Kewaunee 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.
Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, is a small county on the western shore of Lake Michigan with its county seat in the city of Kewaunee. Its court system runs through a single Circuit Court that handles all civil, criminal, small claims, family, traffic, and probate matters for the county. Case records are maintained across several county offices — primarily the Clerk of Circuit Court, the Register in Probate, and the Register of Deeds — each with distinct responsibilities and access procedures.
If you're starting a search for Wisconsin court records, WisconsinCourts.us can help you identify the right court offices, locate case information, and find official online tools. Records can also be accessed through clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and several state-maintained online portals.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Kewaunee County?
All circuit court filings in Kewaunee County are processed and managed by the Clerk of Circuit Court, currently Rebecca A. Deterville. The office handles civil, small claims, felony, misdemeanor, traffic, county ordinance, DNR, divorce, paternity, and family cases. It also manages jury administration, bail bonds, criminal judgments of conviction, and warrant entries and vacations.
Kewaunee County Circuit Court — Clerk of Circuit Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Rebecca A. Deterville |
| Address | 613 Dodge Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216 |
| Phone | (920) 388-7144 |
| Fax | (920) 388-7049 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (excluding court holidays) |
Note on Courthouse Entry: The parking lot and main entrance to the courthouse are on the Juneau Street side of the building, not the Dodge Street side.
Circuit Court Judge: Hon. Jeffrey R. Wisnicky (Judicial Assistant: Sarah Johanek, (920) 388-7142)
Online Case Search
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal provides free public access to Kewaunee County circuit court case records. You can search by party name, case number, date of birth, or county. The system returns case histories, docket entries, hearing dates, and disposition information for most case types. Fees and fines can be paid online through the Circuit Court Fees/Fines payment portal using a credit or debit card; a convenience fee based on the payment amount applies.
Key Court Documents and Local Rules
The following resources are available directly from the Kewaunee County Clerk of Court:
- Kewaunee County Local Court Rules
- Pro Se Divorce Instructions
- Small Claims Court Rules Pamphlet
- Not Guilty Plea Form (pleas cannot be accepted by phone)
- Notice of Change of Address Form (address changes must be submitted in writing)
Standard Wisconsin circuit court forms are available through the Wisconsin Court System.
Copy Fees
- Standard copies: $1.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Prepayment is required (cash, check, money order, or online payment)
Are Court Records Public in Kewaunee County?
Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31), all records held by public bodies in Wisconsin — including courts and county offices — are presumed open for public inspection and copying. The law is construed with a strong presumption of complete public access, and any exemptions must be narrowly applied.
That said, several categories of records in Kewaunee County are restricted or sealed from public access:
- Juvenile court records — confidential under Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 48 and 938; files are closed to the public
- Adoption records — sealed from general access
- Mental health and substance abuse commitment records — restricted to protect personal privacy
- Family law records containing victims' identifying information — may be partially or fully sealed
- Medical and confidential financial information — withheld under privacy provisions
- Records sealed by court order — unavailable without judicial authorization
For records that are publicly accessible, you generally do not need to provide a reason for your request. When certified copies are required, eligible requesters must demonstrate a qualifying interest in the record — particularly for vital records covered by Wis. Stat. ch. 69.
Kewaunee County Criminal Court Records
The Kewaunee County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all felony and misdemeanor criminal matters in the county. Case records — including charging documents, motions, transcripts, verdicts, and sentencing orders — are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court at 613 Dodge Street.
Searching Criminal Court Records Online
Criminal case records from the Kewaunee County Circuit Court are searchable through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal at no charge. The system returns a complete case history including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
For criminal history background checks, the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) managed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice allows any person or organization to submit a criminal background check online. An online record check costs $7.00, with an additional $5.00 fee if results are to be mailed. Mail-in requests require a completed Single Name Record Request Form DL-LE-250 and the applicable fee sent to:
Wisconsin Department of Justice — Crime Information Bureau
Record Check Unit
P.O. Box 2688, Madison, WI 53701-2688
Phone: (608) 266-7314
Arrest Records — Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department
Arrest records and incident reports are maintained by the arresting law enforcement agency. For Kewaunee County, that is primarily the Sheriff's Department.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Matt Joski |
| Address | 620 Juneau Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216 |
| Phone | (920) 388-3100 |
| Fax | (920) 388-3998 |
| Website | kewauneesheriff.org |
Kewaunee County Civil Court Records
The Kewaunee County Circuit Court handles all civil matters in the county, including breach of contract, real estate disputes, personal injury claims, and landlord-tenant matters. Small claims cases are also heard in the Circuit Court under Wisconsin's small claims procedures.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case dockets can be searched through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal. For copies of specific civil filings, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court in person or by mail at 613 Dodge Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216. Provide the case number or the parties' names along with the specific document needed. Standard copies cost $1.25 per page; certified copies are $5.00 per document. Prepayment is required.
Small claims rules and procedures are outlined in the Small Claims Court Rules Pamphlet distributed by the Clerk's office. Staff can provide general information on how to file small claims and other court-related activities, but they cannot provide legal advice.
Property and Land Records
Deeds, mortgages, land contracts, easements, and other real estate instruments are recorded with the Register of Deeds at the Administration Center. The office also handles military discharges and domestic partnership records.
Kewaunee County Register of Deeds
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Register | Germaine Bertrand |
| Address | 810 Lincoln Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216 |
| Phone | (920) 388-7126 |
| Fax | (920) 388-7129 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
The Kewaunee County Land Information Office provides additional GIS mapping and property data resources for the county.
Kewaunee County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Kewaunee County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence protective orders — are handled by the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all family case filings. Certain family law records containing victims' identifying information may be sealed or partially redacted.
Divorce Records
Divorce cases are filed in and decided by the Circuit Court. Full case records and divorce decrees are held by the Clerk of Circuit Court and are searchable through WCCA. Self-represented parties navigating a divorce can use the Pro Se Divorce Instructions available from the Clerk's office.
Certified divorce certificates — which are distinct from full court file records — are available from the Register of Deeds or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. As of January 1, 2016, divorce certificates can be obtained statewide from any Wisconsin Register of Deeds office. The fee is $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
To request a divorce certificate from Kewaunee County, complete the Divorce Certificate Application and submit it with a valid ID and the applicable fee to the Register of Deeds at 810 Lincoln Street, or mail it to the same address. Requests may also be submitted to the Wisconsin Division of Public Health at P.O. Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309.
Marriage Records
Marriage records from October 1, 1907, to the present are available statewide from any Wisconsin Register of Deeds office. Kewaunee County's own records go back further. To request a marriage certificate locally, complete the Marriage Certificate Application and submit it with ID and the $20.00 first-copy fee ($3.00 for each additional copy) to the Register of Deeds. Alternatively, submit the Wisconsin Marriage Records Application Form to the Division of Public Health in Madison.
Access to certified copies of marriage records under Wis. Stat. ch. 69.20(1) is limited to the registrant, immediate family members, legal custodians or guardians, authorized representatives, and others with a direct and tangible interest.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are also issued by the Register of Deeds and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health at the same fee structure — $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional. Birth records from October 1, 1907, are available statewide; death records from September 1, 2013, are available statewide.
Applications are available from the Register of Deeds: Birth Certificate Application and Death Certificate Application. The Register of Deeds asks that requesters call ahead to make an appointment. For records predating the statewide issuance period, requests must go directly to the county where the event occurred.
Kewaunee County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Kewaunee County are administered through the Circuit Court, with the Register in Probate serving as the administrative hub for all estate and related matters. Nina Martel holds the position of Register in Probate and Deputy Juvenile Clerk.
Register in Probate
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Register in Probate | Nina Martel |
| Phone | (920) 388-7143 |
| Nina.Martel@wicourts.gov | |
| Address | 613 Dodge Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216 |
The Register in Probate handles estate administration (formal and informal), wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, protective placements, mental health and drug/alcohol commitments, adoptions, termination of parental rights, CHIPS (Children in Need of Protection or Services), JIPS (Juveniles in Need of Protection or Services), juvenile delinquency, and juvenile ordinance violations.
Probate Fee Schedule
All fees are set by statute under Wis. Stat. § 814.66:
| Type of Fee | Statutory Reference | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory Filing Fee — estate ≤ $50,000 | 814.66(1)(a)2 | $20.00 |
| Inventory Filing Fee — estate > $50,000 | 814.66(1)(a)2 | 0.2% of property value subject to administration, less encumbrances/liens |
| Guardianship/Conservatorship — property < $50,000 | 814.66(1)(b)2 | $20.00 |
| Guardianship/Conservatorship — property > $50,000 | 814.66(1)(b)2 | 0.2% of property value, less encumbrances/liens |
| Certificate Terminating Life Estate | 814.66(1)(b)3© | $3.00 |
| Objection to Probate of Will | 814.66(1)(b)3(e) | $20.00 |
| Will for Safekeeping | 814.66(1)(b)3(f) | $10.00 |
| Certificate signed by Register or Circuit Court Judge | 814.66(1)(b)3(g) | $3.00 |
| Copies (certified or otherwise) | 814.66(1)(b)3(h) | $1.00 per page |
| Claim Against Estate | 814.66(1)(b)3(i) | $3.00 |
| Searching for file/record (no case number) | 814.66(1)(b)3(j) | $4.00 |
| Power of Attorney for Healthcare (safekeeping) | 814.66(1)(b)3(k) | $8.00 |
| Declaration (Living Will) for Safekeeping | 814.66(1)(b)3(l) | $8.00 |
Wills
Wisconsin law requires that the original will of every deceased person be filed with the Register in Probate within 30 days of death. Once filed, a deceased person's will becomes a public record. Living testators may deposit their will for safekeeping with the Register in Probate for the $10.00 statutory fee. The will must be placed in a sealed envelope with the testator's name and address on the outside; a receipt is issued at the time of deposit. A will held for safekeeping remains confidential until the testator's death. The testator may withdraw it at any time upon proof of identification.
Certified copy requests may be made in person at the courthouse or by mail. Mail requests must include the correct fee and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope; payment must be received before copies are issued. State-level probate forms are accessible through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Forms library, and additional guidance is available through the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association.