Waushara County Court Records Search

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    Waushara County, Wisconsin sits in the central part of the state, with the county seat located in Wautoma. The county's court system operates through a Circuit Court and several municipal courts, producing records across criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. These records are official documents created or filed during judicial proceedings — typically containing case numbers, party names, filing dates, court events, charge descriptions, and final dispositions. The Waushara County Circuit Court Clerk, Katrina Rasmussen, is the official custodian of the court's records, while law enforcement and vital records agencies maintain related materials separately.

    Wisconsin residents researching court cases can go about it in several ways — through in-person visits to the courthouse, written or mailed requests, or online tools. WisconsinCourts.us offers a gateway to publicly available case information from circuit courts across the state and can be a useful first stop when verifying case details or locating records from multiple Wisconsin counties.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Waushara County?

    Most court record searches in Waushara County begin either at the courthouse or online through the state's case search system.

    Waushara County Circuit Court / Clerk of Courts

    • Address: 380 S. Townline Road, Wautoma, WI 54982
    • Phone: (920) 787-0441
    • Fax: (920) 787-0481
    • Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

    The clerk's office does not accept documents by email. Self-represented parties and mail requesters should send filings or correspondence to: Clerk of Courts, 380 S. Townline Road, Wautoma, WI 54982.

    Online: Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA)

    The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal is the primary statewide tool for searching public circuit court records. You can search Waushara County cases at no charge using a party name or case number. Results include filing dates, case types, charges, court events, dispositions, and financial receivables. Confidential case types are excluded from WCCA results.

    Wautoma Municipal Court

    Traffic citations and local ordinance violations handled at the city level are managed separately by the Wautoma Municipal Court:

    • Address: 210 E. Main St., P.O. Box 483, Wautoma, WI 54982
    • Phone: (920) 787-4044, ext. 209
    • Email: gailhoughton@cityofwautoma.com

    eFiling

    Waushara County is a mandatory eFiling county for attorneys handling criminal, traffic, ordinance, small claims, civil, and family cases. Attorneys must submit documents through the state's electronic filing system. Unrepresented parties may file documents in person at the Clerk of Courts office or by mail.

    Are Court Records Public in Waushara County?

    Wisconsin's Open Records Law, Wis. Stat. § 19.31, creates a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records, including those maintained by courts and law enforcement agencies. The law directs courts to respond to record requests promptly and without unnecessary delay. Any person may inspect and copy non-confidential court records maintained by the Waushara County Circuit Court, free of charge to view, with copy fees applying to reproductions.

    Records commonly restricted from public access in Waushara County include:

    • Adoption proceedings and related documents
    • Guardianship records for minors and vulnerable adults
    • Mental health act proceedings
    • Pre-sentence investigation reports
    • Grand juror lists
    • Paternity pre-adjudication records
    • Juvenile delinquency records (governed by Waushara County Juvenile Court Policies 2025)
    • Expunged or sealed criminal records
    • Records protected by specific court orders

    The court retains the authority to withhold access to records where an overriding public interest in confidentiality has been established, or where a specific statutory exemption applies. When a record contains both public and confidential information, the court or custodial office may redact restricted portions before providing access.

    County-level public records requests — including those directed to the District Attorney's Office and Corporation Counsel — are handled under Chapter 19 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Copies from those offices cost $0.25 per page (up to 8.5" × 14"), with the same rate applying to scanned documents sent electronically, plus actual postage if mailed.

    Waushara County Criminal Court Records

    The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases as well as misdemeanor matters in Waushara County. Criminal case records — including complaints, charges, motions, sentencing orders, and dispositions — are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and are generally available for public inspection unless sealed or expunged.

    Searching Criminal Court Records Online

    Start with the WCCA portal and enter a defendant's name or case number to pull up criminal case information. Results include charge descriptions, severity levels, case status, disposition details, and court event history. Cases sealed by court order will not appear in results.

    Waushara County Sheriff's Office

    Arrest records and incident-related law enforcement materials are maintained separately by the Waushara County Sheriff's Office:

    • Address: 430 East Division, Wautoma, WI 54982
    • Phone: (920) 787-3321
    • Jail Phone: (920) 787-6591
    • Fax: (920) 787-7685
    • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

    Records requests can be made in person during business hours or by calling the office. The Sheriff's Office records fee schedule is as follows:

    Record TypeFee
    Photocopies$1.00 per page
    Postage & Handling (standard)$1.25 minimum
    Postage & Handling (package/media mail)$5.00 minimum
    Faxing$1.25
    Printed Photos$2.00 each

    Certain records may be exempt from release, particularly those relating to active investigations or juvenile matters. The Sheriff's Office will advise requesters if materials cannot be disclosed and explain the basis for any denial.

    Waushara County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Waushara County — including personal injury claims, contract disputes, small claims, mortgage foreclosures, landlord-tenant cases, and garnishments — are all handled by the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Courts maintains all civil case files and docket information.

    Searching Civil Records

    Non-confidential civil case records can be searched through the WCCA portal free of charge, using a party name or case number. For copies of specific documents such as filed pleadings, judgments, or motions, contact the clerk's office directly at (920) 787-0441 or visit during business hours.

    Small Claims

    The Circuit Court handles small claims matters, and the clerk's office maintains a Small Claims Fees and Procedures reference document for self-represented parties. Additional resources available through the clerk's website include a Basic Guide to Wisconsin Small Claims Actions and a Family Law/Restraining Order/Small Claims Form Assistant to help parties navigate filings without an attorney.

    Mortgage Foreclosure Filings

    Waushara County has a local civil rule governing mortgage foreclosure matters. The clerk's office provides application and notice forms for foreclosure proceedings — these must be printed on yellow paper as specified by local court procedure. Attorneys must follow Waushara County Local Rules 2025 for all civil filings.

    Paying Court Fees and Fines

    Circuit court fines, forfeitures, and fees can be paid online through the county's payment portal. Contact the clerk's office for specific instructions or visit the county's online services page.

    Waushara County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Waushara County are heard by the Circuit Court and cover dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, child custody and placement, child support, modifications, adult abuse proceedings, and adoption. Dedicated deputy clerks handle family and paternity matters within the clerk's office.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce records from cases heard in Waushara County are generally public. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains divorce case files, and case information is searchable through the WCCA portal. One important distinction applies based on filing date: divorce records predating January 1, 2016, are held by the Circuit Court Clerk, while certified copies of divorces recorded on or after January 1, 2016, are available through the Waushara County Register of Deeds.

    To request a certified copy of a post-2016 divorce certificate from the Register of Deeds, submit a completed Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Application form along with a valid photo ID and applicable fees. The fee is $20.00 for the first certified copy and $3.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Acceptable payment methods are cash, check, money order, or credit card (credit cards carry a $1.50 processing fee). Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email at registerof.deeds@wausharacountywi.gov.

    Marriage Records

    Certified copies of marriage certificates are issued by the Register of Deeds, located at the Waushara County Government Center, 380 S. Townline Road, Room A1064, Wautoma, WI 54982. Complete a Wisconsin Marriage Certificate Application and provide valid photo ID when submitting your request. Fees mirror those for divorce certificates: $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy. The office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card (with a $1.50 processing fee). Requests may be made in person during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; recording cutoff 4:00 PM), by mail, or by email.

    Child Support

    The Waushara County Child Support office assists with establishing paternity, setting child support orders, and enforcing obligations. The clerk's office tracks payment history and maintains case records for court-ordered support. Self-represented parties filing or modifying family law cases can access guided tools through the Family Law/Restraining Order/Small Claims Form Assistant available through the clerk's webpage.

    Birth and Death Records

    The Register of Deeds issues certified copies of birth, death, and other vital records to parties with a direct and tangible interest. Birth certificate copies require a completed Wisconsin Birth Certificate Application, valid photo ID, and the same fee structure: $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy. Death records require submission of a Wisconsin Death Certificate Application and are restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest, including a spouse, parent, sibling, grandparent, child, or current domestic partner of the deceased. The Register of Deeds also accepts applications for domestic partnerships and termination of domestic partnerships.

    For online orders, the Register of Deeds provides a link to an approved online ordering service. Requests submitted before 2:00 PM CST may be processed and mailed the same day; an additional $10.00 convenience fee applies to online orders.

    Waushara County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Waushara County are handled by the Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over estate administration, will probate, guardianships, conservatorships, protective placements, and mental health commitments. Karen Mastricola serves as the Register in Probate and can be reached directly at (920) 787-0448 or by email at Karen.Mastricola@wicourts.gov.

    Register in Probate

    • Address: Waushara County Government Center, 380 S. Townline Road, Wautoma, WI 54982
    • Phone: (920) 787-0448
    • Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate case information is available online through the WCCA portal for non-confidential cases, using a party name or case number. Because guardianship and mental health records carry confidentiality protections under Wisconsin law, not all probate case types will be visible in the online portal. For records not accessible online, contact the Register in Probate directly or visit the courthouse during business hours.

    Requesting Probate Documents

    To obtain copies of probate-related records — including letters testamentary, estate inventories, or court orders — submit a request to the Clerk of Courts or Register in Probate at the Government Center. It helps to provide the decedent's full name, approximate date of death or case filing, and a case number if available. Copy fees are set by Wisconsin statute and will be confirmed by the clerk's staff at the time of the request.

    Types of probate proceedings handled by the Circuit Court include:

    • Administration of decedents' estates and distribution of assets
    • Will deposit and probate proceedings
    • Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
    • Conservatorship for individuals unable to manage financial affairs
    • Protective placement for individuals requiring residential care
    • Mental health commitment hearings

    Death certificates are typically required to open a probate proceeding and can be obtained from the Waushara County Register of Deeds using the Wisconsin Death Certificate Application. The vital records page of the Waushara County website also provides links to online ordering options for those unable to visit the office in person.