Wisconsin Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Wisconsin divorce records are official papers that confirm the legal dissolution of a marriage. Anyone may request copies of divorce records from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, County Register of Deeds Offices, and Clerk of Circuit Court Offices unless such records are exempted from public disclosure under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. These records are beneficial when changing a name, applying for a new marriage license, updating legal or financial documents, or resolving post-divorce matters such as custody or property issues.

Divorce in Wisconsin: In 2024, Wisconsin had a divorce rate of 2.0 divorces per 1,000 residents. That same year, the Wisconsin Courts reported approximately 12,174 finalized divorces to the Department of Health Services (DHS) in compliance with Wisconsin Statutes, ch. 69.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Wisconsin

Below are the official types of divorce documentation in Wisconsin:

Divorce Certificate: This is a single-page document with basic information about the dissolution of a marriage relationship. It may be either a certified or uncertified copy. Certified divorce certificates are printed on security paper and have raised seals and the signature of the State Registrar. Per Wis. Stat. § 69.20(1), these records are only available to those with a direct and tangible interest. Uncertified copies of divorce certificates have similar information to certified copies, but are printed on plain white paper.

Certificates may also include stamps showing that individuals cannot use them for legal or identification purposes. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and County Register of Deeds Offices are the custodians of divorce certificates. People order their divorce records for several purposes, including identification, updating legal documents, applying for Social Security benefits, and handling pension or retirement plans.

Divorce Decree: This is an official court order issued by the Clerk of Circuit Courts in Wisconsin, which legally ends a marriage. Divorce decrees are longer documents than divorce certificates, and they contain detailed information about the divorce. Divorce decrees are public records, but certain confidential information contained in them is typically redacted before release. Divorce decrees help establish court-ordered agreements (like child custody and visitation) and proving marital status in legal or financial situations.

Divorce Report: This report, compiled by court clerks, is sent on a biweekly basis (Wis. Stat. § 69.17), detailing every divorce granted by the court. The state registrar typically requires the courts to provide the social security numbers of the parties to the divorce and those of their children. The primary purpose of this divorce report is to facilitate the collection of statistical data on divorce occurrences in Wisconsin. Divorce reports are not publicly accessible, but the data collected through these reports contribute to publicly available statistical summaries and analyses produced by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Divorce Case File: This file contains all documents and official records related to a divorce proceeding in Wisconsin. They are maintained by the clerk of the court in the county where the divorce occurred. A divorce case file includes all documents submitted or decided by the clerk, such as the petition, summons, confidential petition addendum, affidavits, financial disclosure statements, motions, court orders, and divorce decrees.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Wisconsin County Register of Deeds Offices	Proof that the divorce is legal	The names of the parties involved in the case, as well as the date and place of the divorce.
Divorce Decree / Judgment	County Clerk of Circuit Court Offices	Details of the settlement and terms	Rulings, custody orders, and property division
Divorce Report	Issues by County Clerks to the State Registrar	Statistical data	Basic information about the divorce

Public Access and Confidentiality of Wisconsin Divorce Records

In Wisconsin, divorce records are generally considered public documents, but the level of access depends on the specific type of record and the information it contains. Public access to these records is governed by the Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). In compliance with this law, circuit courts disseminate divorce case information online and in person at the courthouse. For example, anyone may visit the courthouse to obtain copies of divorce decrees.

However, certain divorce-related documents and details are restricted from public view due to concerns about privacy or statutory protections. Per Wis. Stat. § 69.20(1), certified divorce certificates are only accessible to the parties involved in the case, their immediate family members, legal custodians or guardians, and authorized representatives. Under Wis. Stat. § 801.20, the following divorce documents are treated as confidential by default:

• Family financial disclosure (Form FA-4139V)
• Income and expense statements (Form FA-4138V)
• Family medical history questionnaire (Form FA-608)
• Confidential petition addendum (Form GF-179)
• Confidential disclosure of protected information (Form GF-241)
• Cover sheet for confidential records (Form GF-244)
• Confidential address information in temporary restraining order and injunction actions (Form CV-502)
• Disclosure of sealed identifying information in a child custody proceeding (Form GF-178)
• Documents containing identifying or sensitive information about minors
  

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Vital Records Office, is the custodian of divorce certificates in the state. In contrast, other divorce records are held by the circuit court where the divorce was granted. The DHS office is located at:

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)

What Information Do Wisconsin Divorce Records Include?

Wisconsin divorce records contain detailed information about the divorce proceeding and the parties involved. Divorce certificates maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services contain basic details such as the names of the parties, the date, and the location of the divorce. However, divorce records kept by the circuit courts include more comprehensive information, such as petitions, motions, summonses, divorce decrees, marital settlement agreements, guardian ad litem reports, and restraining orders. The data available through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal provides an overview of divorce cases, though the exact details may vary depending on the county or court.

Common information found in a Wisconsin divorce record includes:

• Case summary: Filing date, case type, class code description, case status, branch ID, and the name of the responsible court official.
  
• Party information: Party type, names of the parties involved, their dates of birth, addresses, races, and sex, as well as the names of their attorneys.
  
• Court record information: Dates, events, the presiding court official's name, the court reporter's name, and any associated amounts or financial entries.

The contents of divorce records may differ from one circuit court to another. Therefore, anyone seeking specific information contained in them should contact the local court where the divorce was finalized.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, individuals may obtain divorce records through the county circuit court where the divorce was finalized, the Register of Deeds Office, or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The DHS provides divorce certificates online, by phone, and by mail, while circuit courts accept requests via online, fax, mail, and in-person methods. Fees for obtaining divorce records vary depending on the type of record being requested.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	Wisconsin Department of Health Services	October 1907 - present	Divorce certificates only	The first copy costs $2,0 and $3.00 for each additional copy
Judiciary Portal	Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal	Varies	Case search	Free
County Clerks	Local Circuit Courts	Before January 1, 2016	Divorce case files	Plain copies are $1.25 per page, and an additional $5.00 is charged for a certified copy. Search fee is $5.00
County Register of Deeds Offices	Register of Deeds Offices	January 1, 2016 - present	Divorce certificates	The first copy costs $2,0 and $3.00 for each additional copy

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Wisconsin

Certified copies of divorce records in Wisconsin are official, legally recognized documents that attest to the dissolution of a marriage relationship. Unlike regular copies, certified copies are printed on security paper and carry a raised seal and the State Registrar's signature. Certified copies of divorce records are only provided to individuals with a direct and tangible interest, such as parties to the case, authorized representatives, grandparents, children, parents, siblings, and legal custodians or guardians.

Below is a step-by-step process of requesting certified copies of divorce records in Wisconsin:

Step 1. Identify the record custodian in charge of the document

Various agencies in Wisconsin maintain divorce records, depending on the type of document. Certified copies may be obtained from the circuit court or the register of deeds office in the county where the divorce record was finalized, or from the Wisconsin DHS Vital Records Office. The register of deeds and DHS only issue divorce certificates. All other divorce records are available at circuit courts.

Step 2. Gather necessary information

Before eligible individuals submit their requests, they should have some vital information ready to help locate the correct record faster. For example, the full names of the divorced parties, the divorce date, the county where the divorce was granted, the case number, and a valid photo ID.

Step 3. Submit a Request

A. Circuit Court

Individuals may obtain certified copies of divorce documents from a divorce case file at the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted. Clerks of Circuit Courts accept divorce record requests through various methods, including mail, phone, fax, email, and in-person visits. To obtain the records, requesters must provide the full names of both parties and the case number.

B. Register of Deeds Offices

County Register of Deeds Offices issue certified copies of divorce certificates from 2016 to the present online, by mail, and in person. Online requests are handled through an independent company. All requests must be accompanied by a photocopy of a valid identification and the correct fee.

C. Wisconsin DHS Vital Records Office

This Office offers several options for obtaining certified copies of divorce certificates. The office partners with a third-party vendor to provide records online and by phone. The vendor charges an additional fee for these orders, which have a processing time of five business days. Eligible individuals may also order certified copies by mail by submitting a completed Divorce Certificate Application form, acceptable ID, appropriate fees, and a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to the Vital Records Office.

Step 4. Pay the required fee.

Courts usually charge a small fee for certified copies, and payment methods vary by county. Certified copies of divorce records cost $1.25 per page, plus a $5 processing fee per document, and an additional $5 search fee if the case number is not provided. Certified copies of divorce certificates cost $20.00 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Payments may be made by money order, cash, or check.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who may Order	Legal Use
Certified Divorce Certificate	Wisconsin Department of Health Services Register of Deeds Offices	Parties involved in the case include parents, children, siblings, grandparents, legal custodians or guardians, and authorized representatives.	Proof for remarriage, name change
Divorce Decree	County Circuit Court Family Division	Case parties	Legal enforcement
Uncertified Divorce Certificate	Wisconsin Department of Health Services Register of Deeds Offices	Anyone	For informational purposes only

Why Search for Divorce Records in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin residents search for divorce records for the following reasons:

• Divorce records may be required as part of the documentation required for property settlements and name changes.
• Proof of marital status when updating official documents or applying for a marriage license.
• Employers may review a potential employee's divorce records as part of a comprehensive background check.
• Researchers use divorce records to document changes in family structure over time, trace family histories, or understand ancestral relationships.
• Individuals may request copies of their own divorce records to maintain complete personal or legal documentation for future reference.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Wisconsin?

Divorce records in Wisconsin are not permanent, but the length of time they are kept depends on where the documents are stored and who maintains them. According to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule Chapter 72, circuit courts generally keep divorce records for 40 years following the final judgment and 2 years after the judgment or final order for dismissed divorces. The rule allows for the destruction of original divorce records after they've been converted to electronic or optical storage. Under the County General Records Schedule, administrative divorce case records and applications are retained for seven years after the end of the case.