Records of divorce in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. WinnebagoCourt.us allows quick access to publicly available information on divorce cases in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly through the Circuit Court, the Clerk of Courts of Winnebago County office, or through the Vital Records department at the county and state level. The method of access depends on the type of document you need — a court case or a divorce certificate.
Winnebago Divorce Records Search
In Wisconsin, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court — the general jurisdiction court. In Winnebago County, all official court documents, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related procedural documents, are maintained by the Clerk of Courts office. This office is the primary custodian of court records.
Besides court materials, divorce certificates are issued by the Winnebago County Vital Records department. However, through this department, you can only obtain divorce certificates for divorces that occurred in Wisconsin starting January 1, 2016. For records prior to this date, you need to contact the Clerk of Courts.
For online court case searches, use the CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs) system — the official portal of the Wisconsin court system, where you can search cases by party name or case number.
Winnebago County Clerk of Courts
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Winnebago
The structure for storing divorce records in Winnebago County is divided between two institutions. Where to apply depends on the specific document you need.
Circuit Court — Case Materials
The Winnebago County Circuit Court handles all divorce cases in the county. After a judgment of divorce is issued by a judge, the complete set of documents — including the complaint, response, settlement agreement, custody and support orders — is stored in the Clerk of Courts office. This is where you should go if you need a copy of a specific court document or the complete case file.
Vital Records — Divorce Certificate
If you need a divorce certificate — a brief official document confirming the fact of divorce — contact the Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce Certificates department of Winnebago County. An important limitation: through this department, only divorce certificates issued in Wisconsin from January 1, 2016, or later are available.
For divorces before 2016, the only source remains the Clerk of Courts.
Summary of distribution:
- Complete court case, court decisions, agreements → Clerk of Courts (Circuit Court)
- Divorce certificate (from 01.01.2016) → Winnebago County Vital Records
- Divorce certificate (before 01.01.2016) → Clerk of Courts
- Online case search → Wisconsin CCAP or WinnebagoCourt.us
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Winnebago
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (Vital Records, from 01.01.2016) | $20.00 | 5–10 business days |
| Copy of court document (Clerk of Courts) — per page | $1.25 | Usually within a few business days |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Courts) | $5.00 for certification + copying cost | Usually within a few business days |
| Online search via CCAP | Free | Instant |