Shawano County, Wisconsin Court Records

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    Shawano County sits in the northeastern part of Wisconsin and maintains a court system that produces a wide variety of records — criminal proceedings, civil disputes, family law matters, and probate administration. Under Wisconsin law, these records are generally available to any member of the public who requests them. Whether you need to verify a case outcome, check a legal history, or understand a court's prior ruling, knowing where these records are kept and how to get them is the first step.

    You can pursue Shawano County court records through several channels: visiting the appropriate clerk's office in person, submitting a records request by mail, or using online case search tools. WisconsinCourts.us can help you navigate publicly available court case information across the state, and the Wisconsin court system's official case search portal gives direct, no-cost access to circuit court case data. Clerk of court offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and departmental offices are additional options depending on the record type you need.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Shawano County?

    Start with the Wisconsin Court System's case search page, which covers circuit courts statewide. This tool — formerly known as CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs) — is free to use and doesn't require an account.

    To search for a Shawano County circuit court case online, follow these steps:

    1. Go to the Wisconsin Court System case search page.
    2. Select the Circuit Court tab.
    3. Accept the terms and conditions displayed on the page.
    4. Enter the party's first and last name, or enter a known case number in the designated field.
    5. From the County dropdown menu, select Shawano.
    6. Click Search to retrieve matching results.

    For in-person searches, the Shawano County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains physical case files and is the legal custodian of all circuit court records. Staff can help you locate documents, and the office is set up for public inspection and copying consistent with what is available to the office's own employees under Wisconsin's Open Records Law.

    Shawano County Clerk of Circuit Court
    Address: Shawano County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 206, 311 N. Main Street, Shawano, WI 54166
    Phone: (715) 526-9347
    Fax: (715) 526-4915
    Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays)
    Clerk of Court: Ethan Schmidt

    The county also has a municipal court with limited jurisdiction over infractions at the local level. The Shawano-Bonduel Municipal Court, located at 127 South Sawyer Street, Shawano, WI 54166 (Phone/Fax: (715) 524-6173), handles traffic, parking, and curfew violations. Under Section 755.01 of the Wisconsin Statutes, municipal courts are not courts of record, meaning their proceedings are not formally documented in the same manner as circuit court proceedings. To obtain publicly accessible documentation from the municipal court, complete a public records request form and submit it to the municipal court clerk's office.

    Are Court Records Public in Shawano County?

    Wisconsin's Public Records Law, codified at Wis. Stat. 19.35, establishes a strong presumption of public access to government records, including those created and maintained by the courts. In practical terms, this means the Shawano County Clerk of Circuit Court must make records available to any requester for inspection or copying upon request — and requesters are entitled to the same inspection and copying facilities available to the office's own staff.

    That said, certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure under Wisconsin law. Records that cannot be disclosed include:

    • Juvenile court records, which are sealed under state law
    • Personally identifiable information that has been redacted from public files
    • Records that could endanger an individual's life or physical safety
    • Information that could identify a confidential informant
    • Trade secrets held by a government body
    • Records pertaining to persons committed to treatment facilities, with certain restrictions

    Access rights may also be limited for incarcerated individuals or those committed to a treatment facility. Attorneys filing documents in Shawano County circuit court should follow the court's guidance on protecting personal identity when filing documents to make sure sensitive identifying information is properly redacted before submission. Individuals who need help navigating self-representation may consult the resource on representing yourself in court published by the Wisconsin Court System.

    Shawano County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases filed in Shawano County Circuit Court fall into several categories: Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Criminal Felony (CF), and Criminal Traffic (CT). These records document charges, case outcomes, sentencing information, and other proceedings — from OWI offenses to serious felony prosecutions. The circuit court's online case search system includes criminal case records and is the most efficient way to retrieve this information remotely.

    If you need criminal history background information or arrest documentation, direct your request to the Shawano County Sheriff's Office or other relevant law enforcement agencies rather than the Clerk of Circuit Court. The Wisconsin Department of Justice also maintains the state Sex Offender Registry, searchable through the DOJ's public offender portal.

    To check an incarcerated person's custody status, use the Wisconsin VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system by calling the toll-free VINE line at (888) 944-8463. The Shawano County Jail can also be reached directly at (715) 526-7950 for booking status inquiries.

    Fines and fees associated with criminal court judgments are payable through the Shawano County Clerk of Circuit Court. Under Wisconsin's circuit court fee schedule, a clerk fee of $163 applies to all criminal actions and is collected when judgment is entered. Payment plans are available for defendants with fines totaling $275 or more. Payments may be made in person or by calling (888) 604-7888. Individuals dealing with OWI or alcohol-related matters may also be referred to the state's Alcohol Assessment program and are subject to the Wisconsin Driver's License Points System.

    Shawano County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Shawano County Circuit Court are divided into large civil cases and small claims cases, along with additional categories for forfeitures, traffic ordinance citations, and various lien proceedings. The clerk's office general information and case types page outlines all case classifications in detail.

    Large civil cases (designated CV) include claims exceeding $10,000, foreclosures, property disputes, restraining orders, and name changes. Small claims cases (designated SC) cover monetary disputes under $10,000, evictions, and replevins. Other civil-related filings include hospital liens, construction liens, tax warrants, unemployment warrants, and workers' compensation warrants.

    Small Claims Filing:

    • The filing fee for a small claims case in Shawano County is $94.50
    • All attorneys and pro se filers who file 10 or more small claims cases per year are required to e-file
    • The Clerk of Courts can mail the initial pleading in money judgment cases on behalf of the filer
    • Additional guidance is available through the Wisconsin Court System's Small Claims Self-Help Law Center

    Statewide circuit court forms are required for civil filings in Shawano County and are available through the Wisconsin Court System. The complete Wisconsin circuit court fee schedule outlines all applicable filing costs. Electronically filed cases are subject to an e-filing fee of $35 per case per party (effective May 1, 2024).

    For landlord-tenant matters, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection publishes The Wisconsin Way: A Guide for Landlords and Tenants, which covers eviction procedures and related small claims issues.

    Shawano County Family Court Records

    Family court proceedings in Shawano County are handled by the circuit court and cover divorce actions, child support matters, child custody and placement disputes, and paternity determinations. Case designations include Family (FA) for divorce, child support, and custody matters, and Paternity (PA) for paternity determinations.

    Divorce records filed on or after January 1, 2016, may be requested through the Shawano County Register of Deeds. Divorce records predating January 1, 2016, are held by the Clerk of Circuit Court. While divorce records are generally public documents, certain information within them is shielded from disclosure — including the names of minor children and the identities of domestic violence victims.

    If you're navigating divorce proceedings without an attorney, the Wisconsin Court System offers a Pro Se Divorce self-help resource that walks through the process and helps with form completion. Mediation in family cases is arranged through the Family Court Commissioner; child custody and placement questions can be directed to the commissioner's office via the Clerk of Circuit Court at (715) 526-9347.

    Child support services are administered separately through the Shawano County Child Support Division, which is part of Human Services. State-level child support program information is also available through the Wisconsin DCF Bureau of Child Support.

    For domestic violence matters, the circuit court handles restraining order and injunction proceedings. The Safe Haven Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Support Center serves Shawano County residents and can be reached at (888) 303-3421 or (715) 526-3421, with a 24-hour crisis line available at all times. The Wisconsin DOJ also provides general information about the restraining order process for domestic abuse, harassment, child abuse, and individual-at-risk situations.

    Marriage records in Shawano County are maintained by the Register of Deeds. Uncertified copies are available to any requester; certified copies are restricted to the named parties, immediate family members, legal guardians, authorized legal representatives, and those who can demonstrate a personal or property rights interest in the record. Submit the Wisconsin marriage certificate application form in person or by mail to the Register of Deeds along with a valid photo ID. The fee is $20 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy.

    Shawano County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Shawano County — including estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, civil commitments, protective placements, and adoptions — fall under the jurisdiction of the Shawano County Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Shawano County Register in Probate, a separate office within the courthouse.

    Shawano County Register in Probate
    Contact: Gwen Hoffman — Register in Probate
    Address: Shawano County Courthouse, 311 N. Main Street, Shawano, WI 54166
    Phone: (715) 526-8631
    Fax: (715) 526-8622
    Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

    Probate court records from 1994 to the present are searchable online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court case search tool described earlier in this guide. The Register in Probate accepts in-person requests during regular office hours. For information specifically about adoption and guardianship proceedings, the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association maintains a directory and provides procedural information for individuals navigating these matters across all Wisconsin counties.

    Vital records connected to probate proceedings — such as death certificates needed for estate administration — are maintained by the Shawano County Register of Deeds. Death certificates from September 1, 2013, to the present are available from that office. Applicants must submit a Death Certificate Application along with a valid government-issued photo ID, either in person or by mail.

    Shawano County Register of Deeds
    Contact: Amy Dillenburg — Register of Deeds
    Address: Shawano County Courthouse, 1st Floor, 311 N. Main Street, Shawano, WI 54166
    Phone: (715) 524-2129
    Fax: (715) 524-2130
    Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:00 a.m.–closing (confirm current Friday hours by calling)

    The Register of Deeds holds only records for births, deaths, and marriages that occurred within Shawano County. Birth records are available from October 1, 1907, to the present. The standard fee for a certified copy of any vital record is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Birth certificate requests require completion of the Birth Certificate Application form.