on an equal, alternating basis between Branch I and Branch II.
Register in Probate Office
Address: 130 W. Maple Street, Lancaster, WI 53813
Phone: (608) 723-2697
Fax: (608) 723-3101
Email: jody.bartels@wicourts.gov
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Types of Probate Cases
The Probate Division handles a wide range of matters: formal and informal probate proceedings, summary assignments, summary settlements, determination of descent, trust administration, ancillary proceedings, adult and minor guardianships, conservatorships, protective placements, mental health commitments (Chapters 51 and 55), and alcohol and drug commitments. Adoption and termination of parental rights cases are also processed through the Register in Probate's office.
Probate Filing Fees and Inventory Fees
Probate filing fees include an inventory fee under Wis. Stat. 814.66, calculated on the estate's value:
- Inventory fee (standard): $20 minimum, or 0.2% of estate value over $10,000
- Inventory fee (minor or adult guardianship of the estate): $20 minimum, or 0.2% of estate value over $50,000
- Trust proceedings (Ch. 701): $250.00 filing fee
- Copies from probate files: $1.00 per page (Register in Probate rate per local court rules)
- Certified copies from probate files: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
- Simple probate file searches: $4.00 per search (Register in Probate rate per local court rules)
Searching Probate Records
Current probate case information is available online through the WCCA case search. Historical probate records dating back to Grant County's formation in 1833 may be available through the county archives. For in-person requests, visit the Register in Probate at the courthouse during business hours. Guardian ad litem fees in Grant County are set at $70.00 per hour, subject to court adjustment, and attorneys who accept appointments must submit billing within 45 days of final disposition under the local court rules.