Waushara County Public Records /Waushara County Divorce Records

Waushara County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Waushara County in 2026

WausharaRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Waushara County, Wisconsin. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody determinations, and support orders.

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are currently available to members of the public seeking divorce records in Waushara County.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Wisconsin Court System provides a statewide case search portal that allows members of the public to search circuit court records, including family law and divorce cases filed in Waushara County. This is the most common method for locating divorce case information at no cost. Basic case information is available without charge; fees apply for obtaining copies of documents.

Access the Wisconsin Court System case search at wicourts.gov
Enter one or both party names, or the case number if known
Select Waushara County from the county filter
Review case summary, docket entries, and hearing dates
Note the case number for use in document requests

2. State Vital Records

Wisconsin registers divorce certificates through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Divorce certificates provide confirmation of the dissolution and the date it was finalized. These records contain less detail than full court case files but serve as official proof of divorce status. Fees apply for certified copies. Members of the public may request a vital record online, by mail, or in person.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Waushara County:

Waushara County Clerk of Courts
209 S. Saint Marie Street
Wautoma, WI 54982
Phone: (920) 787-0441
Waushara County Legal Resources — Wisconsin State Law Library

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
Staff assistance with locating records

Records Department:

The Clerk of Courts office maintains both current and archived divorce case files. Older records that predate electronic filing may be stored in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Staff can assist with locating historical records upon request.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail requests to:

Waushara County Clerk of Courts
209 S. Saint Marie Street
Wautoma, WI 54982

Include the following with a written request:

Full names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
Approximate date of divorce
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on record volume and whether archival retrieval is required.

By Phone

Limited Information:

Clerk of Court: (920) 787-0441
Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, confirm case status, and provide the filing date
Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by telephone

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Wisconsin may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The State Bar of Wisconsin provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Wisconsin
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Wis. Stat. § 767.301, a divorce action in Wisconsin must be filed in the circuit court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a divorce record should confirm which county the filing party resided in at the time of the divorce. Searching the county where the marriage ceremony occurred will not yield results unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.

Residency Requirement:

Wisconsin law requires that at least one spouse have resided in the state for a minimum of six months and in the county of filing for a minimum of thirty days immediately preceding the filing of the divorce action.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Records may not appear in the online system immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered
Contact the Clerk of Courts office directly to confirm availability

Older Divorces:

Records predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format
Digitization of older records varies; some may require manual retrieval
Allow additional processing time for archived case files

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case is still pending and has not been finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk of Courts at (920) 787-0441
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Check the Wisconsin Vital Records Office for a divorce certificate
Consult an attorney for assistance with sealed or difficult-to-locate records

What Are Waushara County Divorce Records?

Waushara County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Waushara County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the family law court file and are maintained by the Clerk of Courts as public records subject to applicable access restrictions.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files:

Petition for divorce (dissolution of marriage)
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits from both parties
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing transcripts
Final judgment of divorce

Final Decree:

The final judgment of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property and debts, any spousal support obligations, child custody and placement arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Courts.

Supporting Documents:

Marriage certificate (submitted as evidence)
Financial disclosure documents
Property inventories and appraisals
Parenting plan details
Post-judgment modification orders

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Divorce records serve a range of legal and personal purposes, including:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Documentation for legal name changes
Property transfer and title documentation
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration proceedings
Social Security benefit claims
Genealogical and family history research

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Waushara County Clerk of Courts is the primary custodian of divorce case files and provides certified copies upon request. The Wisconsin Vital Records Office, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, maintains divorce certificates at the state level. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 69.01 et seq., the state vital records system registers divorces and makes certificates available to eligible requestors.

Are Waushara County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Waushara County Circuit Court are public court records under Wisconsin law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents. However, certain categories of information are restricted or may be sealed by court order to protect sensitive personal and financial data.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and outcomes
Court orders and judgments
Final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from public filings
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
Certain financial statements may be filed under seal

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside
Schools children attend
Medical and psychological evaluations of children
Child custody evaluations may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Mediation communications are confidential by statute

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public without a court order.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

Wisconsin's public records law, codified at Wis. Stat. § 19.35, establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including court filings. Access may be denied only where a specific legal basis for restriction exists, and the burden rests on the custodian to demonstrate that restriction is warranted.

Who Can Access Records:

Requestor Type	Level of Access
General Public	Public documents, docket entries, final orders
Parties to the Case	Full access to own case file, including confidential documents
Attorneys of Record	Full access; may petition for sealed documents
Researchers and Media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records
Law Enforcement	Statutory access to restricted information

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued by the court.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Waushara County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Waushara County?

The Waushara County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 814.61, which governs court fees in Wisconsin circuit courts.

Standard Copy Fees:

Service	Fee
Plain paper copies	$1.25 per page
Certified copy of court record	$5.00 per document plus $1.25 per page
Certification fee	$5.00
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies; contact Clerk's office
Search fee	No separate search fee at present

Vital Records Fees (Wisconsin DHS):

The Wisconsin Vital Records Office charges a fee for certified divorce certificates. At present, the standard fee for a certified divorce certificate is $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. These fees are subject to change; members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Check or money order payable to Waushara County Clerk of Courts
Credit or debit card (availability may vary; confirm with office)

Fee Waivers:

Wisconsin law does not provide a general fee waiver for divorce record copies. Parties who are indigent and represented by legal aid organizations may inquire with the Clerk of Courts regarding any applicable waiver provisions. Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.

What Is Available at No Cost:

Viewing case docket entries through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal
Inspecting public case documents in person at the Clerk of Courts office
Confirming case existence and status by telephone

What's Included in Divorce Records in Waushara County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Waushara County Clerk of Courts contains the following categories of documents.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record and their contact information
Filing date and case type

Initial Pleadings:

The petition for divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (Wisconsin is a no-fault state, requiring only that the marriage be irretrievably broken), information regarding minor children, property claims, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer addresses each allegation and may include a counterpetition.

Financial Affidavits:

Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.

Discovery Documents:

Tax returns and pay stubs
Bank and investment account statements
Retirement account statements
Written interrogatories and answers under oath
Requests for production of documents and responses

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with valuations
Debt inventory
Real property appraisals
Business valuations, if applicable
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody
Timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, and summer provisions
Child support calculation worksheets
Income information for both parties
Health insurance and childcare cost documentation
Child support order specifying amount, payment method, and schedule
Custody evaluations, if ordered by the court
Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed

Support Documents:

Spousal support (maintenance) order specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Calculation worksheets reflecting income, standard of living, and need

Settlement Documents:

Marital settlement agreement addressing all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
Temporary restraining orders or injunctions, if issued
Final judgment of divorce including findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and placement, and any name restoration
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details, which may be sealed upon motion
Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
Trade secrets contained in business valuations
Mediation communications, which are confidential by statute

How Information Is Organized:

Documents are filed in chronological order and indexed by document type and filing date. Recent cases are maintained in electronic format through the Wisconsin court electronic filing system. Older cases may exist in paper format or as scanned documents. Each document in the file carries a filing date and document number corresponding to the case docket.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Waushara County?

Proof of divorce in Waushara County may be obtained through two primary channels: a certified copy of the final judgment of divorce from the Waushara County Clerk of Courts, or a certified divorce certificate from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office.

Certified Copy of Final Judgment (Clerk of Courts):

A certified copy of the final judgment of divorce is the most comprehensive form of proof and is accepted for legal, financial, and immigration purposes. To obtain a certified copy:

Contact the Waushara County Clerk of Courts at (920) 787-0441 to confirm the case number and document availability.
Submit a written request in person, by mail, or by telephone, providing the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
Pay the applicable certification and copy fees (currently $5.00 certification fee plus $1.25 per page).
Receive the certified copy in person or by mail.

Waushara County Clerk of Courts
209 S. Saint Marie Street
Wautoma, WI 54982
Phone: (920) 787-0441
Waushara County Legal Resources — Wisconsin State Law Library

Certified Divorce Certificate (Wisconsin Vital Records Office):

A certified divorce certificate issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirms the fact of divorce, the date of dissolution, and the county of filing. This document is suitable for many administrative purposes, including name changes and benefit claims. Members of the public may request a vital record through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office online, by mail, or in person.

Wisconsin Vital Records Office
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-1373
Wisconsin Department of Health Services — Vital Records

Standard circuit court forms for family law proceedings, including those used in divorce cases, are available through the Wisconsin Court System circuit court forms page, which provides statewide standardized forms required by all Wisconsin circuit courts.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Waushara County?

A divorce proceeding in Waushara County may be made partially or fully confidential under limited circumstances established by Wisconsin law and court rule. Confidentiality is not automatic; it requires a court order based on a demonstrated legal basis.

Records that may be restricted or sealed include:

Domestic violence cases: Addresses and identifying information of victims may be withheld from public filings to protect safety.
Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological records of minor children are subject to heightened protection and may be redacted or sealed.
Mental health and substance abuse records: These records are protected under both state and federal law and are not part of the public case file.
Mediation communications: Under Wisconsin law, all communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and may not be disclosed in subsequent proceedings.
Sealed settlements: Parties may petition the court to seal a settlement agreement upon a showing that confidentiality serves a legitimate interest that outweighs the public's right of access.
High-profile or sensitive cases: A court may seal all or part of a case file upon a finding of good cause, balancing the presumption of public access under Wis. Stat. § 19.35 against the privacy interests at stake.

A motion to seal must be filed with the Waushara County Circuit Court, and the opposing party is entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard before any sealing order is entered.

How Long Does Waushara County Keep Divorce Records?

Waushara County Circuit Court divorce records are retained for extended periods in accordance with Wisconsin court records retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Public Records Board.

Retention periods for divorce records currently in effect include:

Final judgments of divorce: Retained permanently. Final decrees and judgments are considered permanent court records and are not subject to destruction.
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 20 years from the date of the final judgment, after which certain non-essential documents may be purged while the final judgment is preserved.
Uncontested divorce case files: Retained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of the final judgment.
Post-judgment modification files: Retained for the same period as the underlying case file, running from the date of the most recent order.
Archived paper records: Older records that predate electronic filing are maintained in archival storage and remain accessible upon request, though retrieval may require additional processing time.
Electronic records: Cases filed through the Wisconsin court electronic filing system are maintained in the statewide electronic database and are accessible through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal.

Members of the public seeking records from cases that may have been archived should contact the Waushara County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.