Washington County Court Records

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    Washington County, in southeastern Wisconsin, has its county seat in West Bend and runs its court system through a single Circuit Court with jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters. The Clerk of Circuit Court — an elected official serving a four-year term — maintains all court documents, schedules hearings, manages jury service, and collects court-ordered fees and fines. Whether you need to check a case status, get a copy of a court document, or figure out how to file, this guide walks you through the key offices, tools, fees, and steps involved.

    People searching for court case information in Wisconsin can use clerk of courts offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online databases. WisconsinCourts.us can help you locate publicly available court case records across the state's circuit courts, including those filed in Washington County. The Wisconsin Court System also maintains its own case search tools and self-help resources for people who are navigating the process on their own.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Washington County?

    Start with the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) database — it's the free, public-facing search tool operated by the state's Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) and the most direct way to find Washington County court records. You can search statewide or narrow results to Washington County, and there's no charge to use it. The system accepts searches by:

    • Party name (last name and first name)
    • Case number
    • Attorney name
    • Business name

    You can also filter results by county, case type, and date range. Each result shows case status, hearing dates, charges in criminal matters, and a summary of docket entries. WCCA covers civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and traffic cases.

    If you also need to search appellate matters, the Wisconsin Court System case search page links to both WCCA and the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals case access tool (WSCCA).

    Searching in Person

    You can also visit the Clerk of Circuit Courts office to inspect case files and request copies in person:

    Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court
    Address: Washington County Justice Center, 484 Rolfs Avenue, Room 3151, West Bend, WI 53090
    Phone: (262) 335-4341
    Fax: (262) 335-4776
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    Copies of court documents cost $1.25 per page, plus a $5.00 fee for certification. Parties to a case can also access their files electronically through the state's eFiling system for a one-time fee of $35.

    Requesting Records by Mail

    Send written requests to the Clerk of Circuit Court at the address above. Include the case number (if you have it), party names, the type of document you need, and a check or money order payable to Washington County Clerk of Courts to cover copy and certification fees.

    Paying Fines and Obligations

    Court-ordered fines and forfeitures can be paid online through WCCA using Visa, MasterCard, or electronic check, or by calling Pay Gov at 1-866-480-8552 (pay location code 2936). Cash is accepted only in person; credit cards, checks, and money orders are accepted in person or by mail.

    Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

    Wisconsin law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Wisconsin Statute 59.20(3) requires clerks of circuit court to maintain records and make them available for public inspection. The WCCA database reflects that principle by providing free online access to most circuit court case information.

    That said, certain categories of information are protected. Wisconsin Statutes 801.19 through 801.21 set rules about sensitive personal identifiers in court filings. Under those provisions, the following must be excluded or redacted from publicly accessible documents:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Driver's license numbers
    • Passport numbers
    • Financial account numbers
    • Employer and taxpayer identification numbers

    These statutes also lay out procedures for parties to request that records containing such information be sealed.

    Confidential Case Types

    Some case categories are not viewable through WCCA and are not available for public inspection without a court order. Juvenile delinquency proceedings, certain guardianship records, mental health commitment files, and sealed cases all fall into this category. The Register in Probate's office confirms that guardianship and civil commitment cases are generally confidential and closed to public access.

    In family court matters involving children, a party may also ask the court to seal identifying information from the public — or from the opposing party — if disclosure would endanger the health, safety, or liberty of a parent or child. The court will schedule a hearing to decide whether sealing is appropriate.

    Washington County Criminal Court Records

    Felonies, misdemeanors, and criminal traffic offenses in Washington County are prosecuted by the District Attorney and processed through the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Circuit Court keeps all criminal case files, which are accessible both in person and through WCCA online.

    Online Criminal Case Search

    The WCCA system lets you search criminal docket information by defendant name, case number, or date. Results include charges, case status, hearing dates, bail information, and disposition details. Primary criminal statutes are found in Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 938–961 (Criminal Code and Controlled Substances Act) and Chapters 967–980 (Criminal Procedures).

    In-Person Access and Copy Fees

    Criminal case files can be reviewed at the Clerk of Courts office at 484 Rolfs Avenue, West Bend, WI 53090. The statutory copy fee is $1.25 per page, plus $5.00 for certification if needed.

    Sheriff's Office Records

    The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains its own records of arrests, incidents, and investigations. Open records requests can be made in person (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), by phone at (262) 335-4378, or by mail to:

    Washington County Sheriff's Office
    Attention: Records
    P.O. Box 1986
    West Bend, WI 53095

    The Sheriff's Office fee schedule for records is:

    Record Type

    Fee

    Accident reports

    $0.25 per page

    Incident reports

    $0.25 per page

    Legal documents

    $1.00 per page

    Reproduced photos

    $1.50 per photo

    Digital media (CD/DVD)

    $5.00 each

    Color digital photos

    $2.00 per page

    Motor vehicle accident reports are also available online through Crashdocs.org for a flat fee of $2.00 per report. A 10-day processing period applies after the date of any accident.

    Criminal History Background Checks

    The Sheriff's Office is not authorized to release state criminal history records. For a formal background check, submit a Criminal History Request form to:

    Crime Information Bureau, Records Check Unit
    P.O. Box 2688
    Madison, WI 53701-2688

    Expungement

    Wisconsin allows expungement only in limited circumstances. A judge may order expunction of the court record, but this does not remove the case from District Attorney files, the Crime Information Bureau, the Department of Transportation, or other law enforcement databases. The Expunging Court Records brochure from the Wisconsin Court System and the Wisconsin Department of Justice criminal records FAQ provide further guidance on what expungement does and doesn't cover.

    Washington County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters — including contract disputes, property litigation, personal injury claims, foreclosures, injunctions, name changes, and administrative reviews — are filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court and handled by the Civil, Small Claims and Jury Division.

    Civil Division Contact Information

    Address: 484 Rolfs Avenue, Room 3151, West Bend, WI 53090
    Phone: (262) 365-5133
    Fax: (262) 335-4776
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    Searching Civil Records

    Civil case docket information is available through the WCCA database. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name and filter by case type to narrow results to civil filings. For physical file review or certified copies, visit the Clerk of Courts office in person or submit a written request by mail.

    Civil Court Forms

    The Wisconsin Court System posts civil court forms online through its Circuit Court Forms page. There's also a Forms Assistant tool that walks self-represented litigants through selecting and completing the right paperwork. New filings can be submitted electronically through the eFiling system.

    Name Change Filings

    A name change action in Washington County requires a filing fee of $164.50. The process is governed by Wisconsin Statutes 786.36 and 786.37. Step-by-step instructions are available through the Basic Steps to Handling a Name Change and Basic Steps to Handling a Confidential Name Change guides on the Wisconsin Court System website.

    Small Claims

    Small claims cases in the Washington County Circuit Court cover monetary claims up to $10,000 (or up to $5,000 for personal injury, tort, or third-party claims). The filing fee is $94.50, and personal service of the summons and complaint on the defendant is required. The Small Claims Self-Help Law Center on the Wisconsin Court System website walks you through the filing process in detail. Landlord-tenant disputes may be filed in the county where the property is located or where the defendant resides.

    Washington County Family Court Records

    Washington County does not have a separate family court — family law matters go through the Circuit Court's Family Court division. This division handles divorces, legal separations, annulments, child custody and placement disputes, child support actions, paternity cases, and domestic violence matters.

    Accessing Family Court Records

    Many family court docket entries are searchable through the WCCA system. Certified copies of divorce judgments, paternity orders, and other family court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts office at 484 Rolfs Avenue, Room 3151, West Bend, WI 53090. The statutory fee is $1.25 per page, plus $5.00 for certification. You can also request copies by mail — include your case number and a check or money order for the correct amount.

    Family Court Forms and Self-Help Resources

    The Wisconsin Court System provides family court forms online and offers a self-help family law website with interactive form assistants for starting new or continuing existing cases. The Basic Guide to Divorce/Legal Separation is a good starting point for self-represented parties.

    Family Law Assistance Program

    Washington County offers a free Family Law Assistance Program on select Tuesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. in Room 3252 of the Justice Center. Volunteer attorneys help self-represented litigants with forms, written instructions, and procedural guidance for divorce, legal separation, annulment, child support, and other family actions. No appointment is needed. The program does not operate during weeks containing Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day. Note that volunteer attorneys provide procedural guidance only and cannot offer legal advice.

    Mediation Services

    Wisconsin law requires that all disputes over legal custody and physical placement of children be referred to mediation through Family Court Services, unless waived due to undue hardship or safety concerns. A Request for Mediation form can be filed by a party or their attorney. The mediation fee is $300, divided between the parties as the court determines. Payment plans are available through the Accounting Division at (262) 365-5131. For mediation questions, contact the Family Senior Court Assistant at (262) 365-5135.

    Marriage and Divorce Certificates

    Marriage and divorce certificates are vital records managed by the Washington County Register of Deeds. The office issues statewide marriage certificates from October 1, 1907 to present, and statewide divorce certificates from January 1, 2016 to present. Vital record fees are $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy. You can obtain records:

    1. In person at 432 E. Washington Street, Room 2084, West Bend, WI 53095
    2. By mail using a completed application form and the appropriate fee
    3. Online through VitalChek (additional service fee applies)

    The Register of Deeds office is open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (closed Fridays). Phone: (262) 335-4320. Questions about specific vital records can be directed to (262) 335-4321.

    Washington County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Washington County are handled by the Register in Probate, a position appointed by the county judges that operates as a division of the Clerk of Courts office. This office oversees estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, wills, adult adoptions, civil commitments, and trusts.

    Register in Probate Contact Information

    Address: Washington County Justice Center, 484 Rolfs Avenue, Room 3151, West Bend, WI 53090
    Phone: (262) 335-4341
    Fax: (262) 306-2224
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    Case Types

    The Register in Probate handles the following case types: Adult Adoption (AD), Probate (PR), Guardianships (GN), Guardianships of a Minor's Estate (GN), Adult Civil Commitments (ME), Juvenile Civil Commitments (JM), Wills (WL), and Group Probate (GP).

    Searching Probate Records

    Open probate records can be searched through the WCCA website by entering a party's name or case number. Guardianship and civil commitment cases are confidential and will not appear in the public database. In-person searches can be conducted at the Register in Probate office; a mandatory search fee of $4.00 applies under Section 814.66(1)(b)(3)(j), Wisconsin Statutes. Copies are $1.00 per page, with a $3.00 certification fee.

    Probate Filing Fees

    Service

    Fee

    Forms packets

    $10.00 each

    Guideline to Informal Probate booklet

    $10.00 each

    Inventory fee — estate $10,000 or less

    $20.00

    Inventory fee — estate over $10,000

    0.2% of inventoried assets

    Inventory fee — guardianship/conservatorship ($50,000 or less)

    $20.00

    Inventory fee — guardianship/conservatorship (over $50,000)

    0.2% of inventoried assets

    Filing claim against estate

    $3.00

    Objection to probate of will

    $20.00

    Will filed for safekeeping

    $10.00

    Power of Attorney for Healthcare (safekeeping)

    $8.00

    Declaration to Physicians/Living Will (safekeeping)

    $8.00

    Copies

    $1.00 per page

    Certification

    $3.00

    Record search fee

    $4.00

    Termination of life estate

    $3.00

    Grandparent or step-parent visitation action

    $60.00

    Filing a Will

    Wisconsin law requires the original will to be filed for every deceased person (see Wis. Stat. 856.05). If a probate proceeding is needed, the will is filed alongside the estate opening documents. If no probate is required, an Affidavit of No Probate must be notarized and filed with the original will. Living persons may deposit an original will for safekeeping with the Register in Probate for $10.00 under Wis. Stat. 853.09.

    Estate Administration Timeline

    Wisconsin Statutes require estates to be settled without unnecessary delay. The Chief Judges have established a 14-month benchmark for closing probate estates, and the Registers in Probate for the Third Judicial District — which includes Washington County — enforce this standard. Formal probate hearings are scheduled before the assigned judge, and all documents must be filed with the Probate Office at least 96 hours before the hearing date.

    Guardianship Resources

    Mandatory state guardianship forms are available on the Wisconsin Court System Guardianship Forms page. The Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR) operates the Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center, which provides information and assistance on guardianship, protective placement, and advance directives.

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