Sheboygan County Court Records Search
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Sheboygan County sits along the western shore of Lake Michigan in eastern Wisconsin, with its county seat in the City of Sheboygan. The Sheboygan County Circuit Court is the sole trial-level court in the county, exercising jurisdiction over all criminal, civil, family, juvenile, traffic, and probate matters. There is no separate superior or district court; instead, the Circuit Court operates through specialized divisions managed by the Clerk of Circuit Courts. Several municipal courts within the county handle ordinance violations and forfeitures at the local level, but the Circuit Court remains the central repository for the vast majority of case records that residents, attorneys, and researchers typically need to access.
Wisconsin offers several paths for locating court records, including direct contact with clerk offices, in-person visits to courthouse public-access terminals, and electronic tools. For statewide case data, WisconsinCourts.us may help users locate publicly available circuit court case information across all 72 counties, including Sheboygan. The Wisconsin Court System also maintains the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, which provides free online searching of case summaries, party names, charges, hearings, and dispositions. WCCA reflects data entered by clerk offices statewide but does not contain the actual underlying documents filed in a case; obtaining copies of those documents requires a separate request to the Clerk of Circuit Courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sheboygan County?
There are three primary methods for looking up a court case in Sheboygan County: online searching, in-person visits, and written requests by mail, fax, or email.
Online Search — WCCA
The quickest starting point is the WCCA case search portal. Users can search by party name, case number, date of birth, attorney name, or citation number. Results display case type, filing date, charges, scheduled hearings, and disposition information. WCCA is free and does not require registration, though it shows only case index data — not images of filed documents.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Clerk of Circuit Courts at the Sheboygan County Courthouse during regular business hours:
Sheboygan County Clerk of Circuit Courts
Address: 615 North 6th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Phone: (920) 459-3068
Fax: (920) 459-3921
Public-access computer terminals are available in the courthouse for self-service searching. Staff can also assist with locating specific files, though they cannot provide legal advice. For legal questions, contact the Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 362-9082.
Written Requests (Mail, Fax, or Email)
To request copies of court documents remotely, submit a written request that includes:
- The case number (if known)
- The defendant’s or party’s full name
- A description of the specific documents needed
Send requests by fax to (920) 459-3921 or by email to Sheboygan.records@wicourts.gov. If you do not have a case number, a $5 search fee applies. All invoices must be paid before copies are released.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Document copies | $1.25 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document |
| Triple-seal / exemplified copies | $15.00 per document |
| Attached document copies | $1.25 per page |
| Mailing / fax surcharge | $3.00 (waived for in-person pickup) |
| Search fee (no case number provided) | $5.00 |
The Clerk’s office does not accept new case filings by email. All filings must be submitted through the Wisconsin e-filing system, by mail, or in person. For assistance with filing procedures and required forms, call (920) 459-3064 or visit the Wisconsin Court System forms page.
Are Court Records Public in Sheboygan County?
Wisconsin has a strong presumption of public access to government records. Under the Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39), any person may inspect or obtain copies of court records without stating a reason. The statute defines a “record” broadly to include any material created or maintained by an authority in connection with official functions, regardless of format.
Court-specific access rules are further governed by Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule Chapter 72, which addresses the retention, maintenance, and public accessibility of circuit court records. Under SCR 72, most case files — including complaints, motions, orders, judgments, and docket sheets — are open to public inspection.
Certain categories of records are restricted or sealed by statute. The following types are generally not available to the public in Sheboygan County:
- Juvenile records — Governed by Wis. Stat. Chapter 938; access is limited to authorized parties.
- Adoption records — Sealed under Wis. Stat. § 48.93.
- Grand jury proceedings — Confidential under Wis. Stat. § 968.40.
- Mental health commitment records — Restricted under Wis. Stat. Chapter 51.
- Drug and alcohol treatment records — Protected under both state and federal law (42 C.F.R. Part 2).
- Victim personal information — Addresses, phone numbers, and identifying details of victims are redacted pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 950.04.
- Sealed records — Cases sealed by court order under various provisions, including Wis. Stat. § 973.015 (expungement).
- Custody evaluations — Guardian ad litem and custody study reports are typically restricted to the parties.
When in doubt about whether a specific record is accessible, contact the Clerk’s office at (920) 459-3068.
Sheboygan County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Sheboygan County are prosecuted in the Circuit Court, which handles both felony and misdemeanor matters. The Criminal/Traffic Division of the Clerk of Circuit Courts maintains all case records related to criminal proceedings, including charging documents, plea records, sentencing orders, and judgment entries.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The most direct online tool is WCCA, where users can search criminal cases by defendant name, case number, or date of birth. Results include charges filed, hearing dates, and case outcomes.
For copies of actual court documents — such as criminal complaints, plea transcripts, or sentencing orders — submit a written request to the Clerk’s Criminal/Traffic Division:
- Alyssa Evans: (920) 459-3066
- Courtney Hartmann: (920) 459-0354
- Olivia Metz: (920) 459-4316
- Emily Tighe: (920) 459-3052
Requests should include the case number and defendant’s full name. Standard copy fees of $1.25 per page and $5.00 per certification apply.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The Wisconsin Department of Justice operates the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), which allows individuals and organizations to conduct name-based criminal history searches. Fees are $7 for online requests and $5 for mailed requests. WORCS returns results from across Wisconsin but may not capture all local-level dispositions immediately.
Arrest and Inmate Information
The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, located at 525 North 6th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081, can be reached at (920) 459-3111. The Sheriff’s office maintains arrest logs and booking records. Requests for law enforcement incident reports should be directed to the Sheriff or to the relevant municipal police department.
Sheboygan County Civil Court Records
The Sheboygan County Circuit Court’s Civil/Small Claims Division handles lawsuits involving contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant matters, foreclosures, replevin actions, and small claims cases. Wisconsin small claims jurisdiction covers cases with amounts in dispute up to $10,000, while larger civil matters proceed under standard civil procedures.
Locating Civil Case Records
Civil case information is searchable on WCCA by party name or case number. For document copies, contact the Civil/Small Claims Division directly:
- Cathy: (920) 459-3071
- Vanessa: (920) 459-3070
Written requests may be submitted by fax at (920) 459-3921 or email at Sheboygan.records@wicourts.gov. Include the case number (or pay the $5 search fee), party names, and a description of the documents needed.
Filing Fees
Wisconsin circuit court filing fees are set by statute and published in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee Tables. As of the most recent schedule, representative civil filing costs include:
| Action | Filing Fee | Court Support Surcharge (CSS) | Justice Info Surcharge (JINFO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard civil action | $75.00 | $68.00 | $21.50 |
| Small claims | $22.00 | $51.00 | $21.50 |
| Family action | $40.00 | $68.00 | $21.50 |
| E-filing fee (per party) | $35.00 | — | — |
Specific totals vary by case type. The current fee schedule should be confirmed with the Clerk’s office or by reviewing the published fee tables.
Forms and Filing
Court forms for civil actions, small claims complaints, answers, counterclaims, and garnishment proceedings are available through the Wisconsin Court System forms library. Mandatory e-filing applies to certain case types for represented parties; check with the Clerk at (920) 459-3064 for current e-filing requirements.
Fines and forfeitures may be paid through the Sheboygan County court fines payment page.
Sheboygan County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the Sheboygan County Circuit Court handles divorce and legal separation, child custody and placement, child support, paternity, domestic abuse restraining orders, and related matters. The division operates under the broader authority of the Clerk of Circuit Courts.
Accessing Family Court Case Files
Family case records are searchable on WCCA, which will display case type designations such as “FA” for family actions and “PA” for paternity. To obtain copies of filed pleadings, orders, or judgment documents, contact the Family Division:
- Kari Gauger: (920) 459-3072
- Anna Geary: (920) 459-3962
More information about family and divorce filings, including required forms, is available on the Sheboygan County Family/Divorce page.
Certain family court records carry access restrictions. Custody evaluation reports, guardian ad litem recommendations, and financial disclosure statements are generally available only to the parties and their attorneys. Adoption files are sealed under Wis. Stat. § 48.93.
Divorce and Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of vital records — including marriage and divorce certificates — are issued by the Sheboygan County Register of Deeds, not the Circuit Court. The Register of Deeds holds marriage records from October 1, 1907, onward and divorce records from January 2, 2016, onward. Earlier divorce records must be obtained from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Section.
Sheboygan County Register of Deeds — Vital Records
Address: 508 New York Avenue, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Phone: (920) 459-3023
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fees for certified copies are $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Applicants must demonstrate a “direct and tangible interest” as defined by Wisconsin law (such as the named individual, a parent, or a legal representative). Application forms are available at the Vital Records page. Mail requests should include a completed application and a check or money order payable to Register of Deeds (no out-of-state personal checks accepted). Processing typically takes two business days.
Birth records are available from October 1, 1907, and death records from September 1, 2013, through the same office. Earlier vital records should be requested from the state Vital Records office.
Sheboygan County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Sheboygan County are administered through the Circuit Court with the assistance of the Register in Probate. The Register in Probate handles the administrative processing of formal and informal estate proceedings, guardianships, protective placements, conservatorships, civil commitments, and trust matters.
Register in Probate Contact Information
| Staff | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Eric Duncan | Register in Probate | (920) 459-3096 |
| Karen Gregorski | Deputy Register in Probate | (920) 459-3050 |
Office Location: Room 400, Sheboygan County Courthouse, 615 North 6th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Types of Probate Records
Records maintained in the probate division include petitions for formal and informal administration of estates, last wills and testaments, inventories, accountings, closing statements, guardianship petitions and annual reports, conservatorship filings, and civil commitment orders. Most probate case files are open to public inspection unless a court order restricts access.
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
Probate cases appear in WCCA under the “PR” case-type designation. To search, enter the decedent’s or ward’s name on the WCCA search page. For copies of specific documents — such as a will, letters testamentary, or a guardianship order — contact the Register in Probate at (920) 459-3096. Standard copy fees of $1.25 per page and $5 per certification apply.
Filing fees for probate actions are established in the state fee schedule. The inventory filing fee is $164.50 (which includes filing fees plus surcharges). A name change petition through probate costs $10 in filing fees plus applicable surcharges. Guardianship and conservatorship forms are available through the Register in Probate office and through the Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center. The Register in Probate can assist with procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice regarding estate planning, the selection of personal representatives, or guardianship strategy.
Municipal Courts in Sheboygan County
While probate and most case types are handled exclusively by the Circuit Court, Sheboygan County also has several municipal courts that process local ordinance violations and certain traffic forfeitures. These courts maintain their own records, and requests should be directed to the specific court:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan-Kohler Joint Municipal Court | 1315 N 23rd St, Suite 102, Sheboygan, WI 53081 | (920) 459-0212 |
| City of Plymouth Municipal Court | 125 Smith St, P.O. Box 218, Plymouth, WI 53073 | (920) 893-1271 ext 3740 |
| City of Sheboygan Falls Municipal Court | 375 Buffalo St, P.O. Box 186, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 | (920) 467-0763 |
| Village of Elkhart Lake – Town of Rhine Municipal Court | 84 N Lake St, P.O. Box 412, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020 | (920) 876-2244 |
Property records, including ownership data, tax assessments, and parcel information, are maintained separately by the County Treasurer and can be searched through the Land Records and Tax Web Portal. The Register of Deeds also provides access to recorded instruments such as deeds, mortgages, and liens.