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Grant County, Wisconsin Court Records

Grant County court records are files and case documents created or filed during a court case in Grant County. These documents could contain case summaries, orders, judgments, and filings, and are maintained and managed by the Circuit Court Clerk (Wisconsin Statute § 59.40(2)). Aside from containing information about legal proceedings, court records often connect to other records. A police arrest record, for instance, might be linked to a criminal court record. Also, vital documents like birth or marriage certificates may be connected to a divorce or paternity case, particularly when the case involves a child custody or name change situation.

Are Grant County Court Records Public?

Yes. The public has access to Grant County court records (Wisconsin Statute Section 19.31). According to this statute, the public may see and copy government records, including court files, upon request. Unless a particular statute or regulation specifies otherwise, record custodians are required by law to allow access to records.

However, the public cannot access the following records:

  • Sealed records
  • Adoption and certain family court documents.
  • Juvenile records
  • Confidential information provided by informants
  • Documents kept confidential during John Doe proceedings (Section 968.26)
  • Records that are protected by an official confidentiality promise and whose disclosure would be detrimental to the public interest.

What Information is Available in Grant County Court Records?

Grant County court records contain the following details:

  • Case type and number
  • Names of the parties involved
  • Schedules for court dates and hearings
  • The case's assigned judge
  • Charges brought in criminal cases
  • Status and result of the case
  • Details of the sentence or verdict
  • Motions and documents filed
  • Names of attorneys on file
  • Details about bail or bonds.

Grant County Court Records Search

Grant County court records can be found through any of three methods outlined below.

Online Access

  • The Circuit Court Accessportal allows the public free online access to Grant County case dockets, party names, hearing dates, judge names, lists of filed documents, and money judgments.
  • The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Case Access (WSCCA) website gives public access to records for cases sent up to higher courts. These include written decisions, appeal records, and submitted briefs.
  • Both portals provide details on civil, criminal, traffic, and small claims cases. Adoption files, juvenile cases, mental health commitment records, and guardianship records are not available online.

In-Person Access

  • Requestors can view physical case files and use public search computers at theGrant County Courthouse. The office is open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
  • Requestors may take pictures using a personal phone or scanner at no cost.
  • Older civil and divorce files from 1939 to 1982 are kept in the state archive. Requestors may first check the index books at the courthouse to find the file number before ordering the file.

Mail and Phone Requests

  • The Clerk of Circuit Court accepts mailed requests. Requestors can also call the office at (608) 723-2752 for records inquiries or any questions whatsoever.
  • Requests usually take three to ten business days to process.
  • Payment should be sent with the mail request by cashier's check, business check, or money order, made payable to the Grant County Clerk of Circuit Court.
  • Mail requests should be sent to the mailing address below:

Clerk of Circuit Court,

Attn: Public Records,

P.O. Box 110

130 West Maple Street,

Lancaster, WI 53813.

Fees for Court Records in Grant County

The public can view public records in Grant County for free. The fees listed below cover staff time, paper, printing, and the work required to check and seal documents:

  • Viewing files in person at the courthouse costs nothing
  • Copies cost $1.25 per page (Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(a)).
  • Certifying a document costs $5.00 on top of copy charges
  • Searching for a case without a case number costs $5.00
  • Mailing certified records costs $15.00, plus postage.

Grant County Courthouse Locations

The Grant County court system comprises one Circuit Court. The courthouse location and contact information are outlined below:

Grant County Circuit Court

130 West Maple Street

P.O. Box 110

Lancaster, WI 53813

Phone: (608) 723-2752

Criminal Records Access in Grant County

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, not the county courts, is responsible for all state-level criminal history checks. Requestors can contact the agency to request one. However, Grant County court records related to criminal cases can be found at the local level through the following methods:

  • Online: Requestors can search the Circuit Court Access portal for free to find Grant County criminal case records, such as charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes.
  • In person: Individuals can visit the Courthouse to use public computers or request physical case files during office hours, Monday through Friday.

Grant County Probate Records

Grant County probate records refer to all the documents created when someone passes away or needs the court's assistance with financial or personal concerns. These documents describe who gets a person's money, house, and possessions after death, as well as what the court does when someone requires assistance with financial or medical decisions. These records are maintained by the Register in Probate (Wisconsin Statute Chapter 851).

Grant County's probate records are accessible to the public, either in person at the county courthouse or online via the Circuit Court Access portal. Recent records are also available online. Common types of probate records include the following:

  • Wills: legal documents that state how a deceased person wants belongings divided
  • Trusts: these place assets under someone's care for the benefit of specific people
  • Guardianships: these give someone legal authority to care for a minor or an incapacitated adult.
  • Conservatorships: these give someone control over another person's financial affairs

(Note:) Adoptions, mental health commitments, and certain guardianship files cannot be accessed by the public.

Grant County Family Court Records

Grant County family court documents are generally open to the public; however, some information is restricted by law:

  • While divorce cases are accessible to the public, access to financial records and medical histories requires a court order (Wis. Stat. § 767.35).
  • Final custody and placement orders are public record. However, reports about custody risks, psychological tests, child welfare, and abuse protection orders are limited (Wis. Stat. § 767.41, § 801.20).
  • Adoption cases are entirely closed to the public (Wis. Stat. § 48.93)
  • The public can access support cases, but not income information or paternity files (Wis. Stat. § 767.511).

Case names, filing dates, and rulings are available on the Circuit Court Access website; however, sealed records remain confidential (Wis. Stat. § 801.18). Alternatively, requestors can view files in person at the Grant County Courthouse, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. A case number, an identification check for sealed records, and payment of the necessary fees are necessary for certified copies (Wis. Stat. § 814.61).

Federal Court Records in Grant County

Federal court records refer to cases involving federal law, federal offenses, bankruptcy, or lawsuits between residents of various states that are filed and held by the federal courts. The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin has jurisdiction over Grant County. Records can be accessed in two ways.

  • Individuals can search federal case records online via the PACER system, which is a national electronic database of federal court files.
  • In person: During regular work hours, requestors can see physical files and use public terminals at the federal courthouse.
Grant County Court