La Crosse County Court Records Search
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La Crosse County sits within the Seventh Judicial Administrative District of Wisconsin, with its primary courthouse and law enforcement center located at 333 Vine Street in La Crosse. The county’s court system is anchored by the Circuit Court, which exercises broad jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and probate matters. Two municipal courts also operate within the county, handling local ordinance violations and traffic offenses in the City of La Crosse and the Coulee Region. Multiple offices within the courthouse — including the Clerk of Circuit Court, the Family Court Commissioner, and the Register in Probate — each maintain distinct categories of records, and knowing which office to contact is key to an efficient search.
Wisconsin residents and members of the public looking for court case information can access records through several official channels. The Clerk of Courts office in La Crosse provides public access computer terminals for self-service searching, and written requests can be submitted by mail or email. WisconsinCourts.us also serves as a starting point for locating publicly available case data, court forms, fee schedules, and directories for courts across the state. Additionally, the statewide Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) database allows free online lookups of circuit court case records from any county.
How to Look Up a Court Case in La Crosse County?
There are several methods for locating a court case in La Crosse County, depending on the type of information needed and whether you prefer an online or in-person approach.
Online Searches
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — The WCCA simple case search lets users look up cases by party name, date of birth, or case number. For more refined queries, the advanced case search offers additional filtering options. La Crosse County has used the CCAP system since 1993; cases filed before that year exist only in paper form or on scanned county records at the courthouse.
- Email requests — Written requests can be sent to the Clerk of Circuit Court at LaCrosse.Clerk@wicourts.gov. Each email search costs $5.00 (payable to “Clerk of Courts”) and must include the individual’s first name, last name, date of birth, and the type of record to be searched.
In-Person and Mail Searches
- Public access terminals — The Clerk of Courts office maintains public access computers in a room adjacent to the main office. Searching at these terminals is free. Copies of documents cost $1.25 per page under Wis. Stat. § 814.61(1)(a).
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Mail requests — Send a written request with a $5.00 fee (per Wis. Stat. § 814.61(11)) to:
Clerk of Courts
333 Vine Street, Room 1200
La Crosse, WI 54601
Include the party’s full name, date of birth, and the type of record sought. Specify whether you need copies of documents, which will incur additional per-page charges.
Clerk of Circuit Court Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 333 Vine Street, Room 1200, La Crosse, WI 54601 |
| Phone | (608) 785-9590 |
| Fax | (608) 789-7821 |
| LaCrosse.Clerk@wicourts.gov | |
| Office Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
Specialized clerks handle specific case types and can be reached directly: Criminal Clerk at (608) 785-9691, Jury Clerk at (608) 785-9690, Small Claims Clerk at (608) 785-9689 (formerly 785-9705), and Traffic Clerk at (608) 785-9706. Court staff cannot provide legal advice; individuals needing an attorney can contact the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 362-9082.
Are Court Records Public in La Crosse County?
Most court records in La Crosse County are open to public inspection. Wisconsin’s Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39) establishes a strong presumption of access to government records, including those generated by the courts. The Wisconsin Department of Justice compliance guide provides detailed guidance on how these requirements apply in practice.
However, certain categories of court records are exempt from public disclosure by statute or court order. Records that are not publicly accessible include:
- Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, passport numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account numbers
- Personally identifiable information of minors
- Records protected by attorney-client privilege
- Work product and materials compiled in preparation for litigation
- Records sealed by a judge
- Adoption records (Wis. Stat. § 48.93 restricts release without a court order)
- Juvenile court records
- Paternity case records
When requesting court documents, be aware that certain confidential information may be redacted before records are released. The La Crosse County local court rules may contain additional provisions regarding record access and document handling procedures.
La Crosse County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in La Crosse County — including both felonies and misdemeanors — are prosecuted in the Circuit Court by the District Attorney’s Office. Felony offenses carry potential sentences of fines and imprisonment in the Wisconsin State Prison System. Misdemeanors are punishable by fines and/or time in the county jail. Criminal traffic violations, county ordinance infractions, State Patrol citations, and Department of Natural Resources citations are also handled through the court’s traffic division.
Searching Criminal Court Cases
Criminal docket information can be searched through the WCCA case search tool at no cost. Users can look up cases by defendant name, case number, or other criteria. For records predating 1993, an in-person visit to the courthouse is required.
Written search requests may also be directed to the Clerk of Circuit Court by mail or email for a $5.00 fee per search. Copies of documents are $1.25 per page.
Criminal Background Checks
For formal criminal history background information, the Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the Wisconsin Online Record Check System pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83(2). Users can either register for an account or use the “Public Access” option to search for arrest summaries and criminal history data.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online criminal background check | $7.00 |
| Signed and notarized results (additional) | $5.00 |
Fees are established under Wis. Stat. § 165.82. Adult criminal history information is a public record in Wisconsin, and anyone may order it by paying the applicable fees. Requests can also be submitted by mail to:
Wisconsin Department of Justice
P.O. Box 7857
Madison, WI 53707-7857
The DOJ publishes a complete fee schedule for its various record check services.
Sheriff’s Office Resources
The La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office maintains a publicly searchable active warrant list hosted on behalf of the Clerk of Courts. This database displays the names of individuals wanted on outstanding warrants. Questions about warrant information should be directed to the Clerk of Courts at (608) 785-9590.
La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office
333 Vine Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
Business Office: (608) 785-9629
Jail: (608) 785-9630
Email: sheriffhelp@lacrossecounty.org
The Sheriff’s Office also provides an inmate locator service for looking up individuals currently in custody at the county jail.
La Crosse County Civil Court Records
The La Crosse County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over virtually all civil disputes filed in the county, including contract actions, personal injury claims, foreclosures, equity matters, and landlord/tenant disputes. Civil case records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Small Claims
Small claims actions may be filed for disputes not exceeding $10,000. All eviction cases, regardless of the damages claimed, are also filed in small claims court. Key small claims fees include:
| Filing/Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Summons & Complaint | $94.50 |
| Garnishment | $92.50 |
| Third-party complaint | $117.50 |
| Service by mail (per defendant) | $2.00 |
| Docketing a judgment | $5.00 |
| Writ of eviction | $5.00 |
| Writ of execution | $5.00 |
| Satisfaction | $5.00 |
| Copies (per page) | $1.25 |
Forms for small claims actions can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts office in Room 1200 or completed online through the Wisconsin Court System’s self-help forms assistant. A basic guide to small claims actions published by La Crosse County provides detailed procedural guidance. The Small Claims Clerk can be reached at (608) 785-9705.
For comprehensive filing fees across all civil case types, the Wisconsin Court System publishes a circuit court fee schedule that applies statewide. The case classification codes directory can help identify the correct fee for a specific type of action.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records are searchable through the WCCA database or at the public access terminals in the Clerk of Courts office. Written search requests by mail or email follow the same $5.00 fee structure and procedures described above for all circuit court record searches.
Municipal Courts
La Crosse County has two municipal courts that handle traffic, parking, and local ordinance violations within their respective jurisdictions:
City of La Crosse Municipal Court
400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 789-7290
Fax: (608) 789-8099
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Coulee Region Joint Municipal Court
415 Main Street, Room 150, Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: (608) 781-9558
Fax: (608) 779-7903
Records from municipal court proceedings must be requested directly from the relevant municipal court office.
La Crosse County Family Court Records
Family law matters in La Crosse County are overseen by the Family Court Commissioner, whose office handles divorce, paternity, child support, and injunction cases. Most family law hearings are conducted before the Commissioner; a Circuit Court judge typically presides only after the Commissioner has rendered a decision. The Family Court’s weekly hearing schedule covers custody and placement disputes, injunctions, child support reviews, paternity establishment, and default divorces.
Family Court Commissioner’s Office
333 Vine Street, Room 2500
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 785-5600
Fax: (608) 785-5622
Types of Family Court Cases
Chapter 767 of the Wisconsin Statutes governs family actions, including divorce and legal separation, child custody and placement, child and spousal support, property division, and paternity. Additional family-related matters handled through the court include restraining orders for domestic abuse, harassment, child abuse, and individuals at risk. The Clerk of Courts office provides restraining order forms and instructions, or they can be completed online at the Wisconsin Courts self-help portal. There is no filing fee for domestic abuse or child abuse restraining orders, though fees apply for harassment and individual-at-risk injunctions.
Mediation Requirement
Under Wisconsin law, all custody and placement disputes are ordered to mediation through Mediation & Family Court Services (M&FCS). The initial screening session is free. Subsequent mediation sessions cost a flat fee of $100 per person. Parties who qualify as indigent may petition for a waiver of fees using forms CV-410A and CV-410B, available at the Clerk of Courts office or at wicourts.gov. The mediation office can be reached at (608) 785-6162.
Divorce
To file for divorce in La Crosse County, at least one spouse must have resided in Wisconsin for six months and in the county for at least 30 days. A complete packet of divorce forms can be purchased from the Clerk of Courts for $20, or forms can be completed through the state’s online forms assistant. Contact the Clerk of Courts at (608) 785-9590 for specific filing fees.
Searching Family Court Records
Family court case records can be searched through the WCCA database or at the courthouse public access terminals. Most family court records, including divorce filings, are publicly accessible. However, juvenile proceedings and paternity cases are confidential and not available to the general public.
Marriage and Divorce Vital Records
Marriage and divorce certificates are classified as vital records under Wis. Stat. § 69.21 and are available only to individuals with a direct and tangible interest — generally immediate family members such as spouses, parents, children, siblings, or grandparents.
The La Crosse County Register of Deeds maintains marriage records from 1907 to the present and divorce records from January 1, 2016, onward. Vital records can be requested in person, by mail, or online.
| Record Type | Fee (first copy) | Additional copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $20.00 | $3.00 each |
| Death certificate | $20.00 | $3.00 each |
| Marriage certificate | $20.00 | $3.00 each |
| Divorce certificate | $20.00 | $3.00 each |
La Crosse County Register of Deeds
Administrative Center, Room 1400
212 6th Street North
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 785-9644
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:15 PM
In-person requests receive same-day service. Mail requests require a money order or cashier’s check (personal checks are not accepted), a completed marriage application or divorce application form, a photocopy of acceptable identification, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. To receive certificates by certified mail, include an additional $8.00 instead of the self-addressed envelope. Birth and death records use their own application forms (birth application, death application).
For divorces that occurred before January 1, 2016, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office or the Wisconsin Vital Records Office in Madison.
La Crosse County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in La Crosse County are administered through the Circuit Court’s probate division, with day-to-day operations managed by the Register in Probate. The probate court handles the validation and administration of wills, estate proceedings, trusts, guardianships of adults and minors, conservatorships, protective placements, and name changes.
Register in Probate
Nicole Schroeder
333 Vine Street, Room 1201
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 785-9882
Fax: (608) 789-7821
Common Probate Proceedings
The Wisconsin Court System provides a probate guide for self-represented individuals and a comprehensive set of probate forms. For estates valued at $50,000 or less, a Small Estate Transfer Affidavit may be used to transfer property without full probate administration. The probate office does not supply this form directly; it must be obtained online.
Guardianship matters — both for adults found incompetent and for minors — require specific forms and often the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem. The Register in Probate can provide procedural guidelines and direct individuals to the appropriate adult guardianship forms, minor guardianship forms, and conservatorship forms. A conservatorship, unlike a power of attorney, requires the conservator to file an accounting with the court annually.
Adoption proceedings are also handled through the probate division. Wisconsin law prohibits the release of adoption information — including details about birth parents and adoptees — without a court order. Individuals seeking adoption records must file a search request through the Wisconsin Department of Children & Families’ Adoption Records Search Program:
Adoption Records Search Program
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53703-8916
Phone: (608) 266-7163
Searching Probate Records
All La Crosse County probate court records are publicly accessible unless sealed by a judge or restricted by statute. Records can be searched through the WCCA database or at the public access terminals in the Clerk of Courts office. Written search requests follow the standard $5.00 fee per search. Additional resources include the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association and its probate FAQ page, which addresses common questions about the estate administration process.