Taylor County Court Records

Taylor County court records are documents maintained by the Circuit Court in relation to a court case. Court records are essential resources for legal research and understanding how the judicial system works in the county and state at large. They commonly contain petitions, complaints, pleadings, hearing schedules, evidence, court orders, and judgments, depending on the specifics of the case. In some instances, court records may also capture information from other records, such as Taylor County arrest records.

Are Court Records Public in Taylor County?

Yes. Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39), members of the public are entitled to the "greatest possible" information about the affairs of government bodies. This right extends to the judiciary. The law establishes a presumption of public access to Taylor County court records. Exceptions to this rule occur only when a specific record is shielded by law, statute, or a court order. Examples of such records in Taylor County include

• Adoption records
• Juvenile delinquency proceedings
• Termination of parental rights records
• Guardianship records
• Unexecuted search warrants
• Financial disclosure statements in a divorce action.

Taylor County Court Records Search

Taylor County residents have several options for accessing court records. These include:

• Visiting the Taylor County Clerk of Circuit Court's Office
• Using the court's official online case search system
• Searching third-party public records platforms

Taylor County Courts

Taylor County's judicial system is part of the Wisconsin Circuit Court system. The Taylor County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction, handling all civil and criminal matters originating within the county. Notably, Taylor County does not operate separate municipal courts; therefore, city ordinance violations are also adjudicated within the Circuit Court. Below is the county's courthouse address.

Taylor County Circuit Court
224 South 2nd Street
Medford, WI 54451
Phone: (715) 748-1435
Fax: (715) 748-1524

Taylor County Criminal and Civil Records

Court records in Taylor County are broadly categorized into criminal and civil records. Criminal records include information and documents created or brought to the court during criminal proceedings, such as the Taylor County arrest records associated with a particular defendant. Civil records encompass information related to non-criminal proceedings, including divorces, child custody cases, probate matters, and land disputes.

The Taylor County Clerk of Court is the custodian of criminal and civil court records generated in the county. To examine or obtain a copy of a court record, individuals may visit the Clerk of Court's Office at the courthouse during business hours. A requester will generally be required to describe the record they need in as much detail as possible for the record to be located. A case number usually satisfies the requirements, but a party name or the date the record was filed can also be used to search court records. Requesters should also be aware that the clerk may charge a search and copy fee.

Individuals can also search for Taylor County court records via the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system. The basic search criteria include the party name, date of birth, and case number. However, an advanced search option is available, allowing users to filter their search by case type, case status, filing date, or disposition date.

Taylor County Marriage Records

For a marriage to be legally recognized in Taylor County, the couple must obtain a marriage license from the Register of Deeds Office before the ceremony and submit it back to the office for recording after the ceremony. The recorded license becomes the official marriage record; a certified copy is commonly known as a marriage certificate.

Marriage certificates in Taylor County are confidential documents, accessible only to those with a direct and tangible interest in the record as per Wis. Stat. § 69.20(1). However, there are no restrictions on uncertified copies, as they are only useful as informational copies.

Individuals can request a certified or uncertified copy of a marriage record from the Register of Deeds Office in person. A certified copy can also be ordered by submitting the Marriage Certificate Application by mail, along with a valid ID and payment. The fee for a marriage certificate (same for all vital records) is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. All mailed requests must include a USPS Priority Mail return delivery option. The office's mailing address is listed below.

Taylor County Register of Deeds
224 South Second Street
Medford, WI 54451

Taylor County Divorce Records

Divorce records document the legal termination of a marriage. Divorce case files are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court and are publicly accessible unless the law or court restricts access. Meanwhile, Taylor County divorce certificates are issued by the Register of Deeds and are only available to persons with a direct and tangible interest as determined by law. Per Wis. Stat. § 69.24(1), anyone found in the illegal possession of a vital record in Wisconsin is guilty of a Class I felony and may be imprisoned for up to three and a half years or fined up to $10,000 or both.

To access the divorce case file, which is a comprehensive report of the divorce proceeding, individuals may visit the Clerk of Court's Office or search for the record on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Portal. For divorce certificates, eligible persons may visit the Register of Deeds Office or submit a Divorce Certificate Application by mail.

Taylor Birth Records

Birth records in Taylor County are maintained simultaneously by both the Register of Deeds Office and Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) – Vital Records Office. Birth records are subject to Wis. Stat. § 69.20 and are not released except to those with a direct and tangible interest in the record, such as the person named on the certificate or close family members. However, uncertified birth records of children born to unmarried parents whose paternity has not been established, or was established by court order, are public.

Individuals may apply for a Taylor County birth Certificate at the Register of Deeds Office or via mail by forwarding a completed Birth Certificate Application to the office mail address. A valid means of identification is required to process requests.

Taylor Death Records

Taylor County death records document the details surrounding the death of a person and have the same accessibility restrictions as other vital records. Death certificates can be obtained from the Taylor County Register of Deeds Office. Interested individuals may apply for a certificate in person or complete and submit the Death Certificate Application form by mail, accompanied by a valid ID and payment.

Taylor County Probate Court Records

Probate records are court records and are managed by the Clerk of Court. These records cover legal proceedings related to the distribution of a decedent's estate, as well as the guardianship and conservatorship of individuals. Most probate court records are open to public inspection, but records of guardianships are confidential. Record seekers may obtain a probate court record from the Clerk of Court's Office in person or search the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Portal for information.

Taylor County Property Records

Taylor County's Register of Deeds Office, in addition to vital records, manages land and property-related records in the county. These records document deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, and land contracts. The general public can access property information at the Register of Deeds Office. They may also locate the record via the Taylor County Real Estate Records portal.

Taylor County Court Records Online

As an alternative to in-person visits and the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, researchers may also access Taylor County court records through third-party platforms like Wisconsincourtrecords.us. These platforms often provide the public with access to not only Taylor County court records but also statewide court records, allowing individuals to gain a broader perspective on judicial operations in the state. However, there are some limitations: records obtained may be incomplete or inaccurate and cannot be used for legal or official purposes.