St. Croix County Court Records Search
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St. Croix County is located in western Wisconsin, directly across the St. Croix River from Minnesota. The county seat is Hudson, and court operations are centralized at the St. Croix County Government Center at 1101 Carmichael Road. The county’s judicial system comprises a multi-branch Circuit Court, a Register in Probate office, and several municipal courts spread across communities including Hudson, New Richmond, Baldwin, and Somerset. Court records generated in St. Croix County document the proceedings and outcomes of criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family matters, probate administration, traffic violations, and ordinance enforcement actions.
Individuals searching for court records in Wisconsin can begin by consulting the clerk offices that maintain case files, by visiting public access terminals at the courthouse, or by using online tools. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, operated through WisconsinCourts.us, allows the public to search case information from circuit courts statewide, including St. Croix County. This database can help users identify case numbers, parties, charges, dispositions, and scheduled hearings. For records not available through online systems, the Clerk of Courts office and other county departments accept in-person and written requests.
How to Look Up a Court Case in St. Croix County?
There are several methods for locating court case information in St. Croix County, depending on the type of record and the level of detail needed.
Online through WCCA
The most accessible starting point is the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website, commonly known as CCAP. Users can search by:
- Party name (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
- County name
The system returns case summaries, including charges, case status, court dates, and disposition information for circuit court cases filed in St. Croix County. Note that WCCA displays case index data but does not provide images of filed documents.
In Person at the Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts office handles all circuit court record-keeping for St. Croix County. The office is organized into specialized divisions, each reachable by direct phone line:
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Civil | (715) 386-4633 |
| Criminal | (715) 386-4631 |
| Family | (715) 386-4626 |
| Small Claims | (715) 386-4636 |
| Traffic / Ordinance | (715) 386-4635 |
| Jury | (715) 386-4642 |
| Payment Clerk | (715) 386-4628 |
Clerk of Courts Office
Address: 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016
Phone: (715) 386-4630
Fax: (715) 381-4396
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed holidays)
Visitors may review case files during office hours. A search fee of $5 per action applies when no case number is provided, per Wis. Stat. § 814.61(11). Certified copies cost $5 for the certification plus $1.25 per page.
Municipal Court Records
St. Croix County also has multiple municipal courts that handle traffic offenses, local ordinance violations, and certain forfeiture actions. Records from these courts are maintained at the respective municipal court offices:
- City of Hudson Municipal Court — 505 3rd Street, Hudson, WI 54016; Phone: (715) 386-5929 ext. 170
- City of New Richmond Municipal Court — 156 East 1st Street, New Richmond, WI 54017; Phone: (715) 243-0410
- Village of Baldwin Municipal Court — 400 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 118, Baldwin, WI 54002; Phone: (715) 684-4930
- Village of Hammond Municipal Court — 455 Davis Street, P.O. Box 299, Hammond, WI 54015; Phone: (715) 796-2562 ext. 117
- Village of North Hudson Municipal Court — 400 7th Street North, Hudson, WI 54016; Phone: (715) 377-7989
- Village of Roberts Municipal Court — 107 East Maple Street, Roberts, WI 54023; Phone: (715) 749-3108
- Village of Somerset Municipal Court — 110 Spring Street, P.O. Box 313, Somerset, WI 54025; Phone: (715) 247-1208
- Village of Star Prairie Municipal Court — 207 Bridge Avenue, P.O. Box 13, Star Prairie, WI 54026; Phone: (715) 248-1502
- Village of Woodville Municipal Court — 102 South Main Street, P.O. Box 205, Woodville, WI 54028; Phone: (715) 698-2355
Are Court Records Public in St. Croix County?
Wisconsin’s Public Records Law, codified at Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, establishes a strong presumption of public access to government records, including court files. Under § 19.35(1)(a), any requester has the right to inspect any record unless a specific statutory exemption applies. St. Croix County court records — whether criminal, civil, family, or probate — are generally available for public inspection unless a court has ordered them sealed or a statute designates them as confidential.
Records that are typically restricted or sealed include:
- Juvenile court proceedings (governed by Wis. Stat. ch. 938)
- Adoption records
- Mental commitment and protective placement files
- Records sealed by specific court order under Wis. Stat. § 801.21 or Supreme Court Rule (SCR) Chapter 72
- Certain personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth of minors, which must be redacted from publicly accessible filings under Wis. Stat. § 801.21
The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s rules on confidential information in court records require filers to exclude protected information from documents, and courts must not include such data in publicly accessible judgments, orders, or notices. If a record has been sealed by court order, it will not appear in WCCA search results and will not be available at the Clerk of Courts counter without authorization.
Individuals seeking to have a record sealed may file a motion with the Circuit Court. The Wisconsin Court System provides a guide on requesting the sealing of records.
St. Croix County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in St. Croix County are prosecuted in the Circuit Court, which handles felonies, misdemeanors, and criminal traffic offenses. The Criminal Division of the Clerk of Courts maintains files for all criminal proceedings, including complaints, arrest warrants, bail records, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and post-conviction motions. The Criminal Division can be reached directly at (715) 386-4631.
Searching Criminal Case Records
- Online: Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal. Enter the defendant’s name or case number and select St. Croix County to view charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts office at 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
- By phone: Contact the Criminal Division at (715) 386-4631 for case status inquiries.
Criminal History Background Checks
For formal criminal history record searches beyond what is available on WCCA, the Wisconsin Department of Justice operates a criminal record search portal. Users must create an account to submit name-based background check requests. This system provides statewide criminal history information, not limited to St. Croix County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records are maintained by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office. Requests for arrest-related information can be made in person at:
St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1101 Carmichael Road, Suite G100, Hudson, WI 54016
Phone: (715) 381-4320
Fax: (715) 386-4606
Non-Emergency Dispatch: (715) 386-4701
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Court costs in criminal cases are set by statute and include base fines plus mandatory surcharges for court support services, justice information, crime lab and drug enforcement, the jail surcharge, and the penalty surcharge. The complete Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee, Forfeiture, Fine and Surcharge Tables detail these calculations.
St. Croix County Civil Court Records
The Circuit Court’s Civil Division processes lawsuits involving contract disputes, personal injury claims, property damage, foreclosures, evictions, and other non-criminal matters. Small claims actions — those seeking $10,000 or less — are also administered through the Clerk of Courts. The Civil Division is reachable at (715) 386-4633, and the Small Claims Division at (715) 386-4636.
Civil Filing Fees (selected)
The statewide fee schedule, per Wis. Stat. ch. 814, applies to all St. Croix County civil filings:
| Action Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil claim over $10,000 | $265.50 |
| Civil claim $5,001–$10,000 (personal injury/tort) | $147.50 |
| Civil action, no money judgment | $164.50 |
| Small claims, $10,000 or less | $94.50 |
| Small claims, tort/personal injury $5,000 or less | $94.50 |
| Foreclosure | $265.50 |
| Garnishment over $10,000 | $210.50 |
| Garnishment $10,000 or less | $92.50 |
An additional eFiling fee of $35 per case per party (or $70 for attorney-mediators) applies to electronically filed cases. Certified copies are $5 plus $1.25 per page, and regular copies are $1.25 per page.
How to Obtain Civil Court Records
Civil case information is searchable through WCCA by case number, party name, or date of birth. For copies of filed documents, contact the Civil Division or visit the Clerk of Courts office. Court forms for civil and small claims actions are available through the Wisconsin Court System website.
Judgments docketed in St. Croix County appear on the circuit court judgment and lien docket, which is searchable at the courthouse. Foreign judgments from other states can be filed for a $15 fee, and transcripts of judgment from other Wisconsin courts cost $5 to file and $5 to docket.
St. Croix County Family Court Records
Family law cases in St. Croix County — including divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse restraining orders — are handled by the Circuit Court’s Family Division. The Family Division can be contacted at (715) 386-4626. The Family Court Commissioner for St. Croix County is Stephen J. Dunlap, reachable at (715) 386-4614.
Filing Fees for Family Actions
| Action Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce / legal separation / annulment (no support request) | $184.50 |
| Divorce / legal separation / annulment (with support request) | $194.50 |
| Paternity (private party) | $184.50 |
| Paternity (with support request) | $194.50 |
| Revision of custody or placement | $50.00 |
| Post-judgment motion (other than custody) | $30.00 |
| Mediation fee (first session free) | $200.00 |
| Domestic abuse/child abuse TRO | $0 |
Family case files typically include petitions, financial disclosure statements, parenting plans, mediation reports, custody evaluations, stipulations, and court orders. The $20 family court counseling services fee under Wis. Stat. § 767.405 is included in the filing fee totals above.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the St. Croix County Clerk’s office by appointment only. The license fee is $100, payable by cash or check. Appointments can be scheduled at (715) 386-4607 or (715) 386-4608 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Wisconsin law imposes a 3-day waiting period after application; a waiver may be granted for an additional $20 fee.
Certified Copies of Marriage, Divorce, Birth, and Death Certificates
The Register of Deeds’ Vital Records Division issues certified copies of vital records. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online through Official Records Online. The fee structure is:
- First certified copy: $20
- Each additional copy of the same record: $3
- Online orders: an additional $10 service fee per order, plus shipping
Mail requests should include a completed application form (available for birth, death, marriage, or divorce), a copy of valid photo identification, and payment by check or money order made payable to “Register of Deeds”. Mail requests are sent to: St. Croix County Register of Deeds, 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016.
Divorce records for cases finalized before January 1, 2016, must be obtained from the Clerk of Courts office rather than the Register of Deeds.
St. Croix County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in St. Croix County are managed by the Register in Probate office, which coordinates the judicial and administrative functions of probate and juvenile court. The office handles formal and informal probate of estates, summary administration, guardianships, conservatorships, protective placements, civil commitments, termination of parental rights, and adoptions. Wills may also be deposited with the Register in Probate for safekeeping.
Register in Probate Office
Address: 1101 Carmichael Road, Suite 1522, Hudson, WI 54016
Phone: (715) 386-4619
Fax: (715) 381-4318
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed holidays)
Types of Probate Proceedings
St. Croix County recognizes three categories of probate administration:
- Informal Administration — estates handled without continuous court supervision. A procedure guideline is available from the county.
- Summary Administration — for estates valued at less than $50,000, using either a Summary Assignment or Summary Settlement procedure.
- Formal Administration — supervised by the probate court; the personal representative must appear with an attorney.
How to Open a Probate Case
- Determine which type of probate administration applies to the estate.
- Complete the forms listed under the “to open” section of the applicable procedure guideline.
- File the completed forms along with the original will and any codicil at the Register in Probate office.
- Follow the remaining steps in the guideline.
Additional probate forms are available from the Wisconsin Court System. eFiling is mandatory for probate, adult guardianship, minor guardianship, termination of parental rights, adoption, and juvenile cases for users subject to the mandatory eFiling rule. Information on the eFiling system is maintained by the Wisconsin Court System.
Searching Probate Records
To check whether a will has been filed or a probate case opened, search the Circuit Court Access database. For older files, the Register in Probate office maintains paper records from the 1850s through 1940 and from 1965 to the present. Genealogy researchers are welcome, though appointments are encouraged — call (715) 386-4619 to schedule a visit.
The probate inventory fee is calculated as $20 minimum or 0.2% of the estate value over $10,000. For minor or adult guardianship of the estate, the inventory fee is $20 minimum or 0.2% of estate value over $50,000. Staff at the Register in Probate cannot provide legal advice but can answer questions about filing fees and procedures. Individuals needing legal guidance may consult a private attorney or attend the county’s Free Legal Clinic.