Ozaukee County Court Records Search

Ozaukee County sits along the western shore of Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin, with Port Washington serving as the county seat. All trial-level cases—criminal, civil, family, small claims, traffic, and probate—are heard in the Ozaukee County Circuit Court, which operates three judicial branches and a court commissioner out of the Ozaukee County Justice Center. The Clerk of Circuit Court doubles as the Register in Probate and the Clerk of Juvenile Court, making a single office the central point of contact for nearly every type of court record generated in the county.

For anyone trying to track down a case filing, judgment, or court order in Wisconsin, there are several pathways worth knowing. The state judiciary maintains Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), a free public database that covers circuit court cases statewide, including those filed in Ozaukee County. Broader information about the court system, forms, and self-help resources can be found through WisconsinCourts.us. Beyond online tools, records are also available in person at the Justice Center’s public-access terminals, by mail, by phone, by fax, and by email through the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Ozaukee County?

The fastest way to look up a case is through the WCCA case search portal. WCCA allows searches by party name, date of birth, business name, case number, or county. After agreeing to the terms of use, you can pull up docket entries, scheduled hearings, charges, and case dispositions at no charge. If you have trouble locating a case, the court recommends searching by first and last name only—adding middle names or initials may narrow results too aggressively. Note that WCCA does not display filed documents; it shows case-level summary data.

To view the actual documents filed in a case, you have two options:

Visit the Justice Center – Public-access computers in Room 201 display filed documents for Ozaukee County cases. No appointment is needed during regular business hours.
Request copies from the Clerk – Copies can be ordered through several channels, described below.

Submitting a Records Request

The Clerk’s office accepts requests for court document copies by:

Email: share45.owner@wicourts.gov
Phone: (262) 284-8420
Fax: (262) 284-8491
Mail: 1201 S. Spring Street, P.O. Box 994, Port Washington, WI 53074
In person: Ozaukee County Justice Center, 1201 S. Spring Street, Port Washington, WI 53074

Provide the case number, party names, and a description of the documents needed. Department of Justice guidelines allow up to 10 working days for a response, though the office works to fill requests as quickly as possible.

Copy Fees (per Wis. Stat. § 814.61)

Service	Fee
Name-based search (no case number provided)	$5.00 per name
Regular copies – non-probate	$1.25 per page
Regular copies – probate	$1.00 per page
Certified copy – non-probate	$5.00 per document + $1.25 per page
Certified copy – probate	$3.00 per document + $1.00 per page
Exemplified copy (triple seal)	$15.00 + $1.25 per attached page
Digital audio recording (thumb drive)	$10.00 per recording

Fees can be paid over the phone with a credit or debit card. Fines and fees can also be paid online through the Wisconsin Court System; note that U.S. Bank charges a 2.75% convenience fee for MasterCard and Visa payments or a flat $1.95 for electronic checks.

Electronic Filing

Ozaukee County accepts electronic filings through the Circuit Court eFiling system. Self-represented litigants who opt in on a case electronically are charged a $35 fee per case, per person. eFiling is mandatory for attorneys but voluntary for pro se parties under Wis. Stat. § 801.18. Detailed eFiling instructions are available on the court system’s website.

Transcript Requests

To request a transcript or electronic copy of a digitally recorded proceeding, complete the transcript request form and submit it to the Clerk of Court’s Office.

Are Court Records Public in Ozaukee County?

Wisconsin operates under one of the broadest public-records frameworks in the country. The Wisconsin Public Records Law, codified at Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, establishes a strong presumption that records held by government authorities—including court records—are open to public inspection and copying. Any person may request access without stating a reason, and custodians must respond within a reasonable time.

That said, several categories of court records are restricted by statute, court rule, or judicial order:

Sealed and expunged records – When a court orders a record sealed or a conviction expunged, the file is removed from public access. Under Ozaukee County’s policy, acknowledgement of an expunged record can only be given to the defendant upon presentation of identification. All other requestors will be told that no record exists.
Juvenile records – Proceedings involving minors are confidential under Wisconsin law.
Adoption records – Files related to adoption proceedings are sealed.
Confidential personal identifiers – Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule Chapter 72 and related confidential-information rules require that Social Security numbers, employer identification numbers, financial account numbers, driver’s license numbers, and state identification numbers be excluded from publicly accessible documents. Filers bear responsibility for redacting these before submission.
Mental health commitment and protective placement records – These proceedings carry statutory confidentiality protections.
Family law financial disclosures – Certain financial information submitted during divorce or custody cases may be treated as confidential.

The court records retention schedule, based on Supreme Court Rule Chapter 72, governs how long various record types are maintained before destruction or archival. Anyone with questions about whether a specific record remains on file should contact the Clerk’s office.

Ozaukee County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Ozaukee County—felonies, misdemeanors, and certain ordinance violations—are prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office, located in Room 212 of the Justice Center at 1201 S. Spring Street, Port Washington, WI 53074. The office can be reached at (262) 284-8380. Criminal matters are heard before the three Circuit Court branches:

Branch	Judge	Branch Clerk Phone
Branch 1, Courtroom 228	Hon. Adam Y. Gerol	(262) 284-8357
Branch 2, Courtroom 246	Hon. Steven M. Cain	(262) 284-8415
Branch 3, Room 253	Hon. Sandy A. Williams (Presiding Judge)	(262) 284-8362

Searching Criminal Case Records

Criminal case dockets, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions can be searched for free through WCCA. To obtain copies of filed documents such as complaints, plea agreements, or sentencing orders, submit a request to the Clerk’s office using the contact methods described above.

Discovery materials (police reports, body-camera footage, evidence) are not held by the Clerk’s office. For discovery requests, contact the Discovery Coordinator at the District Attorney’s Office at (262) 284-8380.

Arrest Records and Law Enforcement Reports

Police and incident reports must be requested directly from the law enforcement agency that responded to the event. The following agencies serve Ozaukee County:

Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office – 1201 S. Spring St., Port Washington, WI 53074; Phone: (262) 284-8437 (records); Open Records page
Cedarburg Police Department – W75 N444 Wauwatosa Road, Cedarburg, WI 53012; Phone: (262) 375-7620
Grafton Police Department – 1981 Washington St., Grafton, WI 53024; Phone: (262) 375-5320
Mequon Police Department – 11300 N. Buntrock Ave., Mequon, WI 53092; Phone: (262) 242-3500
Port Washington Police Department – 365 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, WI 53074; Phone: (262) 284-2611
Saukville Police Department – 639 E. Green Bay Ave., Saukville, WI 53080; Phone: (262) 284-0444

The Sheriff’s Office accepts open-records requests by email (openrecordsozso@co.ozaukee.wi.us), in person (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), by mail, or by fax at (262) 284-8490. An Open Records Request Form is available on the county website.

Statewide Criminal History Checks

Formal criminal background checks are processed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau (CIB). There are two ways to submit a request:

Online – Through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) at a cost of $7 per name search.
By mail or in person – Complete the Single Name Record Request or the Multiple Name Record Request form and mail it with payment to:

Crime Information Bureau – Record Check Unit
P.O. Box 2688
Madison, WI 53701-2688
Phone: (608) 266-5764

The fee is $7 per name-based search plus $5 for each paper copy requested.

Inmate Information

Current Ozaukee County Jail inmates can be located through the inmate locator on the county website.

Ozaukee County Civil Court Records

The Ozaukee County Circuit Court exercises general civil jurisdiction. Cases are categorized by amount in controversy:

Large civil – Claims exceeding $10,000 (including personal injury, contract disputes, and foreclosures)
Small claims – Claims of $10,000 or less, governed by simplified procedures

Civil filings, motions, judgments, and court orders are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court. Basic docket information—including case status, hearing schedules, and parties—can be searched at no cost through WCCA.

Obtaining Copies of Civil Records

Follow the same request procedures outlined above. Provide the case number whenever possible; without it, the Clerk charges a $5 name-search fee. Copies are $1.25 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus $1.25 per page.

Filing Fees

Civil filing fees are set by Wis. Stat. § 814.61 and the statewide fee schedule. Key civil filing fees include the clerk’s fee and any applicable surcharges, which vary by case type. The eFiling system charges an additional $35 opt-in fee per party, per case for self-represented filers.

Forms and Self-Help Resources

The Wisconsin Court System maintains a forms assistant that walks self-represented litigants through form selection and completion for many civil case types. Standardized state court forms can be downloaded directly from wicourts.gov. If no standardized form exists for your situation, the court will generally accept a drafted motion or letter that includes the case number, a statement of facts, and the relief sought—pages must be 8.5" × 11".

Judgments Discharged in Bankruptcy

If a civil judgment debt has been discharged in bankruptcy, satisfying the judgment on the court record requires a separate court order. The Clerk’s office provides instructions for satisfying civil judgments discharged in bankruptcy.

Ozaukee County Family Court Records

Family law cases in Ozaukee County—including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence restraining orders—are heard by the Circuit Court. Court Commissioner Johnathan G. Woodward presides over initial hearings and temporary orders from Room 231; the branch clerk can be reached at (262) 284-8378.

Divorce and Legal Separation

The Clerk’s office provides filing guides and required form packets for several scenarios:

Filing separately with minor children – Requires a Summons, Petition, and Confidential Petition Addendum (GF-179)
Filing jointly with minor children – Requires a Joint Petition and Confidential Petition Addendum
Filing separately without minor children – Requires a Summons, Petition, and Confidential Petition Addendum
Filing jointly without minor children – Requires a Joint Petition and Confidential Petition Addendum

County-specific guides explaining service requirements and the overall process are available on the Ozaukee County Family page. The statewide Divorce and Family Law self-help site also walks users through form completion.

Post-Judgment Modifications

Modifications to custody, placement, or support orders after the original judgment are handled through post-judgment motions. Forms and instructions specific to Ozaukee County can be found on the Post Judgment Matters page.

Confidentiality of Family Records

Financial disclosure documents filed in family cases are treated as confidential. Juvenile delinquency and child-in-need-of-protection cases are not accessible to the general public. Confidential case types do not appear in WCCA search results.

Child Support Enforcement

The Ozaukee County Child Support Agency can assist with establishing and enforcing support orders. The Probation Division’s child support hotline is (800) 995530. Financial inquiries related to court-ordered obligations can be directed to the Clerk’s Financial Division at (262) 284-8411.

Marriage and Divorce Certificates

Certified copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death certificates are issued by the Ozaukee County Register of Deeds:

Ozaukee County Register of Deeds
Address: 121 W. Main Street, Room 120, Port Washington, WI 53074
Phone: (262) 284-9411
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Vital Records counter closes at 4:00 p.m.)

Record Type	First Copy	Each Additional Copy
Birth certificate	$20.00	$3.00
Death certificate	$20.00	$3.00
Marriage certificate	$20.00	$3.00
Divorce certificate	$20.00	$3.00

In-person requests are processed while you wait. Requests can also be submitted online or by mail using forms from the Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association. Mail applications should include a copy of a valid photo ID and a check payable to Ozaukee County. Access to vital records is limited to individuals with a “direct and tangible interest”, such as the record subject, immediate family members, legal guardians, authorized agents, or persons who can demonstrate a personal or property right.

Ozaukee County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Ozaukee County are handled by the Circuit Court under the administration of the Register in Probate, currently Connie Mueller. The Register in Probate office assists with estate proceedings, guardianships, conservatorships, mental commitments, protective placements, and trust filings.

Register in Probate Office
Address: Ozaukee County Justice Center, 1201 S. Spring Street, Port Washington, WI 53074
Phone: (262) 284-8370
Fax: (262) 284-8491
Email: Connie.Mueller@wicourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Searching Probate Records

Probate case information—including estate status, personal representative names, claim deadlines, and inventory filings—can be searched through WCCA. Relevant Wisconsin probate statutes are Chapters 851–882.

Probate Filing Fees (per Wis. Stat. § 814.66)

Fee Type	Amount
Inventory filing – estate ≤ $10,000	$20.00
Inventory filing – estate > $10,000	0.2% of value less encumbrances
Guardianship/Conservatorship – property < $50,000	$20.00
Guardianship/Conservatorship – property > $50,000	0.2% of value less encumbrances
Will for safekeeping	$10.00
Health Care Power of Attorney for safekeeping	$8.00
Declaration for safekeeping	$8.00
Objection to probate of will	$20.00
Claim against estate	$3.00
Certificate signed by Register or Judge	$3.00
Certificate terminating life estate	$3.00
Copies (certified or otherwise)	$1.00 per page
Probate record search (no case number)	$4.00
Grandparent visitation petition	$60.00

Key Procedures

Under Wis. Stat. § 865.05, a decedent’s original will must be filed with the Register in Probate within 30 days of death, even if no probate proceeding is required. There is no fee for filing the original will. If no probate is needed, the filer should complete and file an Affidavit of No Probate.

The county provides detailed guides for each type of probate proceeding, including opening formal probate, opening informal probate, summary assignments, summary settlements, and special administrations. A Personal Representative’s Guide to Informal Estate Administration was revised in October 2025 and is available for download. Standardized probate forms can be accessed through the Wisconsin Court System forms page.

Filing a Claim Against an Estate

Creditors must complete the standard claim form (PR-1819), file it with the Register in Probate along with the $3 statutory fee, and send a copy to the personal representative and estate attorney. Claim deadlines vary by case and can be checked through WCCA or by reviewing the court file in person.

Transfer by Affidavit

For smaller estates that do not require full probate, Wisconsin law permits a Transfer by Affidavit (PR-1831). The county provides a Transfer by Affidavit guideline explaining eligibility and the process.