Wood County Court Records Search
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Wood County occupies central Wisconsin, with its county seat in Wisconsin Rapids. The Wood County Circuit Court — operating through four branches at the Wood County Courthouse — handles criminal, civil, family, and probate proceedings. The Clerk of Courts maintains official records for all matters filed in the circuit court, while the Register of Deeds serves as custodian for vital records and land documents. Municipal courts in Marshfield, Port Edwards, and Wisconsin Rapids address local ordinance violations separately from the circuit court system.
Searching for court records in Wisconsin involves several approaches depending on what you need and how quickly you need it. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal provides free name-based case searches covering circuit courts statewide, including Wood County. Additional resources are available through WisconsinCourts.us, which can help users identify publicly available case information across the state. Beyond online tools, the Clerk of Courts office at the Wood County Courthouse offers in-person access to public records via dedicated terminals, and written requests may be submitted by mail or email. The specific procedures and fees differ depending on the record type, as outlined in the sections below.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Wood County?
Wood County court cases can be located through online searches, in-person visits, or written requests to the Clerk of Courts.
Online Search via WCCA
The WCCA portal is the primary free tool for searching Wood County circuit court cases. After accepting the terms of use, select “Wood” as the county and search by party name, case number, or date range. Results display case type, filing date, charges or claims, and disposition information. WCCA does not provide access to the actual documents filed in a case — only summary data and docket entries.
In-Person Access
The Clerk of Courts office maintains public-access computers where anyone can view case documents for Wood County actions at no charge. The office does not maintain records from other counties’ courts or from municipal courts that handle their own filings.
Wood County Clerk of Courts
Address: 400 Market Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Mailing: P.O. Box 8095, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Phone: (715) 421-8490
Fax: (715) 421-8691
Email: Wood.Clerk@wicourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Submitting a Written Request
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to Wood.Clerk@wicourts.gov. When making a request, provide the following:
- Your full name, phone number, and current address
- The case number (search WCCA first to find it at no charge)
- If no case number is available, the full name of the individual or entity
- The specific document title or filing date you need
- Whether you require certified copies
Fees for Copies and Searches
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Name search (no case number provided) | $5.00 per name | Wis. Stat. 814.61(11) |
| Document copies | $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. 814.61(10) |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document (plus $1.25/page) | Wis. Stat. 814.61(5) |
| Exemplified copies (triple seal) | $15.00 plus $1.25/page | — |
| Fax | $2.00 | — |
Prepayment is required. The office sends an invoice, and records are provided once payment is received. Credit and debit card payments can be processed online through the Government Payment Service for an additional fee. Turnaround time is typically one to five business days, though older records stored on microfiche may take longer.
Electronic Filing
Wood County participates in Wisconsin’s mandatory circuit court eFiling system. Electronically filed cases incur an additional $35 per case per party ($70 for attorney-mediators), effective May 1, 2024.
Are Court Records Public in Wood County?
Court records filed in the Wood County Circuit Court are generally public under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39). This statute establishes a strong presumption of openness for records held by government bodies, including courts, and grants any person the right to inspect or obtain copies.
Despite this broad presumption, certain categories of court records are restricted from public disclosure. Records that may be sealed, redacted, or withheld include:
- Juvenile court files and records
- Adoption proceedings
- Documents containing sensitive personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account data)
- Information identifying witnesses, informants, or confidential sources
- Medical and psychological records filed with the court
- Details identifying victims of sexual assault or trafficking
- Records sealed by judicial order under Wisconsin law
- Certain financial disclosures in pending divorce cases
- Pending or ongoing case materials that have not yet been disposed of in court
Under Wis. Stat. § 19.36, records specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal law remain exempt regardless of the general public records presumption. When the Clerk of Courts receives a request for records that include protected information, the exempt portions are redacted before copies are released. If a request is denied, the custodian must provide a written explanation citing the statutory basis.
Wood County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Wood County are prosecuted in the circuit court. Misdemeanors, felonies, and criminal traffic matters are assigned across the court’s four branches. The four circuit judges who preside are:
| Branch | Judge | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Branch I | Hon. Gregory Jerabek | (715) 421-8520 |
| Branch II | Hon. Nicholas J. Brazeau, Jr. | (715) 421-8518 |
| Branch III | Hon. Emily Nolan-Plutchak | (715) 421-8415 |
| Branch IV | Hon. Timothy Gebert | (715) 421-8774 |
All branches are located at the Wood County Courthouse, 400 Market Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case dockets — including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions — are searchable at no cost through WCCA. To view actual filed documents, visit the Clerk of Courts office and use the public-access terminals. Copies of criminal case documents can be requested in person, by mail, or by email, subject to the standard fee schedule ($1.25 per page, $5.00 for certification).
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office maintains local arrest records, incident reports, and inmate information through its Admin Records Division. Open records requests can be submitted in person, by phone at (715) 421-8715, by mail, or through the department’s online contact form.
Wood County Sheriff’s Office — Attention: Records
400 Market Street, P.O. Box 8095
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Reproduction fees include $0.25 per page for most records and $1.00 per photograph. Accident reports are available through CRASHDOCS by CARFAX for a fee. Juvenile records, reports on pending cases, and records of a sensitive nature may be withheld in whole or in part.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
For a formal Wisconsin criminal history search, submit a completed Single Subject Request Form or Multiple Subject Request Form to the Crime Information Bureau by mail at P.O. Box 2688, Madison, WI 53701-2688. The Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) also provides electronic access to statewide criminal records. For questions about CIB fees or procedures, call (608) 266-5764.
Wood County Civil Court Records
Civil matters filed in the Wood County Circuit Court encompass contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, property actions, foreclosures, small claims, and eviction proceedings. The Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for all civil filings.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information is available through WCCA by searching under Wood County. For document-level access, visit the courthouse public-access terminals or submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts at Wood.Clerk@wicourts.gov or by mail to P.O. Box 8095, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095. The standard copy and search fees apply.
Civil Filing Fees
Filing fees for civil actions in Wisconsin circuit courts are set by statute. Key fees from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee Schedule include:
| Action | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil complaint (money judgment over $10,000) | $265.50 |
| Civil complaint (no money judgment) | $164.50 |
| Personal injury/tort ($5,000 or less, filed as small claims) | $94.50 |
| Personal injury/tort (over $5,000 up to $10,000) | $147.50 |
| Small claims ($10,000 or less) | $94.50 |
| Foreclosure | $265.50 |
| Name change | $164.50 |
| Garnishment (over $10,000) | $210.50 |
| Garnishment ($10,000 or less) | $92.50 |
Total fees include the base filing fee plus mandatory surcharges for court support services and justice information. Electronically filed cases add $35 per party. Fee waivers may be available under Wis. Stat. 814.29(1) for parties who demonstrate financial hardship.
Property Records
Land records, deeds, mortgages, and liens are maintained by the Wood County Register of Deeds. Online searches are available through Tapestry for pay-per-search users and Laredo for professional subscribers. Property tax data can be searched through the Wood County Property Tax portal, and the county’s Land Records Viewer provides parcel maps with boundaries, zoning, and assessment overlays.
Wood County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Wood County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, and adoption — are adjudicated by the circuit court. The Family Court Commissioner, Christopher Lummis, handles initial proceedings and recommendations in many family cases and can be reached at (715) 421-8807.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and case files are maintained by the Clerk of Courts for proceedings prior to January 1, 2016. For divorces finalized on or after that date, certified divorce certificates are available from the Wood County Register of Deeds. To obtain a divorce certificate from the Register of Deeds, complete the Divorce Certificate Application and submit it with a valid photo ID and $20.00 ($3.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously). Mail requests require a money order or cashier’s check — personal checks are not accepted — along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Filing Fees for Family Actions
| Action | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce, annulment, or legal separation (no support request) | $184.50 |
| Divorce with support/maintenance request | $194.50 |
| Post-judgment custody/placement revision | $50.00 |
| Post-judgment motion (other revisions) | $30.00 |
| Paternity (private party, no support) | $184.50 |
| Paternity (with support request) | $194.50 |
| Mediation fee | $200.00 (first session free) |
| Custody/placement study | $300.00 |
Standardized family court forms — including divorce packets, custody modification petitions, domestic violence protective order forms, and parenting plan worksheets — are available from the West Virginia Judiciary family court forms page. Wisconsin-specific forms are available through the Wisconsin Court System forms library and the Legal Aid self-help resources.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are maintained by the Wood County Register of Deeds. To obtain a certified copy, complete the Marriage Certificate Application and submit it with a photo ID and $20.00 per copy ($3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time). Payments must be by money order or cashier’s check for mailed requests.
Wood County Register of Deeds
Address: 400 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Mailing: P.O. Box 8095, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8095
Phone: (715) 421-8450
Fax: (715) 421-8446
Email: register@woodcountywi.gov
For expedited online orders, the Register of Deeds partners with Official Records Online (additional $10 service fee) and VitalChek (additional $20 service fee). Online orders received by 2:00 PM are processed the same business day.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates cost $20.00 each ($3.00 per additional copy). Eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, immediate family members (parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents), legal guardians, and authorized legal representatives. Applications are available for download:
Submit the completed form with a valid photo ID and payment to the Register of Deeds by mail or in person. Acceptable identification includes a state-issued driver’s license, tribal or military ID, passport, or government-issued employee badge. Copying or reproducing vital record certificates is a felony under Wis. Stat. 69.24(1).
Wood County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship matters in Wood County are heard by the circuit court, with case records maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Probate proceedings cover estate administration (with or without a will), conservatorships, guardianships of minors and adults, and trust-related petitions.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case summaries — including case type, filing dates, and party information — are searchable through WCCA by selecting Wood County and filtering by probate case class. To view the full case file or obtain copies, visit the Clerk of Courts office at 400 Market Street or submit a written request by mail or email. The same copy fees apply: $1.25 per page for regular copies, $5.00 per document for certification.
Probate Filing Fees
Probate filing fees in Wisconsin are governed by Wis. Stat. 814.66. Key fees include:
- Inventory fee: Minimum of $20.00, or 0.2% of estate value exceeding $10,000
- Minor/adult guardianship of the estate inventory fee: Minimum of $20.00, or 0.2% of value exceeding $50,000
- Trust petition (judicial proceedings under Ch. 701): $250.00
- Receiving trust funds: Greater of $10.00 or 0.5% of deposited funds
- Fund withdrawals: $10.00 per transaction
The eFiling fee of $35 per party also applies to probate cases filed electronically.
Requesting Probate Records
To request copies of wills, inventories, final settlements, or guardianship records, contact the Clerk of Courts with the case number or the full name of the decedent or ward. If no case number is available, the $5.00 per-name search fee applies. Prepayment is required before records are released. For urgent requests, note the deadline in your communication and be prepared to arrange expedited payment and pickup or priority mailing.
The Clerk of Courts office handles probate-related inquiries at (715) 421-8490 during regular business hours. For specific phone lines within the office, civil matters can be directed to (715) 421-8548 and family cases to (715) 421-8807.