Dodge County, Wisconsin Court Records
Dodge County court records are official records, papers, and files created, received, or maintained for any action or proceeding in any court within the county. They include transcripts, motions, evidentiary materials, judgments, decrees, and other information or documents filed or generated during case proceedings. The Dodge County Clerk of Circuit Court is the primary custodian of the county's court records. The clerk, also known as the Clerk of Courts, maintains records of all documents filed with the court and keeps a record of court proceedings in all matters, including criminal, civil, and family cases.
Alongside court records, Dodge County maintains other records, including arrest, vital, and property records. Although the county's court records are typically distinct from these records, they can sometimes be linked to, expand on, or complement them. For example, a criminal court record often contains and expands on information from arrest records. Similarly, probate/estate records and certain family court records may reference vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage records.
Are Dodge County Court Records Public?
Yes. Per the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39), records maintained regarding government affairs and official acts are public records, and the public has the right to inspect and copy them. Accordingly, Dodge County court records are public and may be inspected and copied by interested persons. However, not all court records are public. The law classifies certain records as confidential and excludes them from public access. As a result, the following records, which are deemed confidential, are unavailable to the public.
- Adoption records
- Juvenile court records
- Mental health commitment records
- Any record sealed by court order
- Termination of parental rights case records
- Records containing protected personal information, such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers (typically redacted)
- Grand jury materials
What Information is Available in Dodge County Court Records?
Dodge County court records typically include the following information:
- Names of case parties (i.e., plaintiff, defendant, respondent, claimant, petitioner)
- Case details, such as case numbers, types, status
- Dates, including filing dates and hearing dates
- Hearing or trial transcripts (if prepared)
- Complaints, petitions, motions, answers
- Indictments/charges (criminal cases)
- Court orders, decrees, judgments
- Exhibits and other materials filed during the proceeding
- Subpoenas/summonses
Dodge County Court Records Search
Interested persons may search Dodge County court records online or request official copies in person, by fax or mail, by email, or by phone.
Online Access
To search Dodge County court records online, use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website. This website provides searchable access to certain public records of Wisconsin circuit courts, including Dodge County Circuit Court. The search criteria include party name (e.g., last, first, and middle name), case party birth date, case number, and county (i.e., Dodge County). The website is free. However, it provides access only to court records that are public under Wisconsin public records law.
In-Person Access
To view paper or electronic files or request official copies of court documents, visit the clerk of courts' office between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Requests must include the case party name or case number.
Fax or Mail Requests
To obtain official copies of court records by fax or mail, send a written request to the Clerk of Courts office using the number or address below. Include the case number and the specific document(s) requested (e.g., the name of the document and the date of filing). Also provide a phone number where the clerk's office can call to arrange payment and delivery. Mail requests may also include payment for copies by check or money order.
Dodge County Justice Facility
Attn: Clerk of Courts
210 West Center Street
Juneau, WI 53039-1091
Fax: (920) 386-3587
Email or Phone Requests
For these, email a written request to the Clerk of Courts via the "email request" link or call the Clerk of Courts at (920) 386-3570. Either request must include the case number or the party name(s) and the specific documents requested (e.g., the document name, the date of filing, etc.).
Fees for Court Records in Dodge County
Pursuant to Wis. Stats. §814.61(10a)(a), the Clerk of Courts, that is, the Dodge County Clerk of Circuit Court, charges a fee of $1.25 per page for copies of official court case documents. An additional fee of $5.00 per document is charged for certified copies (stamped as official copies). A $5.00 search fee is also charged when the person requesting the search does not provide a case number. This fee covers the cost of determining whether a record exists.
For probate records, the fee for copies is $1.00 per page, whether certified or not, and $4.00 for searches if a case number is not provided.
Dodge County Courthouse Locations
Dodge County has five (5) courts and five (5) courthouse locations. They are:
Dodge County Circuit Court
Justice Facility
210 West Center Street
Juneau, WI 53039-1091
Phone: (920) 386-3570
Fax: (920) 386-3587
City of Beaver Dam Municipal Court
123 Park Avenue
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone: (920) 887-4622
Fax: (920) 887-4603
City of Fox Lake Municipal Court
Fox Lake
248 East State Street
Fox Lake, WI, 53933
Phone: (920) 325-9092
220 Ellison Street
Horicon, WI 53032
Phone: (920) 485-4376
Fax: (920) 485-3550
Town of Fox Lake Municipal Court
W10543 Cty F
Fox Lake, WI 53933
Phone: (920) 928-3573
Criminal Records Access in Dodge County
Official state-level criminal history checks, which provide access to statewide criminal history records, including arrest information, charges, and court dispositions across Wisconsin, are handled by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (WDOJ) through its Crime Information Bureau (CIB). The CIB allows individuals to conduct criminal records checks online through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) for $7 per search.
Nonetheless, while the Dodge County Clerk of Courts does not conduct state-level criminal record checks, the clerk's office provides access to local criminal case records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website and in person, as well as by fax, mail, phone, and email.
Dodge County Probate Records
Dodge County probate records consist of information, documents, and files, both paper and electronic, maintained for decedent estates, guardianship, adoption, conservatorship, and civil commitment cases. These records also cover wills and trusts. The Dodge County Register in Probate oversees probate records for the county. These records are generally public, with a few exceptions, including adoption, mental health commitment, and minor guardianship records.
Interested persons can view public probate records online via the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website or request them in person, by mail, or by email from the Register in Probate. The copy fee is $1.00 per page, whether certified or not. If a search request is made without a case number, a fee of $4.00 is charged.
Dodge County Family Court Records
Family law records consist of divorce, child custody, domestic abuse, and child and spousal support case records. The Dodge County Clerk of Circuit Court (also known as the Clerk of Courts) maintains these records for the circuit. Interested persons may view family court records online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website or request official copies from the clerk's office in person, by mail, fax, phone, or email. Copies cost $1.25 per page. Certification of copies costs $5.00 per document.
Federal Court Records in Dodge County
Federal court records are all documents created, received, or maintained for any action or proceeding in a federal court. These include transcripts, orders, judgments, motions, sentences, and other case information in matters filed or heard in a federal court. Federal court records are generally accessible through the clerk's office of the federal courthouse where the federal case, such as civil rights violations, bank robbery, drug trafficking, or bankruptcy proceedings, was handled. Additionally, federal court records are available online via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), which provides public access to federal court case information and documents throughout the United States. PACER charges $0.10 per page for documents and case information, with a $3.00 cap per document.
