Oneida County Court Records Search
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Oneida County, Wisconsin, is located in the Northwoods region of the state, with Rhinelander serving as the county seat. The county’s court system centers on the Circuit Court, which handles the full range of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Court records generated through these proceedings are maintained by elected constitutional officers — the Clerk of Courts and the Register in Probate — who serve as the official custodians responsible for filing, preserving, and making those records accessible to the public.
People researching Oneida County court cases in Wisconsin have a number of practical options available. WisconsinCourts.us is a useful starting point for locating publicly available court case information at the state level. Beyond that, official resources including the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, the Clerk of Courts office, and in-person courthouse terminals all provide ways to search and retrieve records. The sections below explain exactly how each type of record is maintained, which records are open to the public, and what steps are required to obtain them.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Oneida County?
The most efficient way to search Oneida County court cases is through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, which provides free public access to case information for all Wisconsin circuit courts. Users can search by party name, business name, or case number. The portal displays case summaries, charge information, court activity dates, and citation details for non-confidential matters.
For appellate-level matters — cases that have moved to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals or Wisconsin Supreme Court — a separate search is available through the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access (WSCCA) site.
Step-by-Step: Online Case Search
- Visit the WCCA case search portal
- Select “Oneida” as the county
- Enter the party’s name, business name, or case number
- Review the list of matching results and select the relevant case
- View case summary, charges, court dates, and dispositions for public records
In-Person Search
Individuals who prefer to search records in person or need certified copies can visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Oneida County Courthouse. Staff can assist with locating case files and processing copy requests. Self-service computer terminals are also available at the courthouse for public use.
Oneida County Clerk of Courts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Elected Official | Brenda Behrle |
| Address | Oneida County Courthouse, P.O. Box 400, 1 S. Oneida Ave., Rhinelander, WI 54501 (3rd Floor) |
| Phone | (715) 369-6120 |
| brenda.behrle@wicourts.gov | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Mail Requests
Mail requests for copies should be directed to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include a written description of the record being requested, the case number if known, and payment for the applicable copy fees by check or money order.
Are Court Records Public in Oneida County?
Wisconsin’s public records framework — Wisconsin Open Records Law, Wis. Stat. § 19.31 et seq. — establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records, including court records. Members of the public have the right to inspect or obtain copies of Oneida County Circuit Court records, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
Copy fees are governed by Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10), which sets the standard rate at $1.25 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document, as provided under Wis. Stat. § 814.61(5).
Restricted and Confidential Records
Not all court records are publicly accessible. Wisconsin law and court rules designate specific categories of records as confidential, meaning they are closed to the public and available only to the parties involved and their attorneys. Confidential records in Oneida County include:
- Adoption records and termination of parental rights files
- Guardianship records and mental commitment files
- Juvenile delinquency proceeding records
- Paternity pre-adjudication records
- Unexecuted search warrants
- Grand juror lists and grand jury proceedings
- Child abuse restraining orders and injunctions
- Financial disclosure statements in divorce cases
- Income and expense statements
- Presentence investigation reports
- Protective services and placement records
- Family medical history questionnaires
- Identifying information in child custody proceedings
- Wills deposited for safekeeping during the testator’s lifetime
- Confidential name change petitions
For records that contain both public and restricted information, Wisconsin courts follow a redaction process that removes or obscures protected details — such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver’s license numbers — while preserving the public portions of the document. Under Wis. Stat. § 801.20, parties and attorneys must file confidential information separately from publicly accessible court documents.
Oneida County Criminal Court Records
The Oneida County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all felony criminal matters and shares authority over misdemeanor cases. Two court branches handle the county’s full criminal caseload. Branch I is presided over by Judge Michael W. Schiek, and Branch II by Judge Mary M. Sowinski.
Circuit Court Branches
| Branch | Judge | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Branch I | Hon. Michael W. Schiek | (715) 369-6157 |
| Branch II | Hon. Mary M. Sowinski | (715) 369-6200 |
Both branches operate from the Oneida County Courthouse at 1 S. Oneida Ave., Rhinelander, WI 54501, with general hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case information — including charges, dispositions, and scheduled court dates — is searchable through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal for non-confidential records. The WCCA displays case summaries that include the prosecuting agency, count numbers, applicable statutes, charge descriptions, and dispositions.
For cases involving criminal history information that goes beyond what is available through WCCA — such as arrest records or law enforcement incident reports — requests must be directed to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, which is the primary law enforcement agency for Oneida County.
Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2000 East Winnebago Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501 |
| Phone | (715) 361-5100 |
| Sheriff | Grady Hartman |
The Sheriff’s Office manages jail operations and handles inmate matters. For corrections-related inquiries, the Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Office can be contacted directly. The office also serves civil process, provides court security, and handles criminal investigation and drug enforcement operations throughout the county.
Arrest records and criminal history information beyond what is visible on WCCA — including information held by municipal police departments in cities such as Rhinelander — must be requested directly from the law enforcement agency that generated the record.
Oneida County Civil Court Records
The Oneida County Circuit Court handles all civil matters, including general civil litigation, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, contract disputes, and personal injury actions. The Clerk of Courts office maintains records for all civil case types and provides administrative support through a dedicated Deputy Clerk for Civil/Small Claims matters.
Civil Case Records — Online Access
Civil case information is searchable at no charge through the WCCA portal. Case records available online include filing dates, party names, case type, court activities, and judgment information for public civil cases.
Small Claims Court
Small claims proceedings in Oneida County are governed by Wis. Stat. Chapter 799. Key rules and procedures include:
- Claim limit: Cases may be filed if the claim does not exceed $10,000
- Evictions and replevins: All eviction cases and replevins are filed in small claims court regardless of the amount involved
- Filing venue: Claims should generally be filed in the county where the claim originated or where the defendant resides
- Service in evictions: The defendant must be served at least five days before the first court date
- Service in other cases: The defendant must be served at least eight days before the return date
- Judgment docketing fee: $5.00 to place a lien on real property owned by a judgment debtor in Oneida County
Small claims forms — including the summons and complaint and garnishment packets — are available at the Clerk of Courts office or through the Wisconsin Courts self-help small claims resources. The Clerk of Courts and court staff cannot provide legal advice, but they can assist with determining whether a submitted document is procedurally appropriate for filing.
Civil Copy Fees
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copies | $1.25 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document |
Oneida County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Oneida County are handled through the Circuit Court, with the Family Court Commissioner providing an additional layer of case management. Family Court Commissioner Deborah Hatfield serves the court and can be reached at (715) 369-6152. The Clerk of Courts maintains a dedicated Deputy Clerk for Family matters.
Family Court Jurisdiction
The Circuit Court handles the following family law proceedings:
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and placement disputes
- Child and spousal support
- Domestic abuse restraining orders and injunctions
- Paternity actions (post-adjudication records only — pre-adjudication paternity records are confidential)
- Adoption proceedings
- Termination of parental rights
Wisconsin provides a self-help divorce guide through the Wisconsin Court System website, which walks users through the divorce filing process and assists with form completion. Circuit Court forms for family law matters are available through the Wisconsin Courts website.
Important Confidentiality Note
Several categories of family court records are automatically confidential under Wisconsin law and are not viewable through WCCA or at the public counter. These include financial disclosure statements in divorce cases, identifying information in child custody proceedings, and child abuse restraining orders. Access to these records is limited to the parties, their attorneys, and persons authorized by court order.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Certified copies of marriage and divorce records are not treated as general public records in Wisconsin — access is restricted to individuals with a tangible and direct interest in the record. These vital records are issued by the Oneida County Register of Deeds, not the Clerk of Courts.
Vital Records Availability at the Register of Deeds
| Record Type | Available From |
|---|---|
| Birth | October 1, 1907 to present |
| Marriage | October 1, 1907 to present |
| Death | September 1, 2013 to present |
| Divorce | January 1, 2016 to present |
Fees and Application Process
The fee for all vital records is $20.00 for the first copy of each record and $3.00 for each additional copy. The office accepts cash, check, or money order. Applications must include a valid government-issued photo ID, with the original presented for in-person requests and a photocopy included for mail requests.
Applications are available for download directly from the county:
- Birth Certificate Application
- Death Certificate Application
- Marriage Certificate Application
- Divorce Certificate Application
In-person applications for certified copies are typically processed within 30 minutes. Mail applications are generally processed within two business days plus mail transit time. The Register of Deeds also maintains a Genealogy Application for researchers seeking historical vital record information.
For birth and death records outside the date ranges available through the county office — or for statewide searches — requestors may contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office or submit a request through VitalChek at (877) 885-2981.
Register of Deeds Contact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Oneida County Courthouse, P.O. Box 400, 1 S. Oneida Ave., Rhinelander, WI 54501 |
| Phone | (715) 369-6150 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Oneida County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Oneida County are overseen by the Circuit Court and administered through the Register in Probate office, which operates separately from the Clerk of Courts. The Register in Probate assists the public, attorneys, and judges with probate, guardianship, mental commitment, adoption, and termination of parental rights proceedings.
Register in Probate — Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Register in Probate | Amy Weinfurter |
| Phone | (715) 369-6159 |
| amy.weinfurter@wicourts.gov | |
| Address | Oneida County Courthouse, P.O. Box 400, 1 S. Oneida Ave., Rhinelander, WI 54501 (3rd Floor) |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday |
Note that the Register in Probate has a midday closure from noon to 1:00 p.m., which differs from the Clerk of Courts schedule.
Probate Jurisdiction
The Register in Probate handles the following matter types:
- Decedent estates — whether testate (with a will) or intestate (without a will)
- Guardianship of minors and adults
- Conservatorships and protective placement proceedings
- Mental commitment proceedings
- Adoption filings
- Termination of parental rights
The office also monitors all guardianship and trust accountings on an annual basis, as required by Wisconsin statutes.
Confidentiality of Probate-Related Records
Guardianship, adoption, mental commitment, and termination of parental rights files are confidential and closed to the public under Wisconsin law. The Register in Probate can answer general procedural questions about these proceedings but cannot provide information about the contents of specific confidential files. Decedent estate records and will filings, by contrast, are generally accessible as public records once probate is opened.
Online Probate Resources
Probate case information that has been entered into the court management system can be searched through the WCCA portal for non-confidential estate matters. The Wisconsin Court System also maintains a Probate Self-Help Law Center that explains the probate process, identifies when probate is required, and provides downloadable circuit court forms. All Wisconsin Circuit Court forms relevant to probate and estate matters are available through the state court system’s forms library at no cost.