Rock County Court Records
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Rock County sits in southern Wisconsin along the Illinois border, and its courts process thousands of case filings every year — criminal, civil, family, and probate. The county seat is Janesville, where the Rock County Courthouse handles the bulk of court operations. Whether you're a party to a case, an attorney doing research, a journalist, or simply a member of the public trying to find case information, knowing how to navigate the county's court record systems will save you real time and effort. This guide walks through the key ways to search, request, and obtain court records in Rock County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Rock County?
Start with the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, available through WisconsinCourts.us — it's the go-to online resource for publicly available case data from every circuit court in the state, including Rock County. If you need the actual documents rather than case summaries, or if you have a records request that goes beyond what WCCA shows, reach out to the Rock County Clerk of Circuit Courts office directly, either in person, by mail, or by phone.
Online Search via WCCA
WCCA lets you search by party name (last name, first name), case number, date of birth, attorney name, or citation number. Results include case summaries, party information, charges, scheduled hearings, and disposition details for most case types. Keep in mind that WCCA does not provide access to the underlying documents themselves — motions, briefs, and exhibits aren't available through the portal.
In-Person Search
You can review court records at:
Rock County Courthouse
51 South Main Street
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 743-2200
The Clerk of Circuit Courts office keeps files for all circuit court cases. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse during regular business hours:
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Closed on weekends and state holidays
Mail Requests
If you can't visit in person, send a written request to:
Rock County Clerk of Circuit Court
51 South Main Street
Janesville, WI 53545
Include the full case number or the names of the parties along with the approximate dates of the proceedings. Enclose payment for any copy or certification fees that apply.
Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $1.25 |
| Certified copies (per document) | $5.00 |
| Court record search fee | $5.00 |
Payments can be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the Rock County Clerk of Circuit Court. Some requests may also be handled through the eFiling system used by Wisconsin courts.
Are Court Records Public in Rock County?
Wisconsin has a strong open-government tradition, and court records are generally presumed to be public. Wisconsin Statutes 19.31–19.39 establish a broad right of access to government records, including those held by the courts. In practice, this means that most filed documents are available for public inspection unless a specific law or court order restricts them.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has also issued rules specifically about court document access. Supreme Court Rule 72 sets out the policy for accessing circuit court records and explains how courts must handle public records requests.
Records that are generally public include:
- Criminal complaints and charging documents
- Civil petitions and complaints
- Court orders and judgments
- Sentencing records
- Small claims filings
- Probate petitions
- Traffic and ordinance violations
Records that may be sealed or restricted include:
- Juvenile proceedings (under Wis. Stat. 938.18 and 938.396)
- Guardianship records involving minors
- Certain mental health commitment records
- Records sealed by court order
- Domestic abuse injunction petitions dismissed before a hearing
- Adoption records
- Confidential portions of family court filings, including financial disclosure statements
Under Wisconsin Statutes 59.20, the Clerk of Circuit Court is the official custodian of court records at the county level and is responsible for responding to public records requests. If a request is denied, the requester has the right to challenge that decision under the procedures in the public records law.
Certain personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and the names of minor victims in sensitive cases — are routinely redacted from publicly accessible documents under Wisconsin Statutes 801.21.
Rock County Criminal Court Records
Felonies, misdemeanors, and criminal traffic matters are all heard by the Rock County Circuit Court, which is part of Wisconsin's Fifth Judicial District. The Rock County District Attorney's Office handles criminal prosecutions, while the Clerk of Circuit Court maintains the official case files.
Searching Criminal Records
You have three main options:
- WCCA — Enter the defendant's name or case number to find charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes.
- Clerk of Circuit Court — Request copies of criminal complaints, judgments of conviction, or sentencing documents in person or by mail.
- Rock County Sheriff's Office — For arrest-related records and booking information, contact the Rock County Sheriff's Office:
Rock County Sheriff's Office
200 East U.S. Highway 14
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 757-8000
Criminal History Background Checks
If you need a formal criminal history search, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau maintains the state's criminal history repository and offers background check services for a fee. Employers, landlords, and individuals can submit requests through the Wisconsin Criminal Background Check System.
Key Points for Criminal Records
- Felony and misdemeanor dispositions are available online through WCCA for cases filed after the system's inception.
- Expunged records may still appear in WCCA with a notation that the case has been expunged, per Wisconsin law.
- Under Wis. Stat. 973.015, certain offenders may petition for expungement at sentencing if they were under age 25 at the time of the offense and the crime was punishable by six years or less of imprisonment.
- Arrest records that did not result in charges may be held by the Sheriff's Office or the Janesville Police Department rather than the court.
To find out whether a warrant has been issued, contact the Rock County Sheriff's Office or check WCCA for open cases.
Rock County Civil Court Records
The Rock County Circuit Court hears a wide range of civil disputes — contracts, personal injury, property, foreclosures, evictions, and small claims. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all civil case files.
Types of Civil Cases Filed in Rock County
- Large civil claims: Cases involving amounts exceeding $10,000
- Small claims: Cases involving $10,000 or less, governed by Wis. Stat. Chapter 799
- Foreclosure actions
- Eviction (small claims eviction) filings
- Replevin actions
- Restraining orders (non-domestic)
- Tax warrant filings
How to Search Civil Records
Civil case information is searchable through WCCA by party name, case number, or attorney name. If you need copies of specific filings — complaints, answers, motions, or judgments — contact the Clerk of Circuit Court directly.
Filing and Service Fees
Civil filing fees in Wisconsin circuit courts are set by Wis. Stat. 814.61. Common fee amounts include:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (large claims) | $265.50 |
| Small claims | $94.50 |
| Third-party complaint | $265.50 |
| Eviction (small claims) | $94.50 |
| Counterclaim (civil) | $265.50 |
Fee amounts are subject to statutory change. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's office before filing.
Small Claims Procedures
Rock County small claims cases follow the procedures in Wis. Stat. Chapter 799. If you're representing yourself, standardized forms for filing small claims complaints, counterclaims, and other documents are available on the Wisconsin court forms page.
The Rock County Register of Deeds holds property records that may be relevant to civil disputes involving real estate, liens, or title issues.
Rock County Family Court Records
Family law matters are handled by the Circuit Court's family division and cover divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic abuse injunctions, and related proceedings.
Common Family Court Case Types
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and placement disputes
- Child support establishment and modification
- Paternity actions
- Domestic abuse temporary restraining orders and injunctions
- Harassment injunctions
Searching Family Court Records
Family court cases can be found through WCCA, though access to certain documents within those cases may be restricted. Financial disclosure statements filed in divorce cases, for example, are generally treated as confidential.
To get copies of divorce decrees, custody orders, or other family court documents, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at (608) 743-2200 or stop by the courthouse. Certified copies of divorce decrees are often needed for legal name changes, remarriage, or benefits applications.
Domestic Abuse and Harassment Injunctions
Petitions for domestic abuse injunctions are governed by Wis. Stat. 813.12. When a temporary restraining order is granted and a hearing is held, the resulting injunction becomes a public court record. If a petition is dismissed before a hearing takes place, however, the filing may be removed from public view.
Harassment injunctions follow a similar process under Wis. Stat. 813.125.
Marriage and Divorce Vital Records
While the court keeps records of divorce proceedings, you can also get marriage certificates and divorce verification letters from:
- The Rock County Clerk's Office, which issues marriage licenses
- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office, which maintains statewide vital records
Child Support Services
Child support enforcement in Rock County is coordinated through the Rock County Child Support Agency, which helps establish, modify, and enforce child support orders.
Rock County Child Support Agency
51 South Main Street
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 757-5551
The statewide Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund (WI SCTF) handles the collection and distribution of child support payments.
Rock County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Rock County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. Wisconsin doesn't have a separate probate court — circuit court judges handle probate cases alongside other types of matters. The Register in Probate is the administrative officer for these proceedings.
Types of Probate Matters
- Formal and informal estate administration
- Testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will) proceedings
- Small estate affidavits
- Guardianship of minors and incompetent persons
- Conservatorships
- Trust disputes
- Will contests
Contact Information
Rock County Register in Probate
51 South Main Street
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 743-2200
Office hours match those of the Clerk of Circuit Court: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is available through WCCA. Search by the decedent's name or case number to find basic case details, including the personal representative, attorney of record, and key filing dates. For copies of wills, inventories, accountings, or final orders, contact the Register in Probate directly. Certified copies of probate documents carry the standard certification fee.
Probate Procedures in Wisconsin
Probate proceedings in Rock County follow Wis. Stat. Chapters 851–882, which govern all aspects of estate administration. The typical steps are:
- Filing a petition for administration with the court
- Appointment of a personal representative
- Notification of creditors and interested parties
- Filing an inventory of estate assets
- Payment of debts and taxes
- Distribution of remaining assets
- Filing a final account and petition for discharge
For estates valued under $50,000, Wisconsin law allows a simplified transfer-by-affidavit procedure under Wis. Stat. 867.03, which avoids the need for formal probate entirely.
Guardianship Records
Guardianship cases involving adults found to be incompetent are handled through the probate division. Under Wis. Stat. Chapter 54, guardianship proceedings require a court finding of incompetency and the formal appointment of a guardian. Certain guardianship records involving minors may have restricted access. Contact the Register in Probate to find out which records are available for public inspection in a specific case.
Standard probate forms are available through the Wisconsin court system's website and can be used for filings in Rock County.