Winnebago County Court Records Search
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Winnebago County sits in east-central Wisconsin along the western shore of Lake Winnebago, with its county seat in Oshkosh. The county’s circuit court — Wisconsin’s general jurisdiction trial court — handles the full spectrum of civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters. The Winnebago County Clerk of Courts maintains all official case files and serves as the primary point of contact for the public when it comes to obtaining court documents. Whether you need a copy of a civil judgment, want to check the status of a criminal case, or are trying to locate probate filings, there are multiple ways to access records from this county’s courts.
Across the state of Wisconsin, court case information can be located through a combination of clerk’s offices, in-person public access terminals at courthouses, and online databases. WisconsinCourts.us may help users identify publicly available case details and navigate court resources statewide. For Winnebago County specifically, the Clerk of Courts Office and the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal are the two most direct channels for searching and requesting records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Winnebago County?
There are three principal methods for locating a court case in Winnebago County: online searching, visiting the courthouse in person, or submitting a written request.
Online Searching via WCCA
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal is the state’s public database for circuit court case information. It covers all Wisconsin counties, including Winnebago. Users can search by party name, case number, or citation number. Results typically display case type, filing date, charges or claims, disposition, and scheduled hearings. WCCA is free to browse online, though it does not provide downloadable copies of actual court documents.
For appellate matters, the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access (WSCCA) portal allows searches by case number, trial court case number, or litigant and attorney names.
In-Person Searching
The Winnebago County Courthouse has three public access terminals in the Clerk of Courts Office (Room 110) where visitors can use the WCCA application to look up case records. Each terminal accommodates one person at a time.
Winnebago County Clerk of Courts
Address:
415 Jackson Street, 1st Floor
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2808
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Phone: (920) 236-4848
Circuit Court Contact Line: (920) 236-4808
Fax: (920) 424-7780
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on court holidays)
Submitting a Written or Email Request
The Clerk of Courts accepts record requests by mail, in person, and by email. Requestors should download and complete the Request for Copies, Record Search, or Certification form and submit it with appropriate payment. When sending requests, include:
- The case number (search WCCA first to locate it)
- The document title and filing date
- Full name and date of birth for background or criminal searches
- Your contact information and preferred delivery method (mail, fax, or pickup)
- A billing address if full payment is not included
Fees for Record Requests
| Service | Fee | Statutory Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Copies | $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Certification | $5.00 per document | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(5) |
| Exemplified copies (triple seal) | $15.00 plus $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61 |
| Name-based search fee | $5.00 | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(11) |
The search fee applies when a requestor cannot provide a case number and needs the clerk’s office to search by an individual’s name.
Parties to a case may access many documents online through the eFiling system for a one-time fee of $35. Instructions for creating an eFiling account are available through the Wisconsin Court System. For eFiling technical assistance, call (800) 462-8843.
Are Court Records Public in Winnebago County?
Wisconsin law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39), government agencies — including courts — must respond to records requests, and failure to do so may result in penalties. Most court files in Winnebago County are open for public inspection at the Clerk of Courts Office during business hours, and much of the docket information is available through WCCA online.
However, certain categories of records are confidential by statute or court order. Restricted records include:
- Sealed case types: Adoptions, juvenile delinquency proceedings, terminations of parental rights, mental health commitments, and certain guardianship records
- Sealed documents within open cases: Financial disclosure statements in divorce proceedings, for instance, may be restricted even though the divorce case itself is public
- Court-ordered sealing or redaction: Any record a judge has ordered sealed or redacted
Additionally, Wisconsin Statute § 801.19 requires that all persons filing documents with the circuit court redact specific protected information before filing. Protected information includes:
- Social Security numbers
- Tax identification and employer identification numbers
- Financial account numbers (bank and credit card)
- Driver’s license numbers
- Passport numbers
The Wisconsin Court System provides a detailed summary of confidential record categories in its What Information Does the Court Treat as Confidential? guide.
Even when a case file is no longer visible on WCCA (which has display period limitations), the physical file may still be available for in-person review at the Clerk of Courts Office for as long as the court retains it under applicable retention schedules.
Winnebago County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Winnebago County are filed and prosecuted in the Winnebago County Circuit Court. Misdemeanors, felonies, traffic offenses, and ordinance violations all fall within the circuit court’s jurisdiction. The Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office handles prosecution and maintains information on alternative programs such as drug court, teen court, and the Safe Streets Treatment Options Program.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records can be searched in three ways:
- WCCA portal — Enter the defendant’s name or case number on the WCCA case search page to view charges, hearing dates, and dispositions for Winnebago County criminal cases.
- In-person at the Clerk of Courts — Visit the office at 415 Jackson Street, Oshkosh, and use the public access terminals or request assistance from staff. You will need the defendant’s full name and, ideally, date of birth.
- Written request — Submit a completed records request form to the Clerk of Courts by mail or email with the defendant’s identifying information.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The Winnebago County Clerk of Courts can provide case-level criminal records from the county’s circuit court, but comprehensive criminal history reports spanning all Wisconsin jurisdictions are maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau (CIB). CIB offers two types of checks:
- Name-based background check: $7.00
- Fingerprint-based background check: $15.00
To request a name-based check, complete form DJ-LE-250 and submit it to the CIB, any law enforcement office, or use the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) for online submission.
Sheriff’s Office and Corrections
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department can be reached at (920) 236-7300 (Oshkosh) or (920) 727-2888 (Neenah). The Corrections Division, reachable at (920) 232-1900, handles Huber privileges and GPS monitoring information. Arrest records and booking information originate with law enforcement agencies rather than the court clerk’s office.
The Victim/Witness Assistance Program through the District Attorney’s Office at (920) 236-4977 provides information to crime victims about their rights and available services.
Winnebago County Civil Court Records
The Winnebago County Circuit Court handles a wide range of civil matters, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, property actions, foreclosures, restraining orders, and traffic-related civil forfeitures. Small claims cases involving amounts up to the statutory threshold are also heard in the circuit court.
Accessing Civil Case Files
Any member of the public may examine a complete, non-confidential civil case file at the Clerk of Courts Office during regular hours. If the case file is maintained electronically, it can be viewed on a public access terminal in the clerk’s office. Even older cases that may no longer appear in the WCCA online display can be reviewed in person for as long as the court retains the physical or electronic file.
The WCCA portal provides online access to civil case information, including dismissals, judgments entered against parties, and repayment status. The Civil Case Calendar is a useful tool for tracking upcoming civil proceedings.
Statewide Court Forms
Wisconsin requires the use of standardized circuit court forms for civil filings across all counties. Forms are available in categories covering civil, small claims, family, guardianship, probate, and criminal matters. Winnebago County-specific forms and court information can also be found through the Clerk of Courts website.
Foreclosure Mediation
Winnebago County offers a foreclosure mediation program. Interested parties can obtain the Foreclosure Mediation Application through the Clerk of Courts. The program connects homeowners and lenders to attempt resolution before foreclosure proceedings advance.
Civil Judgment and Lien Information
The Clerk of Courts maintains a civil judgment and lien docket. This information is relevant for title searches, collections, and credit-related inquiries. Requests for certified copies of judgments follow the same fee schedule outlined above ($1.25 per page for copies plus $5.00 for certification).
Winnebago County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Winnebago County are handled by the family division of the circuit court. Cases include divorce, annulment, legal separation, child custody and placement, property division, paternity, and domestic abuse restraining orders.
Family Court Services
The Office of Family Court Services provides mediation for parents who have disputes about custody and placement. Mediation is mandatory in most contested custody cases. The office also offers services to parents voluntarily, as long as a family court case exists in Winnebago County.
Family Court Services Office
Address:
Winnebago County Courthouse
415 Jackson Street, Room 220
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Phone: (920) 236-4762
Fax: (920) 303-3189
The Family Court Commissioner can be reached at (920) 236-4791 for questions about family court procedures.
Accessing Family Court Records
Most family court records are public, but certain documents carry confidentiality restrictions. Financial disclosure statements filed in divorce cases, for example, are typically not available for public inspection. Records involving juvenile proceedings, adoptions, and certain domestic abuse matters may also be restricted.
Requests for family court records can be made in person at the Clerk of Courts or by mail. Eligible requestors should provide the case number, full party names, and the specific documents requested. Family court forms — including mediation, custody, and general court forms — are available through the Family Court Services forms page.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Winnebago County Clerk’s Office at (920) 232-3430 and are separate from court records.
The Winnebago County Register of Deeds issues certified copies of vital records, including marriage and divorce certificates.
Address:
112 Otter Avenue, Room 108
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Phone: (920) 232-3390
Key details about divorce records availability:
- Divorce certificates from Wisconsin dated January 1, 2016, or later can be obtained from the Register of Deeds
- Divorce records before January 1, 2016 require contacting the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts for the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and judgment
- Statewide certified and uncertified divorce certificates from before 2016 can be ordered from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office online or by calling (877) 885-2981
- Historical divorce records (1848–1978) may be available through the UW Oshkosh Archives and Area Research Center
The fee for vital record certificates is $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Online orders through VitalChek are also accepted.
Domestic Violence Resources
Individuals involved in domestic abuse matters may access assistance through Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services at (920) 235-5998 or (800) 261-5998. This organization assists with preparing and obtaining temporary restraining orders and injunctions and accompanies victims at court hearings.
Winnebago County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Winnebago County are handled by the probate/juvenile division of the circuit court. The Register in Probate oversees filings related to decedents’ estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and civil commitments. Under Wisconsin statutes, the standard period for closing a probate estate is fourteen months, as established by the Wisconsin Chief Judges.
Register in Probate
Address:
415 Jackson Street, Room 242
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2808
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Phone: (920) 236-4833
Fax: (920) 424-7536
Types of Probate Records
The Register in Probate maintains records for:
- Wills filed with the court
- Petitions for formal and informal administration of estates
- Inventories and accountings
- Orders assigning assets
- Guardianship petitions and reports for incapacitated adults and minors
- Conservatorship proceedings
- Trust-related filings
- Adoption records (confidential)
- Civil commitment records (confidential)
Searching Probate Records
Individuals can check whether a will has been filed or an estate proceeding has been opened by searching the decedent’s name on WCCA. Probate cases are categorized distinctly, making them identifiable in search results. For copies of specific probate documents, contact the Register in Probate office or submit a written request using the standard records request form with the applicable fees.
Statewide probate forms and guardianship forms are available through the Wisconsin Court System website. These standardized forms are required by all circuit courts in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Register in Probate Association provides additional guidance for individuals navigating the probate, guardianship, or adoption process. For legal referrals, the State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral and Information Service can be reached at (800) 362-9082.