Dane County Court Records
Court records in Dane County document the proceedings and filings generated throughout the life of a case, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. These records are preserved in compliance with Chapter 72 of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules.
Alongside court records, other official documents, such as arrest reports, vital records, criminal histories, and federal case files, are maintained to satisfy legal record-keeping requirements. Beyond their role in official documentation, public records may support education, research, and statistical analysis. The Wisconsin Public Records Law regulates access to documents generated within Wisconsin.
Public records are generally kept by the government entity responsible for creating or receiving them. In Dane County, court records are managed and maintained by local courts, which oversee legal cases arising within the county.
Are Dane County Court Records Public?
Yes. Dane County court records are subject to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39). As a result, the public generally has the right to review or obtain copies of these records. This framework promotes transparency and governmental accountability.
However, public access is not unlimited. While openness is the default rule, Wisconsin law recognizes specific exceptions that limit access to certain records or information. For example, Wisconsin Statute § 54.75 restricts public access to records related to guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. In addition, records that are expressly designated as confidential by statute are not available for public inspection. These include adoption records, juvenile delinquency records, and sealed records.
Even when a case file is publicly accessible, sensitive information within it is excluded from public view. Such information may include financial disclosure statements in divorce proceedings, medical records, and social security numbers.
Confidential records may be accessed only by individuals authorized by law, such as the parties involved in the case or those granted permission by the court.
What Information is Available in Dane County Court Records?
Court records, which document judicial proceedings, vary in content based on the case type. Despite these differences, most records consistently contain fundamental details: party names, the nature of the case, the assigned judge, case status, case number, associated fees (filing or court), and scheduled or completed hearing dates.
Commonly included documents are the initial complaint or petition, subsequent responses, court orders, settlement agreements, docket entries, minutes, and court calendars. The specifics beyond these standard elements depend on the case category. For instance, criminal court records typically list the specific charges filed and the final disposition following prosecution. In contrast, family law records may include the terms of a divorce decree, settlement provisions, support obligations, and other court-issued orders specific to a family matter.
Dane County Court Records Search
The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Dane County manages access to local court records generated by the Circuit Court, ensuring public access while also protecting those records deemed confidential by law. For a small fee, the office processes public record requests and provides plain or certified copies. The policies governing access to case information across various formats are established by the Director of State Courts.
Methods of access:
- Online Access: Public court records for Dane County are available through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), the state’s centralized case management database. This system allows users to search by name or case number and includes records from multiple court levels. Users must select Dane County to narrow their search results. Confidential cases and restricted documents are excluded from online access.
- In-Person Access: Certain records are available only through onsite inspection at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. Typically, the office maintains records for up to 5 years; however, only 1 year of non-criminal cases, simple traffic matters, and ordinance violations are available onsite. Older records may be requested, though additional processing time may be required.
Records may be reviewed at the courthouse records center. Copies, including certified copies, are available for a fee.
Location for in-person requests:
Dane County Courthouse
Room 1002
215 South Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703
Fax: (608) 267-8859
For access to municipal court records, one can contact the relevant court where the case was filed.
Fees for Court Records in Dane County
In Dane, court records may be inspected at no cost. Fees apply only when copies are requested. Copy fees are set by the Wis. Stat. § 814.61. Under this statute, standard copies cost $1.25 per page, while certification costs $5 per document. Exemplified copies are charged at $15, plus $1.25 per page for any attached documents.
For Dane County vital records access and associated fees, one should contact the Dane County Register of Deeds.
Dane County Courthouse Locations
Dane operates two court systems: the Circuit Court and the Municipal Courts. The Dane County Circuit Court serves as the county’s trial court and is organized into multiple divisions, each presided over by different judges. It holds original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters in the county, including juvenile, probate, and traffic cases. Its procedures are governed by the Dane County Circuit Court Rules.
In addition, Dane County has multiple Municipal Courts, each with authority limited to the city, town, or village it serves. These courts function under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 800, governing municipal court procedure, and Chapter 755, governing municipal courts. Municipal Courts typically handle cases such as traffic violations, underage alcohol offenses, first-offense operating while intoxicated (OWI), disorderly conduct, animal control violations, truancy, and trespassing. The locations of these courts are as follows:
Circuit Courts
Dane County Courthouse
215 South Hamilton Street
Room 1000
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-4311
Fax: (608) 267-8859
Municipal Courts
City of Fitchburg Municipal Court
5520 Lacy Road
Fitchburg, WI 53711
Phone: (608) 270-4224
Fax: (608) 270-4212
City of Madison Municipal Court
City - County Building
210 Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 264-9282
Fax: (608) 266-5930
City of Middleton Municipal Court
7341 Donna Drive
Middleton, WI 53562
Phone: (608) 824-7370
Fax: (608) 833-9995
City of Monona Municipal Court
1000 Nichols Road
Monona, WI 53716
Phone: (608) 216-7422
Fax: (608) 222-4196
City of Stoughton Municipal Court
Public Safety Building
321 South 4th Street
Second Floor
Stoughton, WI 53589
Phone: (608) 873-6676
Fax: (608) 646-0416
City of Sun Prairie Municipal Court
2598 West Main Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Phone: (608) 837-9541
Fax: (608) 825-1198
City of Verona Municipal Court
111 Lincoln Street
Verona, WI 53593
Phone: (608) 848-9938
Fax: (608) 845-8613
Eastern Dane County Joint Municipal Court
200 Spring Street
Cambridge, WI 53523
Phone: (608) 501-5010
Fax: (608) 423-3916
Northeast Community Municipal Court
5365 Reiner Road
Burke, WI 53718
Phone: (608) 825-3119
Fax: (608) 825-8422
Town of Cottage Grove Municipal Court
221 East Cottage Grove Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Phone: (608) 839-8064
Fax: (608) 839-4698
Town of Dunn Municipal Court
4156 County Road B
McFarland, WI 53558
Phone: (608) 838-1081
Fax: (608) 838-1085
Town of Madison - Middleton - Verona Joint Municipal Court
2120 Fish Hatchery Road
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: (608) 210-7263
Fax: (608) 210-7236
Village of Belleville Municipal Court
24 West Main Street
Belleville, WI 53508
Phone: (608) 424-6551
Fax: (608) 424-6551
Village of Cottage Grove Municipal Court
221 East Cottage Grove Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Phone: (608) 839-8064
Fax: (608) 839-4698
Village of Cross Plains Municipal Court
2417 Brewery Road
Cross Plains, WI 53528
Phone: (608) 798-4101
Fax: (608) 798-4001
Village of Dane Municipal Court
102 West Main Street
Dane, WI 53529
Phone: (608) 849-5422
Fax: (608) 849-6412
Village of DeForest - Town of Windsor Municipal Court
120 South Stevenson Street
DeForest, WI 53532
Phone: (608) 846-6782
Fax: (608) 846-0945
Village of Maple Bluff Municipal Court
18 Oxford Place
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: (608) 244-3069
Fax: (608) 244-0179
Village of Marshall Municipal Court
130 South Pardee Street
Marshall, WI 53559
Phone: (608) 655-4017
Fax: (608) 655-4273
Village of Mazomanie Black Earth Joint Municipal Court
133 Crescent Street
Mazomanie, WI 53560
Phone: (608) 795-2100
Fax: (608) 795-2102
Village of McFarland Municipal Court
5915 Milwaukee Street
McFarland, WI 53558
Phone: (608) 838-3764
Fax: (608) 838-3619
Village of Mount Horeb Municipal Court
138 East Main Street
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
Phone: (608) 437-7748
Fax: (608) 437-3190
Village of Oregon Municipal Court
383 Park Street
Oregon, WI 53575
Phone: (608) 835-2206
Fax: (608) 835-6262
Village of Shorewood Hills Municipal Court
810 Shorewood Boulevard
Madison, WI 53705
Phone: (608) 267-2690
Fax: (608) 267-1155
Village of Waunakee Municipal Court
500 West Main Street
Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: (608) 849-4573
Fax: (608) 849-5628
Criminal Records Access in Dane County
Statewide criminal history background checks are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Crime Information Bureau (CIB). In contrast, individual criminal case files are maintained locally by the clerk of court in the county where each case was adjudicated. The Clerk of Circuit Court’s office allows public access to these records during regular business hours unless access is restricted by statute or court order.
Members of the public may locate criminal case information through the WCCA online system by searching with a party name or case number. If a record is unavailable online or additional details or documents are required, requests may be directed to the clerk’s office in person, by mail, or by email (telephone requests are typically not accepted). Viewing records is generally free, but copy fees apply.
Dane County Probate Records
Dane County probate records document court actions involved in managing and settling the estate of a deceased individual. These proceedings address the transfer of assets to beneficiaries, settlement of outstanding debts, and other legal responsibilities arising after death. Estate administration may take several forms, including informal, formal, special, or summary proceedings. The probate court also handles matters such as wills, guardianships, conservatorships, protective placements, and adoptions.
A typical probate record may include
The exact content of a probate file varies depending on the nature and complexity of the case. In Dane, probate proceedings are governed by Wis. Stat. Chapter 851. Some probate records can be accessed online through the WCCA system. However, many files, particularly older records or those subject to limited statutory access, are not available online. These records may be inspected in person at the Office of the Register in Probate or requested by mail, provided they are not fully confidential under the law.
Probate records not held by the Register in Probate, especially historical estate files, may be archived at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Individuals seeking wills, estate files, or probate filings may use any of these avenues. While in-person inspection is often free, fees may apply for nameless searches, retrieval of older records, or requests for certified or copied documents.
Dane County Family Court Records
Family law in Dane addresses legal issues involving family or domestic relationships. These matters are handled by the Dane County Circuit Court, Family Court Division. The court has jurisdiction over cases such as divorce, legal separations, annulment, child custody and placement, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse restraining orders.
Family court records are generally presumed to be public. However, access is subject to statutory limits, and some records are restricted, partially sealed, or completely sealed. Certain documents may be available only to parties with a direct legal interest in the case.
Individuals seeking family court records may search the state judiciary’s online case management system (Wisconsin Circuit Court Access), where certain case information and documents are accessible remotely. Other records are not available online and may be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by email, and sufficient case details are required to locate a record. Certified copies are available upon payment of the applicable fee.
Federal Court Records in Dane County
Federal matters arising in Dane are heard by the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, as county courts lack jurisdiction over federal issues. Case records maintained by this court are available to the public when not sealed or otherwise restricted.
Remote access to federal court records is available through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. With a registered PACER account, users can search for cases using a party name or case number.
Alternatively, requesters may visit the courthouse to inquire about specific cases or submit a written request to the clerk of court by mail.
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Required information for record request includes:
- The name under which the case is filed
- The case number (if known)
- Contact information
- A clear description of the records requested
- An indication of whether a certified or non-certified copy is needed
- Mail and Phone Requests: Court records cannot be requested by phone in Dane County. However, requests may be submitted by mail or email to Dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov and must include all required identifying details to facilitate record retrieval. Mailed requests must also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and payment of applicable fees. Payments for mail requests are accepted by check or money order.
- The estate name and assigned case number
- Information about the personal representatives
- Scheduled hearings or court actions
- The name of the attorney of record
