Outagamie County Court Records Search
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Outagamie County is located in east-central Wisconsin, with its county seat in the city of Appleton. The county’s trial-level court is the Outagamie County Circuit Court, which handles criminal, civil, family, probate, and small claims matters. Several municipal courts operate within the county for local ordinance violations and certain forfeitures. All circuit court records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Courts, while probate-specific filings are processed through the Register in Probate. Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates fall under the purview of the Register of Deeds.
Wisconsin residents and researchers seeking court records in Outagamie County can begin their search through several official channels. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, maintained by the state court system, provides free online access to case information from every circuit court in the state, including Outagamie County. For broader information on court procedures, forms, and fee schedules, the WisconsinCourts.us website serves as the central resource for statewide judicial information. Records can also be obtained by contacting the appropriate clerk’s office directly, visiting the courthouse in person, or submitting written requests by mail or fax. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for on-site research.
All information in this guide should be verified against current official sources before relying on it for legal or research purposes, as fees, procedures, and office hours may change.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Outagamie County?
There are several methods to locate a court case in Outagamie County, depending on the type of record and how much identifying information the researcher has on hand.
Online Search
The fastest option is the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website, which provides case-level data for civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters filed in any Wisconsin circuit court. To search for an Outagamie County case:
- Navigate to the case search page.
- Select “Outagamie” from the county dropdown menu.
- Enter the party name, case number, or other identifying criteria.
- Review the results, which display case type, filing date, parties, charges or claims, scheduled hearings, and disposition information.
This portal does not charge a fee for searching. However, it does not provide downloadable copies of documents such as orders, motions, or transcripts. To obtain actual document copies, a researcher must contact the Clerk of Circuit Courts.
By Phone, Fax, or Mail
The Clerk of Circuit Courts accepts record requests by phone, fax, and mail. After verifying the requested record and processing payment, staff can email copies to the requester.
- Phone for record requests: (920) 832-5130
- Fax: (920) 832-5115
- Mail: Outagamie County Clerk of Courts, 320 S Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911
Copy Fees (per Wis. Stat. 814.61(10)):
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $1.25 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per page (includes $1.25 copy fee plus certification) |
| File/record search (no case number provided) | $5.00 per search |
In Person
Researchers may visit the Outagamie County Justice Center to request records at the clerk’s counter. Bring a valid form of identification and as much case-identifying information as possible, including party names, case numbers, or filing dates.
Outagamie County Justice Center
Address: 320 South Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: (920) 832-5131
Fax: (920) 832-5115
Electronic Filing
Attorneys and self-represented parties can file new cases and documents electronically through the Wisconsin eFiling system. A per-case electronic filing fee of $35 per party applies (or $70 for attorney-mediators), in addition to regular filing fees.
Are Court Records Public in Outagamie County?
Wisconsin’s Public Records Law, codified at Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, establishes a strong presumption that records held by government authorities are open for public inspection and copying. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), any person has the right to inspect any record, subject to certain statutory and common-law exceptions. Record custodians may charge reasonable fees to cover the cost of locating and reproducing records.
Records generally available to the public include:
- Criminal case filings, charges, and dispositions
- Civil complaints, judgments, and court orders
- Divorce and family case filings (with certain redactions)
- Probate filings, estate inventories, and wills
- Traffic citations and forfeiture actions
- Small claims filings and judgments
- Property liens and judgment transcripts
Records that are restricted or sealed include:
- Juvenile court records, which are confidential under Wisconsin law
- Adoption records
- Records sealed by court order
- Commitment and guardianship records maintained by the Register in Probate (confidential per office policy and statute)
- Certain personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers) that may be redacted
- Information protected by the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which restricts disclosure of personal information from motor vehicle records
The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office also notes that medical information and juvenile-related records in its custody may be redacted in accordance with state statute and departmental policy, even when other portions of a record are releasable.
Denied requests for records can be challenged. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4), if a records custodian denies a request, the denial must be in writing and state the reasons. The requester may then seek a court order compelling release of the records.
Outagamie County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Outagamie County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Circuit Courts maintains all criminal case records, including complaints, charging documents, plea records, sentencing orders, and judgment of conviction documents.
Where to Search
- Online: Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal to search by defendant name or case number. Criminal case results show charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
- In Person / By Mail / By Fax: Contact the Clerk of Circuit Courts at the Outagamie County Justice Center.
Outagamie County Clerk of Circuit Courts
Address: 320 South Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: (record requests): (920) 832-5130
Phone: (general): (920) 832-5131
Fax: (920) 832-5115
Document copies cost $1.25 per page for plain copies and $5.00 per page for certified copies.
Arrest Records and Law Enforcement Reports
The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of arrest reports, incident reports, and booking records generated by the Sheriff’s department. Requests for these records are handled by the records unit.
Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 3030 East Goodland Drive, Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: (920) 832-5605 (press option 2 for records)
Records Unit Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Copy fee: $0.25 per printed page
Reports can be picked up in person, or sent by fax, mail, or email. Requesters must describe the record with reasonable specificity under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h). A Limited Vehicle/Driver Record Information Request Form must be completed when the request involves motor vehicle record data subject to the DPPA.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state’s Centralized Criminal History (CCH) database. Public name-based criminal background checks can be submitted through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). The fee for an online name-based search is $7.00; caregiver background checks cost $10.00. An additional $5.00 surcharge applies if a paper copy of the results is requested (per Wis. Stat. § 165.827(1m)). Anyone can submit a public-access search without creating an account.
Criminal history records in the CCH are fingerprint-supported. Arrests without supporting fingerprints or disposition information are not included. Law enforcement agencies are required to submit arrest fingerprint cards under Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1). Juvenile criminal records are not publicly accessible.
Outagamie County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Outagamie County are heard by the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Circuit Courts maintains records for all civil case types, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, property damage actions, foreclosures, evictions, name changes, and restraining orders.
Jurisdiction and Filing Fees
The Wisconsin Circuit Court handles civil claims of all dollar amounts. Small claims, governed by Wis. Stat. Chapter 799, are a subset of civil actions limited to $10,000 or less (tort and personal injury claims are limited to $5,000 or less).
Key filing fees, as set by Wis. Stat. Chapter 814:
| Action | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil claim (money judgment > $10,000) | $265.50 |
| Civil claim (no money judgment, e.g., name change, injunction) | $164.50 |
| Civil claim ($5,001–$10,000, personal injury/tort) | $147.50 |
| Small claims ($10,000 or less) | $94.50 |
| Small claims (tort/personal injury, $5,000 or less) | $94.50 |
| Jury demand (small claims) | $89.00 |
| Foreclosure under Ch. 846 | $265.50 |
| Harassment restraining order (without qualifying allegations) | $164.50 |
| Domestic abuse / child abuse restraining order | $0 |
These totals include the base filing fee, court support services surcharge, and justice information surcharge. An additional $35 eFiling fee per party applies to electronically filed cases.
How to Search Civil Records
- Search online at the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal by party name or case number.
- Call the Clerk of Circuit Courts at (920) 832-5130 for record requests.
- Visit the Justice Center at 320 South Walnut Street, Appleton, to inspect files or obtain copies.
- Submit a written request by mail or fax to (920) 832-5115.
Small Claims Resources
The Wisconsin Court System offers a Small Claims Self-Help website with guides for filing evictions, money claims, replevin actions, and enforcement of judgments. A forms assistant tool walks self-represented parties through the interview process and generates the appropriate filings. All necessary circuit court forms are available for download from the state courts website.
Outagamie County also offers foreclosure mediation through forms available from the Clerk of Circuit Courts.
Outagamie County Family Court Records
Outagamie County does not maintain a separate family court. Family law cases, including divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse matters, are heard by the Circuit Court. The Family Court Commissioner and assistant commissioners oversee certain family law proceedings, temporary orders, and mediation referrals.
Family Court Commissioner’s Office
Address: Government Center, 2nd Floor, 320 S Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: (920) 832-5057
Fax: (920) 832-4418
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed 12:30–1:00 p.m.)
Divorce and Legal Separation
Divorce filings are processed through the Clerk of Circuit Courts. The Family/Divorce Self-Help website provides forms and step-by-step instructions for self-represented parties. The Self Help Office at the Family Court Commissioner’s office assists parties without attorneys in completing divorce paperwork. This service is free and available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with Thursday afternoon appointments available by calling (920) 968-2985.
Divorce Filing Fees:
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Without child support or maintenance | $184.50 |
| With child support or maintenance | $194.50 |
Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Credit and debit cards are not accepted for divorce filing fees. Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals.
Custody, Support, and Paternity
Mediation is required for contested custody and placement disputes. The Family Court Commissioner’s office coordinates mediation and custody studies. Custody study fees are $300 (or a locally set amount). The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families provides tools to estimate income and child support amounts.
Paternity actions filed by a private party carry a $184.50 filing fee ($194.50 with a support request). Actions initiated by the state or a child support agency have no filing fee.
Domestic Abuse and Harassment Restraining Orders
Petitions for domestic abuse, child abuse, or individual-at-risk restraining orders or injunctions may be filed at no cost under Wis. Stat. §§ 813.12, 813.122, and 813.123. Harassment petitions that allege stalking, sexual assault, physical violence, or threats are also filed at no cost. Other harassment petitions require a $164.50 filing fee.
Juvenile and Adoption Cases
Juvenile case records and adoption records are confidential and not available for public inspection. For questions about juvenile or adoption matters, contact the Clerk of Circuit Courts at (920) 832-5138 or (920) 832-5139.
Marriage and Divorce Certificates
The Outagamie County Register of Deeds issues certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates, along with birth and death certificates. Records are available from the following date ranges:
- Birth certificates: October 1, 1907, to present
- Death certificates: September 1, 2013, to present
- Marriage certificates: October 1, 1907, to present
- Divorce certificates: January 1, 2016, to present
Vital Record Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First copy of any vital record | $20.00 |
| Each additional copy (same record, same order) | $3.00 |
In-person requests require valid photo identification showing a current street address. Acceptable ID includes a state driver’s license, U.S. passport, tribal ID, or military ID. Alternatively, two forms of secondary identification (utility bill, bank statement, vehicle registration, etc.) may be presented. Certified copies are only available to individuals with a direct and tangible interest as defined on the application forms.
Register of Deeds Office
Address: 320 S Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: (Vital Records): (920) 832-5095
Phone: (Land Records): (920) 832-5114
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Mail-in requests require a completed application form, a photocopy of acceptable identification, and the applicable fee. Cash, money order, or personal check is accepted by mail (checks are subject to a three-day processing delay). Online orders can be placed through VitalChek, which charges an additional service fee.
Outagamie County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Outagamie County are processed by the Register in Probate and adjudicated by the Circuit Court. The Register in Probate handles all paperwork related to estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, civil commitments, and trust proceedings.
Register in Probate Office
Address: 320 South Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: (920) 832-5601
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Closed on all county holidays
Staff:
- Brent Haroldson, Register in Probate / Probate Registrar / Probate Court Commissioner
- Lisa Wilharms, Deputy Register in Probate
- Ashley Elwing-Vargas, Deputy Register in Probate
- Stephanie Hedquist, Probate Assistant
Types of Probate Cases
The office processes a range of case types, including formal probate proceedings, informal probate proceedings, summary assignments, summary settlements, ancillary proceedings, special administration, determination of descent, trusts, guardianships (adult, minor, and temporary), conservatorships, and mental health, alcohol, and drug commitments.
Informal Probate Proceedings
The most common process for transferring a decedent’s assets is informal probate. Detailed guidelines are available in the Outagamie County Informal Probate Guidelines, and additional instruction can be found in A Personal Representative’s Guide to Informal Estate Administration.
Probate Filing Fees (Inventory Fee):
The filing fee for informal probate is based on the date-of-death value of the decedent’s assets:
| Estate Value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $10,000 or less | $20.00 |
| More than $10,000 | 0.2% of gross estate value minus liens |
For example, an estate with $50,000 in total assets would have a filing fee of $100.00. Inventory fees for minor and adult guardianships of the estate follow a similar structure but apply to estates valued over $50,000 at the 0.2% rate, with a $20.00 minimum.
Trust proceedings carry a filing fee of $250.00.
Key Deadlines:
- The estate inventory must be filed within 6 months of the petition filing date. The Outagamie County Register in Probate does not grant extensions for this deadline.
- The estate must be closed within 18 months of filing the Petition for Administration. Extensions require a court order; failure to meet this deadline without approval may result in removal of the personal representative.
Appointments with the Probate Registrar for signing and notarizing documents are available on Tuesday afternoons (1:00–4:00 p.m.) and Thursday mornings (8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.). Appointments are limited to 30 minutes. All required court forms must be obtained from the Wisconsin Court System forms page; the Register in Probate does not supply blank forms.
Public Access to Probate Records
Most probate records, including wills, estate inventories, and filings related to estate administration, are public and can be searched through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal by selecting Outagamie County and the appropriate probate case type. Commitment and guardianship records are confidential and not open to public inspection. The Register in Probate office does not provide legal advice on any cases but can assist with procedural questions and do-it-yourself probate guidance. Individuals with complex legal questions are encouraged to consult an attorney or visit the Wisconsin State Law Library for additional self-help resources.