Pierce County Court Records Search
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Pierce County, Wisconsin sits in the state’s western region along the Mississippi River border with Minnesota, with the county seat of Ellsworth serving as the administrative hub for its courts and public offices. Court records originating from this county document the full spectrum of legal proceedings handled at the local level — from felony criminal cases to estate administrations — and they serve as the official account of what occurred in each matter. These records are maintained by several distinct county offices, each responsible for a different category of case or document type.
For those looking to locate Wisconsin court records, the state’s judicial branch provides consolidated online resources through WisconsinCourts.us, where publicly available case information from circuit and appellate courts can be searched at no charge. Beyond the statewide portal, the Pierce County Clerk of Courts maintains local records directly and can assist requesters with in-person, mail, and email inquiries. Public access terminals at the courthouse in Ellsworth also allow residents to review records on-site without a fee.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Pierce County?
The primary tool for searching Pierce County court cases remotely is the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, operated by the Wisconsin Court System. This free database includes circuit court records from across the state, with Pierce County cases available from 1992 forward. Users can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or citation number. The portal displays case summaries, hearing schedules, charges, dispositions, and in many instances, scanned documents attached to the court file.
Online Case Search — Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA)
- Available at no cost, 24 hours a day
- Covers civil, criminal, family, traffic, and small claims cases filed in Pierce County Circuit Court
- Case records available from approximately 1992 to present
- Search by party name, case number, or citation
For records not available through the WCCA, or to obtain certified copies of documents, contact the Clerk of Courts directly:
Pierce County Clerk of Courts
Address: Room 202, 414 West Main Street, P.O. Box 129, Ellsworth, WI 54011
Phone: (715) 273-6741
Fax: (715) 273-6855
Email: Pierce.Clerk@wicourts.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Requests for copies may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email. Written requests should include the case number, the names of the parties involved, and a description of the specific documents needed. Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Copy fees are $1.25 per page for standard copies and $5.00 per case number for certified copies. Requesters who do not know their case number may be subject to a $5.00 statutory research fee. Fines, filing fees, certified copies, and court costs can also be paid online through AllPaid using Pay Location Code 4033.
Are Court Records Public in Pierce County?
Wisconsin’s open government framework, codified under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39), establishes the principle that government records — including court records — are presumptively open to the public. Under this framework, Pierce County court records are generally available for inspection and copying upon request, and no specific reason is required to access most records.
That said, certain categories of records are restricted by statute or court order:
- Juvenile records — All documents and proceedings in juvenile cases are confidential under Wisconsin law. To review juvenile case information, a requester must file form JD-1738 with the Register in Probate/Juvenile Court office
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute; disclosure requires a court order or specific statutory authority
- Paternity records — Remain confidential until paternity is legally established
- Mental health, alcohol, and drug abuse commitment records — Maintained confidentially by the Register in Probate
- Medical records and sensitive personal information — Subject to redaction before public disclosure
- Certain investigative materials — May be withheld if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation
The Wisconsin Court System’s Americans with Disabilities Act policies and procedures also govern courthouse access for persons with disabilities. ADA accommodation requests for court proceedings can be directed to the presiding judge’s chambers.
Pierce County Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Pierce County are handled by the Pierce County Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over felonies, misdemeanors, and related criminal matters arising in the county. The Pierce County Clerk of Courts maintains all documentation associated with criminal defendants, including charging documents, minute entries from hearings, sentencing orders, and records of fines and penalties collected upon adjudication.
Criminal case records from 1992 forward are searchable through the WCCA portal. The Clerk’s office also prepares court orders and maintains records of county jail and prison sentences as directed by the circuit court judges.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county and supports court operations by providing bailiffs and executing civil process. The Sheriff’s Office also operates the county jail and maintains a publicly viewable jail roster updated daily.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 555 West Overlook Drive, Ellsworth, WI 54011
Phone: (715) 273-5051
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Dispatch: 24 hours)
The Pierce County Jail Roster is published on the county website and lists individuals currently in custody. The previous day’s roster is updated by 6:00 a.m. each morning. Individuals seeking information about crime victims or offender notifications can access the statewide VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system through the Sheriff’s Office.
Pierce County Circuit Court also operates a Drug Court and a Veterans Court, both of which are specialty dockets designed to provide structured supervision and treatment alternatives for qualifying defendants. Information on these programs is available through the Pierce County Circuit Court page.
The Pierce County Local Court Rules govern procedural matters specific to this jurisdiction and are updated periodically. Attorneys practicing in the county and self-represented litigants should consult these rules before filing.
Pierce County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Pierce County are filed in the Pierce County Circuit Court and are likewise maintained by the Clerk of Courts. The Clerk files all documents from the moment a case is opened through final disposition, executes judgments, and dockets liens including Wisconsin Delinquent Income Tax Warrants. Civil case categories include general civil actions, small claims, landlord-tenant evictions, and civil collections.
Small Claims Court
Small claims in Wisconsin are governed by Wis. Stat. Chapter 799. Pierce County Circuit Court hears small claims cases involving money disputes up to $10,000, with a $5,000 cap on tort claims. The Pierce County Clerk’s office provides a detailed Small Claims Information guide specific to the county’s local procedures. The Wisconsin Court System also maintains a statewide Guide to Small Claims for self-represented parties. The general Wisconsin circuit court filing fee schedule — including e-filing surcharges of $35 per case per party effective May 1, 2024 — applies to Pierce County filings.
For landlord-tenant matters, the county website links to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture’s Landlord-Tenant Guide, a useful reference for parties in eviction proceedings.
Municipal Courts
Pierce County also has two municipal courts that handle local ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and municipal code matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| City of Prescott Municipal Court | 800 Borner Street North, Prescott, WI 54021 | (715) 262-5546 |
| City of River Falls Municipal Court | 222 Lewis Street, River Falls, WI 54022 | (715) 426-3429 |
Municipal courts do not handle felonies or serious misdemeanors; those matters are routed to the Circuit Court. Records from municipal court proceedings are held by the respective municipal court clerk.
Pierce County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and restraining orders — are filed in and adjudicated by the Pierce County Circuit Court. The Clerk of Courts files all family orders and documents and assists attorneys in scheduling family matters before the court.
Divorce Proceedings
Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $5.00 per case number, with standard copies at $1.25 per page. Requesters should provide the case number and party names; a $5.00 statutory research fee applies when the case number is unknown. Payments for certified copies and other court fees may be submitted in person, by mail, or through AllPaid online.
Divorce certificates — distinct from full divorce decrees — are also available through the Pierce County Register of Deeds. Complete the Divorce Certificate Application and submit it to:
Pierce County Register of Deeds
Address: 414 West Main Street, P.O. Box 267, Ellsworth, WI 54011
Phone: (715) 273-6748
The fee for a divorce certificate is $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Payment must be by check or money order payable to “Register of Deeds”, accompanied by a valid photo ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Self-represented parties in divorce or legal separation matters can access guidance through the Wisconsin Court System’s Self Representation in Divorce or Legal Separation resource, which provides approved forms and procedural guidance. Wisconsin Circuit Court family law forms, including stipulations for modifying child placement, custody, and support, are also available through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Forms portal.
Restraining Orders
The Clerk of Courts processes restraining order petitions for domestic abuse, child abuse, harassment, and individuals at risk. The following petition forms are available directly from the court:
- Domestic Abuse Restraining Order (Form 30709)
- Child Abuse Restraining Order (Form 30710)
- Harassment Restraining Order (Form 30711)
- Individual at Risk Restraining Order (Form 30713)
Child Support
The Pierce County Child Support office, operated through Human Services, monitors divorce proceedings involving children and can appear on behalf of children at court hearings. Residents not receiving W-2, Medicaid, or FoodShare may still apply for child support services.
Birth and Marriage Records
Vital records related to family matters are maintained by the Pierce County Register of Deeds. Marriage certificates cost $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 per additional copy. Complete the Marriage Certificate Application and submit it with payment, a valid ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Birth certificates are restricted to the individual named on the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives; the fee structure is identical at $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional. The Birth Certificate Application is available on the county website.
Pierce County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Pierce County are managed by the Pierce County Register in Probate, located in Room 201 of the Pierce County Courthouse. This office coordinates the judicial and administrative functions of the Probate Court, overseeing formal estate proceedings, informal probate, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, protective placements, mental health and substance abuse commitments, and adoptions. The Register in Probate also serves as the Clerk of Juvenile Court, maintaining confidential records for matters under the children’s and juvenile justice codes.
Pierce County Register in Probate
Address: Room 201, 414 West Main Street, P.O. Box 97, Ellsworth, WI 54011
Phone: (715) 273-6752
Fax: (715) 273-6794
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Key Probate Procedures
- If a decedent left a Will, it must be filed with the Probate office within 30 days of death, even if no formal probate proceeding is required
- There is no fee for filing the original Will
- Wills deposited for safekeeping during the testator’s lifetime carry a $10.00 fee
- For estates that do not require full probate, the Affidavit of No Probate form may be filed in lieu of opening a formal proceeding
- To file a claim against an estate, complete state form PR-1819 and submit it with a $3.00 statutory filing fee; a copy must also be sent to the Personal Representative and estate attorney
Probate Fee Schedule
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Form Packets | $10.00 |
| Inventory Fee — estates/guardianships with assets ≤ $10,000 / ≤ $50,000 | $20.00 |
| Inventory Fee — estates/guardianships with assets > $10,000 / > $50,000 | 0.2% of inventory value |
| Certification | $3.00 |
| Copies | $1.00 per page |
| Filing a Claim Against an Estate | $3.00 |
| Searching for Files or Records | $4.00 |
| Wills for Safekeeping | $10.00 |
| Exemplifications | $9.00 + copy fee |
| Termination of Life Estate | $3.00 |
| Grandparent or Step-Parent Visitation Action | $60.00 |
| Objection to Probate of Will | $20.00 |
| Health Care Power of Attorney / Living Will | $8.00 |
Certified copies from the Probate office may be requested in person or by mail. Mail requests must include the correct fee and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope; payment must be received before copies are issued.
Probate case records are also searchable through the WCCA portal for cases on record with the Wisconsin Court System. The Wisconsin Statutes require all estates to be settled as promptly as reasonably possible. More information on the probate process specific to Pierce County is available on the county’s official website.
Staff at the Register in Probate office cannot provide legal advice. Self-represented parties with legal questions are encouraged to contact the State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral and Information Service at (800) 362-9082 or Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. at (800) 472-1638. A free legal clinic sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin and the St. Croix Valley Bar Association is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month by phone with volunteer attorneys from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Contact the Clerk of Courts office for current monthly dial-in information.