Vilas County Court Records Search
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Vilas County, Wisconsin sits in the Northwoods region of the state, and its court system handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters for residents and parties with legal business in the county. Court records from these proceedings — documenting filings, rulings, motions, evidence, and judgments — are maintained by the Vilas County Clerk of Circuit Court and other designated county offices. These records are an essential resource for attorneys, researchers, and members of the public who need verified information about legal proceedings.
Wisconsin residents and researchers can look up court case information through several official channels, including clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and state-managed online tools. WisconsinCourts.us is a useful starting point for navigating publicly available case information from circuit courts across the state, including Vilas County. Records can also be accessed directly through the county clerk's office, either in person or by mail.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Vilas County?
Start by identifying the correct office and having some basic case information ready — a party's full name, a case number, or an approximate filing date will all help narrow the search. Several methods are available depending on your location and the type of case you're researching.
Online Case Search
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal is the primary online tool for searching non-confidential circuit court cases throughout Wisconsin. Maintained by the Wisconsin State Judiciary, WCCA lets you search by name or case number and retrieve case status, filing information, and court event history. Confidential case types — including most juvenile matters and sealed records — do not appear in WCCA results.
In-Person Access
The Vilas County Circuit Court and its clerk's office are located at the county courthouse in Eagle River. Public access terminals are available for on-site case searching during business hours.
Vilas County Circuit Court / Clerk of Courts
Address: 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521
Phone: (715) 479-3632
Fax: (715) 479-3636
Mail Requests
Written requests for records may be mailed to the clerk's office at the address above. Include the case party name, case number, and any other identifying details to help staff locate the record. It's worth calling (715) 479-3632 before submitting a request to confirm current procedures and applicable fees.
Municipal Courts
Vilas County also has two municipal courts handling local ordinance violations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Boulder Junction Municipal Court | 5386 Park Street, P.O. Box 616, Boulder Junction, WI 54512 | (715) 385-2220 |
| Town of Presque Isle Municipal Court | P.O. Box 130, Presque Isle, WI 54557 | (715) 686-2473 |
Municipal court records are maintained separately from the circuit court and generally involve ordinance violations rather than state criminal charges.
Are Court Records Public in Vilas County?
Wisconsin's Public Records Law, codified at Wis. Stat. § 19.31, establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records, including court records. Under this law, anyone may generally inspect and request copies of court records unless a specific statutory exemption or court order restricts access. This applies across criminal, civil, family, and probate case types — with important exceptions.
Records that are typically open to the public include:
- Criminal case filings, rulings, and judgments for adult defendants
- Civil court filings, evidence, and verdicts
- Divorce and dissolution proceedings
- Probate filings involving estates and wills
- Most traffic and forfeiture cases
Records that are commonly restricted or confidential include:
- Juvenile court records and arrest records involving minors
- Adoption records
- Expunged criminal records (sealed by court order)
- Certain domestic abuse and stalking records where confidentiality is court-ordered
- Records under active criminal investigation that have not been filed with the court
- Certain personnel and law enforcement investigation records held by the Sheriff's Office
Wisconsin courts may seal records by court order upon motion by a party, and the Wisconsin Court System's guidance on sealing records outlines the statutory basis for such requests. Government agencies and authorized individuals may be able to obtain restricted records with a valid court order demonstrating sufficient legal purpose.
Vilas County Criminal Court Records
The Vilas County Circuit Court handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases arising under Wisconsin state law. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all related case files, including charging documents, court orders, and final dispositions. Non-confidential criminal records are accessible by searching WCCA online or requesting documents from the clerk's office.
Vilas County Sheriff's Office — Criminal Records and Incident Reports
The Vilas County Sheriff's Office maintains a separate records division handling requests for incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement records distinct from court case files.
Sheriff's Office Records Division
Address: 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521
Phone: (715) 479-0613 (during business hours)
Email: records@vilascountywi.gov
Walk-up Window Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Sheriff's Office Records Fees:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record Search Fee | $5.00 (prepaid) |
| Incident Report (up to 12 pages) | $5.00 |
| Incident Report (over 12 pages) | $5.00 + $0.25/page beyond 12 |
| CD/DVD | $10.00 each |
| Thumb Drive | $20.00 each |
| CAD Call Record | $0.25 per call |
When submitting requests by email or mail, include your name, address, phone number, and specific details about the records sought — such as the case number, date range, or incident type. Prepayment is required for reproduction costs of $5.00 or more per Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)(f). Records exempt from disclosure — such as active investigation files and juvenile records — will not be released, and you will be notified of the basis for any denial.
Crash and accident reports may be obtained separately through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation at crashreports.wi.gov.
Wisconsin Criminal History Restrictions
Criminal history background checks are administered at the state level through the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Expunged records are not viewable through public portals, and juvenile criminal records are confidential under state statute. Adult criminal conviction records in the circuit court, however, remain generally accessible through the WCCA portal and the clerk's office.
Vilas County Civil Court Records
The Circuit Court for Vilas County hears a range of civil matters, including contract disputes, small claims cases, property actions, evictions, and personal injury claims. All non-confidential civil case records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court and are open to public inspection.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information can be retrieved through the WCCA case search portal using a party's name or case number. Cases from the circuit court level — including small claims — are indexed in this system. For case documents not available through the online portal, in-person or written requests to the clerk's office are necessary.
Requesting Civil Court Documents
- Identify the case using WCCA or by contacting the clerk's office at (715) 479-3632.
- Provide the party name(s) and case number to the clerk when requesting copies.
- Pay applicable copy fees. Wisconsin statutes under Ch. 814 govern circuit court fees and filing costs.
- Requests may be submitted in person at 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521, or by mail to the same address.
Viewing records in person at the courthouse is generally free. Copy fees apply when obtaining physical or certified reproductions. For specific fee schedules, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee Tables published by the Wisconsin Court System provide current statutory rates.
Civil Process — Sheriff's Office
The Vilas County Sheriff's Office handles service of civil process throughout the county, including evictions, small claims notices, foreclosures, and other civil papers requiring verifiable service. Fees for civil service are:
- Paper service: $75 per person served (prepayment required)
- Evictions: $75 per eviction (prepayment required)
- Sheriff's Sales: $150 per sale, nonrefundable (prepayment required); all sales are held on Thursdays at 2:00 PM
Vilas County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Vilas County are heard by the Circuit Court and include divorce and legal separation, child custody and physical placement, child support, paternity, adoption, domestic abuse protective orders, and guardianship of minors. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all family case files.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are public in Wisconsin and may be obtained from either the Vilas County Clerk of Circuit Court or the Vilas County Register of Deeds. Requesting divorce records from the Register of Deeds requires submitting a completed Divorce Record Application along with applicable fees:
- First certified copy: $20.00 (includes the records search)
- Each additional copy ordered simultaneously: $3.00
The Register of Deeds is located at the Vilas County Courthouse, 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed holidays). Phone: (715) 479-3660 Mailed requests must include a check or money order for fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope for returned copies.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are not fully public in Wisconsin. Certified copies are available only to the couple named on the record, their immediate family members, and legal representatives. Requests require a completed Marriage Certificate Application, a valid government-issued photo ID, and applicable fees ($20 for the first copy, $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time). Submit requests to the Vilas County Register of Deeds.
Child Support
The Vilas County Child Support Agency assists with establishing paternity, locating absent parents, and enforcing child support orders. The agency provides court forms for child support matters and maintains legal services information for self-represented parties, though it cannot provide legal advice.
The Wisconsin Court System also offers a Self-Help: Divorce and Family Law guide that walks users through divorce and legal separation procedures, helping self-represented individuals complete the required forms. Circuit court family law forms can be accessed through the Wisconsin Court System's forms database by selecting the "Family" category.
Adoption and Domestic Abuse Records
Adoption proceedings and related records are confidential under Wisconsin law and are not available to the general public. Domestic abuse protective order records may also carry access restrictions depending on the specifics of the court order. Parties seeking these records must demonstrate a legal basis for access or obtain a court order authorizing inspection.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records in Wisconsin are restricted and available only to the subject, parents, immediate family members, and legal representatives with demonstrated tangible interest. Death records carry similar restrictions. Both can be requested from the Vilas County Register of Deeds using the applicable application forms — a Death Record Application for death records — with fees of $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy requested simultaneously. Valid government-issued photo ID and proof of eligibility are required for all certified vital record requests.
Vilas County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Vilas County — including the administration of estates, validation of wills, conservatorships, and guardianships — are handled by the Circuit Court and managed administratively by the Vilas County Register in Probate. The Register in Probate maintains all probate case files and can help researchers locate records related to decedents' estates and related proceedings.
Vilas County Register in Probate
Contact: Tiffany Bolte
Address: Vilas County Courthouse, 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521
Phone: (715) 479-3642
Probate records are generally open to public inspection unless a specific court order restricts access. Before visiting or sending a written request, it's worth calling the Register in Probate's office to confirm what information is needed and what fees may apply. Having the name of the deceased or ward, the approximate filing date, and a case number if available will help staff locate the file quickly.
Types of records maintained by the Register in Probate include:
- Estate administration files and inventories
- Wills filed with or admitted to probate
- Guardianship petitions and orders for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorship proceedings
- Termination of parental rights matters in some circumstances
Death records are frequently needed in connection with probate proceedings. These can be obtained from the Vilas County Register of Deeds at (715) 479-3660 or by email at registerofdeeds@vilascountywi.gov. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office also accepts requests for certified death certificates by mail, online through VitalChek, or by phone at (877) 885-2981 for parties who need records statewide rather than only from Vilas County.