Manitowoc County Court Records Search

Manitowoc County, located in eastern Wisconsin along the Lake Michigan shoreline, maintains an organized court system that generates and preserves records for all criminal, civil, family, and probate matters heard within its jurisdiction. The county’s Circuit Court—a court of general jurisdiction within Wisconsin’s Judicial Administrative District 4—handles the vast majority of these cases, while municipal courts within the county address local ordinance violations and certain traffic offenses. The Clerk of Circuit Court, the Register in Probate, and the Family Court each play distinct roles in the creation, storage, and release of court records to the public.

Residents and other interested parties looking for Manitowoc County court records can access them through several channels. The Wisconsin Court System maintains the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, a free online database that allows anyone to look up circuit court case information statewide. Locally, the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office at the Manitowoc County Courthouse accepts in-person, phone, and written requests for records. Public-access computer terminals at the courthouse also provide on-site searching. For municipal court matters, the relevant municipal court office should be contacted directly. Additional information about Wisconsin courts and record resources is available through WisconsinCourts.us.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Manitowoc County?

Several methods are available for locating case records in Manitowoc County, depending on whether the case was heard in Circuit Court or a municipal court.

Online through WCCA

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal is the primary free tool for searching circuit court case records. To search for a Manitowoc County case:

Navigate to the WCCA case search page.
Select “Manitowoc” from the county drop-down menu.
Enter the party’s name or, if known, the case number.
Review the results, which may include filing dates, case type, parties, case status, charges (in criminal cases), defendant’s date of birth (in criminal cases), and court events.

Court events listed in the WCCA results are clickable, allowing users to view the full court record for that event. Certain case types—adoptions, guardianships, and civil commitments—are confidential and will not appear in the WCCA results.

In person or by written request

Members of the public may visit the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office during business hours or submit a written request using the county’s Open Records Request form. Completed forms can be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax to:

Manitowoc County Clerk of Circuit Court
ATTN: Records Clerk
1010 South 8th Street, Room 105
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 683-4306
Fax: (920) 683-2733

Office hours are Monday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fees for copies and searches

The Clerk of Circuit Court charges the following fees for records services under Wis. Stat. § 814.61:

Paper copies: $1.25 per page
Certification of a document: $5 per document (plus $1.25 per page for the copies themselves)
Name search (when no case number is provided): $5 per name (different spellings or variants count as separate names)
Shipping and mailing costs: actual cost
Reproduction on other media (CDs, flash drives, etc.): actual cost of duplication

By phone

Wisconsin law permits oral requests for public records. Individuals can call the Records Clerk at (920) 683-4306 to make a request by phone.

Municipal court records

For matters handled by a municipal court—such as traffic citations, first-offense OWI, parking violations, building code violations, and local ordinance offenses—individuals should contact the appropriate municipal court directly:

Court	Address	Phone
City of Manitowoc Municipal Court	900 Quay Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220	(920) 686-6920
Two Rivers/Mishicot Municipal Court	1717 East Park Street, P.O. Box 87, Two Rivers, WI 54241	(920) 793-5507

The City of Manitowoc Municipal Court is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Are Court Records Public in Manitowoc County?

Court records in Manitowoc County are presumed open to public inspection. Two primary Wisconsin statutes establish this framework. Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, known as the Wisconsin Public Records Law, declares a strong presumption of access to records maintained by government authorities. Wis. Stat. § 59.20(3) further requires clerks of court and other county officers to keep their offices open and records accessible during business hours.

Despite the broad presumption of openness, certain records are confidential or restricted by law or court order. Records that are not available for general public inspection include:

Juvenile and child-in-need-of-protection cases — Case files involving minors in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems are confidential by statute.
Sealed records — A court may order specific records or entire case files sealed when justified by the circumstances. Accessing sealed records requires a court order to unseal them.
Adoption records — Adoption files are permanently maintained by the Register in Probate and are confidential, accessible only to authorized parties.
Civil commitment records — Cases involving mental health commitments, alcohol and drug dependency commitments, and related proceedings are confidential.
Guardianship records — Guardianship case files (case type GN) are confidential and do not appear on the WCCA portal.
Sensitive personal information — Social Security numbers, passport numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal identifiers are protected from public disclosure.

The Manitowoc County Clerk of Circuit Court’s office publishes a Public Records Notice identifying the categories of records maintained. The office holds records for civil, paternity, family, juvenile, criminal, traffic, ordinance violation, and small claims cases, as well as lien records, judgment dockets, oaths of office, jury management records, and financial and statistical records.

Under Supreme Court Rule Chapter 72, Wisconsin courts follow specific retention schedules that determine how long records are maintained before they may be archived or destroyed. Some probate records must be retained for 75 years, and adoption records are kept permanently.

Manitowoc County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Manitowoc County are prosecuted in the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court hears felony and misdemeanor cases and maintains all resulting records, including complaints, motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, verdicts, and sentencing orders. The court is located at:

Manitowoc County Circuit Court
1010 South 8th Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 683-4030
Fax: (920) 683-2733

The Criminal Unit within the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office can be reached at (920) 683-4028. The filing fee for a criminal action is $163, as established under Wis. Stat. § 814.61(1)(d).

Searching criminal case records

Individuals can search Manitowoc County criminal court records through WCCA, which displays the defendant’s name, date of birth, charges, case status, and court events. In-person requests and Open Records Request forms are also accepted at the Clerk’s office.

Arrest records and law enforcement sources

For arrest-related records, individuals may contact the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office publishes updated jail inmate information on its website. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ Office of Victim Services and Programs (OVSP) operates the Wisconsin VINE system, which allows members of the public to check the custody status of individuals held in county jails.

Persons seeking their own arrest records from Manitowoc County law enforcement can complete and submit the Release of Information Request form through the Sheriff’s Office website.

Statewide criminal background checks

The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Crime Information Bureau provides criminal history record information through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). WORCS is available to anyone willing to pay the required fee and returns results that may include arrest records, charges, court dispositions, and incarceration history from across the state, including Manitowoc County.

Manitowoc County Civil Court Records

Civil disputes in Manitowoc County are resolved through the Circuit Court. This includes cases involving breach of contract, personal injury, property damage, foreclosures, name changes, injunctions, and other non-criminal matters. Small claims cases—generally involving amounts of $10,000 or less—are also handled by the Circuit Court under simplified procedures.

Court contact for civil matters

The Civil and Small Claims Units can be reached through the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office:

Civil and Small Claims Clerk: (920) 683-4031
Main Clerk of Court Office: (920) 683-4030

Filing fees for civil cases

Filing fees for civil actions in Manitowoc County are set by Wis. Stat. Ch. 814 and include the base filing fee plus applicable surcharges for court support services (CSS) and justice information (JINFO). Key civil filing fees include:

Civil action (money judgment over $10,000): $265.50 total ($75 filing fee + $169 CSS + $21.50 JINFO)
Civil action (no money judgment, including name changes and declaratory judgments): $164.50 total ($75 filing fee + $68 CSS + $21.50 JINFO)
Small claims (claim of $10,000 or less): $94.50 total ($22 filing fee + $51 CSS + $21.50 JINFO)
E-filing fee (per case, per party): $35; $70 for attorney-mediators

Small claims plaintiffs in Wisconsin may use the self-help small claims forms assistant on the Wisconsin Court System website. Standard circuit court forms required for all civil filings are also available online.

Searching civil records

Civil case records can be searched at no cost through the WCCA portal. Copies of documents from the court file may be obtained through the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office using the standard copy fees ($1.25 per page for regular copies; $5 plus $1.25 per page for certified copies).

Transcripts of civil proceedings can be ordered from the court reporter assigned to the branch that heard the case. Prepayment is required. If a transcript is already part of the court record, it may be purchased from the court reporter at the copy rate of $0.50 per page, or from the Clerk of Court at the statutory rate of $1.25 per page.

Manitowoc County Family Court Records

The Manitowoc County Family Court handles cases involving divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, physical placement, child support, paternity, and other domestic relations matters. The Family Court Commissioner presides over many of these proceedings, with contested matters heard by Circuit Court judges.

Family Court Office

Manitowoc County Family Court
Manitowoc County Courthouse
1010 South 8th Street, 3rd Floor, Room 309
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 683-4493

The Family Unit within the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office handles case processing for family matters and can be reached at (920) 683-4036.

Filing fees for family actions

Family case filing fees, as established by Wisconsin statute, include:

Divorce, annulment, or legal separation (without support/maintenance request): $184.50 ($75 filing fee + $68 CSS + $21.50 JINFO + $20 family court counseling services fee)
Divorce, annulment, or legal separation (with support/maintenance request): $194.50 (adds $10 under Wis. Stat. § 814.61(13) for parties not receiving public assistance)
Paternity action (private party): $184.50
Post-judgment revision of custody or placement: $50
Other post-judgment motions: $30
Mediation fee (first session): free; subsequent sessions up to $200 or locally set fee

Vital records: marriage and divorce certificates

Marriage certificates and divorce certificates are classified as vital records in Wisconsin. In Manitowoc County, certified copies of these documents are available through the Register of Deeds:

Manitowoc County Register of Deeds
1010 South 8th Street, 1st Floor, Room 107
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 683-4012

Copies may be obtained in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek (which charges an additional $10 service fee). Mail requests require a completed Marriage Certificate Application form (or the equivalent application for other vital records), a copy of the applicant’s photo ID or three pieces of mail showing current name and address, and payment by cash or money order (personal checks are not accepted). The fee is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy requested at the same time.

Under Wis. Stat. § 69.20(1), certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates are available only to individuals named on the certificate, immediate family members of either party, guardians, legal representatives, or those with a documented legal purpose. Other requesters may obtain uncertified informational copies.

The Wisconsin Vital Records Office in Madison also issues certified copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death certificates through mail, online, and in-person requests. Mail requests should be sent to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, P.O. Box 309, Madison, WI 53701.

Marriage licenses

Marriage licenses in Manitowoc County are issued by the County Clerk’s office. Applicants must call (920) 683-4003 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The license fee is $80. A $25 waiver fee applies if the standard five-day waiting period is waived for good cause.

Domestic violence and protective orders

Temporary restraining orders and injunctions related to domestic abuse, child abuse, and harassment are filed without a filing fee in Manitowoc County. The county’s domestic violence resource center, InCourage (formerly the Domestic Violence Center), provides a 24-hour crisis line and advocacy assistance, including help with preparing and filing protective orders. InCourage can be reached at (920) 684-4661.

Manitowoc County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Manitowoc County—including the administration of estates, proceedings involving wills, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and civil commitments—are handled through the Circuit Court with administrative support from the Register in Probate. The Register in Probate also serves as a Circuit Court Commissioner.

Register in Probate Office

Manitowoc County Register in Probate
Manitowoc County Courthouse
1010 South 8th Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 683-4016

Searching probate records

Probate case records (case type PR) are open records and can be viewed by the public at the Register in Probate’s office. The case docket information (but not the underlying filed documents) also appears on the WCCA portal. The Register in Probate’s office is the only location where filed probate documents can be viewed or copied. Records are available in paper, microfilm, or electronic format. As of 2016, all newly filed probate cases are maintained exclusively as electronic records. Historical probate files that exceed the office’s retention period have been transferred to the Wisconsin State Historical Society and are physically held at the archive at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.

Adoptions, guardianships, and civil commitments, by contrast, are confidential and can only be accessed by authorized parties through the Probate office.

Probate filing fees

The Register in Probate collects fees under Wis. Stat. § 814.66. Commonly incurred probate fees include:

Estate filing (inventory fee, property valued at $10,000 or less): $20 (increasing to $36 for estates valued at $18,500 or less, effective November 1, 2026, under 2025 Wis. Act 179)
Estate filing (property valued over $10,000): 0.2% of the net value of the property subject to administration
Filing objections to probate of a will: $20 (increasing to $50 effective November 1, 2026)
Filing a claim against an estate: $3 (increasing to $10 effective November 1, 2026)
Search fee (locating a file without case number): $4 (increasing to $14 effective November 1, 2026)
Copies of probate records: $1 per page
Each certificate issued by the Register in Probate: $3 (increasing to $10 effective November 1, 2026)
Receiving a power of attorney for health care for safekeeping: $8 (increasing to $18 effective November 1, 2026)
Trust proceeding (petition under Ch. 701): $250 (increasing to $258 effective November 1, 2026)

The Personal Representative’s Guide to Informal Estate Administration in Wisconsin, available from the Register in Probate’s office for $10 (or $12.90 by mail), walks individuals through the probate process. Required forms for probate proceedings can be obtained at the office or downloaded from the Wisconsin Court System’s circuit court forms page.

Estate administration basics

When an estate is valued at less than $50,000, the Transfer by Affidavit procedure may be used. This simplified process does not require filing with the court. For estates exceeding $50,000, formal or informal probate administration through the Circuit Court is required. Self-represented petitioners filing an informal probate must make an appointment with the Register in Probate before submitting documents. The office encourages individuals to call (920) 683-4016 for guidance on which procedure best applies to their situation.