Sheboygan County Court Records

Wisconsin Statutes § 19.32 (2) defines a record as any document generated or stored data by a government authority regarding official functions.

Sheboygan County court records contain information generated during civil, criminal, mental health, domestic relations, and juvenile court cases. These records may include dockets, pleadings, motions, briefs, orders, and expert testimony. Sheboygan County court records, along with those from other counties, collectively form the Wisconsin court records database.

Are Sheboygan Court Records Public in Sheboygan County?

According to the Wisconsin Open Records Law enacted in 1982, citizens can inspect or obtain copies of records maintained by government authorities, including Sheboygan County court records. This Law renders all records open to inspection or copying except where exemptions have been made and does not require requesters to state the purpose of their requests. The Wisconsin government aims to ensure accountability through the open record law, allowing citizens and the general public to review government activities kept in official records.

The Sheboygan County Clerk of Circuit Courts manages these court records and provides public access to those who request them. However, some records may be unavailable to the general public, and they include the following documents: County Clerk of Circuit Courts.

• Juvenile records
• Drugs and alcohol drug treatment records
• Grand jury information
• Adoption records
• Personal data of a crime victim
• Sealed and confidential court records
• Custody evaluation records
• Mental health records

Sheboygan County Court Records Search

In Sheboygan County, individuals may search for court records through various options, including:

• Clerk of the Circuit Court Office
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Portal

Sheboygan County Court Records Search by Name

Interested persons can search for Sheboygan County court records by name by sending written requests via fax or email to the Clerk of Circuit Courts Office. They should send a request containing the case party's first and last name or business name via email or fax to (920) 429-3921. The Clerk of Court charges a copy fee of $1.25 per page, $5 for certified copies, $15 for triple seal or exemplified copies, and $1.25 per page for the attached documents. Interested persons may do all these using the contact below:

615 North 6th Street,
WI 53081
Phone: (920) 459-3071

Interested persons may also obtain Sheboygan County court case records from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA). The WCCA offers simple case search, advanced case search, docketed civil judgment search, and lien search options. Users are required to agree to the terms and conditions as displayed on the portal before they can proceed to the search page. They are expected to enter the case party's name (last, first, and middle) and choose "Sheboygan" from the dropdown list provided in the County criteria for the search before initiating the search.

Sheboygan County Courts

The Sheboygan County court system comprises a Circuit Court and four Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court holds original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases but usually handles matters outside Municipal Courts' purview. Additionally, all jury trials take place in Circuit Courts. Municipal Courts, on the other hand, hold exclusive jurisdiction over most ordinance violations, traffic violations, and non-jury trials for first-offense drunk driving. Sheboygan County courthouses addresses and contact information are thus:

Sheboygan County Circuit Court
615 North 6th Street,
WI 53081
Phone: (920) 459-3068
Fax: (920) 459-3921

City of Plymouth Municipal Court
Plymouth City Hall
125 Smith Street
P.O. Box 218
Plymouth, WI 53073
Phone: (920) 893-1271 ext 3740
Fax: (920) 892-6143

City of Sheboygan Falls Municipal Court
375 Buffalo Street
P.O. Box 186
Falls, WI 53085
Phone: (920) 467-0763
Fax: (920) 467-2662

Sheboygan - Kohler Joint Municipal Court
1315 North 23rd Street
Suite 102,
WI 53081
Phone: (920) 459-0212
Fax: (920) 459-0217

Village of Elkhart Lake - Town of Rhine Municipal Court
84 North Lake Street
P.O. Box 412
Elkhart Lake, WI 53020
Phone: (920) 876-2244
Fax: (920) 876-2795

Sheboygan County Superior Court Case Search

The County does not have a Superior Court. The Sheboygan County Circuit Court is the court within the County that covers jurisdiction similar to that of the Superior Court. The Sheboygan County Circuit Court Clerk, governed by State Statute Wisconsin Court rule, must maintain records of all court documents and promote procedures for reasonable access to court records. Any interested persons may access these records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) or request the Clerk's Office. The Sheboygan County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters within the County, including probate, juvenile, and traffic matters, as well as civil and criminal jury trials.

Sheboygan County District Court Records

The County does not have a District Court that serves as a lower court with limited jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases. However, the Municipal Courts are the available courts on a lower pedestal to the Circuit court and generally handle non-criminal traffic and ordinance violations like the following:

• Traffic offence
• First offense: drunk/impaired driving
• Disorderly conduct
• Trespass
• Truancy
• Underage alcohol
• Building code
• Health code
• Animal control violations.

Sheboygan County Criminal Records

The Department of Justice (DOJ) provides a practical way to obtain criminal records from Wisconsin. The Crime Information Bureau (CIB) of the DOJ maintains these records and allows interested parties to view the data using the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) following the steps below:

• Register an account or Use Public access: Requesters may need to register or use the public access option to check criminal records on WORCS. Once registered and logged in, the user will be directed to their dashboard.
• Initiate Request: To initiate the request, the user should click the "Submit New Request" button on the dashboard. This will open a form where they can select the appropriate background check type from a dropdown menu and fill out any necessary details. Once all information is entered, they can submit the request.
• Pay fee: The WORCS charges $7.00 to view criminal records online and $5.00 to process the records for mail requests. The user will be presented with two options: Bill to Account or Online Payment. If the user has a pre-established billing account with WORCS, they can select "Bill to Account," review the details, and click "Continue". Alternatively, if they don't have a billing account or prefer to pay online, they can choose "Online Payment". This will securely redirect them to the ePay website to complete the payment process.
• Access Report: the user can click the "Results" link on the "Request Results" page. A legal disclaimer may appear, requiring them to check a checkbox signifying their agreement before they can view their results. Finally, clicking "View Rapsheet" will display their background check report. The user can then review the Rapsheet and print a copy for their records.

Sheboygan County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Interested persons can obtain copies of non-confidential Sheboygan County criminal court records from the County's Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The record custodian responds to written requests submitted along with the defendant's full name and the case number. Record seekers can send requests by email or fax to (920) 459-3921. Interested persons can also request a criminal court record in person at the Clerks of Court Office:

Sheboygan County Clerk of Court
615 North 6th Street,
WI 53081
Phone: (920) 459-3094

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) also provides online criminal court case records. Each party using the WCCA must supply information about the case, including the name of the business, the case number, the citation number, the issuing agency, the docket number, the kind of judgment, the filing date, the attorney's state bar I.D., and the criminal record class code.

Get Sheboygan County Civil Court Records

The Sheboygan County's Clerk of Circuit Court is the custodian of Sheboygan County civil court records, and requesters may obtain these records by visiting the Clerk of Circuit Courts office in person. The custodian requires requesters to be aware of the case specifics like the case name, case number, or party names to achieve efficient retrieval of the records. Requesters may also need to pay a search fee of $5 for a record request without a case number. Requesters may also send a written request by fax or email. Below are the contact details of the County Clerk's Office:

Sheboygan County Clerk of Court
615 North 6th Street,
WI 53081
Phone: (920) 459-3071
Fax: (920) 429-3921
Email: records@wicourts.gov.

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) also provides remote access to Sheboygan County civil court records. Requesters may access these records using the steps outlined above in the "Sheboygan County Court Records Search by Name" section.

In civil court records, problems involving a large sum of money or property are usually the subject of compensation claims or other concerns that need to be resolved. These include disagreements over contracts, lawsuits for personal injuries, and family law issues like child custody or divorce.

Sheboygan County Family Court Records

Sheboygan County does not have a dedicated Family court, but the Sheboygan County Circuit Court, which manages both civil and criminal matters, has family law as part of its jurisdiction. However, the Circuit Court has a designated department in the Clerk's office that manages Family court records. Wisconsin Family Records, kept by the Wisconsin Circuit Court System, are critical resources for anyone involved in a family court case in the state. The Circuit Court hears a variety of family law cases, which include the following:

• Dissolution of marriage
• Guardianship
• Paternity
• Domestics abuse
• Child abuse

The County's Clerk of Circuit Court is the custodian of Sheboygan County family court records. Requesters may obtain these records by visiting the Clerk of Circuit Courts office in person by sending a written request by fax or email.

Sheboygan County Dissolution of Marriage Records

County dissolution of marriage or divorce records are captured as part of public records and are available to the public. However, per Wis. Stat. § 69.20 (1), a certified copy of a divorce record is only available to those with a "direct and tangible interest," such as the divorced parties, an immediate family member, a legal custodian and their legal representatives. The County Register of Deeds issues certified copies of the divorce certificate from January 2016 till date. Parties seeking dissolution of marriage records before January 2016 should contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Vital Records Office.

It costs $20.00 to get the first copy of the divorce certificate and $3 for each additional copy. Requesters via mail should send in completed copies of the application for a divorce certificate along with a cheque or money order for payment. Requesters in person can make cash payments from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at the Register of Deeds Office. A completed application must have the form, the fees, and a photocopy of a valid form of identity. Applicants should mail or deliver their applications to:

County Register of Deeds
508 New York Avenue,
WI 53081
Phone: (920) 459-3023

Sheboygan County Marriage and Divorce Records

County marriage and divorce records are public records and are available to the public. However, per Wis. Stat. § 69.20 (1), a certified copy of these records is only available to those with a "direct and tangible interest," such as the divorced parties or couple, an immediate family member, a legal custodian, and their legal representatives. The County Register of Deeds issued certified copies of the divorce records from January 2016 till date and certified copies of marriage records from October 1907 till date. Parties seeking marriage and divorce records before these given periods should contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Vital Records Office.

Sheboygan Birth and Death Records

County birth and death records are part of public records and are available to the public. However, per Wis. Stat. § 69.20 (1), a certified copy of these records is only available to those with a "direct and tangible interest," such as the record owner, an immediate family member, a legal custodian, and their legal representatives. The County Register of Deeds issued certified copies of the birth records from October 1907 to date and certified copies of death records from September 2013 to date. Parties seeking birth and death records before these given periods should contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Vital Records Office.

Sheboygan County Probate Court Records

The County Clerk of Circuit Court is the custodian of Sheboygan County probate court records, and requesters may obtain them by visiting the Clerk of Circuit Court office in person. The Register in Probate is the officer within the County Clerk of the Circuit Court Office that directly assists the courts, attorneys, and the public with probate cases.

Sheboygan County Property Records

Sheboygan County property "records offer valuable information for a "one interested in real estate within the County. Sheboygan County property records typically contain a wealth of information about a specific property, including:

• Ownership: Current owner(s) name(s) and mailing address
• Property Characteristics: Land size, building details (square footage, year built, number of bedrooms/bathrooms), property type (residential, commercial, etc.)
• Valuation: The assessed taxable value of the property
• Tax Information: Current property tax amount, billing history, and any potential delinquencies
• Parcel Information: Unique parcel identification number, and legal description of the property
• Public Records: Links to associated documents like plats, permits, or building code violations (availability may vary)

Interested persons may utilize the County Treasurer's Land Records and Tax Web Portal. The portal provides a username and password on the homepage for useTreasurer'sn and search. Users can search for a parcel of landed property or a property record.

Sheboygan County Court Records Online

While Sheboygan County offers single online access to all court records, third-party websites, like wisconsincourtrecords.us, provide such a service more conveniently. Third-party sites often act as aggregators, allowing you to search court records across various counties or states from a single platform. Additionally, some have user-friendly interfaces that might be easier to navigate than individual court websites. In some cases, requesters might even find features like case summaries or alerts for specific dockets (although it's always wise to confirm the specific features offered by each site). However, there are limitations to consider. The accuracy and completeness of information on third-party sites depend on the courts' data. This can lead to delays in updates or even inaccuracies.